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thenovelmaura's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved the Chow sisters' distinct personalities: May, the dutiful eldest daughter with a passion for acting; Gemma, the firecracker middle child who jumps in headfirst and asks questions later; and Peony, the mystery-enthusiast who's always fighting to be included in the elder sisters' investigation. Though new to detective work, they were a true team who played off of each others' strengths and often split up to cover more ground. I was so emotionally connected to this family, from their playful teasing of each other to their interactions with their (mostly) supportive parents.
As a former resident of Los Angeles, I really enjoyed the 1930's historical setting and how the plot revolved around the real-life demolition of Old Chinatown. Lee loosely based the character of Lulu Wong on Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star. Even though her death kickstarted the events of the story, Lulu still felt larger than life. It was frequently emphasized that she was the pride of Chinatown—someone who worked her way into an industry that was openly hostile to Asian Americans and would employ them as extras, at most. While the mystery elements of the story were what made this book a favorite, the historical aspects added an additional layer of meaning for me during Asian American Heritage Month.
Graphic: Murder and Racism
Moderate: Chronic illness and Gun violence
alli_the_bookaholic13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book. The setting was fantastic, and the author really transported me back to the 1930s with the Chow sisters. I liked the dual POV narration between May and Gemma, and I liked that the sisters were very different.
The mystery in this one was fantastic. Lulu’s death isn’t being investigated properly, so Gemma and May decide to do so themselves. They got into some trouble, but they also found answers. I liked how many different angles they had to look into. I also liked how they came across supporting characters who continued to play a role in the story. The ultimate villain was revealed really well, and the story had me guessing right up until a few pages before the reveal when all the clues were laid out.
The pacing was good, and I liked that there was the mystery but also the family elements and May and Wallace’s budding relationship. The story really followed their lives during this period of unease with the impending destruction of Chinatown and the murder of Lulu.
I was hooked by the story, the characters and the writing style. It was easy to read and follow along with, and the author did a fantastic job of setting up the mystery and dropping clues.
Minor: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Death, and Drug use
justinekorson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
This is the first story I've read by Stacy Lee despite knowing about her work for several years now and WOW what a story to start with. I've always enjoyed a murder mystery so to read one that was centered around Los Angeles in the 1930's was really fun to read. I especially enjoyed the sisters because I felt like May and Gemma are like my sister and I. (It works too because my sister is also older than me, as May is, and I'm a little menace like Gemma is). May was constantly stressed about keeping the family afloat/together through their mother's pregnancy and their father's absence and Gemma was constantly making things harder for her! Gemma was also very clever and spontaneous though so I throughly enjoyed her. Gemma's banter with others was always great though. Her sarcasm was unmatched and the way her older sister would always hit her when she said something a little stupid or insulting was very on brand for how siblings act (in my opinion).
I also really enjoyed the small little romance aspect of this story. You could really tel from the get-go how much Wallace cared for May and was trying to play it off (and how May felt the same way but was ALSO pretending that she didn't like him). I loved their interactions together and thought they were so cute! I was glad that they ended on good terms.
What had surprised me was the small romance that sort of appeared between Gemma and Freddie. It was pretty unexpected, especially since I thought Freddie would have a one and done appearance when he bought flowers from the girls (and Gemma conned him into buying the most expensive flowers). I was also confused because Gemma was only 17 if I believe and Freddie was already a practicing doctor which meant he had to be at least 21? Maybe? I'm not sure how young doctors would be in the 1930's but I was very confused by how the author kept bringing them together. I do admit I thought they were cute and could potentially work out but it sounded like, by the end, that Gemma wouldn't forgive him for his role in Lulu's murder (even if it was unintentional). Gemma talked about the red string of fate in relation to her and Freddie twice, once when she was contemplating if he was meant to be in his life and then again when she found out what he'd done. So in my opinion, it doesn't sound like they ever end up together in some distant future.
I'm also really glad that May got to follow her dream of being an actor! I was worried that she wouldn't be able to, especially after the blowback from all the girls lies but everything worked out well in the end for the girls.
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Death, Chronic illness, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Sexism, and Homophobia
devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Death, Murder, Gun violence, Hate crime, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Misogyny, Racism, Drug use, Racial slurs, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Blood, and Cursing
cboddie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Racism
whitneyfoster's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
May and Gemma, are sisters supposedly investigating the murder of their former classmate turned movie star. The authorities are not interested in a Chinatown crime during the 1930s, so the sisters take matters into their own hands. May is quiet and passive, Gemma more assertive.
I was looking forward to the mystery, but it was more like a historical fiction with the murder taking a backseat to the lives of May and Gemma. It does give an interesting story to life in San Francisco Chinatown during the 1930s, but I came for the mystery and there just wasn’t enough there. When the author then added love interests for the sisters, I’d had enough.
This is a great YA historical fiction, but not a mystery/thriller. The low rating is mainly because I wish there were more of the investigation and less about their personal lives because, again, it’s not what I came for.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Chronic illness, and Death
henrygravesprince's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Gun violence
Minor: Pregnancy
boomwormbrittany's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Kill Her Twice is set in 1932 Los Angeles and follows Gemma and May who are sisters living in Chinatown which is about to be destroyed for a new Union Station. On top of that, the girls find May's childhood best friend nad movie star Lulu Wong murdered in their neighborhood. As they start to look into the murder, they find that the destruction of their neighborhood and Lulu's death might be more closely connected than they think.
I thought this was such a good mystery book and I am really glad that I was granted an ARC for this book. I love the fact that Stacey Lee writes about history that might not be as well known or the stories of those who were not as well known in famous stories. I really appreciated learning more about the history of Los Angeles and Chinatown in Los Angeles at this time. It was a history I didn't know anything about and I appreciated reading it.
The strength of Stacey's writing is in her characters. She makes them feel so real as if they could step off the page and I really appreciated getting to know her characters. I learned a lot about not only the characters but their culture as well reading this book. I will admit to feeling closer to May than Gemma but I think both were strong characters.
I could not guess the twist in this book of who the killer was. My mind kept spinning trying to figure out who was the one that committed this atrocious crime against Lulu. I do wish that there was more hint as to who had killed her because I didn't guess it till we got close to the end and I didn't feel like it was hinted at as much as I would have thought. Then again I have never written a mystery novel and I cannot imagine how hard it is to write.
I would highly recommend picking this book up as it was so interesting to read and so well written. I cannot wait to see what Stacy Lee writes next.
Minor: Racism and Murder