Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee
Release Date: April 23, 2024
Publisher: G.P. Putnam
Genre: YA Historical Mystery
Pages: 400
Format Read: physical arc
Summery: Los Angeles, 1932: Lulu Wong, star of the silver screen and the pride of Chinatown, has a face known to practically anyone, especially to the Chow sisters—May, Gemma, and Peony—Lulu’s former classmates and neighbors. So the girls instantly know it’s Lulu whose body they discover one morning in an out-of-the-way stable, far from the Beverly Hills mansion where she moved once her fame skyrocketed.
The sisters suspect Lulu’s death is the result of foul play, but the LAPD—known for being corrupt to the core—doesn’t seem motivated to investigate. Even worse, there are signs that point to the possibility of a police cover-up, and powerful forces in the city want to frame the killing as evidence that Chinatown is a den of iniquity and crime, even more reason it should be demolished to make room for the construction of a new railway depot, Union Station.
Worried that neither the police nor the papers will treat a Chinese girl fairly—no matter how famous and wealthy—the sisters set out to solve their friend’s murder themselves, and maybe save their neighborhood in the bargain. But with Lulu’s killer still on the loose, the girls’ investigation just might put them square in the crosshairs of a coldblooded murderer.
Review
Rating: 4/5 stars
Spice: .5/5
Review: This story follows the death of a Chinatown Hollywood star in the 1930s where there’s discrimination and police hideup that three sisters decide to solve the crime. I have read Lee’s books in the past and this one was also very interesting. I’m usually not the one who goes for historical fiction books but this one caught my interest. I enjoyed the storyline of the book but I do have to say that the story didn’t feel historical. I felt that the atmosphere was lacking for this story. I did like the conflict in the book and learning about the Chinese culture, especially during the time when there was so much racism. This book is told from dual povs of both Gemma and May.
Gemma is the eldest and May loves to act. I enjoyed both of their characters and seeing them develop but I do wish we got more of their background story. I felt that part was lacking as we truly didn’t know much about them. I enjoyed the side characters and was glad that it wasn’t too overwhelming since this is a murder mystery and once there are so many people, it’s hard to pay attention to the book. There is a bit of romance in this book where both Gemma and May experience a relationship but it’s not the main focus of the story but there because it’s a part of it.
The ending was well done and this book is very long for a YA thriller but still a great read. The story was fun, entertaining, and perfect for those who love to learn about different cultures. I did have some minor problems with the book but overall it was a great story. I recommend checking this book out as you don’t want to miss out on it.
*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
Thindbooks Blog 