This series has been one of my favorite accidental finds. Like probably anyone would, I was immediately taken in by the title and the cover art of the first book, Death by Dumpling, and I had to know more.

The stories are told from the first person perspective of Lana Lee whose family owns the magnificently named Ho-Lee Noodle House in the Cleveland suburb of Fairview Park. Most of the books take place in and around Cleveland, with the exception (so far) of one that takes place in California.

Lana’s noodle shop is located in the fictional Asia Village, an enclosed shopping center featuring various Asian cuisine, a book store, a grocery store, an herbal market, and more. Being an Ohio girl myself, like Ms. Chien, I fell down a rabbit hole of wanting to know more about the real Asia Town in Cleveland. I was delighted to discover that Cleveland really does have large Asian markets like the ones described in the series. I never would have considered Cleveland as a vacation destination had I not read these books, which makes them even more special. People often don’t realize there are really cool things to do in their own state if they just look for it.

One of the things I love most about Ms. Chien’s writing is how she talks about food. I’m a huge fan of Asian cuisine anyway, so when reading these stories I want to devour all the food the characters are eating. Ms. Chien’s descriptions are so vivid and her love for the dishes she describes really comes through.

She’s also great at word play. For example, Lana’s dog is a black pug named Kikkoman. As of now, there are 12 books in the series with book 13 coming in August 2026. The title of each book is a play on words featuring food, such as Egg Drop Dead and Misfortune Cookie. I’m currently reading book 12 which is called Crime Rangoon.

In addition to the word play and puns, Ms. Chien writes relatable, normal characters. Lana is in her late 20s and her anxiety over turning 30 hits close to home. I remember having a lot of the same thoughts she has about finding her way in life, having a career, settling down, living up to parental expectations, and breaking away from traditions to create your own (and the anxiety that always brings).

These mysteries are smart, clever, and best of all you don’t see the end coming a mile away. They are funny, sad, touching, nostalgic, snarky, witty, and most of all endearing.

At 12 books and counting, I know it can seem a little daunting to start the series, but they are quick reads. They’re around 300ish pages, but you’ll devour them. Pun fully intended.