Customer Reviews

Dim Sum Dead: A Madeline Bean Culinary Mystery (A Madeline Bean Catering Mystery)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

Jerrilyn Farmer may write like a dream, but her heroine Madeline Bean often faces nightmarish situations in her career as a Los Angeles event planner. She and her partner, Wesley, are planning to cater a mah jongg party, which in Hollywood has become a new fashion borrowed from the past. Wesley, in his other job of restoring houses, has come across a very old mah jongg set which was hidden in the wall of the house of a recently deceased movie star. It also contains a journal. Before Mad has a chance to satisfy her curiosity, the box is stolen. It is found with only the ancient game tiles and no journal. As Madeline tries to figure out the puzzle she meets old Grande Dames of both the silver screen and the small screen, gamblers, and hi-tech nouveau riche. After the widow of the late Hollywood icon is murdered, she also renews her acquaintance with policeman, Honnett. Farmer writes hilarious dialgoue, but the humor of her story arises from situations and the people involved. She looks at the Tinsel Town scene with a somewhat jaundiced and amused point eye, but also with a certain amount of love. This author deserves to be in hardcover and on the top of every best seller list available. DIM SUM DEAD is a treat for discerning readers be they mystery fans or just admirers of well written and entertaining books.

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

Although DIM SUM DEAD has already received many wonderful reviews and continues to place high on Amazon.com's list, I must add my two bits' worth to say that I found DIM SUM DEAD to be the best Madeline Bean mystery to date. All of Ms. Farmer's books are great but there was something special about this one. perhaps it is the unusual use of the game of mah-jongg; I mean, when was the last time you saw a T-shirt that said: "Mah-Jongg Maven" on the front, with "my mother used to play" on the back! It is touches such as this that give Ms. Farmer's books a special edge and a special appeal. Plots and subplots move nicely and the ensemble cast of Wesley and Holly has grown and developed. The research in this book is terrific and thorough as can be seen throughout the book whether the topic be basil, mah-jongg or murder.

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.

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.

From Mahjongg to dim sum and all points in between, Mad Bean's latest adventure has her ferreting out deeply hidden secrets of old Hollywood, when an antique Mahjongg box leads her to murder and mayhem in style.

From the beginning, Jerrilyn Farmer pens another great mystery, skilfully wrapping the mystery in a delicious feast of words. This is probably the best of the Mad Bean series and illustrates how well this author can write. Excellent fare for the mystery lover!

I have read all of the Mad Bean series and think that each, as I am reading it, is the best so far. Well, Dim Sum Dead continues the tradition. Loved it! I devoured this adventure over the weekend and now have a dilema -- do I enjoy Wesley's redoing of homes, the decorations in the homes they visit, or the preparation of the meals. Ms. Farmer delivers even the aromas of the meal for you to enjoy. I add pounds to my hips just reading about her treats. Thank you for another great read.

This was a well written mystery story. The plot moved at a brisk pace, and had lots of colorful characters. For example, Quita, our victim, is a young woman surrounded by mystery, in her death and in her life.

I also enjoyed the references to the menus Madeline and Wes were serving at the Mahjong parties; my mouth was watering for Dim Sum several times!

I enjoyed Madeline's up and down love life in the story as much as the murder mystery. It is obvious that Madeline has reached a point in her life where she is looking for more from her relationship, and her public breakup with her boyfriend (over a hamburger) seemed quite fitting.

The outcome was not obvious, but once all the loose ends were tied up, it was the only ending to this story.

Overall, an enjoyable book, with plenty of action, with very little actual violence. A palatable and satisfying reading experience, worth 5 stars.

this was the first book i've read by this author. it was a fun, cute read. i liked her caterer character. she has some interesting comments on life in hollywood. a light murder myster with some interesting food creations. i recommend this book for something different from the heavy murder/law dramas.