Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-galley for review. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is about a lonely elderly tea shop owner who didn't have many customers who discovers a body in her shop one morning. Of course she thinks the police can't do their job correctly, so she sets out to solve the murder herself. She befriends a cast of characters, including some police officers who become like family to her. This is a sweet, modern cozy mystery that will definitely make you want to read with your favorite cup of tea.

Jesse Q. Sutanto is able to perfectly balance humor, wit, charm, and community into an entertaining, heartfelt, wild ride of a book with Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, The tea ship setting is quaint and full of personality, much like Vera herself and I loved the amateur sleuth hijinks she got up to.

Vera Wong wishes her Chinese tea house had more customers, but finding a dead body in the store wasn't how she expected to get the word out. When Vera decides the police aren't taking the potential murder seriously enough, she decides it's up to her to find out what happened, and she'll start by investigating every new customer who shows up to her shop as a suspect returning to the scene of the crime. That plan is complicated by the fact that she grows attached to her visitors far too quickly.

Jesse Q. Sutanto's sense of humor is so incredibly delightful. Vera won me over right from the start, and I too found myself emotionally attached to all her murder suspects. I laughed out loud so many times reading this book, and although I thought I had the mystery all figured out, it surprised me in the end! It's everything I want in a cozy mystery and more. Berkley, if you're listening, please make this a series!

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Guide for Murder

Found family
Delightful curmudgeon solving crimes
Tea

Finlay Donovan series
Only Murderers in the Building
Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

This was off-the-wall unexpected, but not in a way that is absurdist, and I loved it. So far, it’s my patrons are living it, too!

I was really drawn in by the cover of the book because it took me back to reruns of the '60s show Bewitched where Mrs. Kravitz was always sneaking through the blinds to see what was going on.

Our protagonist, Vera Wong, is a peculiar funny lady who is comfortable with who she is and she sure isn't afraid to tell things the way they are. Unfortunately for her son, she likes to micromanage every aspect of his life and she sticks her nose where it really doesn't belong, however for those of us that are readers of this book, it's a good thing she does, as it makes for a good and funny read. Honestly, I found this book to not be so much of a mystery but it was more of a way of Vera connecting with all of the suspects. It was actually quite a funny book.

Jesse Q. Sutanto's writing never fails to be a delight. while this one didn't capture my attention off the bat the way Dial A did, it still ended up being a "I'm not going to bed until I finish this" type of read. I LOVED the found family, especially when it came to Julia regaining some independence and Emma becoming more comfortable. while I figured out the murderer about halfway through, I didn't make all the connections which still left some fun twists at the end of the book. overall, an excellent cozy mystery that I no doubt will be recommending!

3.5 stars

This book was a good time. Light and fun, with a tender emotional core, Vera shoves her way into your heart, and you find yourself rooting for this capricious old woman. Al of the characters were great, and this was a fun, engaging mystery that got me excited to read more from
the author!

A very cute story about found family but it took me way too long to actually finish it.
Definitely pick this up if you are looking for a light cozy mystery without too much thrills and action.

When elderly, widowed Vera finds a dead man in her tea shop, she goes into full detective mode and vows to solve the case.

This was a cute, campy, humorous detective novel. Very reminiscent of the Finaly series, there wasn't too much substance here. It was a light enough little mystery novel (albeit with a bit of an unbelievable reveal) to the point that I would deem this very much a beach read or book club type selection. An elderly female character brings young characters together and with her pushiness and can-do attitude, creates lifelong bonds between them all. It was cute, fun, and fast paced enough, but nothing about this will stick with me in the long run.

Oh my gosh! This was so fun. I absolutely loved the characters. This author is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I don't have one negative thing to say about it.

This book was a delight! I loved the combination of humor and heart. Vera Wong is one funny lady who shoots it straight no matter what. I loved her character so much.

Going in, I expected to laugh like I normally do with Jesse’s books, but there was the added layer of friendship, love and family that can occur between people who aren’t blood related that I didn’t see coming. This group of individuals that came together were so vastly different, but found common ground with their adoration for this wild mother/grandmother figure. It was beautiful.

Vera was a profound person in many ways and I loved how she helped each person find themselves again after being taken advantage of by Marshall.

I recommend picking this one up if you are looking for a good laugh and a full heart…and a lot of shenanigans 😆

Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

Although I enjoyed it, it was pretty far outside of my normal range! Not a genre I would normally pick up on my own, but I enjoyed it for the most part

This book was flawless. A laugh-inducing, heart-warming, absolute delight, filled with marvelous characters, and honestly a joy to read.

As cute as the cover is, I wasn’t sure I was a fan of Vera when I started the book. But boy was I a fan by the end. She’s a little eccentric. And the posse she picks up as her sidekicks are a little quirky too. Part mystery, with a little bit of romance, and a little bit about the cultures of the group, this cozy mystery is fun. Vera’s posse is also her suspects after she finds a dead body in her tea shop and she thinks the police aren’t doing enough. I’m not sure I’ve ever rooted for all the suspects to be innocent.

I keep reading these books with delectable sounding food as I am trying to lose a few pounds. It’s killing me. I wanted to try everything Vera made. And I am happy to see that we are getting more likable and relatable mature characters in books. Vera might be my favorite new amateur sleuth. I really hope this is the start of a new series, because I would love to see more of these characters.

I switched back and forth from reading and listening to this one. And while I liked reading it, I loved listening to it. Eunice Wong was the perfect narrator for this book.

Vera, a 60-year-old who owns a tea house in Chinatown, could be a bit intense and demanding at times, but she always showed love and humor. As the story progressed, I began to suspect that Vera had arranged Marshal's murder to add excitement to her life. However, my opinion quickly changed as each of Vera's suspects made their appearance.

As the characters and their backgrounds were revealed, I found it difficult to choose a favorite since they each added their own unique flavor to the story. I am uncertain if Jesse Q. Sutanto plans to continue this series, but I truly hope she does. Vera and her group of misfits have grown on me, and I would love to see where their adventures take them next.

Vera is my favorite amateur detective. Sutanto peppers this novel with humor and heart and characters we can hope to see more of. The mystery eventually takes a backseat to the found family that Vera gathers around her, which makes the mystery all the richer. I highly recommend this novel. #VeraWongsUnsolicitedAdviceForMurderers

This book had me laughing out loud. Vera was hysterical, especially as she most definitely was not trying to be funny. I did find all the murder suspects to be charming and quirky characters, but I liked that. I also figured oit the real murderer pretty early however I was still able to enjoy the story.

Get ready to fall in love with Vera Wong! She is unstoppable and she has answers for everything. She immediately inserts herself in the lives of those who she believes needs her and she cooks and makes tea... well, Vera really seems to be able to do anything.
An older woman living on her own who adapts to new trends and technology? Yes, please! Who doesn't need Vera in their life?
Great characters, engaging storyline, fun setting... and all the people you want to win, will. Who could ask for more?

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. More, please!! We love Vera!

Another #fivestarread for me this month. I loved so many things about this book. It’s funny, sad, warming, uplifting and heartfelt.
I loved Vera and her meddling ways, loved how she jumped to conclusions and rationalized her thinking.
It was so fun to watch her go through so many characters as she tried to solve this murder mystery.
Speaking of characters, each one of them were “connected” to the murder but also had their own mini story which enlightened and made this book so much fun.