The next instalment in Sutanto's infinitely charming Vera Wong series finds her expanding both her career prospects but also her pools of suspects and found family as she investigates the death of a young, mysterious influencer. Warm and kind, with a light yet topical mystery at its heart, its a perfect example of a satisfying whodunit that rewards its reader.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I’m a huge Jesse Sutanto fan and have been since Dial A for Aunties, which I raced through and always recommend to people, so I was very excited to hear Vera was getting a sequel. I hope there are many more! She’s such a fantastic character!

I loved the new cast of characters and the drawing together of the original bunch and new ones. It was really great to see the cast grow and Vera’s family and found family expanding.

The humour, the characters and the whole plot were great, shedding light on a very serious and important topic with ease.

I can’t wait for Jesse’s next book!

4.5 stars

Vera runs a tea shop in China town. She sticks to a strict routine and likes to do detective work…..by this I mean, checking up on her son. This changes when she finds a dead body in her tea shop. There are four suspects and a detective, a proper one.
One suspect is his wife, another is brother and two other characters who seem not to be linked to the dead man or each other in any way.
Vera is a force of nature and thinks she knows better than the police because she watches the police shows and knows that the local police are doing it all wrong.

Funny in places. Enjoyed it.

4.5 stars

As a big fan of the cosy mystery genre, Vera adds a new mischievous voice!

This is the second instalment and was a pleasure to read.

These novels bring the mystery and thrill of a good mystery novel, with some high stakes while also seamlessly adding those cosy elements through the characters and the relationships built between them.

I look forward to more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I read and enjoyed the first book in the series, so I was looking forward to seeing what Vera would be getting up to. This book kind of works as a standalone but I think it’s definitely better if you’ve read the first book in the series as you know the characters and the backstory.

Like the first book, this is easy to read and Vera brings so much humour to the story. When she meets a distressed young woman outside the police station, she takes her to her tea house, and eventually uncovers something much bigger than expected.

I love all the descriptions of the tasty food and it did make me quite hungry. 😋

The humour offsets the darker part of the story, human trafficking and scammers. It’s a serious issue and it does make you think more about it, but doesn’t overshadow the story.

If you liked the first book in the story you should definitely read this one. I’m looking forward to reading more about what Vera gets up

Oh my goodness, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to review this book! It's one of those moments where you think you've done something that you actually haven't— Vera would not be happy!

Vera is back, and she just can't seem to stay away from dead people. This time, she’s finds the death of an influencer suspicious and she just can’t help herself from taking on this case. Vera's investigative skills take her from her world-famous tea shop to people's phones— she’s gone from making the best food and tea to becoming an influencer!

If you loved Vera 1, you should definitely read this, too.This book tackles a few potentially triggering topics, but it also covers a serious subject— all this without losing the essence of Vera and trivializing it.

I think I was expecting a lot so that’s why I give this four stars, but nonetheless, a great follow up to Vera 1.

This was an even more special read because the author, Jesse Q. Sutanto, was sharing the writing process and progress of this book on Instagram.

Thank you NetGalley, HQ and Jesse for the e-ARC. Can’t wait to see what all Vera gets up to next!

The return of Vera, who is back to her meddling ways.
Whilst cat sitting, Vera just happens to find information about the death of an influencer, in a briefcase. Someone who no-one claims to know. This is a case that Vera determines that the police require her help with.
Fun witty and an excellent read. Another goos book in the series.

I absolutely love Vera and she’s back again in a such a greater thriller book. I loved the storyline and the new characters we meet and how she’s trying the trend of true crime podcasters and mukbangers! Really hoping we get a trilogy for her!

What is there really to say about this sequel to Vera’s story? If you love Vera like I love Vera, then this is a must read. The meddlesome yet well-meaning protagonist is back with a new and intriguing mystery although to be honest I found the plot to be secondary to the characters and the heartwarming found family elements. Vera is prickly enough to stop this from feeling too cosy or sappy and there are plenty of funny moments to break up the tension and the more serious elements. There really isn't much else to say apart from I loved this story and I hope there will be more instalments. If you read the first book, I highly recommend you pick up this sequel, and if you didn't read read the original, then what are you waiting for? You will not be disappointed.
With thanks to HQ and netgalley for the opportunity to read this latest instalment of Vera’s life in exchange for an honest review.

I just adore Vera and her mischievous and sleuthing ways! The second book in this series brings the reader right back into the heart of Vera's world with another intriguing and dangerous mystery to solve as Vera and her mix and match of family try to find out what happened to an influencer called Xander, or is that Thomas?

I loved the reappearance of all the favourites from book 1 along with new introductions of a whole new cast of characters that are integral to the plot of this novel. My favourite new characters were Millie and Aimes as well as Robin and I just love how welcome Vera always makes everyone feel. I also really enjoyed all the descriptions of Vera's delicious cooking and how it always brought everyone together.

The mystery behind this murder was a lot darker than the first novel and it deals with some quite intense and very real situations that was harrowing to read. The ending is tied up nicely and I would love for there to be move Vera books to come!

I love Vera. I was a bit worried at the start that this story was going to be too similar to the first. However, I think it kept all of the good bits and added some more serious aspects.
The humour was still there and the lovely relationships between Vera and her adopted family.
The story itself, spoiler free is based on real life stories and that makes it pretty hard hitting for this sort of book.
The more I read, the more I loved it.

Simply joyful cosy mystery that’s filled with family heart
—
Vera Wong is back and this time, she’s taking no prisoners! Like a madcap mix of Miss Marple and Mrs Bennett, Vera Wong gets her teeth into a mystery that begins with a dead body, a phone scam and a gathering of the clans, like some San Franciscan American Chinese version of Braveheart (minus the blue face paint). When Vera picks up another waif hovering outside the local police station, Vera can’t help but get involved untangling the secret lives of a John Doe, where everyone who knows him never really knew him at all. But the dangerous forces arrayed against Vera have no idea who they’re tangling with and just how far her America Chinese grandma reach might be.

A simply joyful cosy mystery that’s filled with family heart and colourful characters, Vera Wong is the creation at the very heart of this that makes you come back for more. And the food! This is a mouthwatering book, and I wish I could be in SF Chinatown right now, even if Vera would want to know everything I knew, and wouldn’t be afraid to ask.

Four and a half stars

Jesse Sutanto delivers another wiinner that I thoroughly enjoyed. It made me laugh and kept me hooked and guessing.
Well done
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is the second book following Vera Wong and I honestly loved it as much as I did the first book. It was nice already knowing a load of the characters, their quirks and background, while also introducing a load of new suspicious characters, while still being a funny and an emotional read.

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) follows a similar idea and layout of the first book, which isn't a bad thing. If it's not broke, why fix it. There are obviously differences, but I like the comedy, murder mystery feel this books provides in bulk. It did start a little slower and certain things made me want to scream at the characters during certain events within the book.

TikTok does play a part in this book, so do be warned as I know some people may not like this element. Personally, I think it was all done in a great way and actually fitted into the story. It added some additional layers and definitely allowed for more comedy and misunderstandings to take place.

I love the main character Vera Wong, she's funny, blunt and also so loving and caring. Her interactions with other people and the banter is what made this book for me. I don't understand why these books aren't more popular and talked about more. I want more of these books and let's face it, I want more of Vera, and I hope that there are more in the works. However, the ending was wrapped up well, so I'm not sure if there's going to be more.

Another amazingly fun Vera Wong book. As always I love a cosy mystery and Vera always delivers this with fun humour, a good mystery and a great cast of characters. This is perfect for anyone who loves cosy books or wants to get into them, I definitely recommend this great book.

A young man has died but 'Who is Xander Lin, and why is it so hard to find people who actually know him ?' Vera Wong investigates the suspects whilst simultaneously managing to build genuine friendships with them.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own
Well written, characters I cared about and lots of laughs - if I could I would have given this book 5 stars plus. The exploration of social media and the less than perfect life of perfect influencers adds depth. Vera herself even becomes a You Tube star. Despite the warmth and humour there is a sinister crime at the heart of the book which quite rightly gets an airing here.
I'll be recommending this one to all my friends.

Vera Wong is back, baby!
She is really getting into her stride as an amateur detective now and it's so fun to read about her adventures. Honestly, I would not mind her meddling in my life if it meant I got to have some of her yummy sounding food and tea.
I'm glad this book addressed sixty not being that old because that was my bugbear of the first in the series.
There is a mixture of laugh out loud moments (like Vera getting to grips with social media), heartfelt scenes (such as dinners with her found family), and some mystery solving to do. I absolutely loved it!

I read the first one and realised I am quite smitten with the character of Vera Wong so was delighted when I saw another book was available.

I certainly wasn't disappointed with Vera meddling in things she really shouldn't and extending her 'family' by helping out those around her.
Great story and had a good laugh at her antics even though the story is looking into the death of a young man.

Please write more, a definite fan!

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

Disclaimer: e-Arc provided by HQ via Net Galley for Review. All thoughts are my own. My thanks to HQ, for providing me with the arc for review.

Plot
The second book in the Vera Wong mystery series, following 60-something, tea shop owner and amateur sleuth investigating another mystery. In this book she’s looking into the dead of Xander, who seems to be living a double life.

Thoughts
If I had a nickel for every 2025 release/arc I’ve read this month that featured a social media star, I’d have two nickels - which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice?!

The found family vibes were still amazing, and it grew as Vera collected people linked to the investigation and in need of family.

Great, simple mystery, love how it came together in the end.

This is the sequel to the very popular Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, which is an all-time favourite of mine.
For me, there didn’t need to be a sequel as I enjoyed VWUAfM as a standalone, and whilst I do love Vera’s character, I didn’t feel as though we needed another book as there wasn’t any character arc or development in my opinion across the two to warrant a series.
This was very very similar to book one in every way, plot, atmosphere, even the set of characters were reminiscent of the first mystery. It just needed to feel more unique for me to set it apart from the first book and enjoy it in its own right.
That being said, I still had a good time reading this, it is very funny and I very much enjoy Jesse Sutanto’s writing style.
If you loved Vera in book one, and want to see more of what she gets up to, this is the book for you.
4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and Jesse Sutanto for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.

Review posted to Goodreads, StoryGraph and Amazon.