Publication Feb. 20, 2024
An excellent start to a new series. Felicity Jin may have taken years to find her magical touch with baking, but when it came, it came with complications. Were her personalized fortunes for the fortune cookies fate or simply luck. They do seem to be magical, especially in that she isn't even aware of what she's written. At first, they seem to be lucky. A man she's predicted would find fortune stumbles and finds $50. Another scratches off a winning lottery ticket after being told she'd be lucky. But, it's the ill-fated one that leaves Felicity shaken. An oddly worded fortune slip is found in a dead man's pocket, one that is spooky in that it is close to predicting the cause of death. That puts Felicity at the top of the suspect list and she is determined to prove her innocence, not to mention figure out what is behind her magical personalized fortunes. Needless to say, she is not Detective Sun's favorite person.
I thoroughly enjoyed this new series. The author didn't make the mistake of introducing us to a flood of new characters but kept it basically to three main characters and some that may or may not make subsequent appearances. Felicity, of course, is the focus. She begins the story rather hesitant, having never found her place in the Jim family. And, there is magic, even if it's never fully explained at this point, even if only the magic of putting your love of baking into each individual treat. Felicity finds her niche with fortune cookies. Her mom is well known for her wonderful sweet treats, all made with a dose of the "special ingredient". The third cog in the wheel is best friend since childhood Kelvin, who runs the flower shop practically next door. He's the type who sees the good in everyone, even those who might be suspects, but backs Felicity 150%. I'll be curious to see if their relationship remains "best-friends" or eventually evolves into something else. One customer, Sally, stood out, so hopefully she'll be a regular and give Felicity, who seems to have few friends other than Kelvin, another friend to bounce ideas off of. They're all quite likable and I look forward to getting to know them better.
The plot moves along relatively smoothly although Felicity's worries about her "magic" ability with fortunes means she's lost in her mind occasionally, so to speak. She's spunky, that's for sure, and doesn't hesitate to rush into where danger might lurk. I give her kudos for having backup most of the time, however, backup that proves helpful. As for the cultural aspects, her heritage, while Felicity does reveal she was often shunned and even bullied as a child due to not looking like everyone else, she has hardly let that hold her back. I did want to slap one of the local cops, however, for attitude, albeit not directly toward Felicity. Even worse, against Detective Sun who we learn lost her own mother nearly a decade before and seems to respect Felicity's bond with her own. And, oh, there's an adorable rabbit called Whiskers who may or may not be magical. Rabbits are rather like that.
As for the mystery, I did have an inkling of whodunit but wasn't quite sure until the big reveal, so it kept my attention. Who knew making fortune cookies could be so cut-throat? I should also note that I was astonished at the description of how factory made cookies were made as opposed to Felicity's family's personalized, hands-on touch....okay.....of magic. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #StMartin'sPaperbacks for introducing me to Felicity and this delightful new series. I look forward to keeping up with Felicity's growth as both a sleuth and baker, not to mention person, as the series goes along.
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