Hi friends, happy Monday, I hope you’re all well! Today I’m posting my review of Jesse Q. Sutanto’s novel, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by: Jesse Q. Sutanto: Vera Wong lives a pretty simple life; every day she gets up, does her routine, then opens up her teashop for her dwindling customers. But one day, she wakes up to find a dead body in her shop. When the police don’t seem to think anything of it, she decides to start an investigation of her own. Was it truly nothing, as the police suspect, or was the man actually murdered? This was such a fun, cozy mystery read. The reader had such a great time reading this novel; they knew going in, that they had to suspend their belief on things, so once that was done, it made it that much more of an enjoyable read. One of the only things the reader didn’t really like was the way this ended; it felt rushed like the author forgot how it was all going to end. The overall story was so intoxicating and thrilling to read because the whole time the reader was questioning if this old lady was correct in thinking a murder happened here, and when we started to meet all the characters involved, we started to question which one could actually do it. That whole lead up was so fun because Vera had an opinion about everything and everyone on why she did or didn’t think things and it was so wholesome and engaging to read. By the end, we’re left not wanting any of the characters to be the murderer and the reader thinks that the author had the same thought; we kinda went on a detour for a bit, forgetting that the whole point was to solve this murder. Only then, did that plot get picked up at the very end, which truly the reader thought wasn’t coming; they thought the author was going to drop the whole thing. We’re glad Sutanto didn’t, but the ending she gave us felt kinda lacklustre and like she was appeasing her audience because it didn’t make all that much sense. This novel was so good up until those final chapters. As for the characters, they were all really charming and interesting to read, especially Vera, but we’ll get there. The side characters were all gripping, to an extent; there were times throughout that they all started to sound the same. The reader was still able to tell who was who, but they’d say the same things and it didn’t feel realistic. And some of the characters felt more like background filler, than actual progressive characters. As for Vera, what wasn’t to love about her? She could be a bit intense and determined in the things she wanted, but the reader always knew it came from a place of love. They couldn’t help but laugh at the things she said and she was just an overall joy to read. The reader didn’t always buy the instant connection between all the characters, but again, that goes into the suspended belief because it really did help move the story along. This reader is now interested in reading other novels this author has written. In the end, if it’s a good, cozy mystery you’re seeking, this delivers really well.