Thanks to Berkley Pub, Netgalley, and Macmillan Audio for the gifted eARC and ALC for review!

It’s no secret that I love Sutanto’s quirky characters, but she’s really outdone herself with Vera Wong! This novel is simultaneously hilarious and heartfelt. It’s the story of several lost people who are involved in a murder investigation. The mystery was solid and I loved the found family theme. If A Man Called Ove and Dial A for Aunties had a baby, it would be this book. Go read it when it comes out on Tuesday!

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Rating: 5 stars
Pub Date: 3/14

Vera Wong, an elderly woman who owns a tea shop in San Francisco’s Chinatown, wakes up one morning to find a dead man on the floor of her tea shop. She’s watched enough crime shows to know what’s supposed to happen next, but when the police don’t behave like they do on TV, she realizes she must solve this crime herself. When people she’s never seen before start showing up at the tea shop, she knows one must be the killer. Through her investigation, she forms friendships with each of them and wonders what will happen when she proves one is a killer.

Can Vera be my best friend? I just adore her, with her strict routine and meddlesome ways. She’s stubborn, hysterical, and deeply traditional, and she stole my heart from the very first page.

This cozy mystery is full of heart and charm and is completely binge-able! Sutanto tends to fill her books with loveable, quirky characters, and this one is no different. It’s no small feat to make someone fall in love with characters who might turn out to be killers, but Sutanto makes it look easy.

Each person that Vera is investigating is well developed and comes with their own set of problems that she is happy to help them solve. Whether this involves pushing them to pursue their passions, taking care of their children, or even playing matchmaker at one point, Vera proves that there’s nothing she can’t do. I laughed my way through this book while feeling a little heartbroken for Vera when she realized how lonely she was before meeting her new friends.

The sense of found family, charming characters, and vivid descriptions of Vera’s food and tea are all wrapped up in a carefully crafted whodunnit mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. I adored this book and never wanted it to end! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for my copy to read and review. Check out this charming mystery on 3/14.

A murder at Vera Wang's World Famous Tea Shop.
A geriatric super sleuth, Vera Wong.
A cast of easy-to-love characters.

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murders is equal parts crazy and wonderful. From the moment the reader is introduced to Vera, you're pulled into her orbit, her meddlesome ways and her amateur detective work. It's over tea that she gathers together the suspects, befriends them and puts to work her match-making skills.

Vera is spry and full spirit, and I can only hope at her age I am having this much fun. This novel of full of laughs, found family and an absolute joy to read.

Thank you Berkley Publishing for the advance reader copy.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murders by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a cozy-ish murder mystery with Vera Wong, a tea shop owner, as the amateur sleuth. But that's just the story on the surface. Underneath the mystery lies relevant cultural issues that impact immigrants to the US and their first-generation children raised here, which gives the story an unexpected poignancy and relevance that stayed with me long after I finished the book.

My Reading Experience:
I loved how this story took me through my full range of emotions, from laughing out loud over the things Vera says and does to shedding tears when events led Vera to an unexpected point in the story. Underneath the murder mystery is a story about family born and family found, love in all its forms, and just being relevant in a world where it's easy to feel irrelevant.

The murder mystery was fun and creative and kept me guessing. When a man turns up dead in Vera Wong's tea shop, she decides she can be much more effective at solving the murderer than the police, primarily when they don't act as she expected based on the television shows she watches. I love how she went about trying to solve the murder and how many twists and turns it took. The final reveal wasn't a shocker because I caught some actual clues along the way, but I was completely fine with that. The fun is witnessing Vera figure it out rather than yourself.

I loved the cultural diversity in this story too. Vera Wong is Chinese, has raised a son in the US, and runs a tea shop in San Francisco's Chinatown. She often laments how GenZers of Chinese background neglect to honor the cultural aspects of their heritage. I already knew most of the cultural nuances, but seeing it in action and the plight of parents to get their children to uphold the traditions is eye-opening. This struggle goes on in households across America with the many different cultures that now call this country home. The story gave me a few things to think about.

Characters:
Vera Wong Zhu Zhu is not the only character in the story, but she is the central character and the one that makes her presence most known. She loves tea and mixing different blends that will relax you, make you more alert, or address your other needs. She is very knowledgeable about tea and what makes the perfect brew for anyone in her shop. She is also sly in a funny head-shaking way as she "innocently" impedes the police's investigation because she can do it better than them. Her character development is superb, and how her inner pain, which she often masks with her unsolicited advice and humor, is revealed broke my heart for her. You can't help but love Vera Wong and all of her complexities.

Narration & Pacing:
The narration is 3rd person limited, is tightly focused on Vera, and keeps a fast pace from start to finish. The investigation took a bit too long, which lost my attention for a small portion. Still, otherwise, the pages flipped quickly as I devoured the story.

Setting:
The setting is San Francisco's Chinatown, mainly in Vera Wang's Famous Tea Shop. She chose to call it Vera Wang's instead of Vera Wong's because of the instant recognition Vera Wang's fame would bring.
The setting is perfect for all the story sets out to accomplish – the mystery and the cultural components.

Read if you like:
Complex mysteries solved by amateur sleuths.
Humor and Poignancy
Cultural diversity in books

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Vera Wong, a lonely widow, finds a dead body in her tea shop. She takes it upon herself to find the killer and gets involved in the lives of her suspects. I liked the second half of the book better as it focused less on Vera and more on the other characters.

I did get some Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting from the book.

3.5/5 stars - this was a delightful book about friendships and chosen family, with a side of mystery. The mystery didn't really feel like the main character, but elderly Vera does her Chinese mother thing and brings everyone together. Loved her sass.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: March 14, 2023

Thank you so much to @PRHaudio and @netgalley for my gifted copies

This book was so much fun! I really enjoy this style from Jesse Q Sutanto.

I was expecting the laughs, but what I was not expecting was the tears by the end of the book. I was so sad to end this book, but I will definitely recommend this for others to enjoy as well.

Be sure to pick up your copy when these one releases next month!

I LOVED this book! It was hilarious. I love Jesse's characters. They are always so unique. And it made me laugh so hard, even in a murder mystery. I loved the found family aspects of this book as well.

I absolutely love everything I've ever read by Jesse Q. Sutanto, and Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
is no exception!! I was captivated from the start, and found myself laughing at loud as the story progressed. The way the suspects become central characters is absolutely brilliant.

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers begins with Vera finding a dead man in her tea shop. She doesn't know who he is, but is certain it was murder and is determined to solve the mystery since the police aren't interested. In her attempts to lure out the killer, she meets Julia, the dead man's wife, Oliver, the dead man's twin brother, and Sana and Riki, two people who claim to be a podcaster and reporter but are clearly hiding something. All four quickly become entangled in Vera's investigation and despite all hiding something in regards to the dead man, find that they all get along quite well and develop a close bond. Told with Sutanto's usual blunt humor and slight irreverence, this makes for a fun and light murder mystery. Readers of Richard Osman and Parini Shroff will like this one.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgallery in exchange for an honest review.

When I first looked at all the novels coming out this year, this one completely caught my eye. Mainly, because it was a mix of mystery as well as an adorable old lady. I was curious about it, and I definitely was going to pick it up when it was released (It just released!), but I'm happy I got the chance to read it as an ARC.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I started reading, but I kept an open mind and was pleasantly surprised how warm this made me feel. It started with a sudden murder, in this random, non visited Tea shop in Chinatown, and then a variety of people started popping by because of this murder. The main character Vera, is this adorable, hilarious older lady, who has her own cultural values she lives by. You learn a lot of culture in it, as well, as the bond that can form between characters in a short time.

She originally thought all of them were suspects in this murder, but as time moved on, she undercovered their true-selves, become closer with them, and ended up solving the murder, which was completely unexpected. I didn't expect it to go in the way that it did, but it was perfect.
Vera gives you this maternal/grandma vibe, and all these characters need that kind of supportive mom figure, that feeds them delicious home made meals, as well as giving them that push they always needed to pursue their passions, as well uncovering their secrets, as it's eating them alive.
It was an amazing story, and it made me feel happy, and appreciative of the people around me.

Thank you !
Definitely read it if you like a bit of mystery, and warmth in your stories.

Jesse Q. Sutanto's Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is akin to a perfectly brewed cup of tea - intricate, meticulously crafted, with a dash of wit and a comforting, sweet aftertaste. This charming and delightful book boasts a cleverly woven plot, replete with endearing and relatable characters that feel like genuine individuals. It is a heartwarming and laugh-inducing read, expertly crafted to captivate and entertain.

There was plenty I liked about Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, but I have no shortage of (generally minor) gripes and annoyances, too, hence a "good, not great" 3 stars (I'd probably give this book 3.5 stars if I could, but can't quite round it up to 4).

Likes: I'm generally a sucker for 'found family' stories, and this was a fun, fairly light/easy/cozy mystery, with plenty of humor to go with the 'found family' themes. The setting (San Francisco's Chinatown) was nice, and I also enjoyed all of the tea- and food-related bits.

Dislikes: I wasn't a big fan of the twist/reveal, but I've seen worse. There were plenty of goofy/absurd situations that I was able to overlook, but there was one 'running joke' that was very irksome; there are plenty of examples throughout the book that demonstrate that despite her age, Vera isn't completely out of touch with technology and/or pop culture (for example: she's heard of Buzzfeed, knows what TikTok is, has the Uber app installed on her phone AND knows how to use it), but yet she somehow doesn't know the word "podcast" the first time she hears it? It's then described to her as "like a radio show, but on the internet", and she seems to get it. But later continues to call it something else ('pot cut' and 'pot catch' are the most frequent), and at least once makes a comment implying that she questions the relevant character's insistence that it *isn't a rash*. The whole joke might have been easier to ignore it wasn't brought up so. many. times.

I was over-the-moon 🌙 when i was approved on #netgalley to read and review this book prior to its publication! I am such a huge fan of Jesse’s work and I could not wait to dive into this satirical murder mystery.

Vera Wong stumbles upon a dead body in the middle of her teahouse and, having no faith that the police can/will solve the mystery on their own, she takes things into her own hands… including serious evidence. This story follows Vera, Julia, Riki, Sana, and Oliver as they all cope and try to work through what could have happened to Marshall. Jesse leaves you guessing until the last second and makes you doubt all your instincts as you come to know and love each of these characters and their stories.

I struggled with the pace of this book a little bit. There wasn’t enough action in the beginning to really reel me in. Also, I was initially intimidated by the fact that this story is told from the perspective of five different characters. In the end, it wasn’t that confusing to follow along, but in the beginning, there was a lot of information being fed that I was afraid I wouldn’t remember. I loved each and every one of these characters. They were all on different journeys and the fact that someone’s untimely death brought them together was complete fate! There was a lot of healing which came from their connections to each other and honestly, it just made my heart so happy.

Speaking of my heart, Vera stole it from the very first page and a part of her will reside with me forever. Vera’s character brings so much comedy to this story, especially when it comes to her total disregard for social norms and conformity. She is always speaking her mind and following her heart - even when it guides her toward an unlawful lifestyle! Her motherly connection to each of the characters was honestly so heart-warming, but her connection with Emma was the absolute best. Though her personality was unlike my grandma’s, her name was also Vera so the character brought that much more light in my life🤍

First sentence: “Vera Wong Zhuzhu, age sixty, is a pig, but she really should have been born a rooster.”

Vera Wong runs a tea shop in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Business is slow at the shop even though Vera can delightfully brew the perfect cup of tea for each person who crosses her doorstep. One morning Vera finds a dead body clutching a thumb drive on the floor of her tea shop. Based on her unshakeable premise that a criminal always returns to the scene of the crime, Vera soon has four “suspects” and she's set on discovering who-done-it.

Vera is meddlesome and yet a delightful force of nature. She can't understand why the cops wont investigate like they do on tv. Why dont they dust for prints or perform a real investigation, so she decides to figure it out herself. It will be easy to line up the suspects in a room and point out the killer, or so she thinks.

She’s bossy, judgy, and completely loveable, and it’s not long before all of her “suspects” are doing her bidding and slowly but surely, she makes their lives better. I found myself wishing for an Auntie Vera in my life and wonder what blend of tea would she brew for me. I am hoping Jesse Sutanto has many more adventures for Vera.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for introducing me to Vera. I am hopeful Jesse Sutanto will write and share more of Vera's adventures with us. I will be waiting.

I was apprehensive to read or listen to this book because I dont like crazy hijinx in books but this book defied expectations and my own proclivities. The book begins with Vera Wong, proprietor of Vera Wang's Famous Tea House, named so based on Vera's brand of cunning and assertiveness in naming her establishment after someone with cache. Vera is a character, part bothersome cartoon, part sage elder, part warm grandma. The author does a wonderful job of crafting Vera, and you can picture her in all her flights of fancy. Vera ends up at the center of a murder, or what she suspects is a murder. A man ends up dead in her shop and from there we meet a cast of characters related to both Vera and the dead man, an all Asian cast (save for the police). I enjoyed getting to know the other characters especially toddler Emma and her mom Julia. There is a big theme of found family, redemption and reunion as well as finding oneself. Its all wrapped up in a charming package with just the right amount of hijinx.

I loved the last few Jesse Sutanto books I read and this one did not disappoint!
I loved the setting and the characters. I also enjoyed the fact that there were twists in the story so I was not able to guess the ending as I was reading the book. The book is charming and full of heart. It is also full of good food and tea so be prepared to want to order chinese food while reading this book!

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Suntato is not what I expected. I did not like the perspective (it was odd). The author’s writing style made for an awkward story. It makes for a slow-moving story with repetitive details. There are multiple points of view (five). We get these detailed backstories on each person (I really did not need to know that much about each character). With the multiple points-of-view, it leads to a significant amount of repetition. I do not need the details of the case told to me five times. Vera Wong is made out to be an elderly woman with a strong personality. Vera is only in her sixties (the closer I get to that age the less it seems old). She is still active as proven by her morning powerwalks. Vera is a woman of strong opinions. She is a widow with a grown son who largely ignores his mother. The book moves at a snail’s pace. The story needed action and excitement. We are privy to each character’s backstory, thoughts, and feelings. Two-year-old Emma was a baffling character. The author gives her characteristics of an older child (talks in complete sentences and can do detailed drawings instead of scribbles). Vera is excited when she finds a dead man in her tea shop. The police are not happy with Vera’s assistance. I was surprised that some of her actions did not find her behind bars. I believe the police wrote off Vera as a silly, interfering old woman. The mystery was simple. It felt as if more pages were devoted to Vera’s thoughts and ideas than the actual case. The reveal is long and drawn out. There is a “twist” which may or may not surprise readers (it depends on how many mysteries you have read). I ended up skimming to get through the story. I did like the ending. The investigation brings new friends and changes to Vera’s life. The story was too long (350 pages) especially for such a straightforward whodunit. I found myself bored by Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders. There is some mild foul language (just to let you know). I liked the setting of San Francisco’s Chinatown. The author brought the area to life with her vivid word imagery. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers has an inquisitive tea shop owner, a slain stranger, curious suspects, stimulating strolls, a dispassionate detective, and a surprising solution.

Wow! Vera Wong may be Jesse Q. Sutanto's best book yet. It undoubtedly stars our titular character, Vera Wong, an older woman with an established routine who runs a tea shop. However, we also get chapters from the perspective of the gang of misfits Vera acquires early in the book: Sana, an aspiring artist; Riki, a computer programmer; Julia, a stay-at-home mom; and Oliver, a foreman. But all five of these people also have something else in common: Marshall, a man whom Vera finds dead on the floor of her shop. Vera is determined to discover who killed Marshall but in the process befriends everyone she considers a suspect until they become a ragtag crew, with Vera helping each of them for the better, even if they don't realize it.

I absolutely adored this book. Every character was interesting, though I'm partial to Vera, and I was both excited to see how their individual journeys progressed and the outcome of the murder investigation! The food descriptions were also out-of-this world and made me crave so many different meals I've never even had before. This book manages to cover death in an extremely light-hearted way--likely because the victim is so dang unlikable. It reminds me a bit of Psych in tone, which is never a bad thing. It doesn't seem like this is the start of the series, but I hope we either see more Vera or more works like this from Sutanto!

Thanks to Berkley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 10/10

I loved this book. I wasn't quite sure what to expect going in and in the first few pages. Vera is a force of nature in the absolute strongest sense of the word. Her morning routine included waking up at 4:30AM and promptly texting her (adult) son, Tilly, because he should be awake already. I felt much sympathy for Tilly for the first part of the book because Vera is quite convinced of just the way she thinks things should be and sees no reason to pull her punches.

When a body is found in Vera's teashop her life suddenly expands. First by her plunging into the investigation ( the part with the body outline still makes me giggle thinking about it) and then by the introduction of 4 characters and a little girl. As the story went on I absolutely fell in love with Vera and the rest of her world (except for Winifred and her fake French bakery even if her pastries are good). Vera could have easily been made to be ridiculous but the author infuses her with the perfect balance of drive and heart that I couldn't help but love her.

This wasn't the most restful book as Vera frequently made me feel like I needed to get up and call my mother or bring my father groceries but I enjoyed it from beginning to end.