In Killer Kung Pao, Lana Lee at twenty-eight is the manager of her family’s noodle house in Asia Village near Cleveland. She feels pretty adult even if her slightly older sister, Anna May, thinks changing her hair color from black to pink to gray is “gateway hair” just proving how immature Lana is. Lana’s boyfriend, Detective Adam, thinks Lana has “Nancy Drew tendencies”. Which, of course, is true. As soon as sue-crazy troublemaker Millie is found electrocuted in Lana’s hair stylist’s salon, Lana is on the case, with or without Adam’s approval.
It is always a pleasant journey visiting with Lana and her friends and family. As Lana and her roommate, Megan, examine the evidence, you feel like you are right behind them helping to solve the crime. The mystery was a challenge to solve too. Just like the reader, Lana made several incorrect guesses about whodunit before determining who was the real perpetrator.
Overall, Killer Kung Pao is a fun look into a zany Chinese family and a great cozy mystery. 4 stars!
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.