Having recently finished “Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)” by Jesse Q. Sutanto, I am happy to have had the chance to read the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy; thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group.

I'm so grateful that Ms. Sutanto brought “another Vera story to life.”

In this entertaining sequel, Vera Wong's notebook held a few new names, and another group of likeable suspects. As an amateur investigator her mission was to discover what they were hiding and to uncover any connection to the victim, Xander Lin. Vera's journey ultimately led to more friends in her circle and another satisfying conclusion, made even more memorable as this story was inspired by actual disturbing events. 

I'll be more than ready to follow this famous tea connoisseur and détective privé wherever she takes me next!!

Vera’s back and she’s just as sassy, meddlesome and endearing as ever! Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) is the second book in the Vera Wong series, and I’m just so excited we got another book because Vera Wong is one of my all time favorite fictional characters. Vera runs a successful tea shop, but her real passion is solving murders. She loves to play amateur sleuth and when we meet up with her in this book, she is bored because she hasn’t come across any bodies to investigate lately.

Vera’s in luck though. She meets a young woman searching for a missing friend and then while Vera is cat sitting at her son’s, she snoops through his police detective girlfriend’s files and finds one about the death of an enigmatic influencer named Xander Lin. One look at his photo & Vera realizes it’s the missing friend. Now, at long last, Vera has a murder to solve and once she is in her element, there’s no stopping her, even though, of course, everyone around her wishes she would stop before she gets herself into trouble!

The twists and turns of the murder mystery kept me guessing and thoroughly invested, but it was of course Vera and her antics that were the star of this story. Her amateur sleuthing tactics, her meddling in her son’s love life because she wants grandbabies so badly, her offering life advice to anyone who will listen and sometimes forcing it on them even if they don’t want to listen, the way she manages to bring together a found family around her even while being so meddlesome...everything about Vera is just a force to be reckoned with and I just adore her!

4 1/2 STARS

"Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man" by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a delightful and quirky murder mystery that seamlessly intertwines humor and heart. The story follows the eccentric and lovable Vera Wong, a tea shop owner who finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the role of amateur detective after a mysterious death occurs in her neighborhood. Sutanto's writing shines with wit, and I found myself laughing out loud at Vera's antics while also becoming invested in the mystery at hand.

What I particularly enjoyed was how Sutanto masterfully develops a cast of colorful characters, each with their own quirks and secrets, enriching the narrative and keeping the suspense alive. The interactions between Vera and the other characters are both heartfelt and hilarious, making me feel as though I was right there with them, sipping tea and piecing together clues.

Sutanto's storytelling is engaging and vibrant, reminding us that beneath the surface of every mystery lies a deeper exploration of connections and community. As Vera unravels the truth, readers are left not only with a satisfying resolution but also with a newfound appreciation for the relationships that bind us.

This book is a delightful escape for anyone looking for a clever and entertaining read that combines mystery with humor and warmth. A big thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!

Absolutely fantastic. I honestly keep thinking about it, I enjoyed it so much. The plot is both funny and terribly sad at the same time. Vera is endearing and overbearing, with a wide cast of characters to support her.

Advanced reader copy provided by Berkley and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

4.25 stars,

After loving Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers when I listened to it last year, I'm happy to report that the second one was just as delightful. I don't know how Jesse Q. Sutanto makes something that seems so silly on paper work so well, but here we are. These books have all the ridiculousness of the Finlay Donovan series combined with the found family heart of a Clare Pooley novel. I'm sure they're good on paper, but Eunice Wong's narration makes the audio absolute *perfection.* I laughed, my heart squeezed and I was excited to keep listening any chance I could. Highly recommend this series for something fun and light but with just the right amount of depth.

Vera Wong, a teahouse owner with a knack for solving murders, contemplates incorporating investigations into her daily life, possibly starting her own agency. However, her current focus is on dealing with identity theft. Once that’s resolved, Vera’s neighbor and friend, Thomas, goes missing, prompting her to get to work.

This delightful story is presented in multiple points of view, keeping me engaged in the unfolding events around Vera. As a woman in her mid-sixties, I found Vera’s busy life, which has been quite fulfilling, endearing. Not only does she demonstrate maternal concern for others, but she also has a strong support system, including her future daughter-in-law, Officer Selena Gray. Vera’s determination to find out what happened to Thomas remains unwavering, and her resolve intensifies when a young man named Xander is murdered.

Reading Vera’s second adventure allowed me to witness her growth as an amateur sleuth. It was satisfying to discover at the end of the book that Jesse Q. Sutanto had mentioned that this book was not intended to be part of a series. While Vera’s fans, including myself, enjoyed her immensely, I genuinely hope that she has more adventures in the future.

Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Vera Wong strikes again. I overall enjoyed this book and even cried a little at the end. The challenges were that the books tries to retain all the characters from the last book while adding several new characters, so it becomes a bit confusing to remember who is who. There are also the same mannerisms that are sometimes cute, sometimes cringey. However, the key themes around found family, being honest and accepting yourself in order to move forward, and caring deeply for others are what make this a satisfying read. The author's note at the end is also worth reading to learn about some of the inspiration for the themes in this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a heartfelt tribute to the unconventional families formed by the protagonist, while also shedding light on the consequences of deceitful relationships. Vera is a remarkable character: she is unique, witty, and dedicated to her chosen family. This novel is brimming with warmth, humor, and authenticity.

Thank you for the free book @penguinrandomhouse and @berkleypub! #penguinrandomhousepartner #berkleyIG #BerkleyBookstagram. Thank you for the free audiobook, @prhaudio!

Is there anything else more chaotic than a bored, meddling, Asian auntie who has just recently discovered social media? 😂

Ive read the first book last year and loved it. As with any second book of a series, I was scared that I wouldn’t love this one as much. But this second book was even better than the first!!!

I mostly went the audiobook route because the narrator just knows how to bring Vera’s character to life and I preferred her narrating vs me reading the book!

I loved the amateur sleuthing as always. Vera is definitely one of the funniest fictional characters and she’s even sassier in this book😂 The found family trope was also very endearing! I loved the chemistry between all the characters! And oooh, this book will make you hungry and crave for some Chinese food 😂

I was definitely surprised that while the book was mostly lighthearted, when you get to the ending, it actually involved something that’s very appropriate in today’s political climate. Obviously, I don’t want to spoil anyone so I won’t say what it is. But I like that it was addressing a current issue without being so in your face and not too stressful to read at all!

I definitely recommend this one if you’re in the mood for some amateur sleuthing!!! This comes out tomorrow!!!

💭 What book are you starting April with?
☕️ I just started Any Trope But You and I’m really loving it sooo much!

Vera Wong's Return: A Heartfelt and Hilarious Cozy Mystery with Depth"

Vera Wong, a sharp-witted, no-nonsense, and meddlesome 60ish Chinese woman who runs a tea shop in San Francisco, returns in a modern twist on the cozy mystery genre. A delightful accidental detective, Vera shares similarities with Agatha Christie’s iconic Miss Marple, as both are keen observers of the human condition. However, where Miss Marple is reserved and patient, Vera is direct, extroverted, and hilariously unfiltered.

While it’s heartwarming to see the diverse characters from the first Vera Wong book - “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” - bond and form a chosen family, there are moments when it can be a bit challenging to keep track of everyone. This novel, however, goes beyond the usual “whodunit” and seamlessly delves into deeper, more serious themes—a progression that builds beautifully throughout the story. I’m looking forward to the sequel!

Thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for providing the copy.

Vera Wong is BACKKKK! This hilarious cozy mystery had me laughing out loud. Vera is always getting herself in trouble, but when she became an influencer on tiktok and youtube, I cracked up! I can't wait for the next installment to see what Vera gets herself into next.

Vera Wong is back at it again, solving murder mystery while adopting more lost souls into her world. Not only that, but she's also giving those lost souls life advice and fueling their bodies with her cooking. Can Vera be real and adopt me as well?!

When a chance between Vera and Millie occurs, she never expected it to turn into another investigation into a murder. But of course, Vera knew what she had to do and step in to help.

We get to see previous characters from the first book, including meeting some new ones. Vera's extended family is growing fast!

I wasn't sure where the mystery was leading but it was definitely eye opening. Another fantastic read, and I hope more adventures of Vera will be coming, Paris, you say? I'm there if Vera wants to take us along!

“I’m not gossiping, I’m investigating.”

“I always thought that when people tell me I am sexist they mean I am very sexy.”

“Vera, I say this with all the love in the world but what the f(ck did you get yourself tangled in this time?!”

Thanks to @prhaudio for my #gifted copy of this one.

If you’ve been following me for awhile you’ll know that Jesse Q. Sutanto is a autobuy author for me. She’s incredibly talented and funny. She can write across many genres and she does it so well. Her lighthearted #verawong books have become a comfort read for me, along with the #aunties books.

This time Jesse Q. Sutanto has Vera Wong going after scammers after being the victim of a credit card phone scammer targeting the older generations. Soon as the book started I was like oooooh Vera is gonna GO OFF!

As usual she bites off more than she can chew and unknowingly stumbles upon even worse crimes that she helps solve.

The language mishaps are always so fun and have become a staple of Vera Wong books.

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto is the second book about Vera Wong and her world famous teahouse. In this book, Vera meets a woman outside the police station who she takes under her wing. In normal Vera fashion, she gets herself in the midst of an active investigation.

I thoroughly enjoy the Vera Wong books! They contain not only humor but in this case exposure to various social issues. Can't wait to read more about Vera's adventures that are hinted at in the end of the book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Vera is simply a literary treasure. She is everyone’s Chinese grandmother - and you’re gonna like it and love it. If only I knew her in real life!

This book is a sequel to her first, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murder’s. It’s a fun, hysterical, easy read. Fans of cozy mysteries will love the conundrum that Vera finds herself in and her ability to make those she runs into feel safe and loved, while adding them to her suspect list!

Sutanto does an amazing job with the wittiness that envelopes Vera!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

A laugh-out-loud mystery with everyone's favorite part-time investigator, Vera Wong.
I loved Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers and was so excited to finally get my hands on the second book in the series. Sutanto did not disappoint in this one. There were so many times that I felt like I wanted to pull my hair out at Vera's decisions, but there were also so many times that I giggled and honestly wished that I had a Vera in my life.

I think Vera Wong may be my favorite sleuth of all time. She’s confident, no-nonsense, and ready for action at every second. I love her ever-growing found family and was absolutely delighted to see her rivalry with Winifred continuing into the second book along with her sweeter relationships. And her newly discovered murder is just as intense as her first one, hooking me from the first chapter!
As someone who reads pretty much any book with a “mystery/thriller” classification, I’m well-versed in the different subgenres. And Vera Wong is a firm cozy mystery. Yes, Vera is making absolutely unhinged decisions at a moment’s notice and threatening the lives of 2 to 10 people at a time, but she also carries homemade pepper spray, so you always know they’ll make it out alive.
Truly, all I have to say is to read this series. It’s funny, it’s a fresh take on the genre, and there’s something soothing about sitting in a 60-year-old woman’s brain all day, even when she spends the whole time chiding everyone around her. And after reading both books within the span of a few months, it’s starting to feel like Vera’s in my brain now! But seriously, if you haven’t tried this series yet, this is your sign to read it!!
Thanks to Berkley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Vera Wong books are just so fun to read and this new release had me cracking up yet unable to put the book down with high stakes at every corner. Vera is back to her tea house and getting into everyone’s business when she is pulled into another death mystery - this time, a rising social media star found dead. The police can only identify him as a John Doe and his real identity behind the persona is a mystery. So naturally, Vera must get to the bottom of this case and learn the truth of his murder while cooking for everyone with a connection to the case.
Jesse’s writing is a breath of fresh air and left me simultaneously holding my breath while laughing out loud. Vera is such an endearing character that anyone would be lucky to have as their Auntie. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Vera Wong is a little old lady with a failing tea shop, way too much free time, and a deep-seated belief that she could do a better job than the police. So when a dead body shows up in her shop, she pockets the evidence (as one does) and starts her own investigation—because who’s going to suspect a sweet elderly woman?

This book is pure delight. Vera is nosy, dramatic, and completely unbothered by things like “laws” or “boundaries.” Her murder investigation quickly turns into a chaotic but heartwarming found-family situation, and honestly, I’d trust her with my life (but maybe not my secrets). If you love meddling aunties, cozy mysteries, and crime-solving with a side of unsolicited advice, you need this book.

My first 5 ⭐ read of the year!! I just love Vera!! She is seriously my spirit animal! I loved the first book and couldn't wait to read this one. It does not disappoint. I just love Vera and her interesting personality. You just get sucked in (just like all of her adopted family). The audiobook is such a delight as well!! Great read!! Highly recommend this book and series!

*Thank you partners @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the #gifted paperback, e-galley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*