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

emotional 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? No

3.5

A lighthearted, self-aware cozy mystery centred on the strong-willed, impulsive, and lonely empty-nester Vera Wong. After a man turns up dead in her tea shop and the police rudely refuse to drink her tea or behave like the police on her favourite crime shows, treating the death as as accident, she sets out to solve the 'murder' herself. Along the way she gathers a group of young 'suspects' who she grows to love and care for - even if she thinks the killer must be one of them. The novel is very descriptive about the Chinese food and teas Vera makes. In addition to a compassionate and humorous look at Vera, it delves into the internal struggles of each character coping with their own complex family relationships. 

I found it loses steam around the 3/4 mark and sort of treads water, still trying to focus on atmosphere while not knowing what to do with the plot. The child character who is supposed to be two becomes more of a focus, which I dislike. She is inconsistently precocious, being whatever the plot needs her to be, behaving anywhere from one to ten years old. But the ending is surprising and does tie it all neatly together, which I appreciate in a mystery. All in all, it was an enjoyable light read. 
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