Jesse Sutanto

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

My first read by this author and it was a great baptism! I love a good murder mystery, having grown up on a diet of Conan-Doyle, Christie, etc.  So a modern day Ms Marple was complete catnip for me.

A lacklustre teashop, interfering shopkeepers, negligent children and a rash of "suspects".  Set in the hustle and bustle of San Francisco's Chinatown and environs.  I loved learning more about the eponymous Vera, her late husband and their son, Tilly.

There are a great collection of suspects all with reason to kill the victim.  Unravelling the history behind their enmity and how they came to be in Vera's suspects list was fab. A subtle blend of humour and murder.  It plays on the stereotypes of the interfering, although well-meaning, Asian parents (of all hues and nationalities).  With a kind hand, we're led through the intricacies of the characters lives and it ended up being a bit of a heart-warming, found family.

I readily admit I was slow on the uptake on who the murderer was, which is unusual for me 'cos I usually guess right away, so many thanks for keeping my on my toes!

Nicola Sarah Brooks

My first read by this author and it was a great baptism! I love a good murder mystery, having grown up on a diet of Conan-Doyle, Christie, etc.  So a modern day Ms Marple was complete catnip for me.

A lacklustre teashop, interfering shopkeepers, negligent children and a rash of "suspects".  Set in the hustle and bustle of San Francisco's Chinatown and environs.  I loved learning more about the eponymous Vera, her late husband and their son, Tilly.

There are a great collection of suspects all with reason to kill the victim.  Unravelling the history behind their enmity and how they came to be in Vera's suspects list was fab. A subtle blend of humour and murder.  It plays on the stereotypes of the interfering, although well-meaning, Asian parents (of all hues and nationalities).  With a kind hand, we're led through the intricacies of the characters lives and it ended up being a bit of a heart-warming, found family.

I readily admit I was slow on the uptake on who the murderer was, which is unusual for me 'cos I usually guess right away, so many thanks for keeping my on my toes!

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

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