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A review by blubonby
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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 seen someone talking about loving it so I gave it a go and I'm so glad I did.
I didn't know what to expect going in and I honestly wasn't sure I would like it as I don't typically read murder mysteries, but it was pitched as a feel good murder mystery with found family between a elderly woman who decides to become a DIY investigator and her suspects, which sounded like a fun time to me.
Although it's supposed to be a murder mystery, it doesnt really feel like a serious one. The characters, their growth and the bonds they form with eachother is really the main focus of the story and the mystery, while definitely present, takes more of a back seat, which I didn’t mind.
Vera, the DIY investigator, is a very stubborn, old Chinese lady who is a bit overbearing and I wasn't sure I'd be into her character, but there's something so endearing about her and I found I couldn't help but love her more and more as I read. She frequently did or said things that just had me shaking my head, or verbally saying "Oh, Vera, no." but I found it added to her charm.
The other characters, her suspects, all seem to be hiding something and are a bit suspicious in the beginning, but the more we see of them the more fleshed out they get and the more I found myself loving, caring and rooting for each of them.
I absolutely adored the found family aspect that went on, especially because the group is such a random selection of people, but it just worked. Vera become a mother like figure and slowly but surely is helping each of the characters heal, whilst unknowingl being healed herself by the bonds she's forming with the characters.
Ultimately the more I read the more I wanted to read, I found the characters captivating and loved to see each of their growths and the friendships form from such a strange situation.
TLDR Loved it. A very character focused, lighthearded, murder mystery (that's sort of light on the murder mystery part), with well done characters.
I didn't know what to expect going in and I honestly wasn't sure I would like it as I don't typically read murder mysteries, but it was pitched as a feel good murder mystery with found family between a elderly woman who decides to become a DIY investigator and her suspects, which sounded like a fun time to me.
Although it's supposed to be a murder mystery, it doesnt really feel like a serious one. The characters, their growth and the bonds they form with eachother is really the main focus of the story and the mystery, while definitely present, takes more of a back seat, which I didn’t mind.
Vera, the DIY investigator, is a very stubborn, old Chinese lady who is a bit overbearing and I wasn't sure I'd be into her character, but there's something so endearing about her and I found I couldn't help but love her more and more as I read. She frequently did or said things that just had me shaking my head, or verbally saying "Oh, Vera, no." but I found it added to her charm.
The other characters, her suspects, all seem to be hiding something and are a bit suspicious in the beginning, but the more we see of them the more fleshed out they get and the more I found myself loving, caring and rooting for each of them.
I absolutely adored the found family aspect that went on, especially because the group is such a random selection of people, but it just worked. Vera become a mother like figure and slowly but surely is helping each of the characters heal, whilst unknowingl being healed herself by the bonds she's forming with the characters.
Ultimately the more I read the more I wanted to read, I found the characters captivating and loved to see each of their growths and the friendships form from such a strange situation.
TLDR Loved it. A very character focused, lighthearded, murder mystery (that's sort of light on the murder mystery part), with well done characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Stalking