Misfortune Cookie by Vivien Chien

Item: Misfortune Cookie
Rating: 5
Author: karenbaron

Posted April 27, 2026 by karenbaron in Mystery, Review, Series / 0 Comments

Misfortune Cookie

by Vivien Chien

Series: Noodle Shop Mystery #9
Series Rating:

Published by St. Martin's Press on June 27, 2023
Setting: Irvine, California
Genres: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Pages: 336
Format: ebook, Paperback
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
Also in this series: Death by Dumpling, Dim Sum of All Fears, Murder Lo Mein, Wonton Terror, Egg Drop Dead, Killer Kung Pao, Fatal Fried Rice, Hot and Sour Suspects

They say fortune favors the bold, and Lana Lee is determined to prove that true.

Lana, now officially manager of her family’s restaurant, the Ho-Lee Noodle House, is headed to sunny Irvine, California to attend a restaurant convention with her sister, Anna May, along for the ride. The girls’ very Americanized Aunt Grace has asked them to stay in her posh rental, and as the trip begins, it seems to be just what they both needed. Even the restaurant convention proves to be worthwhile and entertaining, especially when Lana witnesses a dramatic cat fight between a fortune cookie vendor and a journalist.

Lana and Anna May can’t imagine things getting any better until they learn their aunt has yet another surprise in store for them―a swanky cocktail party hosted for the freelancers of Southern California. But on the night of the party, things go south when a close journalist friend of Grace’s mysteriously plunges from the roof top of the hotel. Even more suspicious is the fact that Aunt Grace’s friend is the same journalist Lana saw getting into a screaming match with the fortune cookie vendor at the convention.

The police rule the death a gruesome accident, but Aunt Grace refuses to accept that explanation and begs Lana for her help uncovering the truth. Lana, Anna May, Aunt Grace attempt to keep up appearances as they search for answers, but unwanted attention from suspicious colleagues and convention attendees starts to surface, causing Lana to wonder if they’ll find the killer in time…or if they’ll be the next ones pushed over the edge.

Misfortune Cookie by Vivien Chien follows Lana Lee as she visits California with her older sister.

Can Lana solve this mystery within the limited time?

Lana and Anna May Lee

Lana Lee is going to California for a restaurant convention, and her older sister, Anna May, has decided to take some vacation time to be with her baby sister. This sister act was a riot, and I loved how going to a different state helped them. Anna May is still always in need of a plan before doing something, but she has started to loosen up a bit. Lana was trying so hard to keep her promise, but her aunt needed her. I loved how these two teamed up to solve the mystery and kept mending fences.

The Mystery

Aunt Grace brought her two nieces to a cocktail party that her job was in charge of. She wanted to show them off, and in more ways than one, she did. The three of them were in the restaurant of a hotel where they were attending a magazine cocktail party when they heard the commotion. After knowing that Grace knew the victim, Lana tried her hardest not to get involved, but her aunt talked her into it. I loved how, in this installment, the three of them tried to solve the murder within the short time they had. Ms. Chien totally got me on who did it and why.

Five Stars

My rating for Misfortune Cookie by Vivien Chien is five stars. I am also recommending this series, as it’s always a great read. Ms. Chien has done a fabulous job with this novel; it made me feel like I was back in California, soaking up the sun. I am glad to see Lana out of Cleveland and getting hooked into another mystery. Ms. Chien is a great author at introducing clues and red herrings, as I did fall for one.

Noodle Shop Mystery Series

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Misfortune Cookie by Vivien Chien.

Want to know more about Vivien Chin? Take a look at an interview with her HERE.

Until the next time,

Happy Reading!

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About Vivien Chien

Vivien Chien was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio where she grew up in a mixed-race home, making for some very interesting cultural experiences. She found her love of books and the written word at an early age while writing short stories about her classmates in elementary school. Currently, she writes side-by-side with her toy fox terrier who refuses to sit anywhere else. When she’s not writing, Vivien enjoys frequenting local Asian restaurants, frolicking in the bookstore, and searching for her next donut.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges: