An Interview with Jennifer J. Chow by E. B. Davis

 

When murder follows Mimi Lee to her romantic island getaway, she puts on her best sleuthing hat with her sassy cat in tow in this adventurous cozy mystery by Jennifer J. Chow.
 
Mimi Lee just found an extra perk to being a pet groomer at Hollywoof (other than cuddling animals all day long, that is). Pixie St. James, one of Mimi’s clients and the investor behind Hollywoof, has offered her and her boyfriend, Josh, a getaway at her vacation home, nestled on beautiful Catalina Island. With the island just outside of Los Angeles but still far enough from the hustle and bustle, Mimi, Josh, and their cat Marshmallow (who, of course, wouldn’t be caught dead in a dingy pet hotel) are excited for their relaxing stay.
 
That is, until Pixie’s last renter, Davis D. Argo, turns up dead. Mimi and Josh’s romantic getaway immediately turns into an enormous buzzkill, especially when Pixie asks Mimi for help. The police suspect Pixie, and Mimi knows a thing or two about wrongful allegations. Mimi figures it couldn’t hurt to snoop a little since she’s already there, and soon discovers that a valuable item is missing. Except Pixie isn’t the only one in the neighborhood who has been robbed. There is something strange happening on the island, and Mimi won’t stop until she finds out what it is.

Amazon.com

After reading Jennifer J. Chow’s new Sassy Cat mystery, Mimi Lee Cracks the Code, I saw that my Kindle Notes had over thirty questions. I will try not to ask her all of them, but the action alternates between LA and Catalina Island, so there’s a lot of territory to cover and a lot of clues for Mimi to investigate. All the while Mimi’s mother plays matchmaker to Mimi’s younger sister, Alice, and Mimi and Josh experience their first relationship crisis.

 

Due to Jennifer’s new responsibilities at Sisters in Crime, she will no longer blog with WWK. But we hope she comes back to visit often.                                               E. B. Davis

 

You mentioned that Hollywoof has a Bark of Fame, which holds the image of Lassie’s paw prints. What other canine stars are on the walkway? Toto is definitely on the walkway. As for other canines, I’m definitely open to suggestions!

 

What is a dabbing dog?

The dabbing dog refers to an image of a dog doing a dance called the dab. It’s where you drop your head in the crook of one arm and raise the other arm at an upward angle.

Pixie is known for her homemade unusual drinks. What types of drinks does she make? I’ve never seen a mother-of-pearl table top let alone an entire bar. Are they really a thing?

In the previous books, Pixie has made a blue tea with butterfly pea flower, a frothy green lime drink, and a refreshing iced tea with hand-picked garden herbs. I found mother-of-pearl tables online, and I wanted to extend that luxury to Pixie’s bar.

 

What is piping hot roti? Is that rotini?

Roti is short for roti canai. It’s a type of flatbread found in Southeast Asia. A side of curry for dipping usually accompanies the bread.

 

Does shiok mean good?

Shiok means good or enjoyable or delicious (when applied to food).

Alice, on summer break from teaching, is binging on Korean dramas. Are they readily available on TV? Or is there a subscriber channel? I’ve never heard of Korean dramas.

Korean dramas (or K-dramas) can be found on certain TV channels or streamed online.
 

How is Catalina pronounced?

Catalina is pronounced kat-uh-lee-nuh (although Marshmallow likes to emphasize the cat sound in the word).

 

What does pakat mean?

Pakat means to agree on doing something together in advance.

Mimi and Alice had a “no dating” rule in high school imposed upon them by their parents? If that’s the case, hasn’t their mother gone from one extreme to the other?

In high school, the parents wanted to protect their teenagers. Now that Mimi and Alice both in their 20s and inching toward 30, it’s a different story—especially for their mother.

 

Is sending a vCard like sending someone a contact? What is it?

Yes, a vCard is a virtual contact file. It’s like an electronic business card that you can send as a file.

 

Don’t the police have to reveal why they have jurisdiction?

Police usually have jurisdiction over crimes that happen in their geographic territory. For example, Catalina Island has its own department that is contracted with the Sheriff’s Department of Los Angeles County. A long time ago, though, I believe they had their own private police patrol.

 

Mimi discovers that a scarf once owned by Marilyn Monroe was stolen from Pixie’s rental house. It, along with other retro items, was used to decorate the house. I hadn’t known that Marilyn Monroe lived on Catalina Island when she was younger. What were the circumstances?

Yes, Marilyn Monroe (or rather, Norma Jeane) moved to Catalina Island with her first husband, Jim Dougherty. A merchant marine, he was stationed there for a year.

Josh agrees to accompany Mimi to Catalina and stay with her at Pixie’s rental house. But after a comment about their being “lovebirds,” Josh shies away from Mimi and buries himself in work. What were Mimi’s expectations? Are they moving too fast?

I think Mimi wanted a nice romantic getaway, to spend time with each other. She wasn’t expecting to compete with his job during their couple’s outing.

 

Why are fireworks illegal on Catalina Island?

Catalina has its own official fireworks show. Other fireworks are illegal on the island due to fire risk.

 

During Mimi’s investigation, she must enter a park that doesn’t allow cats so she can’t take Marshmallow with her. How does anyone keep cats from entering a park?

I think it’s more that Mimi doesn’t want to keep an eye on Marshmallow while investigating. There are, though, a lot of migratory birds who go to that specific local park. 

Who was Carl Rogers? What is the active listening therapeutic model? Mimi was a psychology major, wasn’t she?

Carl Rogers was a humanistic psychologist who emphasized acceptance and empathy. His active listening method involved focusing on the other person and included paraphrasing and reflecting back feelings. Yes, Mimi was an undergrad psychology major at UCLA.  

When Mimi finds out that Josh’s paralegal named Gertrude is a young blonde, she also realizes that Gertrude is after Josh. What is Mimi’s reaction?

Mimi was shocked. She didn’t think of Gertrude as a threat to her relationship with Josh, but soon afterward, Marshmallow dubs Gertrude the “para-lethal.”

 

Although Detective Brown does give Mimi a few hints about the case, the real information comes from his cat. How does Mimi get the information?

It’s very helpful that Mimi has Marshmallow who can talk to his fellow cats. Cat-to-cat communication gives them a lot of helpful tips for this case.

Is ninety percent of communication nonverbal?

I don’t know if it’s actually true, but some studies have indicated that ninety percent of communication is nonverbal.

How does eight-eight-eight sound like “fortune” times three?

In Chinese, the word for “eight” sounds a lot like the word for “fortune.” Thus, eight times three is triple the fortune!

When their mother gets into an online chat room for those of Chinese Malaysian heritage, she arranges for Alice to meet a possible match, but his mother wants to meet Alice first. Mimi goes with her. The women find the mother is prejudiced, calling them “jook sing” or hollow bamboo. What does that mean?

Jook sing is a phrase that I’ve heard used in a derogatory way. It refers to Chinese Americans who are so Westernized that even though they have a bamboo exterior, there’s a hollowness on the inside. 

 

Do those who are half of one race and half of another always feel inadequate? The mother’s judgment really affects Mimi by giving her a negative perspective on herself.

I think people have different experiences of being biracial. Some friends I know, though, do find it difficult to really claim an identity or fit in at times.

 

Do scented shampoos bother dogs? They have such a strong sense of smell.

Good question. I think it depends on the dog. There are definitely different scented puppy shampoos on the market: lavender, coconut, baby powder, apple, berry, and so on.

 

What are snow bowls? Why does Mimi choose medicinal dark grass jelly as one of her toppings? I can kind of understand condensed milk, mango chunks, and sweet potato balls since they are all sweet, but grass jelly?

Snow bowls are a type of dessert that’s made with a mound of finely shaved ice. Toppings are added to create a customized flavor. Grass jelly is an acquired taste since it has an herbal, slightly bitter flavor. Some people like how it counterbalances the sweetness (like in desserts and with bubble tea). It also has cooling properties and antioxidants.

 

Mimi bounces legal questions off Josh, who informs her that there is no such thing as having to wait forty-eight hours before reporting someone as missing. Is that true?

When I researched this, interestingly, there isn’t a wait period, particularly for law enforcement agencies in California. Forty-eight hours, though, is crucial for figuring out what happened to the missing person.

 

When Mimi and Alice go to a Korean tofu stew place, Mimi asks for a raw egg to be dropped in hers. Does the egg cook?

Usually, the tofu stew is so hot and bubbly that the egg will cook in the broth. (Some restaurants may also offer pasteurized eggs for customers.)

 

What’s next for Mimi and Marshmallow?

Depending on what happens on sales with Book 3, Mimi and Marshmallow will either go forth on another adventure or get a break from their sleuthing activities.

 

Introductions All Around by Jennifer J. Chow

Hi, I’m Jennifer J. Chow, and I’m excited to join the Writers Who Kill blog. I’ll be regularly blogging on the second Saturday of each month.

 

I grew up on a steady diet of Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown. Even as a kid, I was interested in writing stories. I remember borrowing my dad’s old typewriter and banging away on the keys (and using a lot of correction tape) to create my rough drafts. I even wrote a mystery short story in the sixth grade. I think it was called, “The Case of the Missing Jewel,” and I got an “A+” on the assignment.

 

As I grew older, I put my desire to write on the back burner. My parents often told me that writing wouldn’t pay the bills. Plus, I knew of exactly one Asian American writer who’d “made it”—Amy Tan, and I knew I was no Amy Tan.

 

Interestingly enough, I did try my hand at a contemporary novel with multiple perspectives. The book was inspired by a tragic event, kept secret for decades in Taiwan history; my first published novel, The 228 Legacy, found a home at a small press. Although that novel did have secrets lurking within its pages, I wouldn’t write a full-fledged mystery until later.

 

I had toyed around with writing a full-length mystery for a while, but I wasn’t certain I could pull off the tricky plotting. However, my mom and I had often read Agatha Christie’s works together, and when my mom was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage four cancer, I decided to take the writing leap. Due to the time pressure and other factors, I ended up self-publishing Seniors Sleuth, the first in my Winston Wong cozy series. (My mom wasn’t able to read the finished product, but she did see a draft of the manuscript before she passed away.)

 

I’m currently writing a new series for Berkley/Penguin Random House. The Sassy Cat mysteries feature a Los Angeles pet groomer, Mimi Lee. The first book in the series, Mimi Lee Gets A Clue, released in March 2020, and the second one, Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines, comes out in November 2020.  

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/YTY/a-sassy-cat-mystery/

 

Please connect with me online:

www.jenniferjchow.com

https://twitter.com/JenJChow

https://www.instagram.com/jenjchow/

https://www.facebook.com/JenJChow

 

Thanks for reading my introduction! I’d love it if you introduced yourself in the comments and told me a little bit about yourself.

An Interview with Jennifer J. Chow by E. B. Davis

Did I really want to be the one to destroy her naïve dream?

And who knew—maybe her ploy could work.

After all, I’d gotten a big break after I’d rescued Gelato.

This was Hollywood, where happy endings were crafted.

Jennifer J. Chow, Mimi Lee Gets A Clue, Kindle Loc. 3196

Mimi Lee is in over her head. There's her new Los Angeles pet grooming shop to run, her matchmaking mother to thwart, her talking cat Marshmallow to tend to—oh, and the murder of a local breeder to solve...now if only Mimi hadn't landed herself on top of the suspect list. 

Mimi Lee hoped to give Los Angeles animal lovers something to talk about with her pet grooming shop, Hollywoof. She never imagined that the first cat she said hello to would talk back or be quite so, well, catty—especially about those disastrous dates Mimi's mother keeps setting up.

When Marshmallow exposes local breeder Russ Nolan for mistreating Chihuahuas, Mimi steals some of her cat's attitude to tell Russ off. The next day the police show up at Hollywoof. Russ has been found dead, and Mimi's shouting match with him has secured her top billing as the main suspect.

Hoping to clear her name and save the pups Russ left behind, Mimi enlists help from her dreamy lawyer neighbor Josh. But even with Josh on board, it'll take Mimi and Marshmallow a lot of sleuthing and more than a little sass to get back to the pet-grooming life—and off the murder scene.

Amazon.com

Jennifer J. Chow is a fresh voice on the mystery scene. As an Asian American, her culture seeps through in language, family relationships, and cooking styles. Having lived in Hawaii for a few months, the Asian influence wasn’t new to me, but the main character’s talking cat was a surprise. Marshmallow, the cat, isn’t just some pretty, fluffy face. Owner, Mimi Lee, and Marshmallow investigate murder. Mimi talks to the suspects while Marshmallow talks with the suspects’ pets.

Mimi Lee Gets A Clue is a fun read. It was released by Berkley Prime Crime on March 10^th and is the first of the Sassy Cat mystery series. But this isn’t Jennifer’s first series. She writes the Winston Wong cozy mystery series under the name J.J. Chow, and also writes Young Adult fantasy.

Please welcome Jennifer J. Chow to WWK.                   E. B. Davis

In what area of L.A. is Hollywoof located?

It’s an unnamed beach area, but the nearby pier and palm tree-lined plaza outside the shop are definitely inspired by Hermosa Beach.

Mimi grew up in Lawndale. Where in L.A. is that?

Lawndale is a city in L.A. County. It’s located in the South Bay area of the larger Los Angeles region, east of Manhattan Beach.

How did twenty-something Mimi get the capital to open Hollywoof?

Through sheer good fortune. As an animal lover, Mimi couldn’t help but rescue a floundering shih tzu from the choppy waters off Catalina Island. In return, the grateful (and wealthy) dog owner, Pixie St. James, provided the capital to fulfill Mimi’s dream of owning a pet grooming salon. 

Mimi’s parents are retired. Did they have their children, both in their twenties, later in life?

Yes, Mimi’s parents met later in life, so now they’re living a happy empty-nester life.

What do Mimi’s parents do now that they are retired?

Mimi’s dad, Greg, spends his time on the golf course while Mimi’s mom, Winnie, hatches match-making plans for her two single daughters.  

What native language did Mimi’s Malaysian-born mother speak?

Mimi’s mom likes to speak Manglish, a mixture of linguistic influences found in her country, including Hakka, English, Malay, Hokkien, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Tamil. Of course, she has her own spin on it now, given her decades of living in America.

Alice, Mimi’s younger Kindergarten-teaching sister, gives her a cat from a shelter. Mimi names the cat Marshmallow. Does the name suit the cat?

Haha! Mimi thinks so because he’s a white Persian cat and very, um, puffy. Marshmallow, of course, hates the name.

Mimi, a graduate and psychology major of UCLA, thinks she’s having a psychotic experience or hallucinations when Marshmallow talks to her. Mimi’s mother isn’t the only one who has trouble with acronyms. What does DSM mean?

DSM stands for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It’s a handbook that describes different mental illnesses, and professionals use it to diagnose clients.

What is a moto jacket?

A motorcycle jacket, often leather, worn by bikers.

Does L.A. still have a lot of air pollution?

Yes, but I feel like it’s gotten better over the years. And the smog results in gorgeous sunsets. 

Pixie, Mimi’s benefactor, sends her friends to Hollywoof to help launch the business. Are the women competitive or are they all infatuated with teacup Chihuahuas?

The women mostly just love their Chis—all for different reasons. However, they are prone to puppy envy, like when one of the women styles her pooch in a glitzy rhinestone collar and sweet pink headband.

Their dad calls Mimi and Alice, Princess One and Two. But they don’t seem spoiled, especially considering some of the gross dog grooming tasks Mimi must perform. Why is Mimi required to solve Alice’s job problem?

The “princess” moniker is a term of endearment from their dad, who’s all about hugs and encouragements. Mimi’s not required to help Alice with her job situation, but as the big sister, it’s assumed that she’ll take on the problem-solver role. Her mom definitely expects a strong drive and “can do” attitude from Mimi to help out her sister just by being part of the Lee family. 

Are exotic pets regulated by state?

Yes. For example, ferrets are legal in most other states but not in California (unless you obtain a special permit). The state department of Fish and Wildlife has information on the reasons for restricting certain species for public health and safety.

When Mimi meets young lawyer Josh in the apartment complex’s laundry room, she gets a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease. What is the big competition between USC and UCLA?

The USC-UCLA rivalry comes from the competition between their sports teams, particularly in football. There’s also a bit of ribbing because USC is a private institution while UCLA is a public university. 

Does Josh like fortune cookies because of the taste or the fortune?

Josh likes fortune cookies because the sayings cheer him up and help him during stressful times. The yummy vanilla flavor doesn’t hurt, though.

What is a jade burial shroud?

A jade burial shroud is a basically a suit made of jade. The precious stone was commonly cut into rectangular shapes and pieced together to provide a valuable covering for ancient Chinese royalty.

Does doggie SUPPing, yoga, acupuncture, and pool parties really exist? Do the dogs wear diapers in the pools?

These are all real things! Owners do go stand up paddle boarding with their pets and participate in yoga with their dogs. There also are pet acupuncturists. And doggie pool parties (sans diapers) exist—Los Angeles County even opens up some of their pools to canines at the end of the summer for their annual Pooches in the Pool event. 

What is poke and spam musubi, and is it really popular in Hawaii?

Poke is a dish made from diced raw fish and garnished with savory toppings. Spam musubi is a type of sushi made with seaweed, rice, and cooked spam. I know these dishes are offered in Hawaii, but I’m not sure how popular they are there. There are definitely quite a few places serving poke bowls and musubi around Los Angeles. 

Mimi’s family’s snacks for game night are unusual to most of us. What are durian candies and furikake snack mix? What else do they snack on?

Durian candies are made from a tropical fruit found in Southeast Asia. Unlike fresh durian, they usually don’t have a strong odor, but they do retain the distinctive musky taste (sorry, I don’t have an exact flavor I can compare it to!) Furikake snack mix is an enhanced version of Chex mix, but with added butter, sugar, and furikake (a rice seasoning, often seaweed-based).  

Can someone else access your electrical panel via their phone? Don’t they need a code?

Ah, there’s a part of the story where an electrician gives instructions over the phone to one of the characters. That person is then able to access the electrical panel based on those tips. 

What’s next for Mimi and Marshmallow?

Mimi and Marshmallow will be embarking on their next adventure…which involves getting Mimi’s sister, Alice, off of the suspect list. Like sister, like sister, I suppose.