It was the title. Of course, it was the title. Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien is the first foodie cozy I have bought in Barnes and Noble (right there near Wegmans in Pittsford) in a very long time. There it was, calling my name. So, I bought it -- and then in a short while, I read it. And, according to Chien's website, there is a second Noodle Shop mystery on its way soon.
But what about this first one? If you are a devoted reader of this site -- or care to wander the site categories, come across Murder on the Menu and see how many food related mysteries I have reviewed, you know I know this sub genre. I know it well. And, I have opinions about it. I am ambivalent about the punning that goes on. I prefer there to actually be a plot and do not see the inclusion of recipes as the only thing defining the sub genre. I like authors that weave more complex plots and engage in characterization better than those that . . . do not. I get a bit tired of some of the cliches that go with cozy foodie mysteries -- the amateur detective (female) always has a love interest (usually if not quite always male) who is either a sherif, a cop or otherwise a professional in related areas. And, the romance is often . . . early in the series, accompanied by self denigration on the part of the woman, who often gets into idiotic situations as a result of her curiosity, persistent effort to solve crimes, etcetera.
What I do like, of course, is the indirect way of learning about food cultures, a plot with ongoing characterization, fun side kicks, interesting settings, and more. I learn about tea from Laura Childs and coffee from Cleo Coyle (and pseudonyms from them both), for example, and am oddly fond of their series characters. I have explored Charleston and Greenwich Village with them. I like the sub genre, for the most part. So: I was excited to find this new entry to the list of authors I know.
So, what about Death by Dumpling? I thought I would learn a bit about Asian (more specifically, Chinese American) food culture (though not as much as I did from The Last Chinese Chef (reviewed here on CookingwithIdeas) which was a spectacular novel. And, I so enjoyed Murder on Bamboo Lane which challenged the sub genre by having a female (Asian American) police officer at its heart.
Of course, I especially like the sub genre when it overlaps with particular food related matters for me; in the case of dumplings I have a very fond memory of making them with a long deceased friend and her children and others. I somehow expected, I think, to participate vicariously in dumpling making. Without spoiling anything, that is not the case here as the dumplings are made out of our sight.
In any case, I bought the book -- and Death by Dumpling is, like most parts of the real world, imperfect. It is both a fun read and one that is, for me, marred by a few minor things. I love some aspects (the character Lana Lee reminds me of some children I know with similar names!) -- including the insight into Asian market plazas (though not as fleshed out as I would have liked) and that the tale was set in Cleveland (which I do not know at all, despite occasionally driving through) but, again, would like to see the place fleshed out further. Two things: the main "investigator" is young (27 I think) and sometimes that is over emphasized -- her voice seems, to be honest, annoying, despite the reality that she is smart, caring, and focused. The whining -- implied and actually present in the novel, seems a bit much. (This may be because there is an emphasis characteristic of the sub genre on failed romance. And, as with other series in the genre, there is a new love interest with all that ambiguity, in the person of a police detective.) I'd like to see Lana Lee's tone change a bit in future novels in the series. While there is the implication that she matures over the course of this installment, it doesn't really feel like that to me.
Having said that, the notion of murder by food allergy is entertaining -- and though used elsewhere -- used to good purpose here. And, the complications of parent child (and especially adult child) loyalty abound in the novel in ways that both contribute to the plot, provide "red herrings" and remind us all of the ways misunderstanding is not merely about those outside our families but all too often define our relationships inside our families as well. That Lana Lee is bi-racial adds some interest as well -- as she does wrestle with that a bit in the story.
This book qualifies as what I think of as a peanut book (no, this is not about the horrors of peanut allergies!) -- a peanut book from my perspective is a very very quick, fun, read -- a bit ore than fluffy but still a snack food!
For a review elsewhere, click here. Or, try here.
