Publication Date: 16th March 2023
Genre: Contemporary Humorous Cozy Mystery
4 Stars
One Liner: Read it as women’s fiction with a mystery thrown in
Vera Wong is a sixty-year-old self-proclaimed tea expert. Her tea shop is her pride, never mind that it barely has any customers now. However, Vera stumbles upon a dead body in her shop, and it gives her the best chance to put her detective skills to use. And not to mention, dole out advice to youngsters who may or may not need it.
Knowing the police are likely to mess up, Vera is determined to get to the bottom of the case. If the man had to die in her tea shop, the least she could do is solve the case, isn’t it? Vera is having a time of her life, listing suspects and ordering them around like school kids.
The story comes in a limited third-person POV of multiple characters.
What I Like:
The opening sets the tone for the rest of the book and pretty much sustains it throughout. The humor keeps things from going too deep. While this isn’t always a plus, it is a good move for the book (and the genre).
Vera is such a delightful character. She is annoying and doesn’t have a sense of boundaries, but she is adorable, loving, and someone you want on your side (even if you plan to commit a murder). She is a mom first, and it is evident in her character arc. As an Asian (Indian), I think Vera has been crafted very well and acts much like a woman of her age.
The book shows the lives of first-gen and second-gen immigrants with a light touch. The setting reminded me of Joy Luck Club, but this one is more lighthearted and easy on the reader. The pacing is steady in this one, so that’s another plus.
There’s an Indian character and an Indonesian character, and both have solid roles in the plot. Finally, a book where I know the character is Indian but not way too stereotypical. Another bonus is that the book handles the Asian aspects well.
There’s loads of food. Though I’m a vegetarian, and most dishes are meat-based, I do love it when food plays an integral part in the plot. It brings people together in different ways.
The ending ties up things well. There may or may not be a sequel, though I won’t say no to one. Vera Wong is too big a character to be limited to a single book.
What Could Have Been Better for Me:
The mystery, as such, is a little weak. This is too cozy even for a cozy mystery. Of course, we have a dead body and Vera actively interfering with the lives of potential suspects. But the mystery is more of a tool to bring the characters together. Once I adjusted my expectations, I could enjoy the book a lot more.
The reveal is a bit weak. It may or may not work, depending on what the readers prefer. For me, it is okay. I see the reasoning, but I want something a little more intense.
Emma is an adorable two-year-old. However, sometimes, she seems more like a four-year-old. I’m not sure (haven’t been around kids of that age), but her character arc doesn’t seem smooth. The kid is a darling, though.
To summarize, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is a fun book with plenty of laugh-out-loud and eye-roll moments. It is a lighthearted yet heartwarming read with a mystery thrown in.
Thank you, NetGalley and HQ, for the eARC.
#NetGalley #VeraWongsUnsolicitedAdviceforMurderers
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P.S.: I saw a few reviewers wondering why Vera is called old when she is only sixty. Age is subjective and has different classifications in different cultures.
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