Rating: 
Summary: This series shows no signs of cooling off
Review: Madeline Bean hates surprises. So when her partner Wes surprises her by showing her the antique mah-jongg set he found in an old house he's restoring, she less then thrilled. But when it is stolen and then found in a garbage can, she begins to smell something fishy. And when the rightful owner of the set turns up dead, Madeline knows she must figure out what all this means.I was looking for a light, fun mystery, and this story didn't disappoint. At the same time, this book does have its more thoughtful moments, something I've come to enjoy about the series. As always, the characters are great and provide some truly funny scenes. The plot slows down a little in the second quarter of the book but picks up speed for the second half and doesn't slow down until you reach the climax. This series is high on my favorites list, and this is a wonderful addition to the series. If you've been missing out on these great books, start with the first, Sympathy for the Devil. You'll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: This series shows no signs of cooling off
Review: Madeline Bean hates surprises. So when her partner Wes surprises her by showing her the antique mah-jongg set he found in an old house he's restoring, she less then thrilled. But when it is stolen and then found in a garbage can, she begins to smell something fishy. And when the rightful owner of the set turns up dead, Madeline knows she must figure out what all this means. I was looking for a light, fun mystery, and this story didn't disappoint. At the same time, this book does have its more thoughtful moments, something I've come to enjoy about the series. As always, the characters are great and provide some truly funny scenes. The plot slows down a little in the second quarter of the book but picks up speed for the second half and doesn't slow down until you reach the climax. This series is high on my favorites list, and this is a wonderful addition to the series. If you've been missing out on these great books, start with the first, Sympathy for the Devil. You'll be glad you did.
Rating: 
Summary: Glad you're here, Jerrilyn
Review: Madeline Bean is back and along with her partner, Wesley Wescott, planning a marvelous Chinese New Year party for the Sweet and Sour Mah Jongg Club. It just so happens that earlier that very day, Wes found an antique Chinese mah jongg set in the old house he's renovating. Along with the beautiful hand carved tiles, there's also a red leather-bound book of what he figures are game instructions, that belonged to the previous owner, the now deceased Hollywood movie legend, Dickey McBride, and his last wife, Quita, will be at the party tonight. Wes has decided to give Quita the set, but before he can deliver it, it's stolen. The game is found a few blocks away in a trash can, but the book is missing. Later that evening, Quita is found dead from an apparent fall down the stairs. The police chalk it up to an unfortunate accident probably caused by too much partying, but Madeline isn't so sure. Her instincts tell her there's a lot more going on than meets the eye and she can't let it rest until she knows the whole truth..... Jerrilyn Farmer has written a light, witty whodunit that gives you a birds eye view of life in L.A., from the old Hollywood screen mavens to the hip nouveau riche. Her writing is delicious, full of descriptive laugh out loud scenes and marvelous dialogue and her cast of quirky characters add to the fun. This is a very well researched book and Ms Farmer's expertise in cooking and the kitchen, mah jongg, the ways of Hollywood and the Chinese New Year celebrations adds real credibility to the story. And as the various plot lines wind their way through the story and eventually come together at the end, it all adds up to a great read with an unexpected climax and very satisfying conclusion. Madeline Bean mysteries never disappoint, and they're not starting now. Dim Sum Dead is a winner!
Rating:
Summary: Dim Sum Delightful
Review: Madeline Bean is back and along with her partner, Wesley Wescott, planning a marvelous Chinese New Year party for the Sweet and Sour Mah Jongg Club. It just so happens that earlier that very day, Wes found an antique Chinese mah jongg set in the old house he's renovating. Along with the beautiful hand carved tiles, there's also a red leather-bound book of what he figures are game instructions, that belonged to the previous owner, the now deceased Hollywood movie legend, Dickey McBride, and his last wife, Quita, will be at the party tonight. Wes has decided to give Quita the set, but before he can deliver it, it's stolen. The game is found a few blocks away in a trash can, but the book is missing. Later that evening, Quita is found dead from an apparent fall down the stairs. The police chalk it up to an unfortunate accident probably caused by too much partying, but Madeline isn't so sure. Her instincts tell her there's a lot more going on than meets the eye and she can't let it rest until she knows the whole truth..... Jerrilyn Farmer has written a light, witty whodunit that gives you a birds eye view of life in L.A., from the old Hollywood screen mavens to the hip nouveau riche. Her writing is delicious, full of descriptive laugh out loud scenes and marvelous dialogue and her cast of quirky characters add to the fun. This is a very well researched book and Ms Farmer's expertise in cooking and the kitchen, mah jongg, the ways of Hollywood and the Chinese New Year celebrations adds real credibility to the story. And as the various plot lines wind their way through the story and eventually come together at the end, it all adds up to a great read with an unexpected climax and very satisfying conclusion. Madeline Bean mysteries never disappoint, and they're not starting now. Dim Sum Dead is a winner!
Rating:
Summary: DIM SUM's Delightful & Won't Leave You Hungry An Hour Later
Review: The fourth Madeline Bean mystery is the best yet. Hollywood caterer/amateur sleuth Madeline has a lot on her plate - she's catering trendy mah-jongg parties, trying to help the host's troubled girlfriend (even though she doesn't really like Quita), looking into the background of some mysterious objects found in a house her business partner is renovating, and working on some issues all her own. Like is her boyfriend Mr. Right or just Mr. Semi-Convenient? And is she willing to admit to the slightest possibility that she might want kids sometime this century? These personal issues don't overwhelm the mystery, they just add depth and emotion to the story and enhance Madeline's development as a character you care about. Neither Madeline's investigations nor her soul-searching stop her from being delightfully witty throughout DIM SUM DEAD. A little example: she points out that 'I am a huge fan of yours' is 'THE required Hollywood greeting when meeting any form of celebrity. This greeting has no actual meaning whatsoever - just like 'hello' in other parts of the country.' Madeline has plenty of time to show off her Hollywood etiquette expertise because her sleuthing involves several celebs, including some wonderfully eccentric grande dames of acting. All of Jerrilyn Farmer's mysteries are terrific, but I think in DIM SUM DEAD the plotting is the sharpest, the humorous lines and scenes the funniest, and the changes in Madeline's life the most rewarding (for her and the reader!). Quite a tasty treat.
Rating:
Summary: Moo Shoo Marvelous
Review: The most delicious Madeline Bean mystery yet. It makes you want to buy a mahjong set and go out afterward for some moo shu pork. The marvelous ensemble of regulars encounters a most interesting set of Hollywood types, both of the new Hollywood and the old. Like a Chinese puzzle, there are multiple mysteries unfolding although no murder for about half the book. Maddy's character is more developed and reflective than in previous mysteries. The reflective side gives most of us something to think about in our own lives. But, unlike for many of us, Maddy's love-life takes a definite step upward. Definitely a must read...light and engaging.
Rating:
Summary: Glad you're here, Jerrilyn
Review: The previous books in this series were all enjoyable and this one was no exception! They could only take place in the company town known as Tinseltown so Jerrilyn Farmer will be able to keep us entertained for a good long time!
Rating:
Summary: Good little morsel
Review: This book will keep you turning the pages to find out who did it! Drop into the world of aging Hollywood starlets and the new craze of Mah Jong. Sweet little mystery with an upbeat undertone.
Rating:
Summary: Good little morsel
Review: This book will keep you turning the pages to find out who did it! Drop into the world of aging Hollywood starlets and the new craze of Mah Jong. Sweet little mystery with an upbeat undertone.
Rating:
Summary: An old Mah-Jongg set, a theft, and a mysterious red book
Review: This intriguing mystery finds Madeline Bean and her co-workers preparing a Chinese New Year's feast for the Sweet and Sour Mah-Jongg club, a group of Hollywood friends who meet to play the latest Hollywood rage, Mah-Jongg. On the day of the Chinese New Year's party, Madeline's partner Wesley shows Maddie an antique Mah-Jongg set that he found hidden in the wall of an old house that he is renovating. Wes knows that the MJ set belonged to old Hollywood legend Dickie McBride, and he wants Maddie to return the set to McBride's widow, Quita McBride, who is a member of the Sweet and Sour MJ club. Maddie and Wes discover a silver dagger and a slim red book hidden in the bottom of the game case. Before Maddie has a chance to give the MJ set to Quita, the case and everything in it is stolen from a Santa Monica farmer's market. Running after the theif, Maddie and Wes find the MJ case in a dumpster, but the dagger and book are nowhere to be found. As the story develops, Quita McBride is discovered dead, javing fallen down a flight of stairs after the MJ party, and Maddie is convinced that Quita's death is no accident. Maddie sets out to find out who killed Quita, and she is convinced that the missing red book will lead her to the killer.
This was a very well-written and funny mystery. I loved the background about the Chinese New Year celebration, the game of Mah-Jongg, and the culinary background of dim sum. Madeline's love life takes another left turn, as she dumps boyfriend Arlo, and this time Maddie swears it is for good. The final dinner shared by Arlo and Maddie is a very funny scene.
Every detail in this plot clicks, just like the Mah Jongg tiles in the games played throughout the story. "Dim Sum Dead" is the strongest entry yet in the Madeline Bean series.
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