A cozy murder mystery in San Francisco and the main character is a lonely old woman - count me in.

Vera Wong owns a little tea shop in San Francisco‘s Chinatown. She lives a very lonely life. Her husband is dead, she rarely sees her son and she only has one regular customer. Everything changes when she finds a dead body in her shop one morning. Since she doesn't think the police are doing a good job, Vera starts investigating the murder herself. At least she's convinced it was a murder.
When four individuals she‘s never seen before stop by the shop, she thinks that one of them must be the killer. But what will happen when she begins to like the suspects?

Believe me when I tell you that Vera is capable of cracking any case - sometimes in unconventional and illegal ways, but she always means well.

This was such a fun read with the most loveable characters and I really want a Vera in my life. (And I want her to cook for me) I laughed my way through the book while trying to figure out how each of the characters was connected to the victim. I figured out what happened well before the big reveal but I was totally fine with that because it was about so much more than just the murder.
It was the perfect found family/feel-good/cozy mystery story and I absolutely enjoyed it.

I was concerned going into this that it wouldn't live up to my Dial A for Aunties love, but I needn't have worried. The more you read, the more you love Vera and the chaos that ensues. This is hilarious, heartwarming and joyous all in one breath. I think this might be one of the most entertaining and funny crime stories, after Dial A for Aunties of course!! Loved it.

This was an enjoyable, heartwarming easy read with a main character you were rooting for all the way through. The plot was almost inconsequential to the interactions of the characters as you almost forgot there was a murder to solve.

Sometimes you pick up a book with no expectations and just love it and that how I felt about this.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

Well, I'm a fan for Dial A for Aunties, and this book for sure make me laughed and annoyed at the same time.
Vera Wong is the owner of a chinese tea shop in SF. One day, she found a man dead in her tea shop, and she start her investigation!
I think what i like about Jesse's book is the way how relatable her characters to our daily life in terms of the Chinese culture. I, myself can imagine i have an auntie like Vera Wong, who's always busybody and try to meddle in other people's businesses! But despite all that, Vera could find a way to warm her new found families heart's. Yes, sometimes she annoyed you, like i don't understand why would she draw using sharpie? and why in the world she took the USB?? i laughed so hard in that part! I couldn't imagine Officer Gray's expression to see that!! But i also drooling over the foods she cooks! Along the way, i keep on guessing who did it? and seriously i was thinking that Vera's going to get a 2nd book since we can only find the killer at the end of the book, which i don't mind at all to see Vera's in action again! overall, this cozy mystery has been a fun read for me, and for sure i'll look around in case i can meet Vera Wong again!
Thanks NetGalley for giving me this e-ARC!

After how incredible the Dial A For Aunties books were, I didn't think Sutanto could match them, but how wrong I was!

I have well and truly fallen in love with Vera.
She reminds me of all the kind older Asian ladies that I met in Chinatown at 14 whilst I was exploring London on my own.

We need teahouses like Vera's. The sense of community, coming together to support each other, all awkwardness aside.

A beautiful book, but I warn you, you'll have a book hangover and not want to read anything else for a while as you'll still have your heart with Vera.

An enjoyable funny and heartwarming read.
Vera the protagonist is certainly a resolute and unique character with good intentions that are some times misguided.
Vera runs a tea house and one morning she finds a dead man inside it , this gives Vera the idea to begin her own investigation in to how the man died .
Along the way we meet four of Vera’s suspects who we learn all have motive for killing Marshall , but did one of them do it?
The story has comedy , poignancy and highlights the fact that we don’t know what is going on in someone’s else’s life on the surface they seem fine but are they ?
I have read some of Jesse Sutanto other books which I have enjoyed but I enjoyed this more with its mixture of comedy and togetherness .
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ.

My first read by this author and it was a great baptism! I love a good murder mystery, having grown up on a diet of Conan-Doyle, Christie, etc. So a modern day Ms Marple was complete catnip for me.

A lacklustre teashop, interfering shopkeepers, negligent children and a rash of "suspects". Set in the hustle and bustle of San Francisco's Chinatown and environs. I loved learning more about the eponymous Vera, her late husband and their son, Tilly.

There are a great collection of suspects all with reason to kill the victim. Unravelling the history behind their enmity and how they came to be in Vera's suspects list was fab. A subtle blend of humour and murder. It plays on the stereotypes of the interfering, although well-meaning, Asian parents (of all hues and nationalities). With a kind hand, we're led through the intricacies of the characters lives and it ended up being a bit of a heart-warming, found family.

I readily admit I was slow on the uptake on who the murderer was, which is unusual for me 'cos I usually guess right away, so many thanks for keeping my on my toes!

I discovered Jesse Q. Sutanto last year and there's something about her writing that just makes me want to come back time after time. So when I heard a new book was on the cards, I pounced the moment I could.

In my opinion, this has got to be Sutanto's best book yet. No shade to the 'Aunties' because I laughed out loud at their chaotic energy but I loved this book so much more than I thought I would. The characters really warmed my heart, especially dear Vera who I have to say I didn't expect to like as much as I did. Towards the end, all I wanted to do was give her a big hug (and of course, try her delicious cooking!) As a book with so many different characters around, I never felt lost or overwhelmed by the different perspectives because they were all so distinctive and seeing the character development in each of them definitely made my heart swell. In classic Sutanto style, this book was utterly outrageous, hilarious, and simply mad but I loved it all. And yes, you do get to find out who did it in the end.

Overall, 'Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers' was endearing but also laugh out loud funny. I didn't think I'd be the one for a murder mystery but this one just warmed my heart massively.

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers was a nice easy-going read. Vera's character grew on me, and I could see she had good intentions albeit a bit misguided. I liked all the characters and seeing how the relationship dynamics played out and although the story was set around a murder, I kind of forgot about that as it seemed inconsequential.

Sometimes, you're not sure if you should be laughing out loud when reading a book. I enjoyed the reveal and most parts of this book. An author to give a second chance to, me thinks.

I'll say this I really enjoyed Dial A for Aunties but this book just didn't hit home for me. I didn't even really care about Vera, I found her to be a bit too much (ridiculous, silly, ignorant) for me to enjoy reading from her perspective. The other characters were interesting. And the murder and revel were good, I just don't think this book was for me.

What a boost of laughter this book provided. Vera, self-proclaimed tea expert stumbles across a dead body in her tea shop. Knowing that the police will just mess up on the case, Vera turns detective. The man chose to died in her shop, the least she can do is ensure she catches his murderer, right?

Humour is sustained throughout the book with Jesse Sutanto's quirky humour, which keeps things from getting too deep in this cosy mystery. Vera doles out advice on the younger generation and acts as you would expect a woman of her age and generation. A delightfully funny, endearing and interfering character.

This was a lighthearted, laugh out loud read.

4 Stars
One Liner: Read it as women’s fiction with a mystery thrown in

Vera Wong is a sixty-year-old self-proclaimed tea expert. Her tea shop is her pride, never mind that it barely has any customers now. However, Vera stumbles upon a dead body in her shop, and it gives her the best chance to put her detective skills to use. And not to mention, dole out advice to youngsters who may or may not need it.
Knowing the police are likely to mess up, Vera is determined to get to the bottom of the case. If the man had to die in her tea shop, the least she could do is solve the case, isn’t it? Vera is having a time of her life, listing suspects and ordering them around like school kids.
The story comes in a limited third-person POV of multiple characters.

What I Like:
The opening sets the tone for the rest of the book and pretty much sustains it throughout. The humor keeps things from going too deep. While this isn’t always a plus, it is a good move for the book (and the genre).
Vera is such a delightful character. She is annoying and doesn’t have a sense of boundaries, but she is adorable, loving, and someone you want on your side (even if you plan to commit a murder). She is a mom first, and it is evident in her character arc. As an Asian (Indian), I think Vera has been crafted very well and acts much like a woman of her age.
The book shows the lives of first-gen and second-gen immigrants with a light touch. The setting reminded me of Joy Luck Club, but this one is more lighthearted and easy on the reader. The pacing is steady in this one, so that’s another plus.
There’s an Indian character and an Indonesian character, and both have solid roles in the plot. Finally, a book where I know the character is Indian but not way too stereotypical. Another bonus is that the book handles the Asian aspects well.
There’s loads of food. Though I’m a vegetarian, and most dishes are meat-based, I do love it when food plays an integral part in the plot. It brings people together in different ways.
The ending ties up things well. There may or may not be a sequel, though I won’t say no to one. Vera Wong is too big a character to be limited to a single book.

What Could Have Been Better for Me:
The mystery, as such, is a little weak. This is too cozy even for a cozy mystery. Of course, we have a dead body and Vera actively interfering with the lives of potential suspects. But the mystery is more of a tool to bring the characters together. Once I adjusted my expectations, I could enjoy the book a lot more.
The reveal is also a bit weak. It may or may not work, depending on what the readers prefer. For me, it is okay. I see the reasoning, but I want something a little more intense.
Emma is an adorable two-year-old. However, sometimes, she seems more like a four-year-old. I’m not sure (haven’t been around kids of that age), but her character arc doesn’t seem smooth. The kid is a darling, though.

To summarize, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is a fun book with plenty of laugh-out-loud and eye-roll moments. It is a lighthearted yet heartwarming read with a mystery thrown in.
Thank you, NetGalley and HQ, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

💭 ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
This is such an enjoyable and heart warming story. And yes it does start with a Murder. That makes you wonder, doesn’t it? It’s written incredible witty and I adored Vera from the start. I quickly fell in love with all the characters. It sucked me in. It’s light, but also deep. A quick read that you would want to savor. Also, it makes me crave Chinese food.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤓 ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Unique concept
Character built
Kim’s convenience store (Netflix Show)
Witty Characters

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ:
𝘚𝘪𝘹𝘵𝘺-𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳-𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘢 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘞𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘤𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘞𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 ‘𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦’ 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘵 (𝘈𝘒𝘈 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘺𝘦𝘵).

𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘫𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘹 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 – 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘴𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 – 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳.

I loved Dial A for Aunties and Jesse Sutanto does a great job writing a similar humour in this latest book.
This book follows Vera Wong as she discovers a dead body in her tea shop. With little help from the police Vera decides she is the perfect person to investigate and find the killer. She identifies her main suspects and immerses herself in their lives with heartwarming and hilarious results. There is lovely found family trope in this book which I loved.
This is a fun, humorous and easy read that is perfect for fans of cozy reads.

I want a Vera Wong in my life! I absolutely adored this book and couldn’t put it down. It made me laugh, it made me sad and it transported me to a different life. I loved it.

This book was enjoyable. It was a nice easy murder mystery which anyone would enjoy. Vera is the grandma we wised we all had

I mean what can you say about Vera eccentric and unforgettable.

We all need a Vera in our lives with her cooking a tea skills.

Vera an obsessive, traditional widow and neglected mother who runs a run down tea house wakes up one morning to an unusual discovery in her tea shop.

With the local police showing little interest in the case Vera turns detective determined to solve the case and prove the police wong.

An intriguing bunch of characters are forcible thrown together in unusual circumstances but although a mixed bag they each find something they didn't know they were looking for.

This book was full of humour with some laugh out loud moments although it does have some undertones of seriousness in terms of loneliness and tolerance some thought provoking moments a real
heart warming read.

LOVED Vera!! Oh how Jesse Sutanto brought the character of Vera alive is wonderful - she meddles and interferes and don't even attempt to cross her, but what a truly giving person, and oh the food!! There was so much humour in this story that I was often giggling to myself, but equally it is a story about finding family amongst strangers. A beautiful murder mystery with a group of friends that you wish you were part of. Fabulous!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

So I was not sure about this book in the first few chapters. Vera was overbearing and took some getting to know and I really did not think I could put up with her for the whole book. However, as the book progressed, I got to like the characters , including Vera and I enjoyed the plot too.
Lots of interest on different levels, such as grief, loneliness and manipulation in relationships which gives you plenty to think about whilst reading. Maybe the plot was too predictable in some ways, but it leaves you with a good feeling.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an hinest review