Oh, Vera Wong, how I adore you! ❤️
This is the third installment in Jesse Q. Sutanto’s delightful Vera Wong series, and I will happily follow this hilarious, meddlesome, utterly endearing woman wherever her adventures take her!
Vera is a Chinese mother in her 60s who is smart, opinionated, occasionally arrogant, delightfully spicy, and sometimes hilariously critical of everyone around her. But beneath all that meddling is an enormous heart. She loves fiercely, and her particular brand of tough love is part of what makes her such an unforgettable character. And yes, she even has her own true-crime TikTok channel!
This time, Vera and her friend Winifred are off to Paris for a girls’ trip. Naturally, when a murder occurs at their Airbnb, Vera simply cannot resist getting involved. Before long, she and Winifred have assembled a colorful cast of suspects and taken it upon themselves to solve the crime. Throw in an art heist, plenty of French culture, and Vera’s trademark confidence in her own investigative abilities, and you’ve got one wonderfully entertaining adventure.
Now, here’s something I don’t often say about a cozy mystery series: You really need to read these books in order.
Ordinarily, I’m quick to reassure readers that they can jump into a series wherever they’d like, but not this time. My five-star rating comes with a caveat: I already know and absolutely adore Vera Wong. I’ve spent two books falling in love with her personality, her relationships, and her wonderfully unconventional approach to life. Without that history, I suspect this might feel like a fairly ordinary cozy mystery. But for those of us who have come to love Vera, getting another adventure with her feels like visiting an old friend.
And what a delightful visit it is!
If you’re already a Vera Wong fan, pick this one up the moment you have the opportunity. I certainly couldn’t wait to get back to her world, and I wasn’t disappointed.
As far as I’m concerned, Jesse Q. Sutanto can keep writing Vera Wong mysteries for as long as she likes, and I’ll keep showing up. Vera is funny, frustrating, clever, loving, and completely irresistible.
Thank you to Berkley for providing me with an electronic advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.
Book to be published 4/20/27
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