Vera is an older lady and she finds a dead man in her teashop. The police said was a natural death. She doesn't believe it and starts snooping...
Berkley and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). Publication date is March 14th.

This is a complicated story of a man no one liked, not even his wife and child. He has a chance to make money so he leaves them.

Vera has several suspects and goes down the list looking for the possible murderer.

I was amazed over who had killed him. Do you think you can figure it out?

I really enjoyed this read. Lately I've been spending a lot of time in the 'women with other jobs' category of mystery fiction, and Vera and her band of wayward twenty- and thirty-somethings are a fantastic addition to the canon. The author pokes fun at Vera's flaws while also making very clear her love for the people around her and taking seriously the severe repercussions of isolation on the elderly.

I also enjoyed that the mystery was so emotionally complex. While I don't know how I feel about the solving of it as a reader, I think that the disparate elements of the mystery, the motivations, and the ultimate assignation of culpability were deeply interesting - the kind of ethical situation I could turn over in my head for ages. Thankfully, this book isn't one to wallow in what is the objectively right answer to a complex situation. As a reader, I was given the facts and the ultimate way they were received in the fiction and asked to move forward from there, which is absolutely perfect for this decisive and opinionated protagonist.

5 Stars

PURE JOY. MADE ME FEEL ALL THE FEELS. I NEED A VERA WONG IN MY LIFE. NOW.

Vera Wong is a widow who’s son basically ignores her despite her excellent unsolicited advice for him. She runs Vera Wang’s Famous Tea House (so smart to name it after someone so recognizable, huh?) and even though she only has one steady customer, she knows her establishment is something to be proud of.

Until a dead body winds up in her shop. And the police don’t appreciate her assistance (DIDNT THEY LOVE HOW DETAILED HER BODY OUTLINE WAS AND HOW CLEAN HER SHOP IS AND WHAT ABIUT THE TEA AND FOOD SHE MADE THEM?!). Vera does what any sensible grandmother would do…she takes the investigation into her own hands.

Vera befriends each suspect, getting incredibly close, and bringing each suspect close together. As she works through their motives, you can’t help but fall in love with the incredible human that is Vera Wong (unsolicited advice and all).

This story has a mystery, a side bit of romance, a healthy dose of found family, and so much growth. It’s a perfectly formed concoction, much like Vera’s teas.

Jesse has written romance, YA, and now a cozy-ish mystery and I swear this author can do no wrong. Her stories and the characters are so well formed you can’t help but feel every emotion and laugh along the way.

I absolutely recommend to everyone! I read via audio and the narrator absolutely made this book. The accents, language, and enthusiasm made this story one I won’t forget! Also…taking applications for my own personal Vera Wong.

Sutanto's Dial A for Aunties series is one of the freshest series I've read in years. I'm so glad she is continue to stretch her writing skills and imagination. Vera Wong is a delightful character. I fell in love with all of the characters and the book. I rushed out and recommended it to many friends!

When Vera Wong finds a dead man on the floor of her tea shop, she knows exactly what to do: solve the murder. What she doesn’t expect is the number of suspects who turn up and end up being roped into her investigation.

What I liked most was the whole story! Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders kept me laughing the entire way as the characters try to figure out how to handle Vera and Vera tries to figure out who the killer is. This was such a fun mystery and I enjoyed it so much.

What frustrated me is that I don’t know if a second book is coming. Sutanto says that this idea kind of just came to her and she put off working on her other books to get this one out. So does that mean there will be a second? Who knows! Sutanto has so many other books coming out, it could be a while before we find out about this one.

I recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of cozy mysteries, the sassy older folks, and a multiple POVs in a book.

Vera Wong runs a failing teashop and is wondering what to do with the rest of her days. When a dead body is found in the shop one morning Vera decides the police don't know what they're doing and thanks to all of her hours watching CSI she will do a much better job at finding the killer. I loved this book so much and hope with all my heart this becomes a series. Vera is the Chinese mother/grandmother we all need.

Brimming with heart, humor and all sorts of mishaps and hijinks…this book made me laugh and made me feel. I absolutely it!

The coziest of mysteries featuring one meddlesome old lady, one dead guy, four suspects and a mysterious thumb drive…this book had me captivated from the start! Vera brings out the very best in people. She is a precious national treasure that must be protected at all costs.

This book is for you if you like: cozy mysteries, sassy old ladies, found families and heartwarming stories.

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for my copy.

This book was great fun. A bit of a slow start led to a story that was both funny and touching with a decent mystery thrown ion to the mix. Highly recommended.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
Jesse Q. Sutanto
Pub Date Mar 14: 2023
Berkely
Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Fascinating new cozy mystery. Told from five points of view , the novel gives readers extra insights into Vera, Julia, Riki, Sana and Oliver.
If you’re looking for an entertaining, heartwarming cozy mystery, I highly recommend this book.
4 stars

Vera Wong is not about to let anyone put a crimp in her plans or rain on her parade! She raised a successful son and buried her partner from a long, loving marriage. She rises with the sun and has a plan for every day and each person who comes her way in that day. Unfortunately, that's not many people. Vera would never say she is lonely. However, each day is a lot like the last. And, sadly, most of the interesting parts are over with by 8am. Then it's just waiting around till tomorrow. Until the morning Vera Wong comes downstairs from her apartment over her World Famous Tea Shop and find a man dead on her floor. Finally! Something exciting! But when the police come to the scene of the crime, Vera finds they are not at all perceptive or useful. They chalk up what is obviously a murder (in Vera's estimation) as a natural death. Who in their right mind breaks into a tea shop to die naturally? Vera knows the only way to bring a resolution to this new development in her world is by commencing her own sleuthing. In the end, the police will, no doubt, thank her. In the midst of the excitement of solving a crime, Vera meets four young people who all knew the murder vicitm and all have serious problems of their own. Vera Wong is rather disappointed because she has really come to care about these young people, but justice demands truth and Vera won't stop till the murder is solved.

A dead man is found in Vera's teahouse one morning. Vera thinks the police are doing a lousy job of investigating. She decides she will show them who the murderer is. She has four suspects: Julia, Oliver, Riki, and Sana. All four of these people lie. Vera though keeps on iinvolving herself in their lives; uncovering the lies.
Vera is an unique person. Discover what she knows as she feeds these four with delicious and overwhelming amount of Chinese food.
Jesse Sutanto has written a well-crafted mystery. Read and enjoy.

Before I started reading this, someone told me if I loved the Finlay Donovan books, I would love these. I would agree 100% with that assessment. This cozy mystery was pure fun! Vera Wong is an easy character to get to know and travel with this through this mystery. One thing that I love about this cozy mystery and others like it, is that it can take a serious subject, throw in some witty lines and hijinks and make it a hilarious good time! If you love cozy mysteries and tea, you are going to love Vera Wong. It is everything you are hoping for it to be and more.

This is trademark Jesse Q Sutanto: heartfelt antics and happy endings. A nice complement to her DIAL A FOR AUNTIES series with voicey characters and a fast-moving plot!

Widow, Vera Wong, is desperate to offer advice to people, especially her adult son, Tilly. However, he never calls and never wants her advice on anything. At 60 years old, Vera devotes herself to her San Francisco tea shop, which she calls “Vera Wang’s World-Famous Teahouse.” No, that’s not a typo. Vera Wong figures more people have heard of Vera Wang and it would attract more customers.

One morning, Vera walks into her tea shop and finds a dead man in the middle of her shop. She’s sure it’s murder and she’s also sure the police can’t handle the investigation on their own. Vera is determined to find the truth. She just had no idea how many potential suspects she’d come across.

This is a standalone mystery filled with offbeat characters and humor laced through from page one to the end. These characters, especially Vera, quickly become beloved characters in my eyes. I found myself caring about them all and hoping none of them would turn out to be killers.

This is so much more than a cozy mystery. It’s the story of a lonely woman and how she deals with people whether they are blood relationships or not. It’s packed with charm, drama, emotions and a whole lot of fun. It, also, keeps you guessing until the end. I couldn’t figure out how things were going to end up, but the ending put everything together very nicely.

I couldn’t put this one down and it’s now on my best of 2023 list. I never read any books by this author before, but it definitely won’t be my last. I’m already searching for her backlist. I love finding such great new-to-me authors.






FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a quick-paced mystery that unfolds when Vera Wong an elderly tea shop owner finds a dead body in her shop. She soon decides she must solve the mystery since the police are useless. A delightful journey through her sleuthing adventures that keeps the reader guessing and ultimately unearths the family and friend relationships developed along the way. An enjoyable, witty read! Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers begins immediately with a strong narrative voice. If you love sassy, meddlesome, but deeply caring main characters, Vera is for you. She has a depth of feeling in all accounts. And while her tea house was broken into, it gives her this new spark of life. She meets new people and embarks on a new adventure. With glimpses into other characters, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is like cozy mystery meets "Love Actually".

This was an absolutely adorable cozy mystery! I adored the characters. Vera was fantastic! She is funny and loving, and super bossy, but you can't help but love her. The plot was well thought out, and there were some surprises I didn't see coming. I absolutely recommend this one!!

Sixty-year-old widow and mother Vera Wong doesn’t have a lot going on in her life aside from running her tea shop. And even that has grown quiet with only one regular customer a day. But that all changes one morning when Vera comes down to her shop and finds a man dead on the floor. Vera is immediately on the case, determined to solve what is surely a murder. Vera quickly identifies four suspects but things get complicated as they all become close friends.

This was a quick, entertaining read with a great balance of story and character, humor and heart. The character of Vera was especially enjoyable, narrating her take-charge, no-nonsense approach in endearingly broken English. The story is also told from the perspectives of the other main characters who Vera happens to suspect of murder. I enjoyed following the entire group as their lives intertwined through mystery, love, suspicion and Vera’s amazing cooking.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advance copy of this book.

There’s nothing like a good cup of tea, or “cuppa,” as the British call it. The Brits were so keen about their tea that they colonized India to guarantee their supply; the American colonists fought a war when they taxed it. (Although, strangely enough, iced tea isn’t very common in England.) Asian countries have their own elaborate tea ceremonies. And in Jesse Q. Sutanto’s latest release, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, the tea is the star of the show. Everything else, including murder, comes in second.

For the complete review, click on the link below.

It's rare I read a book so compelling that I finish it in just a couple of sittings, and this one I finished in two over less than a day. The mystery itself is well-thought-out with enough twists that I had to keep going to figure out how it turned out and an ending that both completely made sense and surprised me. Very satisfying. And the story of these characters who feel alone and broken coming together and finding wholeness together was beautiful. The Knives Out comp fits very well!