Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
Genre: Cozy Mystery / Contemporary Fiction / Found Family
Ideal For: Fans of warm-hearted sleuths, witty banter, and mystery novels with a generous side of dumplings and life advice
If you’re the kind of reader who likes your murder mysteries a little nosy, a little sassy, and a whole lot heartfelt, then Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is your next favorite book—if it isn’t already.
Charming, hilarious, and full of soul, this cozy mystery delivers more than just clues and red herrings. It serves up a rich story about found family, unexpected friendships, and the quiet power of one very persistent, very nosy, middle-aged Chinese tea shop owner who just knows she can solve a murder better than the police. Spoiler alert: she can—and she does, in the most delightful way possible.
Why I Picked It Up
After devouring Sutanto’s Dial A for Aunties series, I knew I could count on her to blend humor with heart—and Vera Wong exceeded every expectation. The moment I read that Vera wakes up at 4:30 AM every day, emails the FBI when she finds a dead body, and labels crime scene evidence in plastic Ziplocs from Daiso, I was all in.
This isn’t your typical murder mystery. It’s more like The Thursday Murder Club meets Crazy Rich Asians—but with better tea and sharper advice.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Vera Wong is a widowed, lonely tea shop owner in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Her store is quiet (read: almost always empty), her son barely replies to her texts, and her greatest joy is emailing unsolicited advice to him about his lifestyle choices.
But then one morning, she comes downstairs to find a dead man in the middle of her shop—and instead of panicking, Vera does what she does best: takes charge. She labels the body, tidies up the crime scene (just a little), and makes a perfectly brewed pot of tea.
Convinced the police won’t solve the mystery properly, Vera decides she’ll take matters into her own hands. As she begins “interrogating” the handful of suspicious new customers suddenly showing up in her life, she discovers something far more unexpected: each one of them is lonely, flawed, and maybe just as lost as she is.
What follows is a story that’s part whodunit, part heartfelt journey of friendship—and 100% unforgettable.
Why It Works So Well
1. Vera Wong Is an Instant Icon
Vera isn’t your average amateur sleuth. She’s a 60-year-old widow with the energy of a tiger mom, the instincts of a detective, and the love language of home-cooked food and brutally honest life lessons. She’s judgmental but warm, persistent but generous, and most of all, hilariously relatable.
Every scene with Vera sparkles. Whether she’s scolding suspects for not eating enough, hiding evidence in her teapot drawer, or assigning herself the role of everyone’s self-appointed therapist, you can’t help but root for her.
2. The Found Family Theme Hits Home
What makes this book shine is how it moves beyond the mystery to explore the emotional lives of its characters. Each of the “suspects” Vera brings into her circle is quietly dealing with grief, guilt, or isolation—and Vera, with her blunt compassion and unapologetic meddling, gives them the connection they didn’t know they needed.
The transformation from strangers to found family is beautifully done. This is a book that makes you feel good without feeling saccharine. There’s real emotional depth here, wrapped in laugh-out-loud moments and homemade dumplings.
3. A Mystery That’s Cozy But Clever
While this is a cozy mystery through and through—no gore, no police procedural jargon—it still keeps you guessing. The pacing is breezy but deliberate, the clues are layered, and the final twist is satisfying without being over-the-top.
Plus, every chapter serves up more than just mystery—you get Vera’s philosophies on life, food, and parenting, which are as entertaining as the actual sleuthing.
You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy…
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman – for the witty, heartwarming take on senior sleuths
- Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano – for chaotic, lovable amateur detectives
- Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala – for food-centric mysteries with strong Asian heroines
- Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto – if you love found family chaos, again
Final Thoughts: This Book Deserves a Spot on Your Favourites Shelf
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is more than a cozy mystery—it’s a celebration of second chances, unexpected friendships, and the idea that it’s never too late to make your mark (or solve a murder). With her sharp tongue, huge heart, and unrelenting curiosity, Vera Wong is the kind of heroine who stays with you long after the final chapter.
In a genre that often leans predictable or overly sweet, Jesse Q. Sutanto delivers something fresh, funny, and deeply human. Whether you’re here for the dumplings, the detective work, or the drama, you’ll leave with a full heart and a serious craving for tea.
