Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

45 reviews

thirdtimesacharm's review against another edition

funny hopeful mysterious sad 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Infertility and Injury/Injury detail

james1star's review against another edition

funny mysterious reflective 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

4.0

This was a rather ‘fun’ read that felt quite fast paced with well realised characters and an intriguing plot. I didn’t find it amazing but was enjoyable and one I’d recommend, I’m interested in checking out the author’s other works. 

The book follows Vera Wong, an elderly Chinese American who owns a tea shop in San Francisco’s Chinatown, who one morning finds the dead body, a man called Marshall, downstairs one day. She calls the police but not won over by their work decides to embark on her own investigation. She meets with those close to Marshall including his wife Julia (and I believe autistic daughter Emma), twin Oliver, computer developer / ‘reporter’ Ricky and artist / ‘podcaster Sana trying to learn who Marshall was and how he came to be dead. What follows is the reader getting the backstory and connections but I won’t say anymore given the book is a mystery of sorts. The cast of characters were very diverse and each added to the plot well. 

The above was good enough to keep you reading but what I feel elevated the book was the way Sutanto infused other messages and understandings. The main was exploring the way women are often made to give up things or else are lost in the pursuit of maintaining a relationship or family. Their own lives sometimes take the back burner and the realisation of this alongside living in an emotionally abusive relationship/environment was portrayed well. There’s also discussion of how the elderly are viewed and treated at moments which was good. The best part of the book was the way Vera went about her life and investigation, she does some questionable things but is very pure and such a loveable character to follow, especially the way she implants herself into the other character’s lives. I did get the ending and understand why this and that happened but personally would’ve preferred something else. It was still good and well explained but did feel a little rushed too. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Grief, and Murder

avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.25

    I truly enjoyed this book! While I didn't enjoy the author book I tried to read by this author, that may have been because I didn't realize it was book two in a series.
   Vera was a great protagonist, her and her newfound family's fumbling was humorous but the book still had serious undertones. It was a good mix of lighthearted & emotional. I laughed and I cried.
   I didn't guess the murderer until Vera figured it out, the author did a good job of disguising them with misdirection.
  My biggest complaint was that the book was a bit longer than I thought it needed. I can't wait for their next adventure!

Narrator Rating: 4.75 stars
  The narrator did an amazing job, I wish they'd done a full cast for this since it was told from many points of view. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug use, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Dementia, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Classism

The instances of child abuse were emotional abuse of a toddler. Nothing physically or sexually abusive towards a child is mentioned.

nightstitch96's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Violence, Medical content, and Grief

zoea08's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Gaslighting

Minor: Stalking

kenyahavejoy's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

I’m

kimberleyw12's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Grief

tey_lynn's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I have not loved a cast of characters this much in a LONG time. Especially Vera, she’s the type of person I admire in real life. Really enjoyable, quick and easy read. My favorite book I’ve read this year!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

k8lynn's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious sad fast-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

Adored this book. I want Vera as my grandmother♥️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting

thatsssorachael's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Murder

Moderate: Bullying, Violence, and Grief

Minor: Death of parent