From the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl comes a YA murder mystery noir set in 1930s Los Angeles’s Chinatown.“A captivating and crackling noir full of suspenseful twists. Readers will fall in love with the Chow sisters and their quest for the truth.” —Kathleen Glasgow, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces and The AgathasLOS ANGELES, 1932: Lulu Wong, star of the silver screen and the pride of Chinatown, has a face known to practically everyone, especially the Chow sisters—May, Gemma, and Peony—Lulu’s former classmates and neighbors. So the girls instantly know it’s Lulu when they discover a body one morning in an out-of-the-way stable, far from the Beverly Hills home where she lived after her fame skyrocketed.
The sisters suspect Lulu’s death is the result of foul play, but the police don’t seem motivated to investigate. Even worse, there are signs that point to a 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 Lulu fairly—no matter her fame and wealth—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 cold-blooded murderer.
Praise for Kill Her Twice:* “Takes readers on a wild ride. Woven into the mystery are elements of grief, romance, family dynamics, struggle, prejudice, and deceit. Lee skillfully introduces actual history into this fictional story, leading readers to learn what the residents of LA's Old Chinatown faced. The story contains intriguing characters, but not everyone is who or what they appear—these twists will delight readers . . . Whether teens enjoy mysteries, historical fiction, or both, this is one to get into their hands.” —
School Library Journal,
starred review“This twisty mystery, brought to life by a vibrant cast and abundant historical details, will keep readers in suspense until the very end. Themes of community, representation, and sisterhood add an emotionally satisfying element to the narrative. Riveting.” —
Kirkus Reviews“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 . . . 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.” —
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books“Told in alternating POVs and interwoven with details from 1930s Chinese American culture, this immersive narrative gradually unspools an intricate murder mystery while exploring elements of prejudice, grief, and deceit.” —
Publishers Weekly“A nicely paced, engaging mystery made all the better by its lovingly rendered historical setting.” —
Booklist“A captivating and crackling noir full of suspenseful twists. Readers will fall in love with the Chow sisters and their quest for the truth.” —
Kathleen Glasgow, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces and The Agathas
“A gripping whodunit that will transport readers into the golden age of film. Stacey Lee dazzles in this brilliant murder mystery.” —
Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Once Upon a Broken Heart series
“Old Hollywood with the well-known glamour and the lesser-known girls. Stacey Lee is inimitable in enthralling historical fiction.” —
Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
“A murder in Chinatown and the glitzy grime of 1930s Hollywood is no match for three sisters born with more than their share of moxie.” —
Sharon Cameron, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Light in Hidden Places
“From the very first page, Lee transports you to a version of 1930s Los Angeles noir you’ve never seen before. Romantic, smart, and gorgeously descriptive. I loved it.” —
Dana Schwartz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Anatomy and Immortality
“In this thrilling exposé of injustice, the power of love and community shines brightest.” —
J. Elle,
New York Times bestselling author of
House of Marionne “With its riveting mystery and thoughtfully drawn characters, I fell in love with this beautifully crafted novel. This book stole my heart, as all of Stacey’s stories do.” —
Isabel Ibañez, #1
New York Times bestselling author of
What the River Knows “This page-turning mystery, full of sisterhood and Stacey Lee’s signature wit, will have you clutching your teacup. Another masterful story by a pioneering author.” —
Abigail Hing Wen, New York Times bestselling author of the Loveboat, Taipei series
