Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Jesse Q. Sutanto

Mar 2023 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

A USA Today bestseller
Edgar Award Winner for Best Original Paperback
Audie Award Winner for Mystery
Libby Award Winner for Best Mystery


A lonely shopkeeper takes it upon herself to solve a murder in the most peculiar way in this captivating mystery by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.

Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady—ah, lady of a certain age—who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, oh no. She likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet about what her Gen-Z son is up to.

Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing—a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of . . . swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would 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 knows the killer will be back for the flash drive; all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer.

What Vera does not expect is to form friendships with her customers and start to care for each and every one of them. As a protective mother hen, will she end up having to give one of her newfound chicks to the police?

Ratings and reviews

The representation in this book... its... wow. The author has such a skill that allows you to truly understand the experiences that the characters have had. I may be biased with that because the characters somehow remind me of people I've met with and talked with in real life as an Indonesian myself BUT truly, it's the way the author writes that makes these characters so alive and real. Tension and buildup but also so much love and care, and just overall wholesome. If you're looking for books that center around found families and highlights love shared between people, this book is definitely one you should immerse yourself in <3

Lindsay I am going crazy 🤪 😜 to be happy ✔️ I will never be alone and I know that I will get back in touch with yo after years today's that we have a great life me and the way it was not the same place as you were in the last year or so we are a bit of an hour to get the only ones in my life I have been in love with her anymore and how to make a fool for you already a moment to and I know she will be in a bed and a great time to talk with and I will get it is on a lot more to me than I do so I have no so much-needed to say that I am inundated to be a good friend and a decision are you still in the same placement for your help and support you will never know how much she will be the first person who is the best way you have been ever good guy to me so I can give yall flash at is the best friend Wilson is the one who can make you feel better about this ❤️ 💖 💕 ♥️ I have been thinking 🤔 ❤️ ♥️ you have a lot of ways ❤️ ♥️ 💙 😊 💖 😀 for me and her ³years now iam so ❤️ and I hope this

Great characters - especially Vera - and a fun ride.

About the author

Jesse Q. Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Indonesia, Singapore, and Oxford, and considers all three places her home. She has a masters from Oxford University. When she is not writing, she is gaming with her husband or making a mess in the kitchen with her two daughters.