REVIEWS

Josephine Lace

This is one of those wonderful books that once you have started you don’t want to put it down, and once read you wish you hadn’t finished. Vera Wong, 69 year old Chinese tea expert, is a multi faceted character. At first she appears to be a domineering woman who expects far too much of people, but once you get to know her you realise she has a heart of gold and only wants the best for everyone. This book is very unusual in that even though it is a murder mystery, you get totally caught up with the characters in the book and their lives. The victim is a very unpleasant character whose main aim in life seems to have been to destroy other people’s lives. Vera not only manages to solve the murder, but in the process manages to improve the lives of those badly affected by the victim, all except the murderer that is. You don’t find out “who did it” until the last couple of pages, and I had no idea who the culprit was. I cannot recommend the book highly enough. A superb read.

Sue Wright

This book is classed as a 'cosy murder mystery', that is not entirely true. The basic plot follows along accepted lines, but it is much more convoluted than that. Although it is Vera's story, it is narrated by five people (Vera and her four suspects). Vera is an older Chinese woman who finds a body in her tea shop. She is disappointed with the police response and decides she can do better. She lures the suspects to return to the scene and then manipulates and bullies them into proving their innocence. Much of the complexity relies on the relationships between the characters and how they have been used by the victim, giving them all a motive. Vera comes across as an interfering mother knows best type of woman who finally discovers the right murderer after accusing everyone else.

Brian Whiteside

This is a really enjoyable read. The story is well plotted out, and it's an enjoyable mystery, with many parts that made me chuckle. The range of characters are each brought into the story in a clear and interesting way, and not too many of them; and all the characters we meet are ones that eventually are easy to like. It seems to me that we all could do with a Vera in our lives. She is a marvel.

Janet Maxted

An easy, pleasant read. All the characters were nice (except one). Vera, the titular heroine, is basically an Asian superwoman. By this I do not mean she wears tight spandex, but that she did everything effortlessly – cooking, childcare, leadership etc. She is also a bit of a stereotype. Probably a nightmare in real life. The plot is a murder mystery, but the murder is really a plot device to bring together a small group of people who are all damaged in some way and let Vera help to make them happy. Everyone at the end is happier than at the start. Read this for a relaxing escape from real life.

William Hillocks

This book wouldn't be my normal choice of crime story. I prefer the more hard bitten world weary type of detective/ private eye like Phillip Kerr's Bernie Gunther and the laconic humour but overall the book and it's character of Vera are quirky and an easy read. The book pokes fun at itself and allows the reader to laugh both at and with its characters. Throughout the novel Vera’s teahouse as a quaint example of gentrification as compared to the more popular coffee shop. Vera’s shop is only frequented by one customer, and she opens her shop daily just to sit and wait until closing. The writing is eccentric, with humour ranging from dry to absurd and the novel’s humour and imagery pulls the reader into the story, although her constant pop culture references and inclusion of some of the slang pulls them right out. Amusing but not exactly an Asian Mrs. Marple.

Clare Wilson

If you like Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, then you will certainly enjoy this book. But if you favour the Lee Child / James Patterson type of crime books, you will find this a bit lame. As an easy going holiday read I found it quite fun. It is very much a book about the interaction of the various characters and the story makes you care about what happens to them throughout the book. The author describes them now and in the past very succinctly and you feel you know someone just like that. The chapters are laid out per character so it is really easy to follow the plot. As an aside you also learn a lot about what ailments that various components of Chinese Teas can cure and the book is full of references to meals and food, so don’t read it when you are hungry. You will also pick up child care and match making tips along the way too. So I thoroughly recommend this book as an easy fun holiday read and it only lasted me for the first three days of our Lyon to Provence trip last week.

Russell Johns

Vera Wongs first foray as a sleuth with a crime to solve, literally in her own back garden, is a funny, light hearted story, very different to the usual gritty or procedural novels in the crime genre. Here we have an amusing main character who is strong willed yet kind, cunning yet vulnerable and who scares the pants off the people she meets. The ups and downs, twists and turns of the story unfold through chapters dedicated to each of the main characters. This allows events to be seen through their eyes, and for their history and secrets to be shared as each must face Vera’s unique approach to the investigation. Bringing richness and colour to character development in the narrative, one minute you suspect a character and the next you like and sympathise with them. Vera’s scheming doesn’t quite run as smoothly as she hoped, but the final twist works very well. Will you see it coming? There are a few Americanisms you may need to google, and if the book ever becomes a film, then actress Michelle Yeoh would be perfect to play Vera. A Highly Recommended holiday read.

Sue Short

I found this book an easy delightful read. It was written from the various character’s viewpoints & the way Jess Sutanto linked them all to the murder was believable. Having acted in a few Murder Mysteries, I could see this easily adapted for the stage. I will be reading her other books.