Death Will Get You Sober
By Elizabeth Zelvin
St. Martin's Minotaur, $23.95
ISBN: 978-0312375898
Click here for an interview with the author.

Bruce Kohler must have had one heck of a Christmas Eve, considering that he doesn't remember it and awakens Christmas Day in a Bowery, New York detox unit. Sharing the holiday with him is Godfrey Brandon Kettleworth III, or as he calls himself, God. In between Serenity Prayers, tasteless meals and group therapy, Bruce is alerted to the growing number of deaths among the burn-out drunks. But it's only when his roommate God (Bruce prefers to call him by the less incendiary name "Guff") dies unexplainably that Bruce begins to suspect that something sinister is going on. While Bruce's best friend and fellow alcoholic Jimmy is determined to keep Bruce straight by leading him into a temp job as a paralegal, Jimmy's girlfriend Barbara sees an investigation into the deaths as a way of distracting Bruce from his urge to drink. Soon the threesome discover that Guff was cut off from his wealthy family and had an argument with his plastic surgeon brother-in-law concerning money. A social worker and counselor, Barbara sacrifices confidentiality for the pursuit of truth by reading Guff's medical file and accosting his sister in an Al-Anon meeting, later sharing their confidences with Bruce and Jimmy. Bruce's temp job in the law firm of Guff's nephew provides him further access into the dead man's life and uncovers more reasons for his family to want him dead.

Zelvin does an excellent job providing behind-the-scene glimpses into a detox hospital that is far from the cushy rehab centers visited by celebrities suffering from "exhaustion." The struggles recovering alcoholics and their families endure is also well depicted, yet always with a humorous, if sardonic, viewpoint. While readers might question Barbara's ethics (or lack thereof) when she becomes single-mindedly focused on the investigation, one can't doubt her devotion to the two alcoholics she loves. The relationship between the three friends is complex and intriguing, especially considering that Bruce and Barbara once engaged in a drunken one-night stand they've kept a secret from Jimmy. While the breezy mystery has a surprisingly high body count and serious themes, the novel succeeds in taking a refreshing, oddly light-hearted look into the world of alcoholics. This is an extremely original debut mystery with unique and engaging characters.

Review by CINDY CHOW

©2008 Lorie Ham. All rights reserved.