Friday, June 17, 2022

At the Night Market by Jennifer Chow

Jenn McKinlay: One of my very favorite reads last year was an advance copy of DEATH BY BUBBLE TEA. A glorious new mystery series set in Los Angeles. Before I slip with a spoiler, here's Jennifer J. Chow to tell us more about her latest fabulous mystery!

Order Today!


Jennifer J. Chow: The inspiration for my new series, L.A. Night Market Mysteries, is clearly night markets. These fun nighttime festivals happen around the world—I’ve been to several, located in Asia, Canada, and the U.S. I’m going to focus on three factors that help create their festive atmosphere. Some night markets will lean into one aspect more than another, but I find that the events typically have three common elements. 

Food Number one on my list is food. There are all sorts of treats to be had at a night market. Whether you’re a fan of savory pork chops…


or sweet bubble waffles...


there's something for everyone. 

 Of course, don’t forget the bubble tea! (Book One in my upcoming series is called Death By Bubble Tea and comes out on July 5.) The classic boba drink is milk bubble tea, which features creamy black tea combined with chewy al dente tapioca balls. At my local 626 Night Market, I once saw a competition for the largest bubble tea drink (oh my!):
Fun An electric atmosphere is key to a night market. To create an exciting feel, there are sometimes entertainers on stage. These performers are amazing and can sing, dance, and more!
Fun can also be found in the form of games. Some night markets will have actual arcades, complete with claw machines and pachinko pinball. Others have a section with carnival-like games. Imagine trying your hand at Whack A Water Balloon:
Other intriguing activities involve arts and crafts, particularly culturally relevant ones. Honestly, I’ve only seen these offered in the States, maybe as a way to pass on heritage and history.
Finds Who doesn’t love shopping? Night market attendees can find all sorts of trinkets for sale. In Asia, you can even bargain down the prices. (I wouldn’t recommend doing this in other places.) I’ve gone to night markets where there are actual store buildings (usually selling souvenirs and clothing). Sometimes, though, the booths of merchandise are nestled next to the food stalls. I particularly like sellers who customize their wares, like this artist offering hand-painted shoes:
Hope you enjoyed my quick tour of a night market! What festive activity do you enjoy? 

Bio Jennifer J. Chow writes cozies with heart, humor, and heritage. She is the twice-nominated Lefty Award author of the Sassy Cat Mysteries. The first in the Sassy Cat series, Mimi Lee Gets A Clue, was selected as an OverDrive Recommended Read, a PopSugar Best Summer Beach Read, and one of BuzzFeed’s Top 5 Books by AAPI authors. Her upcoming series is the L.A. Night Market Mysteries, and the first book, Death by Bubble Tea, comes out on July 5. She currently serves as Vice President on the national board of Sisters in Crime and is an active member of Crime Writers of Color and Mystery Writers of America. Connect with her online at JenniferJChow.com.


About the Book Two cousins who start a food stall at their local night market get a serving of murder in this first novel of a delicious new cozy mystery series by Jennifer J. Chow, author of Mimi Lee Gets a Clue.

When Yale Yee discovers her cousin Celine is visiting from Hong Kong, she is obliged to play tour guide to a relative she hasn’t seen in twenty years. Not only that, but her father thinks it’s a wonderful idea for them to bond by running a food stall together at the Eastwood Village Night Market. Yale hasn’t cooked in years, and she hardly considers Celine’s career as a social media influencer as adequate experience, but because she’s just lost her job at her local bookstore, she feels she has no choice.
 
Yale and Celine serve small dishes and refreshing drinks, and while business is slow, it eventually picks up thanks to Celine’s surprisingly useful marketing ideas. They’re quite shocked that their bubble tea, in particular, is a hit—literally—when one of their customers turns up dead. Yale and Celine are prime suspects due to the gold flakes that Celine added to the sweet drink as a garnish. Though the two cousins are polar opposites in every way, they must work together to find out what really happened to the victim or the only thing they’ll be serving is time. 

 Giveaway One lucky reader (U.S. only) who leaves a comment will get a signed copy of Mimi Lee Cracks the Code (Book 3 in the Sassy Cat Mystery series)!

68 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Congratulations, Jennifer, on your new series . . . “Death by Bubble Tea” sounds intriguing, and I’m looking forward to meeting Yale Yee and Celine . . . .

    A Night Market certainly sounds exciting! I’m sure it must be lots of fun. I think I’m voting for food as my favorite thing . . . sweet bubble waffles sound yummy . . . but the arts and crafts would offer lovely things to take home . . . .

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    1. Thank you, Joan!

      Yes, night markets are so fun. Food has got to be one of my favorite things, but I'm glad the evening events offer *all* of the fabulous choices!

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  3. JEN: I am soooo looking forward to reading your Night Market series!

    Even though Toronto has 4 different Chinatowns, they never had a night market when I lived there (35+ years). Ottawa has a small Chinatown. After the pandemic hiatus in 2020 & 2021, we will have a night market (only food) for one weekend in late July. I'm looking forward to eating some takoyaki & other skewered meats. And I think there will be some live performances this year, too.

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    1. Thank you so much, Grace! Have fun at that night market!!

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  4. Oh this sparked a memory that my family had a pachinko game when I was growing up. Wonder what happened to that?

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    1. Pachinko is pretty neat to watch; I get mesmerized by the playing.

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  5. Congratulations on the new series, Jen! I love the idea of the night markets. In Marrakesh, Morocco, the big square is transformed into a night market, with pop-up restaurants and food stalls. It's amazing to watch. My town has an annual downtown block party that's really fun, with streets closed, live music, a beer tent, and food.

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    1. That Morocco square transformation sounds amazing, Edith. And I'm jealous of having a whole town block party--so fun!

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    1. Thanks, Roberta! Always fun to work on a new concept!

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  7. Congratulations on your new series, Jen. I have never heard of night markets before your post, and I've been around for a long time. They sound like loads of fun, much like food fests where many restaurants set up booths and serve specialties in a carnival atmosphere. I love the one that our suburban town does with musical performances, food booths, carnival rides and dozens of vendors selling arts, crafts, jewelry and much more. That event is day and evening though, not strictly night.

    Do you plan to continue writing the Mimi Lee series as well?

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    1. Thank you, Judy! Food fests are the best, and the one your town does seems delightful.

      As for the Mimi Lee series, right now my publisher is putting it on hold. :(

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  8. What a fun book! I'll be on the lookout for the series. I hear bubble tea is becoming very popular, though I've never tried it myself. No night markets around here either but sounds amazing.

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    1. Thanks for being on the lookout, Alicia! Bubble tea is getting very popular--I feel like there's a shop popping up around me every week.

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  9. Congratulations on the new series, Jen! This reminds me of the Strip District here in Pittsburgh. It's not a Night Market, but there are several blocks of Penn Avenue lined with restaurants, ethnic groceries, local shops, etc. Of course the food is my favorite.

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    1. Thanks, Liz! Ooh, an avenue with ethnic groceries sounds wonderful!

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    2. And how ironic - I received an email this afternoon about a Night Market in a neighboring town featuring (you guessed it) food and crafts!

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  10. Congratulations on the new series! It sounds wonderful. A whole new world to me.

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    1. Thank you, Riley! Glad I got to show you something new!

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  11. The bubble waffles look great! Congratulations on the series!

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    1. Bubble waffles are great. My kids were so enamored that we actually got a bubble waffle iron to make them at home!

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  12. Night markets are new to me, as are your books, Jennifer. I'm off to discover them. Congrats on your new series!

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  13. This is a completely new idea to me! When we talked at Belmont Books the other night, Jennifer, you mentioned this, and I cannot wait--but I had to ask you whether they were a fictional thing. We have Faneuil Hall here in Boston, which I guess is similar, with music and dancing and crafts and so much food, but it seems more commercial than the night markets. Even the name is cool and mysteriously provocative. Hurray for the new series!

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    1. (Odd, I totally thought I commented on this.) Thanks so much for moderating the other night, Hank! As for night markets, they're definitely real--as my taste buds can attest!

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  14. Congratulations on your new series. A night market is so appealing and wonderful. What a delight to explore and enjoy.

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    1. Thank you about the new series! Each night market has a unique spin, which makes it a delight to explore in every location.

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  15. This was a very interesting tour which I would love to experience. Death by Bubble Tea sounds captivating. What a great series.

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    1. Glad you got to experience this virtual tour! And thanks about the book!

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  16. Hi Jennifer,

    Welcome! You and your books have been on my radar for a really long time! I really must start reading your books. I’ve never heard of night markets, but for all I know, they could be going on around me! I’ll keep on the watch for them. I have had bubble tea once, but I can’t remember where. I know that one of my nieces, who is a huge fan of bubble tea, was with me. This reminds me that there’s a place here in my town that sells it. That’s another thing I can put on my list!

    DebRo

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    1. Lots to put on your to-do list, Deb, but all exciting stuff! Happy reading, night marketing, and drinking bubble tea!

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  17. Hi Jennifer - so, you've hooked me on another series AND now I need to find out where I can attend a night market, too. I have my eye on some hand painted sneakers! Best of luck with the new series.

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    1. Thanks, Kait! It was so fascinating watching that artist paint those sneakers. I'm always impressed with other people's methods of creativity.

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  18. Jen, what a terrific concept for a series - I can imagine all sorts of potential shenanigans at a night market. And I love mysteries with a pair of women at the helm; you don't see it as often as I'd like.

    And now, of course, I have to decide if I'm going to break for lunch early, because the descriptions and photos have made me so hungry...

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    1. Thanks, Julia. Ah yes, the shenanigans (under the cover of darkness)! I agree with you about the pairing up of women. And now you're making me hungry...

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  19. Hi Jennifer, big congratulations on your new series. Just the cover already has me hooked, the food you describe reminded me of a biz trip to made to Asia a while ago. I was teaching seminars on office procedures in KL and Singapore. During the day it was all very corporate but a couple of my students took me to a night food market for dinner and we wandered the stall, a bite here and a bite there. In both places I went exploring the night markets after class had ended for the day. I purchased gifts and ate local foods. There’s one place here in Maine where there is an evening food stall set up. I have put it on my list for this summer’s adventure. Perhaps I will get Julia S-F to come with me. What a lot of memories your book description has shaken loose. Thank you so much. It’s on my list now.

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  20. Oh goodness, the last anonymous comment was from me - Celia, the comment under Julia’s, sorry, Blogger doesn’t love me.

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    1. How fun, Celia! Happy that you got to relive those memories. Some of my family is from Malaysia, so I got to visit (and eat in) KL and Singapore before. Yum!

      And it'd be wonderful if you and Julia could have a great foodie evening out.

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    2. I’ll get right on it!

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    3. What an amazing plan! Wish I could tag along! :)

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  21. Jennifer, this sounds like delightful series, and I will be checking it out. I haven't been reading much this week, as pain from knee surgery has zapped me. Feeling a bit better today, so I hope I'll have a good reading weekend.

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    1. Glad you're feeling better, Kathy!

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    2. Thanks, Kathy! Hope that you're all the way better soon! Enjoy your reading time!

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  22. JENNIFER: Welcome to JRW and congratulations on your new series! Loved the Mimi Lee books. A night market sounds like fun. I remember going to a night market in Europe when we travelled to Europe. I look forward to reading your new series. One of these days I would like to sample bubble tea.

    Diana

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    1. There are a lot of bubble tea shops in Berkeley!

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    2. So glad JRW welcomed me as a guest blogger today! Thanks about the series & Mimi Lee! I've never been to a night market in Europe...maybe one day. Check out bubble tea--just to try the interesting experience!

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  23. I don't think I've been to a night market before. I just got an ARC of this book, so I'm looking forward to visiting one, virtually, soon.

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  24. Very excited to see this book released out into the world, Jennifer! As you know, I adored it! Highly recommend!!!

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    1. Hurrah! Thanks again for all the support!! (My previous comment seems to have disappeared...)

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  25. A night market sounds so cool! I just moved from Houston which has a large Asian community and I have no idea if there are any night markets there. Missed out completely. This new series should be interesting with two cousins learning how to get along and work together.

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    1. Thank you, Pat! Coincidentally, I actually went to a night market in Houston one year! (They might have just been starting it up, though.)

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  26. Congratulations on your new series. I never been to a night market, they sound like a lot of fun and great food. Looking forward to reading the book.

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  27. You learn something new every day, if you pay attention! Night markets are definitely new to me, and I am fairly sure there isn't one here in Cincinnati. We have festivals around other cultures, though: Greek, Italian, Scottish, and German, throughout the year, all with ethnic food and crafts. As far as I know they end at night, however.

    We do have bubble tea, although I've not tried it. I love tapioca, and iced tea, but not sure about mixing the two.

    Looking forward to meeting your characters, Jennifer.

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    1. What great festivals in your area!

      I feel like bubble tea is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of drink, but it's definitely interesting to try!

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  28. Congratulations on the new series, Jennifer! Great cover, great title, great concept. And I adore markets so this is definitely going on my TBR list. Dallas has a big Asian community so bubble tea shops are everywhere. I wonder if there is a night market somewhere in the area, too. Keeping an eye out now!

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    1. Yay, Deborah! Thanks for adding it to your TBR! And keep an eye out for a local night market!

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  29. Can't wait to read this. Food is always my favorite thing at any event, especially something I haven't tried before. I love tea but I wasn't especially fond of bubble tea. Congratulations!

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    1. Thank you, Kathy! Like I said above, people tend to fall into two camps: love bubble tea or hate it!

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  30. Jennifer, the book sounds like great fun, and big congratulations on a new series! I'm a major league foodie but I confess I've never been to a night market, and though I live VERY nearby many bubble tea emporia I've never had any.

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  31. This is the first I've heard of night markets. I read Vivien Chien's Asian market series, and I have had bubble tea. Thanks for the chance.

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    1. You're welcome, Sally! Vivien's Noodle Shop series is so much fun!

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  32. The bubble waffle looks amazing! Congrats on the new book!

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