Death by Dumpling Review: Tropey yet tastily terrific
When I saw Death by Dumpling on the shelf, I knew I had to pick it up. After reading Auntie Lee's Delights and not getting the cutesy food-mystery fix I was hoping for, I went back to the library to return it and browse. While there, I saw the Noodle Shop Mystery series and instantly fell in love with the cutely macabre titles and cover art. I checked it out and finished it in a single day during a road trip. So, did this book disappoint, or did it hook me in? That's what I, Brighton Nelson, will be discussing in today's review. Thank you so much for joining me here on the site, and I hope you enjoy your stay!
Let's start with the negatives. This book's final reveal was obvious and trope-ridden, even by cozy mystery standards. For how much creativity went into this novel in other regards, the reveal, reasoning, and repercussions were disappointing. If reheated-dumpling-esque tropes don't bother you, you'll find this book even more deliciously glorious than I did. However, as it stands, this was the novel's weak link for me. Still, I expect the sequels will have tighter mysteries, since less time will need to be allocated toward character introductions and building out the vibes of Chinatown (unless the sequels move to a different location).
Outside of that one disappointment—albeit a sizable one—this novel is tons of fun. Lana isn't inherently the most stylish or intriguing person, but she's fun, relatable, and a grounded POV character. While I love a more heightened cozy mystery protagonist, Lana is definitely strong enough to carry the novel on her shoulders. Her interactions with her community lead to some awesome investigative efforts. She talks to so many vibrant personalities throughout, and while the final reveal wasn't my favorite, I actually found the investigation itself to be one of the best I've read this year. I don't often enjoy the investigative process more than the final reveal, but this is one of those times where I would likely feel that way even if the reveal had been stronger.
I also just loved the community aspect and worldbuilding here. The characters, the noodle shop itself, the surrounding businesses, the lore, her best friend's help, and even a bit of cutesy romance... It all felt so alive—even for someone with aphantasia. That's a hard hurdle for prose to overcome, even in fantasy, but especially in contemporary fiction. Here, the vibes were completely tangible. It's not a book trying to reinvent the wheel—it plays into genre tropes intentionally, creating a story that is equal parts adorable and tension-filled. Once my library finally stocks up on the sequels, I'll be having a field day with the rest of this series.
The Brighton's Bookshelf Verdict
Brighton's Bookshelf Score - 7/10
Letter Score - B+
Vivien Chien crafts a lovable series introduction with her debut Death by Dumpling. While the reveals are predictable and generic, Asia Plaza is such a whimsical little setting full of vibrant characters that you can't help but want to binge-read the sequels and see more of Lana's investigative efforts. A cozy mystery series lives or dies by how much you want to return to a setting, and this book succeeds there and then some.
Interested in checking out some of my reviews for other mystery, thriller, and crime novels? Check them out below!
Author Bio
Author Bio
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