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Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (A Vera Wong Novel)
A USA Today bestseller
Edgar Award Winner for Best Original Paperback
Audie Award Winner for Mystery
Libby Award Winner for Best Mystery
A lonely shopkeeper takes it upon herself to solve a murder in the most peculiar way in this captivating mystery by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.
Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady—ah, lady of a certain age—who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, oh no. She likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet about what her Gen-Z son is up to.
Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing—a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of . . . swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would 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 knows the killer will be back for the flash drive; all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer.
What Vera does not expect is to form friendships with her customers and start to care for each and every one of them. As a protective mother hen, will she end up having to give one of her newfound chicks to the police?
Edgar Award Winner for Best Original Paperback
Audie Award Winner for Mystery
Libby Award Winner for Best Mystery
A lonely shopkeeper takes it upon herself to solve a murder in the most peculiar way in this captivating mystery by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.
Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady—ah, lady of a certain age—who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, oh no. She likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet about what her Gen-Z son is up to.
Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing—a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of . . . swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would 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 knows the killer will be back for the flash drive; all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer.
What Vera does not expect is to form friendships with her customers and start to care for each and every one of them. As a protective mother hen, will she end up having to give one of her newfound chicks to the police?
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Community Reviews
Such a breath of fresh air. The characters jumped off the page and made you think you were part of the crowd. I've even been guilty of laughing out loud a time or two.
This was such a comforting read and yes, I’m laughing because it’s also about a mystery and a murder case. But it’s truly Vera who moves this story along; who finds a little bit of joy in the monotony of her middle-aged life and learns that family can come in all different shapes and sizes
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto is an entertaining and quirky mystery that delivers plenty of humor and a heart-warming plot. The story follows Vera Wong, an eccentric and determined middle-aged (though frequently described as old) woman who runs a tea shop in San Francisco. When she discovers a body in her shop, she is certain it is murder and decides to investigate, offering unsolicited advice to those around her as she tries to solve the crime.
The book shines in its comedic moments, with Vera’s overbearing nature providing some laugh-out-loud moments. Sutanto has a talent for creating amusing situations and dialogue, which keeps the story lighthearted and fun. The examination of Vera's personal quirks, especially her sense of righteousness and desire to help, adds depth to the plot and makes for an entertaining read.
However, the characters themselves can feel one-dimensional and somewhat unrelatable. Vera, while charming, can sometimes come across as more of a caricature than a fully fleshed-out character. Her motivations and reactions may seem exaggerated, making it hard to fully connect with her or some of the supporting characters. This lack of emotional depth can detract from the overall impact of the serious issues explored such as domestic abuse.
The plot, while engaging, also relies heavily on convenience, and some of the twists feel predictable. The murder mystery aspect isn’t the most complex, and the resolution was not entirely satisfying. Still, the humor carries the book along, making it an enjoyable, if not particularly deep, read.
This is a fun, light-hearted mystery that delivers plenty of laughs and charm. However, its characters lack the depth that could have elevated the story beyond its entertaining premise. It’s an easy and enjoyable read without being completely satisfying.
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