Summary

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 oolong 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 is 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 will do a better job than the police possibly can – 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?

Why I chose to read this book
The summary immediately made me like Vera; I could already feel her warm and witty personality. And there’s just something about an everyday person trying to solve a murder mystery that makes a story enticing.

Thoughts & Opinions

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers was a cozy and heartwarming mystery. It begins with Vera, an aging lady, who discovers a dead man in her teashop. What ensues is her determined – at times grating – and unique way of seeking the truth. When the police deem the death an accident, Vera decides to conduct her own investigation as she believes (and excitedly hopes) that it is in fact a murder.

Vera is a stereotypical old lady, full of wisdom, love, and (unsolicited) advice. She is intrusive, persistent and persuasive. With her list of suspects in hand, she begins her investigation. Before they know it, her suspects have all agreed to her seemingly odd demands. As the story goes on, we get to know these suspects personally and discover that they are all on their own journey to discover the truth, as the death affects all of them in different ways. 

Surprisingly, most of the characters were likable, and I was rooting for them and their happiness. Much like Vera, I wanted the best for them. Additionally, each and every one had character development, which readers always appreciate. 

Although it took some time to warm up to her initially, I eventually wanted my very own Vera. I was often chuckling at her antics. Her delicious descriptions of Asian cuisine had me salivating and famished. Moreover, tea drinkers rejoice! With her detailed description of the healing powers of tea, Vera *almost* convinced me to become a tea drinker. According to Vera, there is a tea for every ailment and every occasion. 

If you’re looking for a hilarious and captivating mystery, this one is for you!