Vera Wong's Guide to Dating a Dead Man - by Jesse Q Sutanto

About the Book

"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 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 catsitting at Tilly and Selena's, Vera finds a treasure trove: 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"--

Book Synopsis

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 trove: 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 all: 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.

Review Quotes

"I appreciate the recent uptick in books featuring sleuths of a seasoned age, particularly ones as prickly, opinionated and delightful as Vera Wong.... Further adventures cannot arrive fast enough."--The New York Times

"Like its predecessor, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (2023), it's a fun mystery with heart."--AARP

"Packed with humor, heart and suspense, Sutanto proves once again that no crime--or nosy auntie--is too big to handle."--Seattle Times

"Vera is a hoot. She simply will not mind her own business, and while the book attributes that tenacity to her Chinese heritage and upbringing, anyone who's experienced (or had) that 'Nevertheless, she persisted' vibe will relate."--Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Every bit as charming as Sutanto's fiest Wong book."--Boston Globe

"Everything that made the first book such a treat - found family, generosity, outstanding food - and ups the stakes with a grounded mystery... the sequel I have longed for."--Christian Science Monitor

"A warmhearted valentine to the families built by the heroine--and an exposé of the costs of false families everywhere."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Hilarious, heartwarming... Fans of Vera Wong will be delighted to experience more laugh-out-loud funny moments with the dedicated amateur sleuth and her found family."--Library Journal, starred review

"Prodigious Sutanto presents a second delicious serving of her Vera Wong mysteries.... Sutanto manages to craft another sumptuous, mysterious feast."--Booklist

"Laugh-out-loud antics from the nosy, no-nonsense Vera keep the plot moving at a steady clip.... Sutanto's lively storytelling will keep readers on the hook for Vera's next case."--Publishers Weekly

"Vera is a standout character: She's wholly original, deeply funny and committed to her found family... An exceptional cozy, full of humor and heart."--BookPage

"Vera is still a fun and lovable character, but here she takes on some challenging social issues. In other words, Vera grows. And readers will be happy to follow her."--First Clue

"If you're looking for an entertaining, heartwarming, and funny cozy mystery with a mature protagonist and a dark and serious undertone, I highly recommend this book."--Mystery & Suspense Magazine

"A genuine treat for the legions of cozy mystery fans . . . deftly crafted and fun to read from cover to cover."--Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Jesse Q. Sutanto is the award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of the Aunties series, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, I'm Not Done with You Yet, and You Will Never Be Me. Her young adult titles include The Obsession and Well, That Was Unexpected, and her children's fantasy series is Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit. She has a master's degree from Oxford University and a bachelor's from the University of California, Berkeley. She currently lives in Jakarta with her husband and two young daughters.