Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a dead man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

This is the second book in the Vera Wong series and let me tell you know it did not disappoint. Just like the first novel, Vera Wong suspects a murder plot, gathers suspects and there is so much to everyone’s story that connects them to the dead man.

I adored the first book and I loved the twist ending along with how everything came together at the end with everyone’s stories. This book follows the same formula with a lot of familiar faces and call backs to the first one. It is a delightful follow up written with the fan in mind. I did not see the twist ending coming and I was almost on tears by how sweet it was when everyone came together. That is all I can say without spoiling all the twists and turns in this book! I went into this one only knowing it was the sequel to Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. I didn’t even feel like I missed a beat between the two books but I liked this one even better than the first one!

These books are like comfy, beautiful pillows for your brain, and I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. It’s a very, very good thing. Vera, the heroine of the series, is the 60 something widowed owner of a formerly obscure teashop. In the first book, when she finds a dead body in the middle of her shop, it kicks everything into gear for her. She ultimately finds friends and a purpose: she solves a murder. Vera is opinionated, bossy, maternal, and an excellent cook. As the book opens, Vera gets a scam phone call and is tricked into giving up her social security number and even sharing a photo of her driver’s license.

When she realizes she’s been had, she loads up some food and heads to the police station, looking for her son’s girlfriend (whom she refers to already as her daughter in law) and asks for help. As the perhaps future daughter in law, Selena, helps her out, the food she’s brought vanishes and Selena tidies up what could have been a very nasty situation.

As Vera leaves the police station, she encounters a very lost looking young girl, Millie, and she takes Millie back to the tea shop, making her some tea and trying to find out what’s bothering her. Millie tells her that her friend Thomas has vanished and she’s worried about him, but she flees before Vera can find out more. When it turns out the young man has been found dead, probably a suicide, Vera is on the case instantly, despite Selena’s repeated insistence that she stay out of it.

Despite Selena, Vera not only befriends Millie, but an influencer named Aimes who knew Thomas as Xander; and a talent manager, TJ, who was Xander’s manger. She also discovers that Xander’s “grandfather” is a neighboring store owner who met Xander in his restaurant. As in the first book, Vera draws a disparate, reluctant group of people around her as she snoops. All of them are eventually completely won over by Vera’s cooking and the power of Vera’s (admittedly judgy) form of fierce love. One of the best scenes in the book involves TJ’s teenage daughter, Robin. I won’t spoil it for you but it’s a classic.

As Vera becomes something of an accidental influencer herself – she shoots cooking and tea making videos, which she narrates, taking about Xander’s death and asking for help. She gets help and a whole lot of trouble. Her friends, of course, rally around her and they all help provide the clues that crack the mystery of Thomas/Xander’s death.

I love a book that actually makes you laugh aloud as you read it. Vera is flat out, unintentionally funny, probably even more so because she’s far from perfect, though she is passionate and observant. While this book didn’t have the special discovery that comes with a first novel and the introduction of a great character, it was still a really fun and engaging read. I love Vera and I’d love it if she were really making me a cup of tea, but I found reading this book every bit as comforting.

Vera Wong NEVER seems to disappoint. This second addition was just as delightful as the first.

Vera cannot stop meddling with the lives of those around her. She really is the OG definition of finding family with everyone around her. After solving the murder mystery in the first book, Vera becomes entangled in the life of Millie who is trying to find her missing friend. Vera stumbles upon a classified file that is suspiciously related to the disapparance of Millie's friend, but the file is of a recently deceased influencer Xander, who cannot possibly be Millie's friend leading a double life can it? While these books are set in Chinatown in San Francisco, they have a very small town feel to them as it seems like everyone knows each other.

The WIT and charm of this whole book is so good and really it was a good binge read after reading such a sad book prior. Definitely would recommend!

Content warnings: no language and probably an excessive amount of tea drinking haha.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC!

Take a look at the cover. What you will see is Vera Wong; she is in some ways like a modern day Emma, always sure that she is right and interfering in the lives of others but, at the same time, doing some good detective work. And please don’t forget feeding others; a reader will feel hunger pangs every time that they read a chapter.

I did not read the first book in the series. There are characters from that first book here but this can be read on its own. Readers who enjoy this title will probably want to read the first book however.

The story opens with Vera being scammed. This is a cautionary tale as, in real life, this is all too common an occurrence. As is typical, Vera feels that she handled this perfectly, only to find that she was wrong.

Vera connects with a young woman whose friend, Thomas, is missing. This leads to Vera’s sleuthing about this man who went by many names and had connections to people Vera knew or gets to know in this title.

Readers can feel pretty certain that the intrepid Vera will solve the case. The fun is in getting there.

In many ways, Vera is a delightful character. For example, she helps a teen without a mom to buy her first bra. This is quite sweet and an example of how Vera will do anything for those in her circle. Readers should be aware that Vera speaks in English that reflects this not being her first language. She now lives in San Francisco.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a fun read. I look forward to the next book by this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Out April 1st! Preorder Now!

QOTD: What is your favorite book series? This is one of mine!

If you long for a cozy mystery series that builds empathy and entertains you - look no further. The snort laugh meter went off the charts.

This may be my favorite title yet from @jesseqsutanto

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) tackles a serious issue in our world and we get to see our bighearted heroine Vera once again show readers how simple it is to be empathetic, caring and come together. This lesson is especially important in our uncertain times.

Vera returns with all of her familiar friends from the first installment: Oliver, Tilly (her son), Selena, Winifred (her rival neighbor frenemy), Julia & Emma (who she rescued).

She encounters and we are introduced to new faces who are involved as she strives to solve the case of the newly deceased Xander (Thomas).

Vera is the Auntie and Grandma we all need right now. Just like she feeds the characters in her stories, she feeds the souls of her reader fans with her hilarious antics and with her life lessons on how and why it’s important be involved in each other’s lives, help one another and not allow anyone to be alone. Vera leads the way as the top heroine of cozy mystery.

This book is highly recommended. Readalikes: No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Miss Julia series, Thursday Night Murder Club.

I can’t wait to read what Vera Wong will do next…her ass is so bad. 😂😂😂😂😂

Thank you to Jesse Q. Sutanto and @berkleypub for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest review.

#currentlyreading #cozymysteries #cozymysterybooks #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #verawongsguidetosnoopingonadeadman #verawong #verawongsunsolicitedadviceformurderers

Thank you to @berkleyromance for free book and @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook. #berkleypartner #berkley All opinions are my own.

I fell in love with Vera back in November when I listened to Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers and will attest to the fact that she is every bit as funny and endearing in book 2. The audio versions of these are a must! They are performed with perfection by Eunice Wong and I promise that if you are a fan of audiobooks and enjoy a cozy mystery then these are ones that you won’t want to miss!

When Vera comes across a young woman in distress she can’t help but offer to assist her in finding her missing friend. She soon learns that the friend is a very successful social media influencer whose body has just been fished out of Mission Bay. But who really is Xander Lin? -- No one really knows but Vera Wong is determined to find out.

Much like its predecessor, this story had me hooked and on the edge of my seat right from the start and in all the best ways! It is so well written, beautifully paced and filled with found family and a quirky group of characters that you can’t help but fall in love with!

Read if you like:

Found family
Whodunits
Hilarious hijinx
Series
Spice free

I loved the first book and this sequel did not disappoint! It was fun seeing everyone back and with an introduction to newer characters, and Vera's charm returned sweeter than ever. There were moments I could relate to, and I totally didn't make a phone call to my grandma telling her I appreciated her after finishing the book too.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for this arc.


In her first book, Vera soon gathered together a group of potential suspects to a murder while also nosing into their lives, cooking them fantastic, authentic Chinese food, and one by one eliminating them as murderers. This time Vera gathers together a group of potential persons-of-interest with knowledge of a murder victim while also nosing into their lives, cooking them fantastic, authentic Chinese food, and one by one helping them overcome issues each is facing. Vera just likes to fix people.

A young woman reluctantly tells Vera about her missing friend and when Vera accidentally looks in Selena’s briefcase and sees a photo in file about a probable suicide victim that matches that of the young woman’s friend, she knows something isn’t right. Vera might not be the best at social media but she can suss out the people who posed with the missing man or is listed as his agent. Things aren’t, as they say, adding up.

Vera knows that no one is as good as a Chinese mother as sniffing out when someone is hiding something. When her social media videos about tea making – which also include Vera’s voice-overs about the missing man – go viral and her shop gets targeted again, she knows she’s onto something. Vague assurances to her son, Selena, old friends, and new ones to stay out of trouble are, of course, ignored. This is Vera, after all.

The truth of what is going on and how these online people are connected with the missing man spins out over the course of the book, though dark clouds begin to loom fairly early on. It’s clear that something sinister is and has happened. What else is clear to Vera is that the people involved with Xander Lin are lonely and/or in need of help. That is something Vera’s an expert on. Soon she’s got them rounded up, adopted as grand/children, and fed. Poking her nose in their business comes with the food but Vera is the person you want on your side, fixing your problems. And once again, Vera and Friends will crack the case, solve what needs solving, help those in need, and eat some fabulous sounding food. B+

First thank you to Berkeley and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis: Vera is back and life is a little boring for her. When she gets taken in by a scam, she meets a young woman outside the police station who is unsure about filing a missing person report. Vera offers to help and it turns into a bug case for her

What I liked: Vera is the greatest, she is tough but kind and fearless willing to help out. This time covers many topics including human trafficking, social media influencers, elderly scams and missing people. I really like how Vera dies relate to the younger people and talks to them to find out how to help them. She is all about connecting and that is so important. I love how she connects young and old together. She has the best one liners and is such a delight to read.

I read Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murders in 2023 and enjoyed it so much. I didn't even realize there was going to be a sequel until I saw this pop up on Net Galley last Fall and excitedly hit that request button!
▫️
Vera is happily back into her rigid routine of life, but she feels adrift. After pondering about how exciting it would be to have a new murder to solve, she instead falls victim to a phone scam (she is an elderly woman, don't you know!) As she heads to see her son's police officer gf to file a report, she spots a jittery young woman outside of the station. Vera being Vera inserts herself into the girl's life, and in doing so, sets the wheels in motion for this new adventure.
▫️
Aiya (as Vera would say), I adored this sequel just as much as the first! Found family will always be one of my top tropes, and I loved being back with this wonderful array of returning characters as well as meeting the fresh faces. Vera's rivalry with neighbor Winifred provides some of the best chuckles. Vera is as meddlesome, endearing, and ornery as I remember, and I had the best time diving into this new investigation with her. It's hard to say much without pulling the threads too loose for the new characters, what they're hiding, and the main plot. I will say that this book went a little deeper with one particular character's story and was based on real life so the author's note at the end is not to be missed. That more serious bit aside, this series and it's characters are just as charming and delightful and fun as ever; it just made my heart happy to be with Vera & Co again!

{Once again, this is my plea to Jesse; these books NEED to come with a companion cookbook! I always wish I could slip through the pages and attend one of Vera's feasts. Every dish she makes has my mouth watering, even if I've never heard of it before.}

4.5 🌟

The best fictional Chinese mother strikes again! Vera Wong is back with another murder mystery to solve! She’s still the same feisty, witty, “snoopy” and lovable mother/grandmother whipping up enough mouth-watering dishes to feed the entire community! Reading Vera’s adventures is truly a delight! I love her perfectly imperfect English, her new-found passion in investigating murders, and of course, her uncanny ability to see through lonely people who’ve gone wayward. In this 2nd installment, Vera learned how to use social media to help crack the case. I love those scenes where she was filming her videos and doing voiceovers! Like the first book, there were lots of LOL moments and tear-jerker scenes. And even though this is a cozy mystery, I learned so much life lessons from Vera! Truly, I cannot have enough of her! She’s like a balm for the tired soul, so Jesse Q. Sutanto, please please please continue writing about Vera’s (mis)adventures ok?😜 Thank you @berkleypub for my e-ARC.

4.25/5 rounded down

Thank you Berkley Books for the advanced reading copy!

This book was a BLAST, just like the first one!!! Vera is the most delightful — albeit frustrating — character, and I loved being back in her world. Her entourage from book 1 is back and, this time, even bigger as she pulls a classic Vera and gathers people up as she goes. The mystery in this book felt a lot more complicated than the last, and there were some great unexpected twists that took me by surprise. I think I was expecting this mystery to be a bit simpler, and it took me a second to lock in to the story telling as much as I needed to to follow as the dots connected. That said, it was a really enticing story and I was hooked from the beginning!

As with the first book, this was the perfect mix of heartwarming and surprising. I loved the added social media element, especially watching Vera try to navigate that world. And even moreso, I love the insinuation that there will be another book to come — I’d read Vera’s mysteries forever!

Vera Wong is the voice I want in my mysteries: she’s loving, real, and a riot.

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man is everything I’ve ever wanted in a mystery. When young influencer Xander goes missing Vera puts herself on the case. As we all know, she’s a better investigator than the pros. With her wit, determination, and group of new friends, she can’t be stopped!

Vera’s voice is a force and with the multi-point POV this mystery shines. I laughed, I shrieked, and I didn’t see the twist coming— all in all, perfect.

Thank you to Team Berkley for this early copy! :)

I love Vera Wong! Cozy mystery + found family may be the best combination. Plus dreaming of the dishes described through the book. Overall I found this one to be just as charming as the first. Highly recommended!

Read If You Like:
- Cozy mysteries with humor
- Found family dynamics
- Quirky amateur sleuths
- Lighthearted crime-solving
- Charming elderly protagonists

When Vera Wong, a sharp-witted and slightly meddlesome tea shop owner, discovers a dead body in her store, she takes it upon herself to investigate—because, clearly, she can do a better job than the police. Armed with a keen sense of intuition, an ironclad moral compass, and a tendency to meddle, Vera inserts herself into the lives of the prime suspects, all while brewing the perfect cup of tea.

What follows is a delightful blend of mystery, comedy, and heartfelt character development. Vera is the heart of the story—her nosy but well-meaning nature turns what could be a standard whodunit into something far more charming and endearing. As she digs deeper, unlikely friendships form, and the case becomes as much about uncovering the truth as it is about bringing people together.

The mystery itself unfolds at a steady pace, with enough twists to keep things engaging, though the real magic lies in the relationships and Vera’s unshakable determination. With witty dialogue and a warm, inviting atmosphere, this novel is as comforting as a perfectly steeped cup of tea.

Thanks so much to Berkley for my gifted copy!

I received a copy of " Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping {On a Dead Man} from NetGalley. This the second book about Vera Wong. This time a young lady seeks the help of Vera Wong. A young man named " Xander" has been found drowned in the Ocean. Vera sets out to solve the possible crime. She meets other people who may be involved with Xander and of course to Vera each person is a suspect. Vera gets to know each of the characters by practically adopted each as a new relative snooping to find out if one is responsible for Xander's death. Of course she does so by nurturing them with lots of good food and tea. Each "suspect" may have a secret. But Vera is going to do her best to solve this mystery by doing what she does, Snooping, and taking care of each person. She also brings in characters from her first book to help, since once you are part of Vera Wong's family you will always be a part of her life. Another very good book by Jesse Q Sutano. I look forward to future books about Vera Wang.

When a young man turns up dead, Vera is on the case. Along the way she adds to her found family, feeding them like any good Chinese mother would do. You’ll laugh at her antics, plan to add sesame seeds to your next batch of rice krispy treats, and cheer as people do what right even when it’s hard.

#VeraWongsGuideToSnooping
#jesseqsutanto
#netgalley

✨Vera is back! If it’s possible, I love her even more this go-round. The storytelling here is cozy mystery at its absolute best. We have our beloved Vera, a tea house owner/grandma-turned-sleuth, and all the mystery, humor, emotion, found family and TEA our hearts could ever desire. This book, like its predecessor, is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, and I loved every single page.

✨I don’t read a lot of cozy mystery books, nor do I read many series at all. But I will never stop reading Vera, and I hope there are many more of her adventures to come. I will be first in line to read them all.

✨Choosing a favorite fictional character is not an easy task, but I can say without a doubt that mine is Vera Wong.

✨Add this one to your TBR, friends. Vera and her list of suspects/delightful cast of characters will steal your heart, make you laugh out loud and keep you on your toes until the very end.

🌿Read if you like:
✨Cozy mystery series
✨Tea/tea shops
✨San Francisco settings
✨Asian food
✨Lovable cast of characters

I’m a bookworm, not a writer, so sometimes I feel myself lost for the right words. This is one of those times, friends. I just can’t describe how hard I love Vera Wong. I’ve been a huge fan of Jesse’s work since her Aunties series, but I think I may love Vera even more. 

Vera is the Auntie we didn’t know we needed. Stern and bossy, she doesn’t take no for an answer, and she’s not afraid to guilt you into doing anything she wants. But her heart is even bigger (even if she’d never admit it). Her love language is food, and she always feeds everyone around her. After solving her first murder (in book one), Vera’s life has changed dramatically. She is no longer lonely; with a renewed relationship with her son and a new big-found family, things are going well. But she’s bored. If only another murder could happen!

Vera meets Millie outside the police station. It’s obvious she’s scared, and she’s looking for her friend who has gone missing. Vera makes her tea (of course) and vows to help her. Over the course of her investigation, just like in her first book, Vera meets and befriends (with bullying) several people from all walks of life who are connected to the case. As she interferes in their lives, she ultimately improves them. 

The story is told from all the character’s points of view. It’s a format I really enjoy. One of my favourite parts is when a character meets Vera for the first time, and they don’t quite know what to make of her. She just kind of collects people in her bossy way, and it takes them a bit to get used to her and understand what a positive force she is in their lives. Of course, all of these characters have something to hide, and I love the way Jesse keeps us guessing.

This story is not all fun and hilarity. Jesse illuminates an important issue within these pages. I can’t say much more without ruining the plot, so I’ll just say Jesse does a great job of handling this topic with care. I actually learned quite a bit, and it wasn’t an issue I had previously considered much.

I can’t get enough of Vera, and I hope we’ll get to read another one of her adventures in the future.

4.25 return of a great character stars

Although I was late reading the first book, “Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers,” I was very excited to learn that there was a new Vera adventure in my future. Like the first, this one was laugh-out-loud funny at times.

In the last book, Vera became an amateur detective, and her life has been a little boring since, although she has a whole community of friends after that adventure. She’s still telling her son to get married to his new girlfriend and arguing with her neighbor, who runs a bakery.

One day, she is at the police station and finds a nervous woman who needs her help with a missing friend. Vera has a way of getting everyone to tell her their secrets as she dispenses her abundant, delicious food and boundless advice! Vera digs into the story, looking for clues, somehow even using clues she finds with her connections to the police. Is she helping the police or hindering them? Vera thinks she’s a huge help, of course!

Vera dives into the murky world of influencers as she investigates the missing man, Xander. He is an influencer with countless posts and friends. However, Vera is having trouble finding anyone who knows the whole story.

The book's second half took a darker turn than I expected, but it resolved the mysteries surrounding the missing man.

I do recommend reading the first book to get the most enjoyment out of this one. Several characters from that one show up here, too. This author has built quite a fantastic cast of characters, with Vera as the headliner! There might be a future Vera in France book.