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!

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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)!