Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers - Book Review

 

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Jesse Q. Sutanto

4 stars

 

Vera Wong is the nosy, opinionated Auntie that shows up in many families. She's energetic, can cook up the most delicious sounding meals, and is determined to solve the case of a body she finds in her famous tea shop.

She even has some thoughts about the police handling of this situation.

But she's sure she would do a better job than they possibly could, because nobody sniffs out wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands...

And so what else can she do? She gathers the suspects, feeds them, bosses them around, and shares her most outlandish opinions. All this with warmth and wit. You will shake your head and laugh out loud often while reading this book.

Take it with you to a coffee shop, a beach, or on a plane and you will make more friends than you might want. All because you will want to tell someone why you are giggling to yourself!

More cozy adventure than all-out mystery, you will still be charmed to know how Vera solves the case through her unconventional methods.

Generations of Chinese mothers have perfected the art of sniffing out guilt, and Vera can practically see waves of guilt churning out of the young people gathered before her.

The author speaks to her Chinese culture, and admittedly 'steals' some conversations from her own parents, which is hilarious and sweet and at the same time. Don't miss the author's notes.

The only criticism I have is in the behaviour and vocabulary of the child. It was at times off-putting, and did not match those of the two year old in my life.

If you're a tea lover or new to its potential of curing everything (according to Vera), you will learn a lot of its magic through the pages. This book tells you about Asian culture, friendships, honesty and forming the family of your choosing.

It's an easy read, with short chapters, and characters though they are suspects who are endearing throughout.

Jesse Q. Sutanto is also the author of Dial A for Aunties, which we can expect to see on a streaming service soon. Perhaps, I should read this one too!

Picking up my copy of The Whispers for the next review.

Have you read it? What is your latest, favourite read?


 

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