Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Zen and the Art of Murder
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Elizabeth M. Cosin
Class/Genre: Mystery Private Investigator
Series: Zen Moses # 1
St. Martin's, Oct 1998, $22.95, 273 pp.
Los Angeles private investigator Zen Moses has seen a lot of heartbreak in her thirty-three years of life, but somehow seems to always pick herself up because she knows that's life. Her latest tragedy is the death of her feline, which causes the depressed Zen to drown her sorrows in suds at her favorite watering hole, Father's Office. However, instead of burying her grief, Zen finds her cousin lying dead in the bar's walk-in refrigerator.
Considering that Daniel allegedly killed himself over a decade ago, Zen is amazed to see his fresh corpse. Though she has a client, Zen feels that she owes it to her relative to ferret out the identity of his killer. even if that jeopardizes her own life.
Readers will either zealously adore Zen or completely loathe her. There is no neutral ground when it comes to this tough Southern California sleuth. The story line of ZEN AND THE ART OF MURDER is fast-paced, loaded with non-stop action, and a jaundiced view of LA (through Zen's myopic eyes). The support cast adds much flavoring as their personalities range from California mellow to ultra-hyperactivity. Elizabeth Cosin has written a witty who-done-it but the bottom line is whether a reader can appreciate the sardonic misanthropic, yet optimistic Zen. On a personal note, this reviewer has a yen for more Zen
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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