‘Death Will Get You Sober’ by Elizabeth ZelvinPublished by Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Minotaur. April 2008.
ISBN: 978-0-312-37589-8

In the literature of private eyes, alcohol plays a prominent role.  With the introduction of a potential new investigating team, we meet for the first time two “recovering alcoholics,” Bruce and Jimmy, and the latter’s girlfriend, Barbara, a counselor who works in a detox center.  The author, a psychotherapist, has directed alcohol treatment programs and has written and lectured on addictions, codependency and online therapy.  So it isn’t surprising the novel in laced (no pun intended) with the jargon and principles of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The plot begins on Christmas Day, with Bruce in a Bowery detox center after having a blackout brought on by excessive drinking.  There he befriends the man on the adjacent cot whose name is Godfrey—he introduces himself as “God.”  After a period, they receive a pass, and both return sober (or they would not be re-admitted).  About 2 a.m., Bruce trips over a body in the laundry room.  The dead man had suffered from cancer, ad it is presumed to be a natural death.  Later that night, God suffers stomach cramps and then dies.  Are the deaths related?

Bruce is released, but can’t let go of his suspicions about God’s death.  He enlists the help of Jimmy, a computer genius, and Barbara, in looking into his friend’s demise.  But soon, other dead bodies turn up, in other detox centers, as well as that of God’s brother-in-law, a plastic surgeon; his secretary; and God’s sister.  Are all these murders related as well?

For a debut effort, this novel is very well-constructed, with snappy dialogue between interesting characters.  The author plans to develop a series, with Bruce continuing to grow as he remains a thoughtful but sober character, assisted by his two friends.  A good read, and recommended.

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Theodore Feit