I was so excited to read Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Sutanto. Last year I fell in love with Vera Wong when I read the first book, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

Vera Wong is an elderly widow who runs a Tea House in San Francisco’s Chinatown, and who also has a side hustle solving crime! Vera is an absolute force of nature with a huge heart. She’s not your average amateur detective, not only does she solve crimes - she bulldozes into people’s lives and changes them for the better by effectively adopting them.

In this book, Vera meets a young woman Millie outside a police station worried about her missing friend Thomas. In true Vera style, she befriends Millie and promises to find her find Thomas.

The books are great cozy crimes and are at times quite funny. I defy anyone not to fall in love with Vera and not want her in their lives. I can’t wait to read the next instalment in this series.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers, HQ, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I LOVE VERA WONG SO MUCH. What a wholesome and wonderful character. I didn’t think I could love her anymore and then I dived into this book and I already need more. I have literally just put the book down and I already want to be back with the characters. I really loved the first book in this series but the second is even better. I really love that even though there are a wide selection of characters each one is so unique that as a reader you are able to build up a relationship with each and every one of them without things getting confusing. I really enjoyed being back with all of the old characters but also meeting the new. Millie’s storyline was so harrowing but done so so well and I absolutely love a happy ending. I am really truly hoping that the ending means that at some point in the future I will be back with Vera but in the meantime I am not sure how I am going to fill the empty void in my life. Thank you so much for allowing me to read an early copy of this book, I have already preordered myself a physical copy on my shelf and I shall be recommending this one to all of my friends and social media followers.

She’s back with another murder mystery to solve! I just love how she can’t help but get involved in things that have no relevance to her and yet manages to build a community with those that are linked to the case. Another fun addition to the Vera Wong series.

Vera is back and she is in luck - there’s more murder. Jesse Q Sutanto is back with the grandmother of cosy crime. Another warm, funny story with a fab cast of characters.

Vera is a victim of petty crime and in reporting it, stumbles into the life of a young woman and a much bigger case. Despite her daughter-in-law’s pleas Vera decides to investigate, her suspect list are once again around her dining room table and they all have something to hide. But when Vera starts getting threats, is the danger suddenly too real?

I did like this book but I didn’t LOVE it like the first one. I’ve read quite a lot of Sutanto’s books and her book two in a series doesn’t quite live up to book one for this reader. My main issue is that no one does character quite like Sutanto but she gives us a whole wacky cast, which is great in book one but is a bit of a confusing; ‘wait who are you?’ in book two. I could have just used a quick recap is all I’m saying.

Vera is a superstar and I really enjoyed spending time with my own granny on the back of reading her story. Her warmth permeates you.

The murder is a good case. A guy who everyone knows but no one really knows. Did I figure it out? Yes. But that’s half the fun of detective fiction. Vera would be furious to know I solved it first which fills me with glee.

I’m enjoying this series a lot and will carry on reading!

Thank you #netgalley and @HQStories for my #arc

The first episode of Vera Wong was an absolute delight, combining some gorgeous laugh out loud humour and some great detective work. I was very excited to see Vera’s return and I think that this book will delight her fans.

Vera is still doing all the things she does so well - cooking, making tea, matchmaking - and enjoying the success of her first efforts as a detective. And then she herself is the victim of crime - a scam which very nearly clears out her bank account..A chance encounter with a young woman at the police station leads to another investigation which brings her and her loved ones into danger as she uncovers the dark secrets behind a social media influencer.

Vera is back! I was delighted to find the same gorgeous personality who I had loved in episode one. Vera’s attempts at matchmaking, to move her son and his girlfriend onto the next stage of their relationship and her efforts to grasp the modern world provide lots of wonderful comedy. Underneath the comedy, Vera is also deeply human and compassionate; a lady who loves to take waifs and strays under her wing and sort out all their problems. In this book in particular, I was really hoping that she would be able to help the young people navigate their difficult and sometimes dangerous situations. We are, however, reminded of her own vulnerability…

This is a story which really gathers pace and in the later chapters becomes a little darker and I found myself racing to the end. A really entertaining and enjoyable book. I was delighted to see the vegetarian spring rolls and hope this is new direction for Vera’s cookery!

Very many thanks to Netgalley and HQ for my digital copy.

This book was absolutely brilliant, I love Vera so much she is absolutely hilarious!
Her investigative skills are amazing and I highly recommend reading this heartwarming mystery of found family. Thank you so much for letting me read this advance copy.

I absolutely adore Vera!

Vera goes to the police station to visit Officer Selena Grey who is now dating Vera's son Tilly. When Vera leaves the police station she meets Millie a young girl who is obviously in distress and looking for her missing friend Xander. When Vera is cat sitting for Selena and Tilly, she finds a locked briefcase. Vera being Vera she has to open it. Inside is a file about the death of an influencer, who also happens to be the missing friend that Millie is looking for. Online Xander looks like he has everything going for him, a successful influencer career, parties with socialites. But when his body is fished out of Mission Bay, the police can't seem to identify him. Who is Xander? Nobody seems to know, every contact is a dead end. Vera is determined to solve Xander's murder and with the help of her ragtag friends she might just do it.

I really enjoyed this book, laugh out loud moments, some sad moments and the story very neatly tied up. I cannot wait to see what Vera and Winnie get up to in France!

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to read this Fab book.

4.5 Stars
What an amazing sequel novel, I need more VERA!!! Secondly, I need to be invited to one of Vera’s family dinner like NOW….. also what a TikTok queen.

Vera Wong, a no-nonsense teashop owner, isn’t looking for trouble—until a desperate woman named Millie asks for help finding her missing friend, Thomas. With a little prodding (and some light snooping), Vera gets hold of the case file and, naturally, cracks open a locked briefcase for clues. Driven by curiosity and her signature meddling, she’s determined to solve the mystery the only way she knows how: by spilling the tea—both figuratively and literally.

This story had me hooked! The pacing of the story was kept me engaged and the little clue drops meant I was trying to solve this mystery along with Vera. Incorporating social media and Vara was so funny, certified TikTok icon. Vera will stop at nothing to get the answers to mystery and she takes the internet by storm. With the help with new characters introduced to us in the novel, everyone is hiding something from Vera in connection to the case but how deadly are some of the secrets??

I enjoyed the found family aspects of the story, how vera brings together her own little community in comparison to book one where she seemed lonely. Its so heartwarming.

I love Vera and I loved this new instalment to the series. I need more!! Vera is so mischievous and witty <3

Jesse Sutanto’s Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) is an irresistible, heartwarming follow-up to the charming Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. Vera Wong is back, and she’s just as meddling and endearing as ever in this new instalment of her quirky investigative escapades.

Since the mysterious murder that was uncovered in her teahouse, Vera's life has taken a turn for the better. She’s surrounded by family, her shop is thriving, and, most excitingly, her son, Tilly, has a girlfriend—Officer Selena Gray, no less. Of course, Vera takes full credit for the blossoming romance, as she masterminded the connection while investigating the original murder. Despite her domestic bliss, Vera is still longing for a bit of excitement, though. She quietly yearns for more dead bodies to investigate, but alas, one must be content with what one has.

However, when a distressed young woman enters Vera's life, seeking help in finding her missing friend, the adventure Vera craves comes knocking. During a routine cat-sitting session at Tilly and Selena's, Vera stumbles upon a crucial clue—Selena's briefcase, which holds a file about a baffling case involving a social media influencer named Xander Lin.

Xander's life was one of luxury, with private jets and extravagant parties. But when his body is found in Mission Bay, the police are left clueless. Xander's identity is a complete mystery, as no one—friends, family, or even his contacts—seems to know who he is. Vera, determined to get to the bottom of the case, sets her sights on solving the mystery for her future daughter-in-law, Selena.

In this new instalment, Vera embarks on a fresh investigation, introducing readers to an entirely new set of characters, alongside appearances from the beloved faces of her previous adventures. Vera’s infectious enthusiasm, combined with her unique ability to dig into the heart of a mystery, makes this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) is a delightful, quirky mystery with plenty of humour, warmth, and a touch of suspense. Sutanto once again brings her characters to life with wit and charm, making this book a wonderful read for anyone who enjoys a light-hearted, cosy mystery with a strong, lovable protagonist. If you enjoyed the first book, this one will have you laughing and guessing right up until the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Vera Wong books are as warming and thoughtful as the tea Vera brews in her (world famous!) tea shop. This, the second in the series, takes on the world of influencers and social media (among other things, but I'm not about to spoil anything).

The cast of characters has grown from the first book (and includes many of the people Vera met then) but everyone is clearly drawn and distinct, and most importantly believable. The investigation is every bit as hilarious, haphazard, and weirdly effective as the first book.

Vera Wong's guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) is funny, insightful, charming, sometimes tense, and always engaging. It'll make you smile, it will probably make you hungry, and it may even make you cry.

Thank you to Harper Collins and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Vera Wong returns and is as ready as ever to jump into a new investigation.

Filled with interesting characters, fast paced and addictive.
I absolutely loved this sequel. I loved the way food and tea played such a big role, providing comfort and bonding.
I loved the balance between the lighter comedic moments and the heartbreakingly heavy ones.

Vera as ever was such a great character.

I highly recommend this book.

The perfect mix of comfort book and murder mystery!

Vera knows what is what and she has no problem telling anyone who will hear, nor is she willing to hear what others are telling. Especially the police since she was the one who was able to solve the mysterious murder that happened in her shop last time.

So when a mysterious dissappearence leads to the death of a young man and the police is once again at an impasse, Vera takes it upon her to solve the mystery. She is determined to find out who the dead man was, especially since no one seems to know who he was, even the people close to him, had no idea what his real name was.

What Vera has to do, beside find out the people involve in the case, force feed them, and a create a community, while all the while she is looking for the truth?

I loved this book so much. There is a meaningful and beautiful message and Vera is at her best and upon the whole situation.

The new characters are all very complex and I had the best time trying to guess what they were hidding. The only thing better than seeing the new characters, was seeing them come together with the characters from the previous book and create a wonderful found family.

I am not sure if Vera will have any new adventures coming up, but I would love to see more of her and her crew.


* I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

I absolutely adore Vera Wong! This second book featuring the amazing super sleuth was just as entertaining as the first book! I read an eARC of this on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

I find this author to be so talented at comedic writing. I was gently amused throughout and then outright laughing at certain scenes.

We see Vera emboldened on her detective skills and excited to take on a new case. However her expanded family now means more people are worried about her interfering and potentially getting the attention of dangerous people. Vera sees more people in need of guidance and love though and takes them under her wing, with huge amounts of delicious food as expected. The food is such a huge part of Vera’s character and adds such richness to the books.

There’s such lovely exploration of found family and the value different generations can have for each other. Vera provides grandmotherly affection for a teen longing for a maternal figure, while her new young social media influencer friends teach Vera new skills and provide excitement. Vera gives them the confidence and back up to make positive change. It’s so wholesome and heartwarming.

This author is instabuy for me now! Love their books!

I absolutely loved the first book in this series and was so excited to read another Vera Wong story. This book was so much fun to read. Vera Wong is such a delightful character, and in this installment, we follow her as she solves yet another mystery. The plot was interesting, and the characters were great. I really enjoy this series and hope the author continues to write more books. We could all use a little more Vera in our reading lives. Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

We need more Vera Wongs around! I loved her in the first book when she solved the murder of the man in her tearoom and changed the lives of a lovely group of lost people. In this book, there is another murder, though not in Vera's tearoom but she is a pro now and yet again she gathers people and clues, feeding everyone delicious home cooked meals along the way. Vera does a very good job in getting to know so many different people, and finding out exactly what they need, often before they even relaize it was missing from their lives. This balances out the awful truths hiding below the surface that Vera needs to find, before it claims another victim. While the topic of the real reason Xander died is horrible, it was a good thing to bring up and get people to know. And it was done well in this book.

So, if you loved this first book, this is a worthy sequel and you too will fall in love with Vera Wong, a sharp witted, canny, amateur sleuth who will get to the bottom of all cases, adopt those in need and feed everyone a good meal. It is a wonderful combination to connect all different types of people. And I wish Vera would adopt me too!

Ok, so confession time? Can I please meet Vera Wong? As I believe she could sort out my life! Career, relationship, all of my problems solved by the ultimate meddler. But always with the best of intentions and so funny aswell.
The titular character is one Vera Wong, a 60+ year old Chinese mother, who runs a successful tea house in San Francisco's China Town. And loves nothing more than organising the lives of her adopted family - all with her best intentions of course. And in the past few months, Vera has come to consider herself a detective after solving a murder that the local police overlooked. This time around, Vera is in even greater danger as she investigates the death of a social media star, becoming a TikTok sensation in the process!
While "Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)" does work as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first book as it provides some useful background and explains how the characters have come to form Vera's family.

I loved it.

We met Vera in Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice to Murderers and it was so good to catch up with her again. This book seemed a little more serious than the first book, but that's not to say it was still funny. Whilst this is a standalone I think you would enjoy it more after reading the first book. There is some recapping, which was useful for me, but maybe not enough to flesh out the background and the characters for a first time reader.

In this book we see Vera become a Tik Tok sensation and of course add more people to those she is now counting as family. She really is an incredible and endearing character. There were a couple of sensational scenes with Vera sticking up for her new found friends. Although I feared for Vera this time, as she does hit home with her snooping regarding a very serious undercover crime.

Winifred in the next door shop is also back with the gentle feuding between her and Vera. This time with new pastries that sounded incredible and made me ache to visit her and Vera. I guess we will just have to hope there is a another book.

This story is a combination of suspense, very extended family life, and lots of fun. A gripping plot and Vera kept me turning the pages. A very enjoyable read.

Having absolutely loved the first Vera Wong book, I was super excited to pick up this sequel, and it definitely lived up to my expectations!

This story is just as fun and engaging as the first one. While it’s still a cozy mystery, I noticed it had a bit more of a darker vibe, which I actually thought was a great touch. It added some spice to the plot and made it even more intriguing.

I found this book to be a quick read—every time I had a chance to sit down with it, I was instantly hooked and didn’t want to put it down!

One of my favorite parts was the mouthwatering descriptions of all the different dishes Vera whipped up. She really knows how to make you feel hungry just by reading about her culinary adventures.

It was such a joy to see the familiar characters from the first book come back, and I loved catching up with them. The new characters were also fantastic and added so much to the story; they were well introduced and definitely memorable.

Now, I don’t want to give too much away, but if you enjoyed the first book, trust me—you’ll love this one too! It’s got everything wonderful from the first and so much more.

Just a little heads-up: if you’re after a super realistic crime mystery, this one might not be your cup of tea. But if you’re in the mood for some laughs and a bit of lighthearted fun, I highly recommend giving it a go!

I also want to say a big thank you to NetGalley and the awesome folks at HarperCollins UK, HQ for providing me with an advance digital review copy of this book. All the opinions in this review are purely my own, and I am sharing my thoughts voluntarily!

My rating: 4.5 stars

A wonderfully cozy 'Agatha Raisin' style murder mystery.
I loved this, perfect for a quiet evening in with tea and biscuits as you follow Vera and her group of randoms as they move through their investigations.
Really funny in places and made me laugh out-loud and kick my feet with delight. Loved this!