This week we are discussing Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Ch. 1-13.
Content Warning!!! This book contains situations and subjects related to: murder/death, dead body, violence, emotional abuse, domestic abuse, bullying and panic attacks/disorders.
Spoiler Warning!!! This post is full of spoilers for Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto.
Discussion:
Jacilyn: Hello friends and welcome to the first discussion of Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto. This is a cozy mystery about an elderly Chinese woman named Vera who is trying to solve the murder of a man found dead in her tea shop. I was honestly kind of surprised at how many characters we’ve had the perspective of so far! I’m still trying to keep everyone straight in my brain. Vera as a character sometimes grates at me and other times charms the heck out of me. I don’t think she always treats people the best, particularly her son, but I also recognize the ways in which Vera’s culture is different from ours - particularly when it comes to dynamics between elders and those younger than them.
Michaela: I’m really glad this book has multiple perspectives because only having Vera the entire time would drive me absolutely insane. Riki’s inner monologue talks about how in Chinese culture respect is a river that only flows one direction, and that direction is towards elders. I grew up in a similar culture in the way that elders thought they automatically deserve respect no matter their actions simply because they are the elders. I just can not exist in that culture anymore, respect for me is earned in all directions. So Vera does bother me a lot especially with how much she says “young people these days…” then continues to complain that young people know nothing. It drives me nuts. She does this then proceeds to call her son specifically to ask about how a type of technology works. Like ma’am….the hypocrisy is running rampant here. But that being said Vera’s son is the exact same person Vera is. Vera definitely picks on him but he clearly has always picked on her as well, but at the same time he obviously learned it from her.
Vera’s character can be really annoying and then also so endearing. This section ended in a scene with each main character eating Vera’s food. She can see what these people need and knows the perfect food for them. What an amazing and nurturing skill. Then the way she brought Emma out of her shell which proceeds to show Julia she doesn’t need to control Emma for her own protection against Marshall. Ugh…broke my heart in all the ways.
Jacilyn: That scene was so lovely. Knowing that Julia and Oliver were best friends, that Oliver has always loved Julia, makes me ship them real hard. Maybe I shouldn’t, considering that Marshall was just murdered and all, but frankly he was a piece of shit and seems to have treated everyone badly. Julia, Emma, and Oliver all deserve better than Marshall and seem to actually take delight in each other’s company. I do enjoy Vera’s way of bringing everyone together. She really does read people well in some ways… and then is oblivious to people’s mannerisms in other ways.
I’m not sure that I expect any of the characters to be the murderer at this point. I know the story is being written to induce some suspicion in us, with all Vera’s suspects feeling guilt of some kind related to Marshall’s death. I just don’t see it being any of them. Hell, maybe it wasn’t even a murder. I am curious to know Riki and Sana’s connection to Marshall. It almost seems like Sana might be looking for the flash drive? Perhaps that’s what could vindicate her?
Michaela: I can for sure see this turning into an accidental death or his death being a health complication or something, so technically none of the suspects are at fault. But right now everyone is keeping something secret, even Julia was lying to Oliver at the end of this section which up until then I didn’t suspect her at all. We need a lot more information before I can have any theory at all really. So far I like all the characters and their interactions with each other. Oh I am suspicious of Vera’s only regular, simply because he’s in the story and I have nothing else to do but be suspicious! The only thing I agree with Vera on so far is everyone is indeed being suspicious and also the police for sure did not do a good enough job.
I am enjoying the aesthetics of Vera’s shop though! I would go there all the time, what a cool place. I hope that somehow this mystery leads to her shop growing or changing in some way to bring people in. She is definitely a character and so is her tea shop, which actually would draw in a lot of young people if she opened her mind just a little bit.
Jacilyn: I hope so, too. It’s clear the tea shop is important to Vera, and maybe if she can focus on that she can give Tilly some space, and perhaps their relationship can grow a bit.
Well, friends, that’s it for this first discussion! We’ll see you back here next week as we continue the story.
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