The front cover of Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers features a quote from author Elle Cosimano: “This book is comfort food for the soul.” I couldn’t agree more. I remember distinctly being grumpy when I tucked myself into bed, propped up against a pile of pillows. By the end of chapter two, my mood had lifted, and I was smiling and snuggling deeper into my pillows as I continued reading.

Vera Wong owns a dark and somewhat shabby tea shop that, despite its officious name, is far from famous in the San Francisco Bay area. A widow, she runs the shop alone and keeps a watchful eye on her only son, Tilbert. Vera only has one customer per day, and it certainly isn’t the dead man sprawled across the floor.

Crime show expert Vera draws an outline around the body, swipes the UBS drive from his hand, and then calls the police. Unimpressed with their handling of the case, Vera launches an investigation. Her suspects conveniently present themselves at the tea shop, and Vera dives in. Soon, she has inserted herself into the lives of her four suspects, and the more she gets to know them, the less she wants any of them to turn out to be a killer.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is a delightful book. It is smart, witty, and funny, a wonderful story that took me by surprise.