Monday, April 7, 2025

Blog Tour Review: Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Deadman) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

 
Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Deadman) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Deadman) (Vera Wong #2) by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Publication Date: April 1st 2025 by Berkley Books
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher 
Rating: 

My Thoughts:
Vera’s life is full with family and friends since the last story, but she’s maybe just a bit bored. However, things change when she spies a distressed young woman, Millie, outside the police station. Millie’s friend, Thomas, a social media influencer, is missing, and the case intersects with one that Detective Selena Gray, her soon to be daughter-in-law (according to Vera), is working on.
 
In her investigation Vera comes across several new people who need her wise advice and mothering. I love Vera’s no-nonsense approach to other people’s problems! She’s hilarious and usually right. She also had an abundance of understanding and sympathy for her new friends, and they needed it!
 
Vera Wong’s Guide for Snooping on a Dead Man had a lot of laugh-out-loud moments but also dealt with a serious and troubling issue that is so prevalent today! I enjoyed reading the author’s note describing the real event that inspired the plot for Vera’s latest caper. The ending hinted at another story to come for Vera. I look forward to it!

4 Stars


Book Description:

Vera Wong is back and as meddling as ever in this follow-up to the hit Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

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.

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.


19 comments:

  1. I've only heard good things about this book. I still need to read the first one! Hopefully soon. :D

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    1. It's a fun series, Lark! I hope you get to it sometime! :)

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  2. These sound fun! Sophia has been reviewing these.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  3. I loved the first book and look forward to reading this one. I am glad you enjoyed it!

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  4. Yes, loved that hint at a travel adventure and case for Vera. Glad you enjoyed this second one, too.

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  5. Sounds good. I haven't read this author.

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  6. This sounds like such a cute series. Vera's approach to life and the problems of others sounds very similar to my late great-grandmother's personality. She was no-nonsense to the core but also incredibly loving.

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    1. My grandmother was the same! You could tell her anything and she'd have the most practical, wise advice. Sometimes you didn't want to hear it, but she was right most of the time. I miss her so. I think you'd love Vera!

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  7. Agreed. Relevant, but funny and heartwarming too.

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    1. Yes, this was a mix of funny and serious! I look forward to her next adventure!

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  8. It feels like ages I read a LOL book.

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  9. I love Vera so much! Glad to hear she still brings the funny.

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    1. Have you read this one yet, Sam? I look forward to your thoughts!

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  10. Great review, Rachel. I loved the first one and am happy to hear this one is just as humorous and Vera's no nonsense personality is still there.

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