The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties

By: Jesse Q. Sutanto

Narrated by: Risa Mei

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

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…

©2024 Jesse Q. Sutanto (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Sutanto packs in loads of local color, and gives the aunties ample opportunity to let their freak flags fly.”—Publishers Weekly

“Sutanto delivers another addictive romp, managing to negotiate a thrilling (multi) happily-everafter finale because, alas, this concludes the Aunties series.”—Booklist

“Sutanto’s hilarious triptych ends with a finale that could just as well have been titled ‘An Auntie You Can’t Refuse.’”—Kirkus Reviews

Another great story of the aunties!

Very funny story. It is a good continuation of the previous two- just as unrealistic, but very amusing

Does Not Disappoint

Still laughing and enjoying these loving aunties who are will to do any for the family. I hope there is another one soon.

The Aunties are Awesomely Funny!

I have read all three of the books in Sutano’s series and this one has been the best so far! I actually found myself laughing out loud so many times as I visualized the hilarious scenes while listening to Mei’s outstanding narration! Her accent, tone and inflection made each character standalone and come to life!
I also appreciated authenticity, learning about the Indonesian-American culture and experiences! I’m awaiting the next Aunties’ Adventure!

Another Great One

I love the ease in which this book was written & how I engaging it is to listen too. Highly recommend! Wonderful story and continuation of the aunties who I love to pieces.

These ladies are not to be messed with

I love Meddy, Nathan, Mom and the Aunties. I love the love they have for each other and the consistency of each character in these books. Sutanto never fails to make me irritated, gasp, laugh, and understand family.

Just when you think you might know where the mystery is going, you realize you forgot something and Sutanto brings it all back together. This book was fun and loving.

Battle of the knock-off gangsters

It’s official! After this book, I’m all in with the four aunties. The first book sometimes crossed my lines with the whole Weekend at Bernie’s schtick. The second book frustrated me with Meddy always lying to her fiancé. But here, Nathan is brought entirely into the family fold and is neck deep in their shenanigans. Everyone is ride or die as they take on maybe, could be, probably Indonesian-gangsters with knock-off names like Julia Child and Kristopher Kolumbus Hermosillo. The emphasis is of fun, family, and fright … at Scooby levels where you know it will all turn out alright.

The only teensy tiny criticism is the continued use of people getting drugged by the aunties as
a plot device. Still, when I view it through my I Love Lucy lens, it was done in a wacky, all in good fun,
no one’s actually going to get hurt kind of way. I laughed far more than my conscience worried.

End of an era

Thank you for letting us all into Meddy and the Aunties world. I mean if you ever do miss it, which im sure you will, one more book wouldnt hurt. Also Risa Mei narrating all 3 was amazing. I look forward to your next book