I hope she writes cozy mysteries forever. These are some of her best work! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review!

This book was hilarious! I absolutely loved it and it was nothing like I have read before. Cute journey and fast paced. I miss Vera!

This book is hilarious. I loved every page. Vera is the epitome of my perfect character. Funny and brash yet kind and loving.

I very much enjoyed this cozy mystery! I appreciated the multiple POVs as well as the found family aspect! Jesse included some lovely and quirky characters in this book that really added to the humor in the story! Vera was a great female main character and a really fun amateur detective!


4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5/5 stars

Vera Wong is SO funny! I was smiling and giggling right from the start of this one. An unsuspecting grandmother is determined to help the police solve the murder of a man who was found dead in her tea shop - she even goes so far as to draw the chalk line around his body. This is a great story - Jesse Sutanto is hilarious!

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

I love Vera. I mean, honestly, she is wha made this book of me. Her POV was heartwarming and hilarious. Her character jumped through the page. Vera finds herself to be an amateur sleuth when she finds a dead man in her struggling cafe one morning. Given that her son is ungrateful and rarely texts her back, and that the police are inept and think it’s a freak accident, Vera has to take it upon her self to solve the murder. And she already has a list of suspects to start!

I love Vera’s attitude. She is a fierce old lady who doesn’t take no for an answer. I laughed out loud a lot of times as Vera pushes her way into the investigation and into each one of the suspect’s hearts. She is menacing in a nosy aunt sort of way, and I love how each character responded to her, and then eventually came to the conclusion we all had - there’s not stopping Vera!

The murder mystery was okay. I thought the ending wrapped everything up nicely and I really hope that somehow, there’s a second Vera book! But the mystery itself wasn’t what propelled me through the story and the big reveal was more okay than earth-shattering.

Overall, a delightful book and one that I would happily recommend. I really do hope Vera comes back for another mystery. The possibilities are endless.

Oh my goodness! I loved this story! My all-time favorite trope is found family and this had all of that with a mix of cozy mystery surrounding a Chinese senior citizen lady, who owns a tea shop. It is so cute and will recommend it to all my reader friends.

Wow this is super late but I wrote this book and I enjoyed writing it and I'm not sure why I requested my own book on Netgalley, but there it is.

4.5 stars. I loved this sweet, cozy mystery. It’s primarily a story of lonely characters creating a found family, which was not what I expected going in - in a good way! I loved all the characters so much and it was wonderful to see them bond and open up and support each other. I also found the mystery satisfying — the way it all tied up in the end worked for me. The narrator was excellent and I’m glad I listened to it.

VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS is the book that got me out of my reading slump, a book I didn’t know I needed. Thanks to @prhaudio , I read the book through audio, and Eunice Wong brought the story to life with her narration!

The book follows Vera, a no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point, and overzealous Chinese lady in her sixties who runs a tea shop (that rarely sees customers) in San Francisco’s Chinatown. More than anything, Vera is very lonely. Her late husband has passed, and her son, is too busy. With too much time on her hands and only with the best of intentions, of course, she loves to meddle in others’ businesses.

One day, she stumbles upon a dead man in the middle of her tea shop and calls the police, only after she snatches a flash drive from the body, just in case. When the police show very little interest in the crime, Vera sets out to solve the murder herself.

❤️I LOVED this book! At first, I was worried that Vera (like some of the aunties in her previous books) would be too outlandish/outrageous and a bit too stereotyped. But she quickly won me over. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments mixed with heartwarming moments as Vera befriends some of the very people she thinks of as suspects.

Compared to her Dial A series, this book is a touch darker, giving it a more mature feel. I like that the characters had more depth to them. The core theme of this book, I think, is family. Each had complicated family relationships (whether that be too many exceptions, rivalry, cultural differences, etc.). It pushed me to think about my own family, our strengths, and things that might strengthen us even more. Each character also served a purpose, which I loved. There’s also so much mentioning of Chinese food; I texted my husband and asked that he pick up a few dishes.

I love books about found family. And when I finished this book, I wanted to hug Vera for finding and forming her own family. But my favorite thing about the book? Definitely Vera! I loved VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS and cannot recommend it enough🤎

This is such an amazing book, a sheer delight, I loved every page and have been telling everyone to read it. Jesse Sutanto can do no wrong!

The minute I read the synopsis of this book, I knew it would be another win from Jesse in my book! She has quickly become a comfort author for me with her quick wit and emotional writing style.

I ate up every single chapter of this book and enjoyed reading from all the different viewpoints. The mystery itself kept me intrigued throughout the story, and left me feeling emotional by the end! The reveal of the suspect felt a little lack luster for me, but it didn’t take away too much from the rest of the story.

I can’t wait to read more from Jesse in the future!

This book is so funny. I love the humor or this author while mixing in a murder mystery. Her books never disappoint!

Amazing! Young or old you’re going to love this book! Vera and her eccentricities are your charming guides through this cozy murder mystery. I can’t wait to see Vera again.

“People always say that your wedding day is the happiest day of your life, but honestly, people should try solving murders more often.”

Jesse Q. Sutanto is a dabbler in nearly all of the genres. She has written Middle Grade, YA Thrillers and even Romance. But I am here to tell you that she is the QUEEN of the comedic cozy. If you thought the “Aunties” were fun, you simply HAVE TO meet Vera . . ..

"So scary! EXCITING! I am helpless old lady. What to do? Is my duty to find killer before killer go on rampage."

This was laugh-out-loud funny and I am head over heels for Vera. I would read so many more books featuring her if this becomes a series.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

vera wong's unsolicited advice for murderers is a charming and unexpectedly heartwarming mystery that unfolds against the backdrop of san francisco's chinatown. the story revolves around vera wong, a sharp-witted and somewhat nosy elderly woman who stumbles upon a murder in her quaint tea shop.

the narrative prowess shines through as she crafts a narrative that seamlessly blends suspense with a touch of humor and a dash of maternal instinct. the character of vera is a delightful protagonist—feisty, independent, and armed with a unique blend of tea and detective skills. the gen-z son subplot adds a modern twist to the classic amateur sleuth trope, making the story relevant and engaging for readers of all ages.

the plot takes an unexpected turn when vera, in an act of curiosity mixed with a dash of defiance, decides to take matters into her own hands by swiping a mysterious flash drive from the crime scene. this singular act propels the story into a whirlwind of intrigue, with vera juggling detective work, unexpected friendships, and the looming threat of the killer returning for the coveted flash drive.

what sets this book apart is its unique blend of mystery and heartfelt connections. vera's transformation from a solitary tea shop owner to a surrogate mother for her diverse group of customers is both endearing and believable. the author excels at weaving a tight-knit community of characters, each with their quirks and secrets, making readers genuinely care about the fate of vera's newfound "chicks."

the writing is crisp and infused with a subtle wit that keeps the narrative engaging. wong's vivid descriptions bring san francisco's chinatown to life, creating a rich and immersive backdrop for the unfolding drama. the pacing is well-executed, with each chapter adding a layer of suspense while allowing the relationships between characters to develop organically.

while the mystery itself is intriguing, it is the emotional depth and unexpected bonds formed that elevate to a 4.5-star read. vera wong's journey from a tea-sipping detective to a fiercely protective mother hen is a joy to witness, making this novel a delightful and satisfying experience for fans of cozy mysteries with a heartwarming twist.

What can I say about Jesse Q Sutanto's writing that I haven't already said? While more than two points of view are not usually my cup of tea while reading, I felt that it worked well with this book. Can't wait to read more from Sutanto!

4.5/5 -- rounded up

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced reading copy!

SYNOPSIS -- Vera Wong spends each of her days the same way: getting up early, texting her son, taking a vigorous neighborhood walk, and opening up her tea shop in San Francisco's Chinatown. Her routine is suddenly upended when she comes downstairs, right on time, to find a dead man in her tea shop. After the cops prove to be "completely useless" - as Vera would say - she posts an obituary with the goal of tempting the killer to revisit the scene of the crime. Suddenly, Vera is surrounded by four potential suspects... all of whom she grows extremely fondly of. Could one of them really have been the killer? What secrets are they harboring? And what will Vera do when she finally finds out?

I ended up listening to this one on audio and I loved it from the very beginning! Eunice Wong did a fantastic job on the narration and it was super fun to hear Vera's thoughts and feelings out loud. Vera was the BEST character. She had the best intentions and reminded me so much of my Grandma -- well-meaning but going about things the wrong way. Yet, somehow, everything seemed to work out for her and it was so fun to read! The mystery itself was great, too. I was genuinely surprised at the end and loved the way each of Vera's suspects were woven together. This book warmed my heart throughout the entire thing and I loved every second of it. Highly recommend for your next cozy mystery!!

I loved Vera and her need to be in everyone's business and I also did not see the end coming. Great for mystery readers that love good character development.