Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)

Ms. Sutanto strikes again, and it's another grand slam. 

Vera is up to her old antics again of meddling in people's lives, solving murders, and this time becoming a social media influencer to add to her growing life resume. 

This book takes a darker turn in subject matter than the last - human trafficking. This time, it's not only Vera's life that's in peril. 

Once again narrated by the charming and incomparable Eunice Wong, the book comes to life in the endearing technicolor we've come to love and associate with Vera. 

What cozy mysteries starring a mature detective do you recommend?

AMAZON

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.

The Tainted Cup

This is my first read by Mr. Bennett, and while it stands well on its own, I'm delighted to find that it's a first in a series. 

Get plunged into a world of secrets, lies, and murder all while the sky is about to fall in the form of a leviathan. 

Meet the perfectly captivating versions of Sherlock Holmes and Watson in the form of Dolabra and Kol. The cast is replete with eccentrics and distinctive people. Good luck keeping up with each twist and turn and Dolabra's shocking conclusions. If you can see them coming, send a note to the author about your brilliance. 

High praise to the audiobook narrator for a superb job bringing the book to life, which made the story experience delightful. 

AMAZON

In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree erupted from his body. Even here at the Empire’s borders, where contagions abound and the blood of the leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death both terrifying and impossible.

Assigned to investigate is Ana Dolabra, a detective whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. Rumor has it that she wears a blindfold at all times, and that she can solve impossible cases without even stepping outside the walls of her home.

At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance. Din is at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and he watches Ana’s mind leap from one startling deduction to the next, he must admit that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.

As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.

The Man Who Died Twice

Another round of fun for the murder club. 

This time one of their own is attacked and down for the count, and Elizabeth is calling in favors like she's won the lottery. 

We gain more insight to the characters' past, and we should all get to vote on whether Joyce should adopt Allen. 

Lots of charm, humor, and dead bodies to satisfy lovers of the first book. 

What mystery books do you like that feature seniors as the main characters?

AMAZON

Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim—the Thursday Murder Club—are still riding high off their recent real-life murder case and are looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet at Cooper’s Chase, their posh retirement village.

But they are out of luck.

An unexpected visitor—an old pal of Elizabeth’s (or perhaps more than just a pal?)—arrives, desperate for her help. He has been accused of stealing diamonds worth millions from the wrong men and he’s seriously on the lam.

Then, as night follows day, the first body is found. But not the last. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are up against a ruthless murderer who wouldn’t bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can our four friends catch the killer before the killer catches them? And if they find the diamonds, too? Well, wouldn’t that be a bonus? You should never put anything beyond the Thursday Murder Club.

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Everyone needs a Chinese grandma in their life, they just don't know it yet. 

A cozy mystery of the best kind. Ms. Sutanto does an extraordinary job of bringing together a collection of people who shouldn't fit together but do in the end. 

Call it fate, but really, call it Vera who during her investigation helps strangers form bonds that will last long after she solves the murder. 

This book was laugh out loud funny, with never a dull moment. 

Gold stars to the audiobook narrator for doing such a masterful job bringing Vera and the cast to life. I'll be hearing Vera in my head for months now. I only wish there recipes for the tea and dishes Vera makes. 

What recent book has made you laugh out loud? 

AMAZON

A lonely shopkeeper takes it upon herself to solve a murder in the most peculiar way in this captivating mystery by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.

Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady—ah, lady of a certain age—who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, oh no. She likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet about what her Gen-Z son is up to.

Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing—a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of . . . swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could, because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands. Vera knows the killer will be back for the flash drive; all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer.

What Vera does not expect is to form friendships with her customers and start to care for each and every one of them. As a protective mother hen, will she end up having to give one of her newfound chicks to the police?

Romano Family Romance Vol 1 Box Set

Ms. Whitney delivers all the feels in this novella. 

While we follow Knox and Jacinta through Portugal, we also get to meet the Romano family and kick off the series of clean and wholesome romances with some strong kisses in the mix. 

A satisfying read. 

Do you like travel romances or big family romances better? 

AMAZON

He's stranded without his passport. She's surrounded my meddling relatives. Love might have a chance… if her family stays out of it.

When Knox Campbell goes to Portugal for a short business trip, he never planned on losing his documents. Now he’s stranded in Porto, his passport lost, and his credit cards canceled. Unable to return to the US and without a place to stay, Knox turns to the travel agent who suggested the local day attractions for assistance.

Jacinta Romano loves helping her clients set up their dream trips, although she doesn’t usually meet the ones visiting from abroad. But all that changes when a client shows up at the agency while her meddling family are still there. They latch on to him immediately, insisting Jacinta bring him home while he’s stranded. Thankfully, he’s only staying until his new passport arrives and after two weeks of playing hostess, she’ll be glad to send him on his way. Or will she?

The Romano Family series follows the stories of the Romano cousins of northern Portugal as they find love and their Happily-Ever-Afters. Hold Me at Twilight is a stand-alone romance with a satisfying conclusion.

The Ruins of Gorlan

This was a book club pick and a good series starter. 

You can tell by the writing what era this was published, so be aware there's head hopping going on. If you're not used to that, it might throw you. 

Characters are likable, sympathetic, and the story unfolds in accordance with the hero's journey plot points hitting at the right places. 

What hero's journey books would you recommend?

AMAZON

They have always scared him in the past - the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied....

Here is the fantasy adventure that launched the Ranger's Apprentice series, an epic story of heroes and villains that has become an international phenomenon. Perfect for fans of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, T. H. White’s The Sword in the Stone, Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series, and George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1

This is my first read by Ms. Brower and it won't be my last. 

I wasn't far into the book when I reached the conclusion that it was impossible for the story to be wrapped up within the page count.  

That's when I discovered it was a series. Sigh. 

This is both good and detrimental. 

I want to listen to the rest, narrated by the wonderfully talented Ms. Gaunt, but not all of them are availble from my library. I shall have to look elsewhere. 

Our lovely Emma is a delight to read about through her journals, though there is quite a bit of explanation at the beginning, which for me slowed the pace more than I wished. 

I recommend having the series availble to binge read so you don't get left on a cliffhanger. 

Which ophaned girl series do you like? Why?

AMAZON

“I’ve arrived in London without incident. There are few triumphs in my recent life, but I count this as one. My existence of the last three years has been nothing but incident.”

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

Audiences have compared Beth Brower's writing to Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and L. M. Montgomery.

Narrated by Genevieve Gaunt.