Review By: Sara Tripp
Published: 2023
Genre(s): Fiction, Mystery, Asian Stories
Audience: Grades 9–12, Adult
Content Warnings: Murder
Goodreads Link: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
Summary:
When elderly tea shop owner Vera Wong discovers a dead body in her store, she decides she can solve the mystery better than the police. As her investigation unfolds, she draws an unlikely group of suspects into her world, uncovering both secrets and unexpected friendships along the way.
Review:
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a warm, humorous, and heartfelt blend of mystery and found family. Vera is equal parts nosy and endearing, the kind of character who leaves readers smiling long after the story ends. Sutanto crafts a mystery filled with clever twists, cultural richness, and emotional resonance.
What makes this book shine is not only the whodunit aspect but the way it celebrates community, resilience, and the power of connection. It balances humor with moments of loneliness and healing, offering a poignant look at aging and belonging.
This story would make an excellent classroom or book club read, particularly for discussions around cultural identity, empathy, and family dynamics. It is a charming and uplifting mystery with depth and heart.
