Reviews

Meddling and Murder by Ovidia Yu

ptaradactyl's review

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I enjoy how well Yu manages to convey something from the perspective of a character while making sure the reader should be skeptical of the narrative at the same time. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism and Confinement

alenezela99's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

tessisreading2's review against another edition

3.0

I didn't like this one very much, unfortunately - the denouement felt a little too obvious (and Aunty Lee's inability to see the true culprit a little too silly) and watching Nina, a character whom we care about, get

abused, locked up, denounced, and almost raped, and not be able to do anything about it (and believe people telling her that none of her friends want anything to do with her)

was really difficult. 

cindifer20's review

Meddling and Murder

safiaisreading's review

4.0

I think I've just stumbled upon the Miss Marple Of Singapore. Can't wait to get to the rest of the series.

henrismum's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
#4 in series (I started reading this series in June 2022 and committed to it in June 2023.)
Will I read other installments?     Probably Not             Maybe              Definitely
I don't think there will be anymore. This was published in 2017, so I'll put it on the wait list for four years before filing it under "retired and dead". Who knows, maybe Ms. Yu will write another installment. I have a book from another of Ms. Yu's series which I will check out at some point.
Comparison to others in series:     Not as good           About the same           Better
I liked this slightly more than the last one. The tension Ms. Yu created around Nina was excellent.
The narrator was Emily Woo Zeller. A good job as always.
Source: LA Library

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Bullying, and Gaslighting

brokenspine's review against another edition

I am NOT a cozy mystery kind of gal. I checked this out from the library and tried to read it because my therapist suggested I read something less hardboiled and “real world”. So, I tried to stay within my mystery wheelhouse, but man was I bored. I can’t tell you how many characters were introduced in the first 38 pages. I was finding all the characters unlikable, including the charismatic Aunty Lee. 

I don’t really think this is an indictment on the book. It’s 100% me. I have tried cozies in the past with the same I’m bored phenom. And having said that, it’s not for me but your mileage may differ. Give it a whirl and see where it takes you. 

And, yes I know this is the 4th book in the series but I don’t think it would have made a difference if I started with the first. 

caittothelin's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

elusivesue's review

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

yasdnilr's review against another edition

4.0

I love Aunty Lee and I want to go and eat laksa in her cafe.