Book Review: Dim Sum Dead

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dim Sum Dead     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Jerrilyn Farmer
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Maddie Bean # 4
Avon, Apr 2001, $5.99, 256 pp.

In Hollywood, Madeline Bean and Wesley Westcott are good friends and partners in Mad Bean Events, a catering and occasion planning event enterprise. At a Santa Monica Farmer's Market, Wes shows Maddie a box found behind a wall containing a mah-jongg set, a dagger, and a red leather bound book all belonging to the recently deceased star Dickey McBride.

Before Wes can return the items to Dickey's widow Quita, someone mugs her and steals everything. A few blocks away, they find the mah-jongg set, but not the book. Quita is deeply upset to learn the book is stolen. That night Maddie learns that Quita died from a fall down the stairs of her new lover's home. Though she never liked Quita, Maddie feels guilty that she failed to prevent the calamity. Maddie decides to learn what really happened, no knowing how much the truth will crush her emotionally.

DIM SUM DEAD is an entertaining Madeline Bean catering mystery that showcases the abilities of author Jerrilyn Farmer. Cozy fans will enjoy the Christie-like mystery as violence occurs off the pages while amateur sleuth buffs will relish watching the vulnerable but strong heroine conduct her brand of an investigation. Identifying the killer is impossible until the plot provides the answer to a wonderful story line that will delight the audience.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner