Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

By: Jesse Q. Sutanto

Narrated by: Eunice Wong

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

A USA Today bestseller
Edgar Award Winner for Best Original Paperback
Audie Award Winner for Mystery
Libby Award Winner for Best Mystery


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?

©2023 Jesse Q. Sutanto (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A staggering, masterful suspense confection, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is quite simply one of my favorite novels of all time. The kind of book you want to reread every year in order to revisit its brilliant world. Vera will delight, charm, and steal your heart. A propulsive, delectable blend of Knives Out meets The Maid shot through with Sutanto’s customary raucous sense of humor and gift for astonishing twists, Vera is an instant classic.”—May Cobb, author of My Summer Darlings

"Following the success of Dial A for Aunties, Sutanto is back with another charmer, this time following the exploits of orthopedic-sneaker-wearing Vera Wong Zhuzhu, who finds a dead body in her Chinatown tea shop. When the police investigation isn’t thorough enough for her liking, she concocts a plan to find the murderer, aided by a locked flash drive she found on the body and stashed away for safekeeping. Sutanto excels at skewering with affection, and an earnest hilarity shines through in this entertaining whodunit."—The Washington Post

“Vivid sensory descriptions of the custom teas Vera concocts and the elaborate feasts she prepares further heighten the feel-good appeal. Literary comfort food in the guise of a quirky whodunit.”—Kirkus

Gets “charm” right!

So many books — I’m looking at you, ‘A Man Called Ove’ — try to nail the “charming, quirky” vibe, but I can’t remember ever seeing it work so well. Read my reviews, and you won’t see me say things like “an absolute gem!” Or “a delight!”

But that day has come. I just adored this book.

“Comfort food for the soul” indeed!

Story is fabulous and the narration from Eunice Wong highlights the characters features so wonderfully that they seem real. Thank you for the amazing work, it was the best novel I’ve listened to in Audible format!

Heartwarming Cozy

I was skeptical going into this book - it's not my usual genre. But I understand the great reviews now. I wasn't so sure about Vera in the first chapter or two, but as the story unfolds you really start to care for these characters. I loved the emphasis on family community. Lovely read.

Vera Wong

This book was very charming and relatable, as I too come from an overbearing Asian mother. The narrator did an amazing job portraying the different characters. The audible was overall comical and light-hearted. Would recommend!

Love it

A nice funny, light listening. I am very critical of narrators because of course in audibles they can make or break a good book. Eunice Wong brings to life accents in a way that I could never conjure if I were reading it myself. Loved it, great job all around!

Feel good story.

If you want to take a break from all the drama that’s happening in the world, this is a fun, feel good story that will make you smile, and even chuckle here and there. I enjoyed this.

A most enjoyable listen! (No spoilers)

The narration is excellent. I loved the main character, Vera. She is endearing, even though she’s bossy! I really enjoyed the humor, the character development, and the plot. My only complaint is that I was disappointed in the big reveal of the murderer. I just didn’t think the motive was strong or the character would have done it. But I love how it wrapped up for all the other characters. I would still recommend the book to a friend for the fun and amusing ride!

this book is just such a treasure.

I adore this book about Vera Wong because her unsolicited but well meaning advice is HILARIOUS & this book is just such a treasure…and the audiobook is fantastic!

Love the performance!

Very good and enjoyable story. Great narrator. Even in very noisy places can I listen to it

Fun and Funny Listen

Hands down Vera was my favorite character. Her quick wit and no nonsense demeanor was so on point and consistent throughout the the whole story. Read with an open mind and enjoy!