Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee (review)

Reviewed by: Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee Natalie Berglind Lee, Stacey Kill Her Twice. Putnam, 2024 400p Trade ed. ISBN 9780593532041 19. 99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593532065 10. 99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 9-12 Tensions are high in LA's Chinatown in 1932, when politicians campaign to force Chinese Americans from their homes to make way for Union Station. In the midst of these racial tensions, the Chow sisters, May and Gemma, sell flowers to keep their family fed, but things take a dark turn when they stumble upon the dead body of Chinese movie star Lulu Wong. When the police prove their incompetence and racism in dealing with this case, the sisters take matters into their own hands to solve Lulu's murder and bring her killer to justice. Lee hits all the staples of what readers look for in a good mystery, from red herrings to excellently paced reveals, and the final curtain call on the villain is unexpected yet satisfying. The historical setting is additionally immersive, with an in-depth look at the Hollywood industry at the time and the integration of old-fashioned lingo in dialogue. The sisters' dynamic is realistic, loving, and often explosive, and they make vibrant dual narrators, with End Page 286 each one's investigative approach utilizing the best of their personalities. May's discipline and level-headedness allow her to pretend to follow the rules and prove herself worthy of replacing Lulu's latest movie role, while Gemma's brashness and willingness to try anything take her down twisting roads of deception and break-ins. Readers looking for a twisty historical murder mystery with a bit of Hollywood flair and strong characters worthy of being the stars of the show should pick this one up immediately. An author's note at the end discusses the inspiration behind Lulu Wong and the historical context for the destruction of Old Chinatown in LA. Copyright © 2024 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois