I loved the first Vera Wong mystery but didn't realize how much I'd missed Vera until I returned to her world. She is one of my favorite fictional characters across any genre, and her second adventure is another fantastic read!

This is hilarious and heartwarming! A murder mystery with social commentary, it's also feel-good with a found-family vibe and plenty of laughs. Vera is a force of nature who will not rest until she solves the crime, feeds everyone, and lovingly meddles in the lives of all she encounters. She is a truly memorable protagonist, and I can't get enough of her antics, or the heartwarming way she brings people together. If Vera were real, I'd probably try to get mixed up in something just to get her to adopt me, too. At the very least, I'd be a regular customer at her tea house.

The engaging supporting cast is well-developed and includes several cameos of beloved characters from the first book. My favorite is Winifred, Vera's neighbor, with whom she has a comical frenemies dynamic.

I love Sutanto's writing style. She writes with such wit that there are several laugh-out-loud moments while she addresses deeper, more serious subject matter. The result is a compelling story, and I was sad to see it end. I really hope more Vera Wong books are coming because I adore her! She genuinely puts a smile on my face. I loved every minute of this!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the free book!

My favorite amateur sleuth is back in Vera Wong’s Guide To Snooping (On A Dead Man). While Vera now has the life she’s always wanted, she finds herself rather bored. Luckily, while snooping inside her future daughter-in-law’s briefcase, she finds a murder case that needs to be solved 👀

This is the second book in the Vera Wong series. The first is titled Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice For Murderers. I recommend reading the first one before this so you not only have a better appreciation for the characters, but also avoid spoilers of the first book’s mystery.

Grab your copy, get ready to laugh, and hang out with Vera!

Thank you so much for early copy!

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Vera strikes again and investigates another murder against the advice of, well, everyone but gains more lonely souls to her circle to cook for and fiercely protect

I love Vera so much. A nosy Chinese grandmother. She is hilarious and has a knack of bringing people together and creating community. Her and Winifred remind me of the characters in Steel Magnolias with their bantering. Interesting mystery.

I love all of Jesse Sutanto’s books and she is the sweetest author to chat with on bookstagram! She did name my sourdough starter after all.. 💁🏼‍♀️ I fell in love with Vera Wong in the first book and this one only solidified that adoration! She is hilarious as she runs her tea shop and tries to meddle in everyone’s business. Even threats against her life won’t stop her from solving a crime, they actually just encourage her that she’s on the right track! Her way of looking at life is enlightening and I love how she protects her loved ones! Jesse had me laughing out loud with Vera’s antics once again and I can only hope that we get more of her in the future! I love how she plays the old helpless lady while she can definitely hold her own! She’s not familiar with a lot of American social norms and sayings and it truly hilarious watching her try to make sense of it. I would say this could be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading the first book because it’s just as good!

The second installment in the Vera Wong series starts where the last ended with Vera and her created community embracing life. What started as a scam phone call led to Vera uncovering the death of an influencer, expanding her community, and uncovering a trafficking ring. Along with becoming a TikTok star, Vera continues to get herself into and out of trouble. I am excited to see what trouble she can find her way into in the next book.

Everyone's favorite meddling Aunty is back in this second Vera Wong amateur detective murder mystery that has Vera forming bonds with a handful of lonely people in her trademark witty and sarcastic manner and also cracking a human trafficking forced scamming ring. Full of heart, found family and lots of laughs, this was another great addition to the series perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan or Molly the Maid. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Jesse Q. Sutanto delivers another delightful mystery with Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man), blending humor, heart, and a touch of crime-solving mischief. Vera Wong is as bold and lovable as ever, and while she may have found happiness after her first sleuthing adventure, she can’t resist diving into another mystery—especially when it conveniently lands in her lap. With her signature nosiness and unshakable confidence, Vera takes it upon herself to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of influencer Xander Lin, all while navigating family dynamics and her growing fondness for her “future daughter-in-law.”

Sutanto’s writing is fast-paced and full of charm, making this cozy mystery a joy to read. Vera’s antics, from cat-sitting escapades to swiping case files, keep the plot engaging and unpredictable. The story also touches on deeper themes, such as identity and the pressures of social media fame, adding depth to the humor and intrigue. While some twists may be a bit over-the-top, the novel’s warmth and wit make up for any implausibilities. Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) is another thoroughly entertaining installment, perfect for fans of lighthearted mysteries with quirky, endearing protagonists.

Vera Wong is back again, and I couldn't be happier!

🙌 What worked for me:
• Vera is the sweetest. I wish she was real and would adopt me.
• Vera becoming a TikTok star? Hilarious.
• The mystery was perfection. I was pretty stumped until late in the book.
• Vera's found family grows even bigger! 🥹
• Though she isn't a major character, I love Winifred. Her and Vera's banter is the best.

🚫 What didn't work for me:
• The suspense of waiting to find out if there will be another book...🙏🙏🙏

🤜 Would I recommend: Absolutely and without hesitation! This cozy mystery series is utter perfection in my book. Vera is my favorite "intermediate" investigator. 😂 (you'll get this joke when you read the book)


Read if you enjoy:
✔️ Cozy Mysteries
✔️ Heartwaeming Found Family
✔️ Old ladies hitting up influencer parties
✔️ Charming Tea shops

Joyful! Vera Wong is perfect. I love the characters so very much. Her found family continues to grow and Vera's desperately wanting to be recognized as a detective brings me so much joy. I can't wait for Paris.

4.5 stars! The endlessly endearing Vera Wong is back in a new installment of Jesse Q. Sutanto's hilarious cozy mystery series. The Chinese mother, tea shop owner and part-time sleuth is ready for a new mystery to solve when she meets a young woman named Millie, whose friend Thomas is missing. Unfortunately, Vera's investigation reveals that Thomas is dead, and that Millie knew him by an alias. Who was this mystery man, who had a strong social media following and legions of fans but few, if any, real friends? If anyone can figure out this mystery, it's Vera! This novel is full of humor and heart, despite touching on heavy topics.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this digital e-arc.*

Another cozy Vera Wong mystery. As long as Sutanto writes Vera, I will continue to read about this loving, bold yet fragile character. Everyone would be lucky to have someone like Vera in their lives!

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping for Suspects by Jesse Sutanto is everything I didn’t know I needed in a cozy mystery—and then some!

This book has it all: laugh-out-loud moments (I genuinely cackled), a sassy and unstoppable main character (hello, Vera Wong, Chinese mother extraordinaire), heartwarming scenes that tugged at my emotions, and an absolutely delightful dose of found family goodness. Vera is the kind of character who barges into your life, makes you drink tea, tells you what you’re doing wrong, and somehow—you love her for it. Her nosiness is legendary, but beneath that meddling exterior is a heart of gold, and I adored every second I spent in her world.

The story kicks off when Vera, after reporting a scam to the police (with full Vera flair, of course), finds a young woman—Millie—sitting alone outside the station. That moment sets the tone for everything that follows: Vera inserting herself into people’s lives whether they asked for it or not… and somehow, making everything better. When a murder suddenly pulls Vera into an unexpected investigation, she takes it upon herself to solve the case—with the same stubborn determination she uses to brew the perfect cup of tea.

One of the most delightful twists? Vera becomes a surprise TikTok influencer. She starts posting videos of herself making traditional Chinese dishes and tea—accompanied by true crime-style voiceovers speculating about Xander’s death. Is it suicide… or is it murder? The way these videos blow up is hilarious, but also strangely effective. Only Vera could turn cooking content into a viral murder investigation.

The pacing is fast and fun, with multiple POVs that add depth and emotion to the story. While it’s mainly told from Vera’s perspective (and honestly, she could carry the whole book herself), the shifting viewpoints give each character their own heartbeat. And the stakes? Way higher than I expected for a cozy mystery—but it felt right. There’s real emotion, real loss, and real healing here, all wrapped up in Vera’s signature sass and wisdom.

I laughed. I teared up. I wanted to join Vera’s little makeshift family and never leave. If you’re into found family, meddling auntie energy, and mysteries with a whole lot of heart, Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping for Suspects absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.

Thank you NetGalley! I love this series! Vera is something else! In this installment, Vera meets some social media influencers, and gets caught up in another murder. When Vera meets Millie standing outside looking at the police station, little does she know that she will soon be involved in another murder case. When Millie's friend Xander turns up dead by apparent suicide, Vera and her rag tag group of chosen family set out to solve the case. They have no idea the danger that they are walking into. With lots of laughs, and suspense you won't be able to put this down.

From the moment I first met Vera Wong in 2023, I was completely enchanted by her eccentric, meddlesome ways. The announcement that Jesse Q. Sutanto was writing a sequel brought me great joy, but also a little trepidation. I need not have worried. VERA WONG’S GUIDE TO SNOOPING (ON A DEAD MAN) is a worthy addition to the series.

Have you met Vera? She’s a 60-something Chinese mother with a huge heart and lots of time on her hands. After stumbling onto and solving a murder in the first book, this tea shop owner fancies herself a bit of a private detective. She injects herself into the mystery surrounding the suspicious death of a young man and Vera does nothing halfway. What ensues is a madcap Vera-esque adventure and it is glorious.

What I love most about Vera is that she’s a collector, but not of things. She collects lonely souls and brings them together to form the most unlikely found family imaginable. Vera may occasionally be frustrating, but she is so endearing (and a little bit terrifying) that you instantly forgive her.

While Vera’s second adventure is hilariously entertaining, it does touch on serious subject matter. The author’s note should not be missed.

I cannot recommend this book (and it’s precursor) highly enough. This two-book series is jam packed with moments that will make your heart expand and leave you laughing. It is impossible not to fall in love with Vera and her supporting cast. Please, please, please let there be more Vera books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

Dear Vera,

Could you please adopt me? I, too, would love to have a grandmotherly figure in my life who unapologetically meddles in my affairs, and even though it might annoy me at times, I know in the end I’d be grateful for your advice - advice that always comes from the heart, that makes me roll my eyes as much as it makes me laugh out loud, and that is most certainly served with a cup of tea and some mouthwatering Asian delicacy.

Oh, but Vera, I know that you have a knack for solving murder mysteries, and while I wouldn’t mind playing your sidekick from time to time (although I know it could get me into trouble, just like it does you) - I sincerely hope that I’d come into your life not as a suspect, as most of the other members of your found family, but by a stroke of good fortune.

You see, Vera, I instantly knew that you were special when I first met you a couple of years ago when you solved your first murder; and when you recently stuck your nose in yet another case, I grew to love you even more. I watched with awe when you became a rising social media star- but was I surprised? Not really. I feel that if you set your mind on something, nothing’s gonna stop you!

And how delighted I was that you’re going to be brought to life in your on TV show. How exciting! And it looks like you’re going to go on a Paris trip soon! I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d stumble across another dead body… Maybe I can tag along? I do speak a bit of French. And let’s face it, we don’t really know if we can trust that Winifred, can we? In any case - I’ll be cheering for you and will always be waiting to read more about your next adventures!

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by @jesseqsutanto will hit the shelves on April 1 and I sincerely thank the author and @berkleypub for sending me this ARC. We could all use a little bit more of Vera Wong in our lives. 4.25 stars.

Vera Wong is at it again. We're back in Vera's world and she's still trying to help and finding herself in the middle of a mess--even if she made it. Sutanto brings back all of the quirkiness and delivers another easy and fun read. While this story can stand on it's own, I'd advise reading the first book to appreciate all of the nuances in this one. Recommended for fans of cozy mysteries.

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jesse Q. Sutanto is the highly anticipated sequel to the first book in the Vera Wong series, and let me tell you—it absolutely delivers! If you haven’t met Vera yet, she’s a 61-year-old Chinese mother who firmly believes it’s a mother’s job to create conflict. But the way she does it? Equal parts hilarious, frustrating, and utterly endearing. Seriously, I challenge you to read these books and not wish you had a Chinese mom like Vera.

After falling in love with the first book, I had high expectations for this one: I wanted to see the found family dynamic continue, meet some new lovable characters, and, most importantly, spend more time with Vera herself. And this book checked every single box.

Vera is thriving. She has new people in her life, her tea shop is doing well, and she’s feeling fulfilled. Well… almost. Turns out, she kind of wishes another murder would fall into her lap. Be careful what you wish for, Vera! She soon stumbles upon a young woman outside the police station, looking distraught. Vera, being Vera, immediately senses something is wrong. Instead of pushing, she simply offers her contact info—and sure enough, the girl shows up at her tea shop a few days later, revealing that her friend has gone missing. Naturally, Vera is on the case.

It doesn’t take long before the missing friend turns up dead, with authorities ruling it a suicide. But if you know Vera, you know she’s never satisfied with obvious answers. In her eyes, everything’s a murder, and she won’t rest until she investigates every possible suspect.

This book was a five-star read for me. I flew through it in two days, completely engrossed in the characters, the mystery, and—let’s be honest—the food. Do not read this book on an empty stomach! The way the author describes Vera’s cooking (and others’ as well) will have your mouth watering.

Vera is one of those characters who sticks with you, and I think as long as readers keep spreading their love for her, the author will keep delivering more of her antics.

If you loved the first book, you’re going to adore this one. And if you’re a fan of cozy mysteries but haven’t picked up this series yet—what are you waiting for? These books are quick, fun, and full of heart.

Vera Wong is back and I could not be happier. She’s just as nosy and hilarious as ever in this sequel to 𝙑𝙚𝙧𝙖 𝙒𝙤𝙣𝙜’𝙨 𝙐𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙨.

When a young woman shows up looking for a missing friend, and a body washes up to shore with no identification, Vera wastes no time diving into another mystery - and as we know, everyone is a suspect!

This book is the perfect mix of cozy mystery, laugh out loud humor and friendship. While there is a murder to solve, you need to read this book for the unsuspecting characters who become part of Vera’s ever-growing found family. And the food! Once again, she’s cooking up mouthwatering meals that made me so hungry all throughout the book. Vera is still as bossy and nosy as ever but in the most endearing ways that only make her more lovable, and her eccentricities are as engaging as ever. Her love-hate relationship with her neighbor, Winifred, had me laughing so hard! Between the loving relationships, and the engaging mystery to solve, this book is so fun from start to finish. I would highly recommend reading the first book as well but this one can definitely be read as a standalone.

If you have the chance, listen to this on audio. Eunice Wong is back as the voice of Vera and she’s a phenomenal narrator. I know I enjoyed Vera’s character so much more with @eunicewongnarration coming through my speakers.

4.5⭐️ I know “delightful” is a weird word to describe a murder mystery, but this book was truly that!

The characters in this book were phenomenal, and created the coziest vibes. I absolutely loved Vera, and I would gladly let her feed me her homemade food any day. The community that she built with random strangers felt like a little family, and I loved seeing how everyone came together. Vera’s snooping and meddling was both funny and nerve-wracking, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times at her dialogue.

The mystery plot of the book was really engaging. With so many “people of interest” (as Vera would say), it kept me on my toes as to what people’s motives might be. It was fun to follow along with Vera’s train of thought, and having chapters from everyone’s POVs added to the twistiness. I wasn’t sure where the story was going, but I will say I was unprepared for the dramatic (and dark) turn it took in the last 1/3. I liked how everything wrapped up, and the *possible* hint at another book!

This is a new cozy, comfort read for me for sure.