Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

By: Jesse Q. Sutanto

Narrated by: Eunice Wong

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?

©2023 Jesse Q. Sutanto (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A staggering, masterful suspense confection, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is quite simply one of my favorite novels of all time. The kind of book you want to reread every year in order to revisit its brilliant world. Vera will delight, charm, and steal your heart. A propulsive, delectable blend of Knives Out meets The Maid shot through with Sutanto’s customary raucous sense of humor and gift for astonishing twists, Vera is an instant classic.”—May Cobb, author of My Summer Darlings

"Following the success of Dial A for Aunties, Sutanto is back with another charmer, this time following the exploits of orthopedic-sneaker-wearing Vera Wong Zhuzhu, who finds a dead body in her Chinatown tea shop. When the police investigation isn’t thorough enough for her liking, she concocts a plan to find the murderer, aided by a locked flash drive she found on the body and stashed away for safekeeping. Sutanto excels at skewering with affection, and an earnest hilarity shines through in this entertaining whodunit."—The Washington Post

“Vivid sensory descriptions of the custom teas Vera concocts and the elaborate feasts she prepares further heighten the feel-good appeal. Literary comfort food in the guise of a quirky whodunit.”—Kirkus

Detective Vera! LOL!!!

I think we all need someone like Vera in our lives, and I just loved the bond that grew so effortlessly between her and Emma. Marshall was so toxic, but Vera was just what Julia and Emma needed to get their lives back on track. I would've never guessed, though, who the actual killer was, but I enjoyed Vera's hilarious efforts to find out.

Funny with excellent narration

I really enjoyed this book due to the excellent narrator. Story was good but Eunice Wong made it very funny. She nailed the voice of Vera!!! And Emma. I already have Jesse Sutanto’s next book in my wish list.

Fun mystery

I really enjoyed the characters and the author’s descriptions of them and places transported me to the Vera Wong’s world. Definitely a book for those who like a mystery and a chuckle.

I LOVE a meddling older lady

Sutanto wrote another cozy mystery!

Read this if you love the meddling old woman in every story, found family, and a really sweet ending to a mystery.

Great fun

So glad I added this to my library. Vera Wong is a loveable old bossy lady who wins over everyone’s respect and love.

Interesting characters revealed as story built up momentum for a twist ending

This book has a good start with the mystery presenting itself quickly. Then there were a few slow burning spots, but don’t put it down. The story picks back up with very interesting character reveals and plot twists that made this a great feel-good read!

Loved this!

Did not expect to love this book so much! I adored Vera and hope we get more stories about her adventures!

Such a feel good story!

I felt like I was wrapped in a warm blanket the whole time. This has been my favorite book this year.

Loved it!

Funny, emotional and heartwarming. Really well written and I was quickly hooked. Loved every minute!

Just my cup of tea…

A sweet book with good characters and a mystery murder. I found myself wanting to visit the tea shop and chat with Vera myself. I got this book because it was recommended after I read the Finlay Donovan series. Everyone needs a little Vera in their life.