Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

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?

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Mystery

Release date: March 14, 2023

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Jesse Q. Sutanto

Jesse Q. Sutanto’s books are an irresistible blend of humor, family chaos, and unexpected twists. Growing up in the vibrant mix of cultures in Indonesia and Singapore, Sutanto’s writing is infused with the warmth of familial bonds, the messiness of love, and the kind of humor that feels like it could only come from someone who’s lived it. With a background that spans across continents, cultures, and a deep love for storytelling, Sutanto's work is a fresh, exciting voice in contemporary fiction.

Her breakout novel, Dial A for Aunties, is an uproarious crime-comedy that puts her family’s hilarious—and often wild—antics on full display. The story follows Meddy Chan, a photographer who accidentally kills her blind date, only to find herself entangled in a series of misadventures with her overbearing mother and four meddling aunties. It’s a book that’s as much about family loyalty as it is about embracing life’s unexpected chaos. Dial A for Aunties became a beloved hit, landing on multiple bestseller lists and even earning a Netflix deal. But Sutanto didn’t stop there. The sequel, Four Aunties and a Wedding, continues the family’s chaotic journey, proving her knack for balancing absurdity with heart.

Sutanto’s writing is more than just comedy—it’s a vivid exploration of identity, culture, and the intersections between them. Her characters are deeply relatable, often grappling with family expectations while trying to carve out their own paths. Whether it’s a grandmother-turned-sleuth in Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers or a young woman caught in a murder mystery involving her eccentric relatives, Sutanto’s stories offer a blend of lightheartedness and emotional depth that leaves readers thinking long after the final page.

With a master’s in Creative Writing from the University of Oxford and a love for crafting stories that bridge cultures and genres, Sutanto’s work has earned critical acclaim and widespread recognition. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers even snagged the 2024 Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original, cementing Sutanto as a standout voice in contemporary fiction.

From her childhood in Indonesia to becoming a bestselling author, Jesse Q. Sutanto’s journey is a testament to the power of storytelling to bring people together—whether through laughter, intrigue, or heartfelt moments. Her books continue to captivate readers, offering an immersive experience that’s as colorful and dynamic as her own life.

Vera Wong

The Vera Wong series by Jesse Q. Sutanto isn’t just about solving mysteries; it’s about the messy, beautiful, and often hilarious ways our lives get intertwined. The series kicks off with Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, where Vera, a spunky and sharp-witted grandmother who runs a San Francisco tea shop, discovers a dead body in her store. With the police taking their time and a gut feeling that something isn’t right, Vera takes it upon herself to investigate, blending her quirky intuition with her bold, no-nonsense attitude.