4.5 stars

I was absolutely in love with the first Vera Wong book and was so excited to see there was a second cozy mystery in the series! Vera is so much fun and I love how she finds people and makes them family. She claims to be an "old lady" but is only in her 60s. She uses that claim to get some young adults to help her navigate posting videos and going viral as she tries to solve the mystery of a young Indonesian influencer that has passed away. There are many characters, some from the previous book, and a few different POVs, but it's not hard to follow. This is a cute and cozy mystery with a little bit of heavier topic that is carefully touched upon (no trigger warnings needed). I enjoy the descriptions of the food and tea and the culture. I liked the set up that Vera and her "frenemie" Winifred may be on their way to Paris - maybe they will solve another mystery overseas!

If you enjoy family/found family stories as well as cozy, meandering mysteries and a sweet woman who can get people to open up to her through food, then you'll enjoy Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man).

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I want a million Vera Wong books! I could absolutely never get tired of reading about all the adventures she gets into. Vera as a character is lovely and always has the perfect way to bring together a ragtag group of individuals who at first look have nothing in common but become so united!

I will admit the topic at the center of this book was a bit darker, somewhat more sinister than the first book so please do take care of yourself and look at the TW/CW!

The sequel to Vera Wong's Guide to Murder, with a new cast of strangers who become friends added to the group that Vera collected in the first book. Vera learns about social media and influencers, posting videos of herself cooking and making tea while solving the problems of her new friends. Funny and heartwarming, recommended for readers of cozy mysteries who enjoy their mysteries with more humor and less romance than most cozies.

After solving the mysterious case of the man found dead in her teahouse, Vera Wong is better than ever with a booming business, newfound friends, and *hopefully* future daughter-in-law. When she stumbles upon a distressed young woman concerned about a missing friend, Vera jumps at the chance to investigate another case, soon learning this woman’s friend was a popular influencer, and has been found dead. Vera compiles her list of potential suspects and sets out to solve yet another mystery!

I absolutely loved the first novel starring Vera Wong, so i was thrilled when l heard a sequel was coming out; Vers is such a fun and hilarious character—definitely an all-time favorite! Just like the first book, I was immediately pulled into the plot and cast if characters, and eager to see where the story would take them. Be sure to read the author’s acknowledgments at the end of the novel—I appreciated hearing the real-life inspiration behind the story and the research the author did to ensure she delivered an authentic story. You definitely need to read VERA WONG UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS first, but I’d highly recommend this sequel if you read and enjoyed the first book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for my gifted e-copy!

As a fan of the first Vera Wong novel, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, I was happy to see that the author has expanded this tea shop-owning sleuth’s adventures into a series. What caught me by surprise, though, was the depth of the themes explored in this installment. While cozy mysteries often tread lightly, this book weaves in poignant social issues, adding layers of substance to its narrative.

Vera remains a force of nature—a humorous, fiercely caring, and unconventional matriarch whose worldview is as refreshing as her brewed teas. In this second installment, readers are drawn deeper into the lives of Vera’s eclectic found family, a group of misfits whose connections to her are both quirky and heartwarming. The storytelling web ensures that even newcomers can piece together the relationships, but I would still recommend that new readers start with the first book.

It’s impossible not to appreciate Vera’s duality—she’s someone you absolutely don’t want to cross, yet her generosity knows no bounds. Her unwavering loyalty shows in countless acts of kindness, often accompanied by mouthwatering food. Vera’s ability to forgive and nurture, even when wronged, exemplifies the themes running through the series: the power of belonging, the quest for justice, the strength of perseverance, and the legacies we leave behind.

Ultimately, Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man reminds us that cozy mysteries don’t always shy away from gravity and meaning. Vera may humorously claim she’s an old woman with limited time, but her determined spirit suggests otherwise. With her wisdom, wit, and willpower, Vera Wong is destined to remain a guiding light for many more years—and mysteries—to come.

Thank you to both NetGalley and Libro.fm for a copy of ARC and ALC.

Vera Wong is back at it. After a brief reprieve and a phishing scam, Vera discovers some police paperwork with information about a John Doe who they believed had died by suicide. Vera being Vera decides to help them solve the case; unbeknownst to them, of course. Over the course of the story, Vera meets a new cast of characters as she tries to determine who John Doe was, and why he died. Much more serious than the last book, Vera is still able to bring levity and heart to an otherwise tough story.

I’m not much of a cozy mystery reader but I’m all in for Vera Wong! After really enjoying the first book in the series, I was excited to return and this didn’t disappoint - I think I liked it even more!

Vera is a tea shop owner and after finding a dead man in her shop last year is also determined to continue solving cases. When she meets Millie and learns about her missing friend Thomas, she knows she has her next case.

What makes this series so special for me is the character of Vera herself and the found family group of characters she surrounds herself with. I really enjoyed this and hope there will be more to the series! Thank you to the publisher for the free ebook and I also love these on audio!!

I love the humor style of all these books (including the author's earlier Dial A for Aunties series) and how she's able to hit the perfect blend between heavier topics of loneliness, human trafficking and loss alongsider the ideals of found family and jokes. I think we all need a vera in our lives.

I had such a fun time reading this! Vera Wong was funny, and I loved how she cared for those around her, even the ones who were suspects in the murder she was investigating.
This book had me laughing out loud, and invested from page one. The mystery was intriging and I was surprised by how it all ended up playing out. I had. so. Much fun following Vera as she went about solving this.

I can't wait to go back and read book one, and I hope we can join Vera on more adventures in the future!

I really enjoyed the 1st book by this author, so I was happy when I heard it was turning into a series. I did like this book, but all of these characters are starting to get confusing. If there is 3rd book I hope we can get a character guide. I do enjoy the humor and how vera's personality is. And it is interesting how the author brings all the characters together to solve Cases.

Thanks NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

A humorous cozy mystery that also involves a much deeper topic.

This is book #2 and I would highly recommend reading book #1 first as many of the characters are not deeply introduced in the second installment.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, Vera, how I adore you.

The first book in this series was one of my FAVORITES from last year, and this was such a fun follow up. Jesse Q. Sutanto did a fabulous job of hitting all the notes that made book one so great– Vera’s antics, the suspects turned found family dynamic– while still feeling fresh and new.

As the mystery is uncovered, the stakes can’t help but feel higher for Vera and whatever nefarious deeds she has stumbled across this time, and I enjoyed the heightened sense of danger circling. While there isn’t a twist quite as unexpected as the first book, it was still a compelling case to follow

The highlight of this book? Two words: found family. I LOVED getting to see all my faves from book one, and that the family they formed with Vera is as strong as ever. The new voices in this book made for wonderful new additions to the cast of characters (although Robin was probably my favorite), because of course Vera doesn’t hesitate to adopt more people into her family. I would have loved to see TJ and Robin interacting more with Julia and Emma though.

Overall, it is my opinion that everyone needs some Vera in their life, so READ. THIS. BOOK.

Vera Wong is a treasure! This 61-year-old Chinese grandmother (well, she fully intends to make sure she becomes a grandmother) is a busybody who loves to feed people, add strangers to her growing family, and investigate murders. She's a force of nature, and a wonder to behold. The Vera Wong books are funny, engaging, and impossible to put down -- and the mystery itself in this new book is compelling and has a moving element too. Don't miss it!

📚 Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
(aka the book that gave me life, laughs, and an adopted grandma)

Vera is and will forever be a 5-star read for me. There is nothing about this cozy mystery that doesn’t absolutely hit the mark. She is a woman with a plan, a label maker, and no patience for nonsense—and I loved her for every second of it.

The premise? Murder mystery meets accidental sleuth meets the most meddlesome, opinionated, hilariously lovable tea shop grandma you’ll ever meet. Vera finds a body and promptly decides she’s better at solving the case than the actual police… and honestly? She’s not wrong. Every character who enters Vera’s orbit basically wins the grandma lottery. She will fix your life, whether you like it or not—and you’ll be better for it. This book had me chuckling and clutching my heart. When I had to put it down, I was instantly counting down until I could pick it back up. And when I got close to the end? Devastated. I never wanted it to end. If you haven’t met Vera yet, this is your sign. Prepare to laugh, swoon over dumplings, and be emotionally adopted

Would I recommend this book?
Loudly.
Proudly.
From the rooftops with a megaphone and a tray of dumplings.

Themes:
Found family (and you WILL feel it in your soul)
Cozy mystery with heart
Unlikely friendships
Wholesome chaos

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review.

Oh man, when I heard there was going to be a second Vera book, I was so excited. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I am happy to say this book does not disappoint. It follows the same formula as the first book. Vera meets a girl outside of the police station. That leads her to meet a bunch of new people. She works with them and her family and friends from the first book. It was such an enjoyable read. I couldn't stop laughing. I just love Vera and Jesse Q. Sutanto's writing. The ending of this hinted at a third book and I can't wait!

*Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Vera Wong returns looking for more excitement. She has kept as friends all the characters from her first murder case. Vera helps a young woman find out what happened to her friend Xander and gathers another group of people to help her. Vera is a handful but her heart is in the right place. Her visit to a school and how she schooled the principal was awesome.

I had both a digital ARC and audiobook. I think this is much better as an audiobook.

Vera Wong is back and as quirky, overbearing, and loveable as ever. I think this story is even funnier than the first one, but with some real depth and heart. If you like found family stories, this is a great pick.

I missed Vera and all the fun characters, so it was a delight to dive back in. We also meet some new faces, and as always, Vera brings so much joy. This book did feel a bit darker than the first, touching on some deeper, more serious topics—but it still kept that signature charm I love.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Vera is one of my favorite characters, a Chinese mom giving advice, feeding everyone, while also becoming embroiled in murder mysteries. When Vera encounters Millie outside the police station, she senses Millie is in trouble. Befriending Millie leads her to another dead body, Xander Lin, which open up another crazy caper Vera becomes involved in solving. Don’t read this book while hungry, as the descriptions of Vera’s cooking will give you hunger pangs. The cast of characters that are red herrings adds to the mystery, while Vera’s snooping leads her into trouble. High,y recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Vera is such a character, and you never know what she will say or do. I absolutely love her stories and I need more! As usual, there was humor sprinkled throughout, but I was surprised by the serious storyline for this one. This was quite a story, with some very serious twists. It was a really great and quick read, and the cast of characters were so lovable. Highly recommend!