Cristen Beiver's Key Ideas from Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
by Jesse Q. Sutanto

She possesses excellent caregiving skills. Being a good leader inherently requires this skill to win the heart of the people.

In the story, whether the person is a stranger or not, she takes care of the people. It is this act that earns her many friends, including all her suspects who gradually become her newfound family throughout the plot. One instance is that she takes the lead in serving food to her friends, demonstrating her compassionate side. 

Being a good cook is like a cheat code to building friendships. It can build relationship with people, especially strangers.

When they first meet each other, Vera, while being the leader, cooked a large feast for everyone, which is what earned friendships among all of them. 

While it may seem like she's prying into other's affair, she is actually lovely and caring.

The most prominent example is the time when Vera moved to stay with Julia and Emma. While living with them, she demonstrated her compassionate side by genuinely caring about them. She encouraged Julia to pursue her dream and help Emma overcome introversion.

This is a powerful message from the protagonist. Often, we belittle ourselves, our jobs, or family, but from her, we can learn that no job is insignificant.

For example, when Julia secured a new job as a freelance photographer, she lacked confidence and downplayed its significance. However, Vera corrected her, saying, "You go and do this job proudly."