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A review by charvi_not_just_fiction
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was everything I wanted and so much more!
Not only is it a cosy mystery which keeps you wondering who the killer is, it's so much more than that. At its core this book is about love, family and relationships. It revolves around the lives of five people -
Vera Wong who is a lonely old woman with a failing tea business but of course she will never let anyone see that side of her. Instead she keeps herself busy by poking her nose in other people's business and showering them with love and for this story, solving a murder.
Julia is left a widow with a manipulative piece of shit ex-husband who left her with their daughter Emma. Julia finally has the space to find herself, and come into who she was before she had ever met her ex-husband.
Both Rikki and Sana have mysterious ties to the dead man as they're trying to get their lives together after the murdered man left it in shambles.
And then there's Oliver, the dead man's brother who hated his brother and is dealing with mixed emotions and grief while hiding secrets of his own.
This is such an eclectic group but they come together absolutely beautifully, tied together by the eccentric Vera Wong. Vera is truly a force to be reckoned with and I couldn't have loved her more. As an Asian, I definitely saw pieces of my grandparents in her and it made me fall in love with her even more.
While the mystery is definitely interesting, due to the small cast I had already wagered and guessed the murderer correctly but the motive and actual play out of the murder was an absolute shock and surprise! It truly managed to tie everything together perfectly.
You'll come for the mystery and stay for the absolutely wonderful cast of characters. Love, love, love this book so much!
Not only is it a cosy mystery which keeps you wondering who the killer is, it's so much more than that. At its core this book is about love, family and relationships. It revolves around the lives of five people -
Vera Wong who is a lonely old woman with a failing tea business but of course she will never let anyone see that side of her. Instead she keeps herself busy by poking her nose in other people's business and showering them with love and for this story, solving a murder.
Julia is left a widow with a manipulative piece of shit ex-husband who left her with their daughter Emma. Julia finally has the space to find herself, and come into who she was before she had ever met her ex-husband.
Both Rikki and Sana have mysterious ties to the dead man as they're trying to get their lives together after the murdered man left it in shambles.
And then there's Oliver, the dead man's brother who hated his brother and is dealing with mixed emotions and grief while hiding secrets of his own.
This is such an eclectic group but they come together absolutely beautifully, tied together by the eccentric Vera Wong. Vera is truly a force to be reckoned with and I couldn't have loved her more. As an Asian, I definitely saw pieces of my grandparents in her and it made me fall in love with her even more.
While the mystery is definitely interesting, due to the small cast I had already wagered and guessed the murderer correctly but the motive and actual play out of the murder was an absolute shock and surprise! It truly managed to tie everything together perfectly.
You'll come for the mystery and stay for the absolutely wonderful cast of characters. Love, love, love this book so much!