Widower Vera Wong is fine. She might be lonely in her failing tea shop but there is nothing she can’t handle with a bit of gumption. When she opens the shop one morning and find’s a dead man, she’s convinced there is a murderer afoot. She’s seen enough crime shows to know that the murderer will want to come back to the scene, and when they do, she’ll be ready for them.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers was an absolute joy to read. Everything about this book just worked. The characters were amazing, loving, lonely, and distinct. Vera was hilariously overbearing in the best possible way. I loved the way she mothered everyone and her efforts to ‘stay hip’ are hysterical and highly relatable. All of our supporting characters add so much to the story and their flushed-out backstories, conflicts, and actions tied wonderfully into the story. I loved the diverse cast of characters and as always, I love the way Sutanto is able to capture cultural differences in such a succinct and relatable way.
While still hilarious like the Aunties series, I found Vera to be more realistic and less over the top. Cozy mysteries for me can sometimes be ‘too much’ or to cheesy. Vera was the perfect blend of adorable and fun.
I adored this book and can’t recommend it enough. If you’re looking for a heartwarming, entertaining, and cozy mystery that isn’t completely over the top, then this book is absolutely for you.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is out now. Huge thank you to Berkley Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books.
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