BooksThe Good, the Bad, and the Aunties
What should have been a family celebration of Chinese New Year descends into chaos when longtime foes crash the party in this hilariously entertaining novel by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.
After an ultra-romantic honeymoon across Europe, Meddy Chan and her husband Nathan have landed in Jakarta to spend Chinese New Year with her entire extended family. Chinese New Year, already the biggest celebration of the Lunar calendar, gets even more festive when a former beau of Second Aunt’s shows up at the Chan residence bearing extravagant gifts—he’s determined to rekindle his romance with Second Aunt and the gifts are his way of announcing his courtship.
His grand gesture goes awry however, when it’s discovered that not all the gifts were meant for Second Aunt and the Chans—one particular gift was intended for a business rival to cement their alliance and included by accident. Of course the Aunties agree that it’s only right to return the gift—after all, anyone would forgive an honest mistake, right? But what should have been a simple retrieval turns disastrous and suddenly Meddy and the Aunties are helpless pawns in a decades-long war between Jakarta’s most powerful business factions. The fighting turns personal, however, when Nathan and the Aunties are endangered and it’s up to Meddy to come up with a plan to save them all. Determined to rescue her loved ones, Meddy embarks on an impossible mission—but with the Aunties by her side, nothing is truly impossible…
What should have been a family celebration of Chinese New Year descends into chaos when longtime foes crash the party in this hilariously entertaining novel by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.
After an ultra-romantic honeymoon across Europe, Meddy Chan and her husband Nathan have landed in Jakarta to spend Chinese New Year with her entire extended family. Chinese New Year, already the biggest celebration of the Lunar calendar, gets even more festive when a former beau of Second Aunt’s shows up at the Chan residence bearing extravagant gifts—he’s determined to rekindle his romance with Second Aunt and the gifts are his way of announcing his courtship.
His grand gesture goes awry however, when it’s discovered that not all the gifts were meant for Second Aunt and the Chans—one particular gift was intended for a business rival to cement their alliance and included by accident. Of course the Aunties agree that it’s only right to return the gift—after all, anyone would forgive an honest mistake, right? But what should have been a simple retrieval turns disastrous and suddenly Meddy and the Aunties are helpless pawns in a decades-long war between Jakarta’s most powerful business factions. The fighting turns personal, however, when Nathan and the Aunties are endangered and it’s up to Meddy to come up with a plan to save them all. Determined to rescue her loved ones, Meddy embarks on an impossible mission—but with the Aunties by her side, nothing is truly impossible…
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4 books in catalog
Blending humorous family dynamics with cozy murder mysteries and romance, the Dial A for Aunties book series brought a distinct comedic voice to contemporary crime fiction. Chinese-Indonesian author Jesse Q. Sutanto gained widespread acclaim for her clever stories that explore vibrant cultural settings, chaotic family bonds, and unexpected sleuthing. Her body of work spans multiple categories, including adult contemporary fiction, young adult romantic comedies, and dark thrillers such as You Will Never Be Me.
Jesse Q. Sutanto grew up moving between Jakarta, Singapore, and Oxford, considering all three locations her home. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley in 2006, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Oxford in 2009—an achievement she playfully jokes about making her whole personality. Returning to Indonesia, Sutanto lives with her husband, her two daughters, and a large extended family that includes forty-two first cousins and thirty aunts and uncles living nearby.
Sutanto became a USA Today bestselling author following the publication of her breakout adult novel, Dial A for Aunties (2021). The novel won the 2021 Comedy Women in Print Prize and was optioned for a film adaptation by Netflix following a competitive auction. Her popular cozy mystery Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (2023) earned the 2024 Edgar Award for Best Original Paperback, along with an Audie Award and a Libby Award, confirming her standing across adult, young adult, and middle-grade fiction.
Sutanto's writing is recognized for its rapid pacing, sharp situational humor, and authentic representation of Chinese-Indonesian culture. Her stories frequently feature tight-knit, multi-generational families, overbearing yet deeply supportive aunties, and relatable protagonists thrust into high-stakes or chaotic situations. Whether writing lighthearted rom-coms set in Jakarta and Bali or suspenseful thrillers exploring social media obsession, she balances dark or chaotic circumstances with warmth and strong community ties.
4 books in catalog
Blending humorous family dynamics with cozy murder mysteries and romance, the Dial A for Aunties book series brought a distinct comedic voice to contemporary crime fiction. Chinese-Indonesian author Jesse Q. Sutanto gained widespread acclaim for her clever stories that explore vibrant cultural settings, chaotic family bonds, and unexpected sleuthing. Her body of work spans multiple categories, including adult contemporary fiction, young adult romantic comedies, and dark thrillers such as You Will Never Be Me.
Jesse Q. Sutanto grew up moving between Jakarta, Singapore, and Oxford, considering all three locations her home. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley in 2006, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Oxford in 2009—an achievement she playfully jokes about making her whole personality. Returning to Indonesia, Sutanto lives with her husband, her two daughters, and a large extended family that includes forty-two first cousins and thirty aunts and uncles living nearby.
Sutanto became a USA Today bestselling author following the publication of her breakout adult novel, Dial A for Aunties (2021). The novel won the 2021 Comedy Women in Print Prize and was optioned for a film adaptation by Netflix following a competitive auction. Her popular cozy mystery Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (2023) earned the 2024 Edgar Award for Best Original Paperback, along with an Audie Award and a Libby Award, confirming her standing across adult, young adult, and middle-grade fiction.
Sutanto's writing is recognized for its rapid pacing, sharp situational humor, and authentic representation of Chinese-Indonesian culture. Her stories frequently feature tight-knit, multi-generational families, overbearing yet deeply supportive aunties, and relatable protagonists thrust into high-stakes or chaotic situations. Whether writing lighthearted rom-coms set in Jakarta and Bali or suspenseful thrillers exploring social media obsession, she balances dark or chaotic circumstances with warmth and strong community ties.
Aunties
Aunties
