Title: VERA WONG’S GUIDE TO SNOOPING ON A DEAD MAN
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
ISBN: 9780593546260
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 325
Source: Private Copy
Ever since a man was found dead in Vera’s teahouse, life has been good. For Vera that is. She’s surrounded by loved ones, her shop is bustling, and best of all, her son, Tilly, has a girlfriend! All thanks to Vera, because Tilly’s girlfriend is none other than Officer Selena Gray. The very same Officer Gray that she had harassed while investigating the teahouse murder. Still, Vera wishes more dead bodies would pop up in her shop, but one mustn’t be ungrateful, even if one is slightly…bored.
Then Vera comes across a distressed young woman who is obviously in need of her kindly guidance. The young woman is looking for a missing friend. Fortunately, while cat-sitting at Tilly and Selena’s, Vera finds a treasure in Selena’s briefcase. Inside is a file about the death of an enigmatic influencer—who also happens to be the friend that the young woman was looking for.
Online, Xander had it a parade of private jets, fabulous parties with socialites, and a burgeoning career as a social media influencer. The only problem is, after his body is fished out of Mission Bay, the police can’t seem to actually identify him. Who is Xander Lin? Nobody knows. Every contact is a dead end. Everybody claims not to know him, not even his parents.
Vera is determined to solve Xander’s murder. After all, doing so would surely be a big favor to Selena, and there is nothing she wouldn’t do for her future daughter-in-law.
Official Summary
BUDDY READ
26 August 2025
Zelda’s Review
Vera Wong is back! This had to be our Buddy Read for August. I think Vera may be one of my favourite fictional characters. I love this lady. Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man is an absolute delight! From the very first page, I was swept back into Vera’s world, where her sharp wit, unfiltered commentary, and meddling ways somehow always lead her straight into the heart of a mystery.
This time, Vera stumbles upon the curious case of Xander Lin, a supposed influencer with a life that doesn’t quite add up. The police may be stumped, but Vera—with her unmatched nosiness and sense of justice—is determined to uncover the truth. What I love most is that she doesn’t just dig into secrets; she brings people together, offering comfort, guidance, and, of course, unsolicited advice along the way.
The balance between humour and heart is what makes this series shine. I laughed at Vera’s antics, I adored her fierce loyalty to her son, Tilly and his girlfriend Selena, and I found myself deeply invested in the mystery of Xander’s identity. Sutanto has a way of making her characters feel larger than life, yet wonderfully relatable, and Vera remains one of the most charming amateur sleuths I’ve ever read.
This book had everything I hoped for—quirky humour, a clever mystery, and a heroine who proves that age is no barrier to adventure. It’s the kind of story that leaves you smiling long after you close the book. If you loved Vera Wong’s first outing, you’re in for a real treat with this one.
An absolute must-read for cosy mystery fans—Vera Wong has once again stolen my heart (and solved the case, naturally).
Alicia’s Review
So, Jesse Q. Sutanto did it again. This book was such a fun and cosy mystery, but also had some serious stuff in it. Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) is the second book in the series, and honestly, I did enjoy the first one more, but this one was still just as good.
Vera’s life is going great after solving that first murder; her shop is busy, her son Tilly is dating Selena, and she’s got people around her who care about her. But the thing is… she’s kinda bored. Then she meets this girl, Millie, who’s looking for her missing friend. Soon, Vera finds out his body has been found in the bay, and of course, she decides she’s going to solve the case herself.
Vera is seriously one of the funniest characters ever. She’s nosey, clever, and always pretending to be a little old lady who doesn’t know what’s going on, when in reality she knows everything. I love how new characters are introduced, but we still see people from the first book.
The mystery is fun with twists and turns, and the story is about family, friendships, secrets, and even some sad stuff like loneliness. Plus, the parts with tea, food, and all the cosy vibes made it even better.
Overall, this book was funny, warm, and actually weirdly emotional too. I couldn’t stop reading because I kept wanting to know what Vera would find out next. I have checked out other books by the author, and I really want to read more of her work. I am enjoying this new genre of funny light mysteries that is forming. I think anyone who is a fan of the first book or books like Finnlay Donovan by Elle Cosimano would love this. I think they all fall under this new genre starting to form.
Also by Jesse Q. Sutanta
VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS
Put the kettle on, there’s a mystery brewing…
Tea-shop owner. Matchmaker. Detective?
Sixty-year-old self-proclaimed tea expert Vera Wong enjoys nothing more than sipping a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy ‘detective’ work on the internet (AKA checking up on her son to see if he’s dating anybody yet).
But when Vera wakes up one morning to find a dead man in the middle of her tea shop, it’s going to take more than a strong Longjing to fix things. Knowing she’ll do a better job than the police possibly could – because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands – Vera decides it’s down to her to catch the killer.
Nobody spills the tea like this amateur sleuth.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Jakarta and Singapore and sees both cities as her homes. She has a Masters degree from Oxford University, though she has yet to figure out a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious. She is currently living back in Jakarta on the same street as her parents and about seven hundred meddlesome aunties. When she’s not tearing out her hair over her latest WIP, she spends her time baking and playing FPS games. Oh, and also being a mom to her two kids.
Thank you to Alicia for suggesting the first Vera Wong book as a buddy read last year. I love this quirky character – this is a light, easy read that makes a great buddy read book. I hope you enjoy this one as well. Until next time… Happy Reading!
