LOVED Vera!! Oh how Jesse Sutanto brought the character of Vera alive is wonderful - she meddles and interferes and don't even attempt to cross her, but what a truly giving person, and oh the food!! There was so much humour in this story that I was often giggling to myself, but equally it is a story about finding family amongst strangers. A beautiful murder mystery with a group of friends that you wish you were part of. Fabulous!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

So I was not sure about this book in the first few chapters. Vera was overbearing and took some getting to know and I really did not think I could put up with her for the whole book. However, as the book progressed, I got to like the characters , including Vera and I enjoyed the plot too.
Lots of interest on different levels, such as grief, loneliness and manipulation in relationships which gives you plenty to think about whilst reading. Maybe the plot was too predictable in some ways, but it leaves you with a good feeling.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an hinest review

I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with this story. I loved the storyline and all the side characters but I did not enjoy Vera.

I despise characters who think they always know better whilst pushing their opinions and ways on others. It grated on my nerves but it is a good story nonetheless.
I also would have enjoyed to read more about Tilly and Vera. Their relationship is quite strained but we never get the satisfaction of them actually building a stronger relationship.

This is now my new favourite book from Jesse Sutanto! If you love only murders in the building and Kim’s Convenience then you'll love this book. What I absolutely love about Jesse's writing is the humour she weaves throughout the books and Vera Wong's is no exception. The book is sprinkled with little bits of information about the suspects, making it un put downable and leaving you wanting more. This 'random' group of strangers becomes the most heartwarming group, leaving you with a constant smile. Although I was correct in my suspicions of who did it I had to find out why and how so it didn't take much away from the big reveal. If you want a cosy time figuring out a murder then this book is for you.

Don’t red in bed you will keep your partner awake with the laughing and then won’t be bake to sleep. Don’t read if you are dieting. But most of all do read it! Great!

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers was a hilariously funny, heart-warming read and I adored every minute of it! I guarantee that you will love Vera too and the unusual group of friends she makes during her journey to solve a murder.
The story progressed at a great pace, with lots happening and plenty of interesting characters .. I had an inkling who the murderer might be but really enjoyed following Vera's lively investigation and meeting all the other wonderful characters (or suspects!) as we went along, I honestly didn't want to put it down, it made me laugh so much and I can't wait to go buy this for people and force them to read it!

I am a huge fangirl of Jesse Sutanto and her books always arrive at a time I need critical catharsis. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers did not disappoint. I wanted to laugh-cry, cry-cry and eat all of the delicious food described. It was intriguing, heartening and complex at times - as well as following all the right notes of a typical cosy murder mystery. As someone from a Southeast Asian background, I can relate to all the nuances Jesse captures about family dynamics - it's so comforting to have someone write about these shared experiences with such care and humour.
Thank you so much for the copy.

When Vera Wong opened her Teashop one day the last thing she expected to do was find a dead body inside her shop, she is determined to help solve this murder since she is certain that the police won't be able to.

Once she finds a way to gather up her suspects she know that she has to keep them close by in order to find who is hiding secrets and who knows more than they admit.

The plot is a bit slow at first but the pace picks up later on.

There are several povs which isn't something I love but it works perfectly here, we can see each character inner thoughts which gives a lot of information about them, each character have a unique voice and it really helps to understand them better.

Of course the star of the book is Vera who is determined to solve this murder mystery and she has such a unique way of getting involved in everyone's life and making them open up especially if they don't want to while also helping them in
ways they never expected.

I love that this group went from murder suspects to found family, it was absolutely beautiful seeing all the relationship develop.

As for the mystery I figured out part of it, but it still liked seeing it unfold and explained as the story moved forward.

* I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

I loved this book. Vera is such a great character - elderly, lonely, fearsome, interfering - an all round force of nature.
Mostly though, she's lonely. Life is dull and colourless. No one comes to her tea house and nothing much happens. Until she comes downstairs and finds a dead man in her shop.
Vera decides that the man has been murdered (even though the police don't think so) and decides to solve the mystery herself. We then get to see a group of very different individuals, all of whom could have killed the victim.
I loved how we got to know the gang and how they became a sort of family to Vera. It was really sad to think that they were potential murderers.
A brilliantly evocative and funny book. I recommend it wholeheartedly if you're after a comic murder mystery.
I received a review copy from Netgalley. This is my honest review.

There were lots of things that were great about this book. Vera, for a start, is both absolutely annoying and also utterly endearing. There are quite a few characters to get to know, and whilst at times they felt a little bit all over the place, I did find myself more and more invested in their lives - particularly Julia for me. Vera's interfering is believable, her self-belief feels very real, and I did find it funny as I read. It's a cosy mystery, light-hearted and over the top at times. I enjoyed the different teas that Vera brewed for the different characters, and would quite fancy a trip to her tea house!
But I felt the story did have some flaws - firstly, the little girl Emma. We are told that she is two years old, but good grief, at times I really struggled to believe that, and I wondered if her age had been changed during edits! She often spoke like a much older child, and she was clearly a prodigy when it came to her drawing...so that rankled a bit. I don't like it when characters don't behave as they should. This also, unfortunately, applied to Vera. In much of the description, we're led to believe that she is an old lady, and when I read 'old lady' I think someone in their 80's. But then we're told that she's 60! I don't know - maybe it's because I'm not all that far away from 60 myself but I just found myself startled out of the story, and suddenly unsure of who Vera actually is.
My final complaint is around the conclusion to the murder. It is a twist, and so I think lots of people will love it, but I just sat for quite a while wondering if the twist had been properly set up through the book because what?!
Really?! I've half wondered about going back to the start of the book again, just to see if I missed something because I just didn't believe it, and so that left me feeling a bit disgruntled. Which is a shame because as I said there were lots of great things too and I did enjoy reading it, right up until the end!

This was brilliant and I loved every second of it! Vera is a phenomenal main character who develops throughout the story.

"No one can say that Vera is boastful. No, Vera is many things, but boastful is not one of them. And yet, eve. She has to admit that her first day of investigating has exceeded all expectations. And as a Chinese mother, er has had years of practice at harboring unrealistic expectations. Truly, even the police would be forced to admit that she's very nearly solved their case for them. It's not even time for her afternoon tea yet, and already she has three whole suspects."

My first book by this author and it won't be my last because I absolutely loved it! There's funny and determined, elderly and lonely protagonist, Vera Wong Zhuzhu who loves, but is tiring of running her struggling Chinese tea shop. There's a dead body in her tea shop and the cast of suspects, Sana, Riki, Oliver (the victim's brother) and Julie and Emma (the victim's widow and toddler daughter) she meets and decided to investigate. I thought there may be too many narratives, but soon got to know whte different characters. As Vera gets to know them, and bosses them about (Chinese mothers know best) I warmed to them all, I didn't want any of them to be the killer. It's sparky, funny and full of gorgeous tea blends and Vera's spectacular cooking as, in this heartwarming tale, it turns out she and her new friends need one another very much. A hilarious, quirky and uplifting whodunit I highly recommend.

Vera is a little old lady with a flagging business who has her life turned upside down one morning when she finds a dead body in her shop. A rollercoaster investigation follows with Vera at the helm (to the dismay of the police!)

I absolutely adored this book. Genuine laugh out loud moments mixed with a bunch of characters that just needed a giant hug, I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to share it with my book club!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Jesse Sutanto has written another new favourite book for me. I knew as soon as I heard about Vera Wong that I would absolutely fall in love with this book - and I definitely did.
Everything about this book I loved: the characters, the humour, the plot, the writing.
From the first chapter, I was laughing so much. I instantly fell in love with Vera and wanted to be her friend. I loved all of the other characters and the found family trope which is one of my favourite things about this book. I loved that this group of people who did not really have anyone else ended up coming together and being their own little family.
I loved the murder plot running throughout and even though the whole plot of the book was Vera trying to discover who the murderer was, I was so along for the ride throughout that I did not try to guess who the killer was.
There was just something so comforting about this book. Even though it is, essentially, a murder mystery, this book was the complete opposite of a normal murder mystery and it was such a comforting, heartfelt and emotional story.
After loving this and the Dial A For Aunties series, I know I will read everything that Jesse Sutanto writes and I know that I will love every future release that she publishes.

Vera Wong owns a tea shop in San Francisco and one morning when she opens up she finds a dead body in the shop. Wanting to be helpful after calling 911, she draws an outline around the body!

Not convinced the police will do a good.job, Vera is determined to find out why this man died in her shop. She is sure the murderer will return to the scene of the crime, and soon 4 people turn up, and Vera uses her personality to get everyone to open up and even befriends the widow and her daughter whilst looking into the case. Everyone seems to have a motive and Vera is determined to.solve it.

Absolutely loved this comedic book! Richard Osman eat your heart out as this is much more superior to.his Thursday murder club books. Vera is such a force of nature again the other characters she bosses around. The story is told from the five main characters point of view.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

Vera Wong’s life is routine, if a little empty. She gets up the same time every day and follows the same morning routine day after day. That is. until one morning, Vera’s stumbles across a dead body in her tea shop. Everyone knows that Chinese mothers make the best investigators so Vera is determined to find the murderer herself and in the process, find a new zest for life. A zest that would compliment Vera’s famous teas perfectly.

It’s rare to know you will love a book just from it’s title but I just knew this was going to be my kind of book. It’s been a long time since I became as fond of a character as I did of Vera. She had me chuckling away as I turned the pages as fast as I could to find out why a dead body ended up in a tea shop. In fact all the characters in this book and vividly and brilliantly written. It’s my first introduction to Jessie Sutanto’s writing and now I want to read everything by her, in the hope it’s as funny and feel good as this book. I really hope Vera gets another book! It’s no less than what she deserves. Also, does anyone know how you get adopted by a fictional character? Asking for a friend 😂

Thanks to the author, HQ publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book had everything I have come to expect from Sutanto’s writing – it was funny, warm, sad, and all round a little bit bonkers.

Vera was brilliant, I adored her and to wanted to scoop her up and tell her everything would be ok when her sadness shone through, visit her shop for tea and hide when she overstepped the mark. She would be huge fun to spend time with but also exhausting! Her heart though – that was always in the right place.

The rest of our assorted cast were also very well crafted, this was a book that definitely gave off strong ‘found family’ vibes and did it so well. Nothing felt forced about the growing friendships between everyone – they just happened to be what each other needed.

The link bring all our characters together – the dead body that has mysteriously appeared in Vera’s tea shop one morning – is the central premise that lets the rest of the story happen. The mystery element is well put together and I didn’t manage to work it out ahead of being told either!

This is a super book (make sure you sit down to read it with a cup of tea and a snack though – Vera’s cooking will make you hungry!) a perfect book to curl up with and enjoy.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto
I give this book 4.5 stars

Sixty-year-old self-proclaimed tea expert Vera Wong wakes up one morning to find a dead man in the middle of her tea shop, Knowing she’ll do a better job than the police possibly could – because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands – Vera decides it’s down to her to catch the killer.

I absolutely loved Vera,what a fabulous character so quirky and honest …..is she a mother,a tea shop owner,a detective or a matchmaker
Her four suspects and one child are brilliant characters that you will be instantly drawn to and Vera brings them all together to connect and interrogate.The culture,descriptions of food and tea were as good as the murder! Entertaining,hilarious and warm hearted,I found myself smiling the whole way through,what a gem of a read.
With thanks to Netgalley,Jesse Sutanto and HQ for my chance to read and review this book

I enjoyed this one. It started off pretty slow but I eventually got into it and ended up enjoying the story. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this one

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Jesse Q. Sutanto
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Humour/Mystery
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 14th March 2023
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬/𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: Murder Mystery, Parenting, Domestic Emotional Abuse, Found Family
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5/5

“Unrealized dreams are one of saddest things in life,” Vera says. “Well, after serious illness and death and all that.”

Jesse Sutanto, the queen of humour, does it again. And by it I mean she’s created another character so funny and lovable that it’s simply impossible to not love this story.

I kid you not, I want to be adopted by Vera Wong, an unbelievably nosy elderly Asian woman. She’s firm, bossy, in everybody else’s business, but she’s so caring, so relentless in her pursuit to watch everyone around her succeed, I absolutely loved her. I also would love to hear what tea she would make for me and I properly need a full recipe book from Jesse Sutanto on this.

Also I’m constantly finding myself wanting to be adopted by Jesse Sutanto’s characters.

The storyline itself I found super heart warming and positively affirming, this cosy mystery was a delight in so many ways but the found family of Vera, Julia and her toddler Emma, Riki, Sana and Oliver, who are all related to the murdered man in some way or another was epic in its tender blossoming of dynamics and relationships. Even if one of them is likely the killer.

I also found Julia’s background story unbelievably emotional. Her toddler, Emma, sounds exactly like mine, he takes a little while to warm up to people and during that time he likes to cling to me, but really he’s a funny, caring boy who loves problem solving and trucks and the way that Emma is perceived in Julia’s inner monologue and by Emma’s father had my crying.

I did guess whodunnit early on in the book and whilst it didn’t spoil the story at all, it did mean that the big reveal probably wasn’t as shocking as it could have been.

I cried. I laughed. And I had all my expectations surpassed. Jesse Sutanto is one of my autobuy authors and Vera Wong reaffirms why.


𝑲𝒂𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉 @ 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒉 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒚
🧚‍♀️🤍