After solving her last case, Vera Wong is finding running her teashop just a little boring. However when she is taken in by a scammer she meets a troubled girl at the police station and takes her under her wing. Now Vera is propelled onto social media and collects a new group of 'family' who need her support. this time though, Vera is threatened by organised crime who will go to any length to stop her. Can Vera protect those around her?
This book is such a joy to read. Sutanto has created a memorable character in Vera Wong who develops more with each outing. The disparate group of individuals who come into her orbit are sensitively portrayed and feel realistic. There are some unpleasant themes here but they are handled lightly - it really is cosy crime!

It was great to be back in Vera Wang's tea shop with Vera Wong and her mismatched family. Great and entertaining story.

Vera Wong has returned and inveigled herself into another mystery!

Not only does Vera play on the stereotype of elderly Chinese female, she collects lost & lonely people, thinks food solves every problem and wants grandbabies stat! She has a frenemyship with her baker neighbour and with her son now dating Selena, she has an in at the local precinct!

Now she's got a murder, identity theft, human trafficking, scamming syndicates and matchmaking to solve - all at the same time. The twists and turns are brilliant and red herrings are plentiful. I so enjoy Vera and her "I'm just a doddery old lady" routine. She has a belief in herself that verges on egotistical but she tempers it with being kind-hearted and genuinely wanting to help people.

Vera is the perfect amateur sleuth - she can fly under the radar by utilising all those stereotypes and then she hits you with some off the wall plan and everything becomes clear.

There are multiple POV, with Vera being the focal point. The characters all have a job in this story and everyone is all tied together with the theme of loneliness, greed, perceived perfection and they are so diverse in background, ethnicity and age but Vera has moulded her motley crew of friends into a wonderfully non-PC, but loving, family.

I can't wait to see if Vera and her new travel buddy actually make it to Europe before they're pulled into another mystery!

"Vera follows them with a thoughtful frown on her face, her mind tick-ticking along, patiently picking at all the odd angles of the case. If there is indeed even a case to be found. Still, when it comes to maybe-cases, there's no one more well suited to cracking them than Vera Wong."

The second in the series see 'Chinese mother' (auntie and grandmother to a select bunch of San Francisco's waifs and strays) and tea shop owner, investigating another case involving the death of a social media influencer.

I adored the first book and the second is no exception. The titular main character is undoubtedly the star of the show (as she would insist upon) but the returning characters and new ones are equally well-developed and engaging, a treat to get to know. It's funny, poignant and tackles some difficult subjects in Vera's inimitable way. I'd start with the first book, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice For Murderers, for the full Vera experience!

Vera Wong is back and up to mischief again trying to solve murders and matchmaking couples.

I love Vera Wong she is such a brilliant comfort character. I really enjoyed the first book but I LOVED this one being back in Vera world is such a fun time. If you like a cosy mystery with lots of laughs thrown in then I definitely recommend this series and the audio books are brilliant !

Thank you to Netgalley, HQ and Jesse Q Sutanto for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Vera Wong is back with a blast, it was so good to read through Vera’s eyes again. The book had the same if not more witty charm from this lovable character. I enjoyed hearing about Vera’s family, where they are since the first book and of course Vera adopting new members to her family. Vera is an incredibly sweet character who brings out the best in those she’s around, that’s the magic of this book. It was such an enjoyable read, so addictive I loved it.

This is the second book in the series with elderly Chinese teashop owner Vera Wong looking out for a mystery to solve. Although some of the characters are from the first book, enough context is provided to allow this to be read as a standalone, however I will want to search out Vera Wong's unsolicited advice for murderers.
After the excitement of the investigation into a murder in her tea shop Vera wants a little extra spice to her life in the form of a mystery or murder to solve. Whilst visiting the police precinct Vera observes a nervous young woman and on instinct hustles her to the teashop to see if she can help.
Millie, it turns out, is in need of help but not sure if the police is the right place to seek this and Vera very willingly steps into the gap.
Millie's friend Thomas has gone missing and Vera promises to help. Now that her son Tilly is living with Selena, police officer with the San Francisco Police Department, she hopes something will fall in her lap, which it kind of does with the help of a cat called Chichi and a hairgrip!
It turns out that one of the cases Selena is working on is the apparent suicide of a John Doe who turns out to be Thomas. Thomas is also not what he seems, with a large social media following under the name Xander Lin, something Millie knew nothing about and does not fit her recollections of him.
Vera's investigation lead her to other people in Xander/Thomas's orbit including TJ the agent, Aimes, the girlfriend and influencer and Qiang Wen, dumpling shop owner. The search for truth leads Vera into the social media spotlight, finding new friends and most importantly justice for Xander/Thomas.
This was a fun read and the characterisation of a Chinese mother was spot on, as they are tenacious, want to feed everyone and show their love by this act. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC, all views are my own.

This book is hilariously funny and also very heart warming, I couldn’t put it down and loved seeing how it was going to unfold, I hope there will be another book to come in this series!

Vera Wong definitely needed a sequel and this was a good one. Vera is such a great character, I can imagine she’d be annoying in person but the way she brings people together with her food and tea is THE BEST. I love getting absorbed in these books (I felt the same with the Aunties series too) – you feel like you’re a tiny part of their world every time you pick up the book. The mystery Vera solved in this book took a dark turn I wasn’t expecting and it’s so good to have issues like this brought to people’s attention. The storyline isn’t even the main feature of the book though, it’s allllll Vera. And that’s how we like it!

I loved this book! Having not read the first in the series I didn’t really know what to expect, but this was a funny and thought provoking murder mystery to unite the generations. Alongside being an entertaining murder mystery, this book handles the topic of human trafficking with sensitivity and empathy.

After finding a man dead in her tea-shop in the last novel, a bored Vera is hoping for another mystery to keep her busy. Her hopes come true in an unexpected way when she gets scammed over the phone, which leads to her investigating the death of a mysterious young man who nobody seems to know.

I love Vera Wong! She is absolutely hilarious as a character. No-nonsense, unapologetic and the ultimate tiger mum/aunt/grandmother. It was lovely to see her maintaining the relationships she built in the first novel and is no longer lonely. It was also great that she took what she learnt from the previous book and reached out to other people that she felt were in need, despite the fact that she was sussing them out as potential suspects in the latest death.

The ending was a good one, especially as the truth was always hiding under the surface the whole time.

Definitely worth a read, hoping that we get to read Vera's next adventure soon!

Another fun book with Vera Wong. Vera is a Chinese 60 year old living in San Francisco. She rules the roost in the nicest way and treats all friends as family. There is an amusing passage in the book when Vera's 'grand-daughter' is threatened with exclusion from school for not wearing a bra. Vera goes to see the headmaster with hilarious results. This is a breath of fresh air for murder mysteries. Can't wait for the next one in the series.

Loved this cosy crime book. Vera as a character is hilarious and I could just see her `as a TV character if they ever made into a programe. The multiple POV chapters tell the story well and the twists and turns keep you guessing. I really enjoyed it and now have to order the first book in the series. I couldn’t believe how entrepid Vera is a detective and how well she handles cases (just shows age is just a number). I also loved how Vera just managed to collect nearly envy character in the book and turn them into her family. Great book and would definitely recommend.

A welcome return to Vera and her self-made family that grows even further! Though she’ll need to invest in a bigger shop if she keeps accruing new family members at the same rate…

Following a trip to the police station, Vera meets Millie and learns of her missing neighbour Xander. Yearning for the thrill of another mystery to solve, she throws herself into figuring out what happened to him. Along the way she meets new friends, becomes a TikTok influencer, and has her shop vandalised - which obviously makes her more determined. The answer to the mystery is rather bleak and based loosely on true events.

Vera is a very strong character and suffers no fools so it was nice to see her become more vulnerable at times and for us to learn more about her woes and what makes her carry on. Her strength comes from those around her and being able to care for them, and them her.

Once again, I have totally fallen in love with Vera Wong! There is something so wholesome about her character and the way she brings everyone together, those that are feeling lost, those that are lonely and those who are in trouble and need help. PLUS her sass and attitude are hilarious!!

The book turned unexpectedly dark towards the end which exceeded my expectations. I was a little worried as the book focussed on leading up to this quite a bit I thought. Super interesting, well thought out and completely immersed me.

Vera Wong’s Guide To Snooping ( on a dead man) by Jesse Sutanto
I give this book 4.5 stars.

What else is Vera Wong (tea shop owner) to do when a distressed woman called Millie asks for her help?
Maybe the case file for Millie’s missing friend Thomas didn’t exactly fall into her lap but nothing can stop Vera from catching the scent of this mystery, however dangerous it is …..


This book is inspired by actual events.
Shes back!!!!!!
She’s nosy, she nurtures, she meddles,she’s funny and she’s the core to the book . . . . Meet Vera Wong! And guess what, she’s become a Tik Tok sensation.
Let’s dive along with Vera into the world of social media influencers, who is the mysterious Millie that she befriends, was Xander’s death a suicide, murder or something else?
This book is hugely entertaining, it’s engaging, it’s chock full of wit and Vera’s one liners that literally make me chuckle out loud. But beware this crime has a darker side to. We are introduced to new characters and some familiar faces this is found family at its best. Unique, authentic and filled with heart, tea and food this is so so much more than a murder mystery.
Vera has a special place in my heart ❤️ and it’s always a pleasure to spend time with her.
The perfect escape from reality! To those of us whose ambition is to turn into a Vera when we grow up.
With thanks to Netgalley,the author and HQ for my chance to read and review this book.

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Sutanto
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 stars
Publication date: 10th April 2025

Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Vera Wong is perfectly content as a teashop owner. She is definitely not seeking opportunities for amateur sleuthing. But what else is she to do when a distressed woman called Millie asks for her help? Okay, perhaps Vera wheedled the story out of her. And maybe the case file for Millie’s missing friend Thomas didn’t exactly fall into her lap. Everyone knows a locked briefcase is just asking to be opened by someone handy with a hairpin…

Oh Vera! This book was just the silly good fun I needed after some pretty heavy reads. If you've read the first Vera Wong book, then nothing in this will take you by surprise as it follows the same formula: Vera meddles in a murder investigation, collects strays along the way and makes good food and good tea. Oh, and she becomes a viral TikTok star in the process.
The topic at the centre of the murder mystery is a very serious one, and there are some sad and difficult moments which the author did a good job at balancing with the light-hearted humour.
We get to meet again with characters from the first book, and Vera brings new people into the fold… Whether they like it or not! And I'm always here for a good found-family story.
Vera is, as always, infuriating and hilarious in equal measures - she is loving and loyal and wants the best for the people she adopts as family.
This book is a piece of fluff, but it came at the right time for me and I wouldn't be against reading a 3rd book in this series.

What a joy to return to the world of Vera Wong. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and couldn’t wait to see what Vera investigates next. Joined by her friends from the first novel and a new cast of suspects this book just kept me turning the pages as Vera and her indomitable character takes no prisoners. This book had me chuckling as I read despite its serious subject matter. I hope there will be many more books of Vera’s snooping as they are just a go to cosy crime for me. The food descriptions are just mouth watering and I need to experiment with some of the exotic teas mentioned. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for a honest review.

Vera is back and she’s more feisty than ever as she’d at odds with her son Tilly’a girlfriend who is a police officer and being warned not to investigate a new murder.

But Vera is Vera and she can’t help but investigate and somehow ends up becoming a social media star whilst investigating the death of a young man.

Although formulaic at times, it was an enjoyable read and Vera is in peak form pretending to be a helpless old lady to get people to tell her their truth.

This would be a great Summer read as it’s light, enjoyable and you don’t need to have read the first one to enjoy it.

When Vera goes the Police Station after she's a victim of a scam, she doesn't realise that a whole chain of events is just about to start. On leaving she encounters Millie, who is undecided on whether or not to enter and report something. The something turns out to be the disappearance of Thomas, her neighbour. Soon Vera, after doing some snooping, realises that Thomas is the body pulled out of the water and she sets off to find out what happened to him.
On the way she makes new friends, becomes a viral star and puts her own and other people's lives at risk.
As per the previous book, this hooks you in and is very readable.