San Francisco’s most adorable snoop is back and delving into the death of an online influencer who’s an off-line enigma. Jesse Sutanto’s Vera Wong captured my heart and funny bone in the first book so I didn’t hesitate to reach for this latest.

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping is the second book in a series. The cozy mystery is standalone, but the set up and some of the characters carry over from the first book so I think it reads best in order.

After solving her first case, no longer lonely in her tea shop, and seeing her son in a happy relationship, Vera’s a little bored and ready for a new case. She starts to hope for a murder- her fate delivers a scam instead. But, wait… Her kind heart feels badly for a poor young woman who is upset about a missing friend. While doing a little favor for Tilly and Selena, Vera notices the motherlode of treasures- Det. Selena Gray has left her briefcase open for prime snooping and Vera is startled to notice that Selena’s latest case file has a picture of the guy her new friend claims is missing.

Xander Lin’s body was found in Mission Bay. He’s known online for his lux travel, fashion, and growing following, but in real life this guy is a ghost. Vera starts pooling the found family, suspects, witnesses, and her tea lady expertise to help dear Selena with her case. And, the depth of this case when it is solved is bigger than a murder case.

I knew what to expect this go around so it didn’t have the surprise power of the first book, but Guide to Snooping was still full of Vera’s brand of fun sticking her nose into it detecting, gathering an eclectic group of found family, delicious food and tea, and a sixty-something woman who is the heart of the story even with a mystery to solve. I just couldn’t get enough of Vera and caught the giggles a few times. Selena is no more interested in Vera’s interference in her case than she was the first time. She’s also got a warmth and caring nature beyond her curiosity about people and murder that draws people in. It’s a little over the top when it comes to crime investigation, but in the good way of a cozy mystery. The serious nature of the murder case and that it’s based in real life had my heart aching when it all comes out.

I really hope this is a series now. Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping was absolutely fabulous. You really don’t want to miss this Asian American amateur sleuth and humorous cozy mystery for her to solve.

Thanks to Berkley for an advanced copy of Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) but Jesse Q. Sutanto. 
I adored the first Vera Wong book - Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murders and was so happy this was going to be a series. The second book was just as wonderful as the first and I can't recommend it enough!

Vera is now an official crime solver since she solved the murder of the man who was dead in her teahouse, and while she loves cooking for her loved ones, she's ready to solve more crimes. When she comes across a young woman who needs help and just so happens to go through her son's girlfriend's files at home, Vera realizes that there is a connection between the two with social media influencer Xander and the death of John Doe. So Vera is on the case. 
I love how Vera is herself - always cooking for everyone, bringing people together and always looking out for her family. This is a fun cozy mystery with the best characters and you just can't help but fall in love with Vera!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eBook ARC.
This was hilarious, and I do have a soft spot for found family stories. Nothing earth-shattering but so much fun. I loved all the characters (except the bad people, of course).

Fantastic! Just as good as the first one; maybe even a little funnier. Vera and her found family are back and better than ever, working together to find the identity of a John Doe and who killed him. The second half still has laughs but does get a little darker as they delve into the past of their victim, but there’s a heartwarming and satisfying ending that handles the difficult themes gently. Highly recommended but please start with the first one so you can see how it all starts.

Thanks so much to Berkley Pub for the free book!!!
#berkleypartner #acebookspartner

Let’s get one thing straight: Vera Wong is everything. She’s a tea-drinking, murder-solving, grandmother to San Francisco natives with a penchant for “helping” people by meddling, lying, and basically solving crimes like she’s the lead in her own cozy crime drama. I’m obsessed. I am a native San Franciscan and have fond memories of taking the Muni to Chinatown with my grandmother in the 80s. If I could turn back time to a Sunday on Stockton Street, I would.

In Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man), our favorite part time detective and full time nosy neighbor is back in action, and this time, she’s investigating the mysterious death of a social media influencer. Xander Lin, aka Thomas, aka a guy with no real friends, but a lot of followers.

Now, Vera, who’s basically the Chinese mom, but with more tea and the most delicious food mentions, starts off by trying to figure out why Millie, the suspicious neighbor, is so shaken up about Xander’s vanishing. Spoiler alert: he’s dead. Oops! But in true Vera style, “Let’s ignore the dead part and just get to the ‘who-dunnit,’ shall we?” Cue dramatic music and not so guilty smirk.

"As you youngsters like to call it, the math ain't messing."

Of course, Vera barrels through her investigation with her signature mix of “I’m just trying to help” and “I never been bystander in my life. That sound like very boring thing to be.” She interviews four shady suspects: Millie, Xander’s agent TJ, his influencer girlfriend Aimes, and Qiang Wen, and if you remember the first book, a slew of characters that are slightly scared of Vera, but also can't bear to stay away.

The best part? As Vera works her way through this mystery, she unknowingly becomes a viral sensation herself, which, let’s be honest, is exactly how I’d want to solve a crime.

This book is perfect if you love cozy mysteries, have a thing for eccentric characters, or are just looking for a novel that’s equal parts funny and heartwarming. Vera’s antics are laugh-out-loud hilarious, and she might just make you rethink everything you know about social media influencers (hint: they’re always hiding something—no one’s that happy all the time, right?).

If you want a read that combines murder, meddling, and a whole lot of tea (literally and figuratively), Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) is the book for you. Just don’t expect Vera to respect your personal space while she solves the case, because girl will be in your business before you can say “murder investigation.”

"But, what is life with a little exaggeration now and again? Or, as Vera likes to all it, a little razzle-dazzle."

My only caveat - I wish Sutanto reminded us a little bit more of who the previous characters were, because I didn't fully remember them. Other than that, I'm so glad Vera is back and can we say ANOTHER BOOK IS IN THE WORKS???

AND, both Mindy and Oprah's companies are working into making this into a series/movie!!!

This was an amazing sequel to the first Vera Wong book. She is just as delightful and pushy as the first one. She cracks me up how she can say anything and get away with it. Tilly melting down about her behavior is hilarious. I loved all the new and old characters!

Aiyaaaa everyone’s favourite salty auntie is back!!!

Vera Wong has returned with her unsolicited advice, overstepping boundaries and inserting herself into situations where she shouldn’t be. Beloved characters carried over from Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers are Winifred- Vera’s next door neighbour and closest frenemy, the proprietor of a (now) Korean bakery; Tilly - Vera’s precious son; and Tilly’s girlfriend officer Selena Gray, who was the lead investigator in the previous installment.

This time around, Vera has gotten herself into a social media influencer murder mystery, where things aren’t as they seem. As usual, she manipulates the people around her, oftentimes with her delicious food, and switching between i-am-just-a-frail-Chinese-lady to I-don’t-need-anything-i-am-Vera-Wong whenever it’s to her advantage. Auntie Vera picks up new skills, elbows her way into everything, uses social media virality and online sleuths to help her solve her mystery… and ends up being a tiktok influencer!!!

Not going to spoil the book but just wanted to note that even though the crimes committed in the novel seem far-fetched, there have been actual instances of them reported in real life. Always remember, everything that is online is something that someone *actively* chooses to put up, and it may not be the truth!!!

As usual, i enjoy being reading about Vera Wong, as she reminds me of all the nosey aunties of Chinese descent in SE Asia, and it always feels like home!

". . . there's nothing quite like the heartwarming joy of gathering a bunch of new people who are obviously slightly terrified and brazenly accusing them of murder."

There's also nothing quite like Vera Wong -"Tea expert. Murder investigator. Entrepreneur."

I didn't love this one as much as the first book. SO MANY characters were tossed out right at the beginning of the book (some of them from Vera's previous adventure), that I had trouble keeping everyone straight. At a few points I even contemplated throwing in the towel. BUT - I'm glad I didn't; the conclusion is satisfying and worth sticking around for.

I really liked the snarky exchanges between Vera and her neighbor, Winifred, who owns a bakery. I was hoping perhaps she'd be joining Vera in solving her next big case, though it appears Vera will be visiting another continent for her upcoming investigation.

I recommend you stop by for a cuppa, and enjoy Vera's "judgy but motherly advice."

She's done it again! I was absolutely obsessed with the first book in the Vera Wong series, and this one is no different. These mysteries are so cozy and funny; you can't help but love the meddling Asian grandma and her investigative ways.

The only fault I had with this book was that there were quite a lot of characters, and at parts I was kind of confused as to who was doing what. Besides that, it was another banger for Sutanto's catalogue.

Vera is back with a new and amusing story! After being scammed out of her personal information, Vera tries to help located a missing influencer and is drawn into a world of deceit and exploitation. Vera's trademark snooping is back and as funny as ever. While the number of side characters got a bit high for me (most of them carryovers from book one) Vera is a fun and amusing addition to the trend of non-traditional amateur detectives!

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping [On a Dead Man] by Jesse Q. Sutanto is an intriguing, beautifully heartwarming, humorous and massively charming cozy mystery that combines a whodunnit with wit, found family and incredible storytelling sure to leave a smile on your face.

This is book #2 in the Vera Wong series, which could be read as a standalone. However, the first book is 5 stars epic, one of my top books of 2023 & honestly one of my favorite cozy mysteries of all time, so I do recommend both!

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping [On a Dead Man is great for those looking to read…
🔍 Cozy Mystery
🔍 Multiple POVs
🔍 Amateur Sleuth in her 60’s
🔍 Found Family

Vera Wong is a dream of a character, full of tough love, entertainment, brutal honesty, delightfully bold and determined and of course, delicious food and tea. She is also a collector of friends, giver of wisdom, creator of found family and the kind of person I would love to actually have in my life.

Jesse Q. Sutanto is a magician at writing expressive & beautiful storytelling that’s wildly entertaining in an array of genres.

If you are looking for a book that will give you mystery but also make you feel like you’re drinking a cup of tea and going you all the warm feels inside, I highly recommend reading Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping [On a Dead Man], which is out now!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed

• this is your sign to read this •
.
.
I'm not a mystery gal, but the Vera Wong Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) is just as good as the first book, and I genuinely hope it won't be the last. I guarantee that you will love this book, if you don't already.
.
.
Similar to the first book, Vera takes finding the truth into her own hands to find out what happened to a boy named Xander Ling, who she suspects... has been murdered. As she investigates, she befriends all the suspects and becomes entangled in their business and lives. This book will have you laughing and also crying because it hits you in the feels a few times.
.
.
What to Expect:
POV from Vera and the suspects!
Found Family
A heart full after reading.
.
.
@jesseqsutanto your writing brings joy to my life. It so clever and Vera Wong is one of my favourite literary characters. Thank you so much for creating this story 🤍
.
.
Page & Pour Rating: 5✨️
.
.
Oh.. and you literally don't need to wait to get this. You can pick up your copy TODAY!! Huge thanks to @berkleypub and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.
.
.
#booksbooksbooks #bookreview #greatbook #readthis

Vera Wong’s life changed when she found a dead man in her teahouse. Before that, she had been lonely and unmotivated. But when she investigated the death of the man, she found a group of friends and kept them close, cooking them big meals every weekend. Her son Tilly has a girlfriend because of the investigation, Detective Selena Gray. So now, Vera has a family again. She has people to cook for. She has a purpose.

After taking Selena and her coworkers food at the police station, Vera meets a young woman standing outside. Vera could tell she was hesitating, so she immediately stepped up and befriended young Millie. Once Vera has broken her down (and if you know Vera, you know that didn’t take long), she finds out that Millie’s boyfriend Thomas is missing. Vera encourages Millie to talk to Detective Selena about it, but Millie refuses. So clearly, it’s up to Vera to do some snooping.

While Tilly and Selena are out of town and Vera is tasked with feeding their cat, she finds Selena’s briefcase and looks through her files. She is surprised to find photos of Thomas in one of those folders, but he’s called Xander Lin. And the police think he committed suicide. So clearly, Vera has to investigate.

Xander was a popular influencer, his online life showing close relationships with a girlfriend, with his grandfather, and with his agent. But as Vera tracks them down and befriends them, she finds out that it was all a lie. So she has to figure out who Xander really was to try to figure out who might have wanted him dead. To help her understand more about the life of an influencer and to try to bring out anyone else who knew Zander, Vera starts making videos herself. With the help of her new friends, Vera makes a video of herself making tea and adds a voiceover about Xander and his death. The video goes viral almost immediately, so Vera makes more.

But Vera and her viral videos also brings out the trolls. And some of them make threats. Clearly, Vera is on the right path, but will she be able to figure out who the killer is before they come for her?

Vera Wong is back to make food and make friends in Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man). She goes looking for a new challenge, and she stumbles on one right outside of the police station. As she meets new people and incorporates them into her life, she grows in joy and confidence. And her new experiences as a social media influencer just add another layer of sweetness and joy to the complicated life of Vera.

I was a big fan of Vera Wong in her first book (Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers), but I love her even more here. Watching Vera collect new friends with a mix of homemade Chinese food, tea, and acceptance is absolutely charming, and I love that she’s making videos for the internet that go viral almost immediately. You don’t need to read the first book to appreciate the second one, but I think that the more time spent with Vera is always going to be a good thing. My biggest issue with this book is that I don’t get to see Vera’s videos on my phone, what with her being fictional and all. But I genuinely loved this story, and I can’t wait to hang out with Vera again sometime. Hopefully soon.

Egalleys for Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) were provided by Berkley through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Happy publication day to the sequel of my fave amateur sleuth! Vera and her meddling ways are back at it again with even more adventure and warm, fuzzy feelings. We’ve got even more characters and more witty banter. The crime itself plays a bigger part in the plot compared to the last book. It’s still cute and cozy, just a little more tense. By the end though, you still have that heartwarming feeling that found family always brings. I hope there are many more adventures for Vera to come! Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy.

“‘Okay. Well. That was pretty freaking badass, Grandma.’ ‘Yes, my ass is quite bad.’” 🤣🤣 Ohhh Vera

I read Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice For Murderers in 2023 and gave it five stars! I loved it. So I jumped at the chance to read the second book in the Vera Wong series. And let me tell you Vera did not disappoint.

Her character is just so funny, lovable, and enjoyable to read. She’s feisty and fierce and the consummate matchmaker…or so she thinks. I frequently found myself smiling and laughing out loud at her shenanigans.

This audiobook is hilarious and so so fun! If you have yourself or have ever known and loved an ethnic grandmother then you will adore Vera and her antics. The narration of her character has me wanting Vera for my own grandmother. Fantastic!

Thanks for the free audiobook @PRHAudio and to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Loved the first book, and this one is even better. Vera Wong is back in the snooping business. This time she is into Tik-Tock and a rising star. But it isn’t long before things take a serious twist. I don’t know that I’ve ever enjoyed a second book in a series more.
Jump right on the Vera bandwagon, you will enjoy every single minute. I wish I could read them both again without knowing the outcome and plot.
They will both be on my read again list.

I received an advance ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. This does not affect my honest review.
Publication date April 1, 2025

I was SO excited to get this one from Netgalley, having heard so many good things about the first Vera Wong book. That being said, Vera Wong is not for me. She was somewhat endearing but I almost felt like her character was too overdone? too stereotypical? I don't know but she was not my favorite character.

The overall story is a quick read and it's definitely quirky and different and if you enjoyed the first, you'll likely enjoy this one. But it wasn't for me.

*Also note that this is the second book and it does contain references to the first book BUT can be read as a stand alone, the author does a good job of rehashing what happened.

Dear Fellow Reader,

Vera Wong meddles and likes attention. In this second book of the series, we find that Vera misses the attention that she had during a murder investigation in her tearoom. She is happy about her son and his love, Officer Selena Gray, the police investigator for the tearoom murder. Her business is going well, and her family is attentive, but Vera wants more.


As the book opens, we meet Vera. She is happy with her son’s romance (she wants grandchildren) and her circle of friends that she made during the homicide investigation. She is up early to start her day. She hears her phone ring, and a voice tells her that her credit card has been compromised and supposedly connects her to the police. She tells all her confidential information and then when she tries to contact them again, she finds that the email she was given is not a real email. She contacts Selena, who tells her she has been scammed and asks her to come down and make a police report.

On her way into the station, she encounters a distressed-looking girl. She tells her to come in with her, but the girl runs away instead. Then, on her way out, she sees the girl again and takes hold of her and takes her to her tearoom to find out what is bothering the girl. The girl’s name is Millie, and when she came to the US, she met Thomas, and they developed a friendship. Thomas has disappeared, and Millie wants to know where he is as she misses him.

And this is the start of the story and Vera’s hunt for Thomas (if that is really his name) and it turns into a much bigger story. I’m not sure how much I can say without giving away too much of the plot. Let’s just start by saying that Millie’s name isn’t Millie and the whole story involves much more than just a disappearance. Vera finds out that Thomas also had a variety of names and was a social media influencer. But how can that be when no one seems to know him? As the plot twists, Vera’s life is at risk along with others she loves.

I liked the book. You have to get used to Vera being a bit pushy, but once you are over that, it is a tangled web of a story that will keep your interest. The description of the book does not do justice to the plot, but I think the whoever wrote the description had the same problem that I have – you can’t tell very much without giving away too much.

I will say that I am glad that Vera is not my mother-in-law.

Thanks for reading!

I don't know if I want to have a Vera in my life or if I absolutely don't! I both adore her and am terrified her but I always enjoy time spent in Vera's world. Her absolute confidence in herself and her meddling ways are so fun and I think I would be okay with it if I could have a helping of whatever delicious meal she's cooking up.

Things have settled down from the previous adventure but Vera is getting a bit restless. Soon though she stumbles into another murder investigation and into the world of social media. Vera's investigation into the death of a young influencer brings her into contact with the man's social circle and they are pulled into Vera's world whether they like it or not. I loved the reactions of the characters from the previous books as they realize what's happenings and it's always entertaining to watch someone encounter Vera for the first time.

While I enjoyed this both for the fantastic found family aspect and for the mystery itself it wasn't quite as wonderful as the first book. There's some repetitiveness that drug the plot down a bit. I got that all the characters were hiding something but there's a lot of handwringing with no progress in revealing those secrets for a bit too long. Despite the slower moving plot I do love the found family aspect of this book and I can't help but enjoy anytime Vera is on the page.

Rating - 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

Delightfully dark and funny!

Welcome once again to Vera Wang’s World Famous Tea House! Ready to stick your nose into something you aren’t supposed to? 😉☠️

Thanks Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

Synopsis -

Vera’s social life has been buzzing ever since her first run in with a dead body and her tea shop is bustling with customers. Just when she might be getting a bit bored, Vera bumps into a meek young woman who is looking for her missing friend. Thus comes the next adventure and murder case that Vera is itching to get her hands on. Not even her future daughter in law Selena, the cop, can stop her this time.

Review.-

Goodness, reading this book was like meeting good old friends and sharing a hearty laughter with a side of mischief. The sassy, badass Vera is back with a bang! What’s more, she will entertain you endless with her sharp dialogues, pompous attitude, zealous cooking and inadvertent convoluted English grammar which will have you giggling in fits and starts.

The other highlight is a bunch of wonderful characters that get introduced and we get POVs from them all along with Vera’s. The underlying theme is the same as the first book - a bunch of strangers who are unknowingly connected, facing difficulties and challenges at their various stages of life.

It is Vera’s shenanigans and relentless snooping into the case at hand that joyfully brings them all together with her soothing teas, food, love and care. Oh how I loved her!

At its core, the book delves into a heavy and dark subject that is truly going to shatter your heart. Sutanto boldly blends true events backed by research with her imagination. She excels at building up the suspense, balancing both comedy and seriousness in the narrative.

Vera, the unstoppable Chinese mother and a force to reckon with, is all set to stir up trouble as she wins you over, changes folks’ lives and saves the day. An old dog can certainly learn new tricks and technology!

Are you up for the fun?

I'm ready for Vera's next French adventure that's hinted at please.