I remember back then why I decide to buy Death by Dumpling. One, dumpling is my favorite. Two, the cover is very on point, it's have two of my favorite dishes. And three, any cozy mystery with food on it and Asian culture is a "want to buy" in my list. After I finish reading this book, I'm glad I bought it and give it a chance to buy the following books even at first I don't know if my gambling will paid off.

Just like the title, the poor victim indeed was dead after eating shrimp dumplings while it was known that he had shellfish allergic. Our heroine, Lana Lee, a 27-ish Asian American chick become one of the suspect because she was the delivery girl that deliver the dumpling package to Mr Thomas Feng, the poor victim. The other suspect is the cook from Lana's mother restauran Ho-Lee Noodle and Lana will do everything to clear both her name and the cook's name, Peter Huang. Just like your usual cozy mystery, Lana start to sleuthing together with the help of her best friend, Megan Riley. Of course, she will crossed path with the detective that handle the murder case, Adam Trudeau. Apparently, Det. Trudeau have some slightly romantic interest to Lana while in the other side also warn Lana to mind her own business. Typical. And..just like your usual cozy mysteries titles, the true perpetrator knowing that Lana's sleuthing will sooner or later comes to light and will endanger them. 

Death by Dumpling cross some of cozy mysteries trademark while still manage to entertain and a little bit unique. I like that while this book told entirely from Lana's PoV, her characteristic and attitude are pleasant to read. I admit I don't really like character that come as "girl boss" but end up trying so hard in girlbossing or "woe is me" especially that written toward millennial readers despite I'm myself is millennial. Yeah, Lana just have a bad break up and also got fired so she's now back to help her mother's restaurant, but I really like reading her voice. Girl just want to clear her name and want everything going back to be okay. I like her friendship with Megan and also how they start to sleuthing together although the majority of sleuthing done by Lana herself. Her potential romantic relationship with Det. Trudeau is well written and I like that there's no love triangle.

Just like your usual cozy where everyone knows everyone, the people in the Asian Plaza also know Lana Lee and her family. They might harbor some secrets that hidden in the dark and some of them might be hold a grudge to the late Mr Feng. The sleuthing that Lana done will unraveled some of the secrets while also left some things open unsolved. I like that despite Lana already in her 27-ish, her Mom still nagged her, her older sister also nagged her and the gossip lady (aka Mahjong Matrons) want to know Lana's love life. Very, very typical but also charming and endearing as well. The mystery is solid and the pace also okay. I like that the fonts that this book used also slightly larger so I can comfortably read the physical version. Oh, another reason why Death by Dumpling have 4 stars from me is I like that when Lana finally get the truth about the culprit, she didn't try to cornered the said culprit alone. Phew, that's one of my pet peeve when reading mysteries, though. The main character love to endanger themselves when facing the murderer!

A solid cozy mysteries with foodies theme although the absent of recipes is disappointing, lel. I look forward to more Lana's future sleuthing!