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megtropolitan's review against another edition
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? No
3.5
Another case closed thanks to the incomparable Aunty Lee! Meanwhile, there is an entire slow burn romance going on in the background with Nina and the serious detective! I love it!! I also love how distinct all the characters are. Ovidia Yu has a great knack for giving a unique voice, opinions, and point of view to anyone we get introduced to!
tessisreading2's review
4.0
Really just delightful, with an engaging cast of characters and a predictable-but-twisty-enough-to-keep-engaged mystery. There were some editing issues, with a particular revelation happening in two separate conversations, but not enough to keep me from enjoying myself throughout.
smarkies's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
tfisher78's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
git_r_read's review
4.0
I've been shopping on my bookshelves, aka Mt Git'r'Read, again and found this one tucked in the second row of books in the closet section of MG'r'R. I put it on the stack on my nightstand where it sat for a month. Then I took a bit of vacation which in part was stay-cation, so had time on the back patio. Picked this book and I'm glad I did. Now I have to find the rest of the series!
The mystery is good, the characters are really well-drawn and the setting and premise are delightful. What I liked the most was how Aunty Lee, the main character, described people, interactions, emotions, dialogue, the reason why she did what she did. Everything related to food and its preparation. And not in a facetious way. It made sense and I liked seeing the story unfold through her eyes. For all that others might consider her a busybody, I liked her. I'd want to be friends with her and eat at her restaurant.
I will admit it took me a bit to get the feel of the rhythm of the story and the dialogue, but once I settled in, I loved the story and it moved fast.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
The mystery is good, the characters are really well-drawn and the setting and premise are delightful. What I liked the most was how Aunty Lee, the main character, described people, interactions, emotions, dialogue, the reason why she did what she did. Everything related to food and its preparation. And not in a facetious way. It made sense and I liked seeing the story unfold through her eyes. For all that others might consider her a busybody, I liked her. I'd want to be friends with her and eat at her restaurant.
I will admit it took me a bit to get the feel of the rhythm of the story and the dialogue, but once I settled in, I loved the story and it moved fast.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Murder, Racism, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Classism, Terminal illness, Lesbophobia, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Drug use, Excrement, Grief, Vomit, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Fatphobia
kimscozyreads's review
5.0
Wonderfully done plot, and I learned about so much food. I almost want to take a star away because I will be sad until I can go to Singapore and try it... probably never :(
I'll risk it all for a taste of buah keluak.
Aunty Lee is just as feisty as in book one. Can't wait to read the 3rd!
I'll risk it all for a taste of buah keluak.
Aunty Lee is just as feisty as in book one. Can't wait to read the 3rd!
plaidpladd's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I found the first book in this series just okay, and I don't think I'll be reading more. I really like the setting and learning about Singaporean food. Aunty Lee is a fun main character, using her outward appearance as a gossipy but simple-minded old lady to trick people into telling her more than they mean to. The writing itself just isn't very good--the pacing is odd, the mystery is boring, the author tries to distract you from the obvious murderer by having Aunty Lee repeatedly declare that she "admires" this person for no reason. Also it felt more repetitive than the last one; characters repeatedly had very similar conversations, to the point where I had to check to make sure I hadn't accidentally skipped back a few pages.