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Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
140 reviews
fyre_flies's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Body shaming, Vomit, and Dementia
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.
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.
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.
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.kparker628's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
katsmedialibrary's review against another edition
5.0
LOVE
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
ivi_reads_books's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.25
I loved the depiction of the Chinese auntie-type protagonist who is overbearing and strict but deep down funny and loving.
Making one of the characters out to be pure evil didn't sit well with me. Would have enjoyed more nuance
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for this ecopy
Making one of the characters out to be pure evil didn't sit well with me. Would have enjoyed more nuance
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for this ecopy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, and Dementia
perfectcupoftea's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Absolutely charming read! Good vibes even with the death. Love the characters and the food details.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Minor: Drug use, Stalking, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Deportation
pinkish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think this is an interesting and fun book, and I personally was surprised by the resolution of the murder! (A smarter person than I could probably guess it)
It definitely loses points for me just because I find the dated references and gen z/millennial humor and references are HARD to stomach. It's worse even when the bits are explained. It really feels like listening to someone explain an unfunny joke and it's definitely made me grit my teeth while I listened to the book. It may be a minor issue and I might be harsh, but I really disliked that.
Other than that the characters are sweet, fun and well rounded and most of the book I had a good time and even laughed out loud at points. A good read :)
It definitely loses points for me just because I find the dated references and gen z/millennial humor and references are HARD to stomach. It's worse even when the bits are explained. It really feels like listening to someone explain an unfunny joke and it's definitely made me grit my teeth while I listened to the book. It may be a minor issue and I might be harsh, but I really disliked that.
Other than that the characters are sweet, fun and well rounded and most of the book I had a good time and even laughed out loud at points. A good read :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
campredwood's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Violence, Medical content, and Grief