Historical mystery

While I enjoyed the dual point of view between Gemma and May, I felt as if this divided the book too much and I needed more depth of character from each sister.

The setting felt so real and the tough issues facing Asian people during this time felt painful, frustrating and more than maddening at the unfairness and cruelty. After reading the author's note, I know this novel was well researched, making it feel so authentic.

The mystery had so much potential and I never figured out who the murderer was so this part was excellent. The use of monologuing was disappointing and I had hoped for a different way to learn all the facts about the crimes. I had issues with the pacing, however, as this seemed to move too slowly until the final chapters. The stakes were high enough and the danger level could have been elevated to increase suspense.

I really enjoyed the sister relationship and this was my favorite part. May and Gemma truly love and support each other and I enjoyed how they teased and joked too. ( )

An actress's fate is linked to Chinatown's in this gripping historical thriller.

During the golden age of film, Lulu Wong was a Chinese actress on the rise, until her body was found dumped in Chinatown. Two sisters, Gemma and May, frustrated by the police's lack of action, take it upon themselves to investigate. But the closer they get to the glitter of Hollywood, the harder it is to decipher friends from enemies.

This book takes on prejudice head-on as it shows the impact on Gemma and May's life, from not being allowed to sell their flowers certain places to top Chinese film roles going to white actresses who taped their eyelids. It also shows how conflicted even so-called good people can be in the face of the prevailing culture.

The mystery was engaging, with lots of great twists and turns. I didn't see the final villain coming, so that was fun! It also has a great fake-dating side plot between May and Walter, the Chinese boy picked by her parents. All of these elements combine to make an unforgettable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book. ( )

Kill Her Twice is a murder mystery set in Chinatown -L.A. Lee did a good job of catching the readers' attention quickly in the first few paragraphs. Lee introduced sisters who are just trying to keep their family afloat when they discover the body of a friend-former neighbor and current movie star Lulu.
The two main characters, Gemma and May, are easy to like and contrast each other as real siblings would do. You very much very the traditional birth order stereotypes in this story. Serious May, adventurous Gemma and baby of the family Peony. As the sisters work to solve the mystery, we are given a glimpse of what the world was like for Chinese immigrants in the early 1900's.
Was the plot a little simple and slightly unbelievable, perhaps but Lee made the story go down smoothly. Instead of an edge of your seat thriller, this murder mystery is perfect for a cozy weekend.


# Kill Her Twice
# 1/29/2024 ~ 2/12/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0 ( )

"Kill Her Twice" by Stacey Lee was interesting enough. The plot follows the lives of sisters, Gemma and May Chow. They live in Chinatown with their sister, Peony and mother. Their Ba (father) is in a sanatorium for the treatment of a lung disease. The reader is led to believe that he suffers from tuberculosis. While he is away, Gemma and May have dropped out of school in an attempt to keep the family's flower business afloat. As the sisters deal with racism, fewer rights than their American counterparts, and the upcoming birth of their newest sibling, they come face-to-face with the murder of their dear friend and famous movie star, Lulu Wong. Their predictions become fact, when the local policemen and politicians attempt to blame a local Chinese man, Gee Fa aka Guitar Man, for the murder. The sisters decide to investigate the crime on their own. Will their suspicions prove to be fact? Can they obtain enough evidence to bring justice to Lulu, her family and the Chinese community? There are definitely enough twists and turns to keep this novel interesting, and most readers will be surprised by the ending. My only negative comment is that the novel did drag on at times. Otherwise, a good read. I would recommend. ( )