This week we are discussing Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Ch. 14-25.
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:
Michaela: Hello friends and welcome to our second discussion of Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto. We learned a little bit more in this section. Now that we know more I really don’t suspect any of these main characters much anymore. No one is feeling the right kind of guilt based on their inner monologues. Especially after Vera’s shop break in, I don’t think any of them did it considering all their horrified reactions to it. They all seem to care about Vera too.
Something I really loved in this section was all these little moments of cuteness or love. The bonding between Vera, Julia, and Emma is beautiful. Emma has really come out of her shell. Vera can really see what Julia is experiencing, she understands what Julia is thinking on the inside. Julia often will react to something Emma is doing in a way that she was programmed to by Marshall, but then Julia realizes she doesn’t actually believe in her initial reactions. Julia is literally deprogramming herself and adjusting to being the mom she wants to be rather than the one she was forced to be, it's so nice to see her growth happening so fast.
Jacilyn: The moments between Vera, Julia, and Emma are so lovely. Julia deserves to regain her love of photography and have something that’s hers. She’s not just Emma’s mom, and she’s always been more than Marshall’s wife. I also really enjoy seeing Oliver getting to know his niece and becoming friends with Julia again. He understands her way better than Marshall ever did. The quiet space tent????? That was so damn cute. This book is definitely giving me found family vibes at this point and I love it.
It was nice to finally learn what Sana’s connection to Marshall was. It’s no wonder she’s had such an art block. Marshall really was the slimiest, manipulative asshole and I have no doubt that he did something awful to Riki as well. We learn that Riki is good at woodworking… perhaps Marshall scammed him out of some art also? Or did he have some other scam going on?
Michaela: The Oliver and Emma moments are the cutest thing ever. The tent was amazing and now I want one too, he really gets Emma. But then also Emma explaining how to eat from a charcuterie board, ugh my whole heart felt that one.
Riki really is the only one I'm still confused about. Oliver a little bit too but mostly Riki. We know that Riki is the one who punched Marshall that night but why? Clearly Marshall is a slime ball but what specifically could he have done to Riki. Even in Riki’s inner monologue we’ve gotten minimal information….maybe I am still suspicious of him now that I think about it! But I still feel like I don’t know enough. Vera broke Sana down into telling the truth so the others will have to follow. Also, still not sure why Julia was so suspicious right at the beginning. I feel like it could be just because she feels that abuse based guilt Marshall taught her to constantly feel?
Marshall had a whole ass thing going for him though so he could have any number of people he double crossed or conned. He had a hidden laptop that could only be opened with a flash drive key, which is very paranoid behavior.
Jacilyn: I really don’t know what’s going on with Riki either, to be honest. I don’t think I’m suspicious of him but I am anxious for his truth to come out. I think Julia’s initial guilty reaction was probably a reaction to Marshall, but there could very well be a twist. I still don’t know whether I really think Marshall was murdered or not, still. He could have potentially been purposefully exposed to that bird dander, but it also could have been an accident. The part that’s getting me is Vera’s shop being broken into and trashed. That just seems too targeted to be a coincidence.
Michaela: Vera’s shop being broken into makes me think there’s another character out there who also had it out for Marshall that night. But also why did Marshall break into Vera’s shop? Was he just trying to hide the flash drive somewhere or was it something else? There’s still so many unanswered questions.
I also feel like I need to put on my tin foil hat for just a moment and point out the so very polite and kind neighbor Vera has as her only customer every day. But also what about Tilly? He’s only ever been involved by text message so we never get his whole reaction to things and it's all through Vera’s eyes. I’m not crossing him off the list. Too many questions and too many possibilities my friends! Mysteries drive me nuts trying to figure out the answer but I love ‘em! Until next time friends!
Comments