The Nanny

How did you feel about Vera Wong as the main character and narrator of the story? Did you find her likable, relatable, annoying, or something else?

Discuss the setting of the story, in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Did you learn anything new or interesting about the culture, the history, or the community?

How did you feel about the other characters in the story, the new customers / suspects Riki, Sana, Oliver and Julia? Did you sympathize with them, suspect them, root for them, or something else?

What did you think of the role of tea in the story? How did Vera use tea to connect with her clients, to heal their ailments, and to express her emotions?

Discuss the theme of found family in the story. How did Vera and the other characters form bonds with each other and overcome their loneliness and isolation?

What did you think of the author’s writing style and use of humor? Did you enjoy the tone, the dialogue, the descriptions, or something else?

What did you think of Vera’s relationship with her son Tilly? How did they communicate with each other and what challenges did they face?

What did you think of Vera’s meddling in the lives of the suspects? Did you find it helpful, harmful, intrusive, or something else?

Vera's cooking figures prominently in the novel.  Which dish that she made would you most like to eat?

Were you surprised by the ending of the novel and the reveal of how Marshall's death actually occurred?  Or had you suspected all along?  If so, what clues tipped you off?

What did you think of Vera’s relationship with her son Tilly? How did they communicate with each other and what challenges did they face?

What did you think of Vera’s moral code and sense of justice? How did she justify her actions and decisions throughout the story?

Did you enjoy the way that everything wrapped up at the end of the book?  Did you find the ending too tidy, too messy, or just right?