Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jesse Q Sutanto Series: Vera Wong #2
Published by Berkley on April 1, 2025
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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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 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.
San Francisco’s most adorable snoop is back and delving into the death of an online influencer who’s an off-line enigma. Jesse Sutanto’s Vera Wong captured my heart and funny bone in the first book so I didn’t hesitate to reach for this latest.
Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping is the second book in a series. The cozy mystery is standalone, but the set up and some of the characters carry over from the first book so I think it reads best in order.
After solving her first case, no longer lonely in her tea shop, and seeing her son in a happy relationship, Vera’s a little bored and ready for a new case. She starts to hope for a murder- her fate delivers a scam instead. But, wait… Her kind heart feels badly for a poor young woman who is upset about a missing friend. While doing a little favor for Tilly and Selena, Vera notices the motherlode of treasures- Det. Selena Gray has left her briefcase open for prime snooping and Vera is startled to notice that Selena’s latest case file has a picture of the guy her new friend claims is missing.
Xander Lin’s body was found in Mission Bay. He’s known online for his lux travel, fashion, and growing following, but in real life this guy is a ghost. Vera starts pooling the found family, suspects, witnesses, and her tea lady expertise to help dear Selena with her case. And, the depth of this case when it is solved is bigger than a murder case.
I knew what to expect this go around so it didn’t have the surprise power of the first book, but Guide to Snooping was still full of Vera’s brand of fun sticking her nose into it detecting, gathering an eclectic group of found family, delicious food and tea, and a sixty-something woman who is the heart of the story even with a mystery to solve. I just couldn’t get enough of Vera and caught the giggles a few times. Selena is no more interested in Vera’s interference in her case than she was the first time. She’s also got a warmth and caring nature beyond her curiosity about people and murder that draws people in. It’s a little over the top when it comes to crime investigation, but in the good way of a cozy mystery. The serious nature of the murder case and that it’s based in real life had my heart aching when it all comes out.
I really hope this is a series now. Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping was absolutely fabulous. You really don’t want to miss this Asian American amateur sleuth and humorous cozy mystery for her to solve.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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- Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jesse Q. Sutanto @thewritinghippo @berkleypub.bsky.social@sophiarose1816 @Berkley - April 2, 2025
- Two Truths and a Lie by Cory O’Brien @bettermyths.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social @sophiarose1816 - March 26, 2025
- 🎧 Candy Apples and Clairvoyants by Danielle Garrett @daniellegarrett.bsky.social #AmandaRonconi @tantoraudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks #KindleUnlimited @sophiarose1816 @authordgarrett @TantorAudio - March 23, 2025
This sounds like fun! Vera seems like a great character, and I love that she’s “hoping for a murder” lol.
Vera’s a hoot! She’s just that outlandish, but she really cares about helping people.
I really need to start this series! Glad you’re loving it, Sophia💜
Oh Jonetta! You won’t regret it when you do. 🙂
So I read Dial A for Aunties and didn’t really like it because it was too silly and outrageous. You mention this one is a little over the top – is it similar to the Aunties series? Thanks!
Similar in the sense that Vera is a big personality, but not as screwball comedy because there is a serious mystery side, too. So dampened down on the over the top stuff a little more.
Yes.. I adore Vera! Gret review Sophia!
Vera for the win! 🙂 Thanks, Kimberly!
This sounds fun and the mystery sounds really good.
Vera books are a blast. She just cracks me up.
I love Vera! The scene where she takes Robin bra shopping was so sweet and funny. You just can’t help but love her – even if you want to hide from her.
Oh yeah! I think in real life she’d scare the bejeebers out of me not knowing what she’d say and do next, but she’s hilarious reading about.