Vivien Chien Books In Order

Publication Order of Noodle Shop Mysteries Books

Publication Order of Cozy Case Files Mystery Sampler Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Vivien Chien is an American author that writes mystery-suspense novels. Chien came to fame in 2018 when ‘Death by Dumpling’, her debut novel was published.

+Biography
Vivien Chien was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up as a mixed-race girl in a mixed-race home, Chien’s experiences varied drastically from those of her friends and neighbors.

As she matured, she realized that she could use those unique experiences to influence the stories she wrote. Writing came naturally to Chien. She took up the habit at a very early age and began to generate stories featuring her elementary school classmates.

As an adult, Chien realized that she could combine her love for food with her experiences as a mixed-race girl to write mystery novels featuring an unassuming mixed-race woman who solves crimes.

When Vivien Chien isn’t writing, she can be found rummaging around her local bookstores for hidden gems or visiting Asian restaurants.

+Literary Career
Chien discovered her love for reading around the same time that she encountered and fell in love with mystery. Her grandmother introduced her to Nancy Drew and she grew obsessed with the character.

Over time, writing came into the picture. Even though her debut novel only hit the bookshelves in 2018, Chien actually wrote her first novel when she was sixteen. By the time she got to college, Chien was determined to make her writing dreams a reality.

So she enrolled for a fiction writing course. For a short while, even though her love for mystery was undeniable, the author experimented with various other genres. But none of them ever gave her true contentment and satisfaction, not until she gave into her passion for mystery.

She cannot tell you why it took her so long to recognize the hold that mystery had on her. But once her moment of enlightenment came and once she found her voice in the mystery genre, she started writing and never stopped.

Of course, it did not take her long to realize how complex the writing journey could be. When Vivien Chien decided to pursue writing and publishing at the age of 16, it was because she had just read ‘Interview with the Vampire’ and the book moved her so powerfully that it sparked in her a desire to do the same for other people.

She wanted so badly to entertain avid readers like her, to make them think, maybe even drop their jaws with an unexpected twist or two. So even when the hard times struck, even when she stumbled on her road to success, Chien never stopped persevering.

Admittedly, she did meander somewhat at the start. Chien studied a variety of subjects including law, psychology and even business. But the desire to write never left her. And a time came when she was finally able to sit down, put pen to paper and bring the characters in her mind to life.

Most of Chien’s writing gets done in the comfort of her home. Her dog and blanket are never far from her. The author has no particular source of inspiration. Her ideas can emanate from anywhere.

Chien’s books typically start with a character. A particular name or a face or a figure will imprint upon her mind and she will start spending copious amounts of time imagining how that fictional individual might react when placed in intriguing scenarios.

Over time, that individual will become a three-dimensional character and eventually, a plot will take shape. Chien’s writing is influenced by characters like Kinsey Milhone and authors such as Sue Grafton.

The author spends a lot of time immersed in mystery fiction written by female authors and featuring female protagonists.

+Death by Dumpling
The Ho-Lee Noodle House might serve great Chinese food but it is the last place Lana Lee wanted to be. But then a brutal break up upended her life and a dramatic development at work left her with no other choice but to return to her family’s restaurant.

Lee has no immediate plans for the future. But she needs time to gather her thoughts and to put her life back together. In the meantime, she is willing to spend the next few days, weeks, and even months in the Cleveland area waiting tables.

Of course, Lee knows that her mother won’t make things easy. And there is little she can do to keep the woman from initiating a search for her perfect husband.

Lee’s hectic life takes an even stranger turn when Mr. Feng turns up dead. Feng was the family restaurant’s property manager and unfortunately for the Lee family, they are the prime suspects in his murder case.

Everyone knew that the man had a severe allergy to shellfish and the restaurant received a delivery of shrimp dumplings shortly before Feng died. With every Ho-Lee Noodle House staff member suddenly under suspicion and the local media stirring up a frenzy, Lana Lee must get to the bottom of the mystery, not only for the sake of her restaurant’s reputation but also because of the danger stalking her.

+Dim Sum of All Fears
Everyone things Lana Lee is a dutiful daughter. After all, not many people would agree to wait tables at their family’s restaurant. But Lana didn’t have much choice in the matter. Her life away from home went wrong.

Her relationship ended in disaster and her employment situation exploded. So she had to come back to the Cleveland area and she had to accept her family’s offer to work in their restaurant because she needed time to find her footing.

A chance to secure a real job comes Lana’s way but she is forced to let it slip through her fingers when her parents travel out of the country and ask her to watch over their business.

Lana never expected to thrive under the weight. But she proves to be quite the capable manager.

Unfortunately, her peace does not last. Her neighbors, a recently married couple, have turned up dead. And once more, it falls on Lana’s shoulders to bring harmony to her small community by solving the murder mystery that has gripped it.

Of course, collecting clues, interviewing suspects and unraveling conspiracies won’t be as easy now that she has a business to run.

One Response to “Vivien Chien”

1. Lucille Grieco: 2 years ago

   Will you be writing another book after Hot and Sour Suspects (A Noodle Shop Mystery)? I thoroughly enjoyed them especially Lana Lee and her friend Megan Riley. Thanks

   Reply