Three-time Agatha Award nominee and Derringer Award nominee for Best Short Story

DEATH WILL EXTEND YOUR VACATION
Recovering alcoholic Bruce Kohler and his friends take shares in a lethal clean and sober group house in the Hamptons.

"Zelvin's characters literally leap off the pages. A perfect beach book."
- Caryn St. Clair on DorothyL

"Will keep readers guessing until the end."
- Crime Fiction Examiner

"Zelvin has mastered the male voice in a series that doesn't shy away from serious interpersonal issues. She has a natural ear for efficiently melodic prose."
- Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine

"Readers will enjoy the good-natured humor of the characters as well as some keen social satire."
- Booklist

"Read for her well-developed characters."
- Kirkus

"The relationships between the three friends are as complex as they are fascinating. A credible and extremely interesting glimpse into the lives of the addicted."
- Cindy Chow on DorothyL

"Interesting characters, a complex mystery with twists and turns, and a summer on the beach to remember....Another solidly good one from the talented Elizabeth Zelvin."
- Kevin Tipple on Kevin's Corner

"Zelvin writes about dependency with a sure hand and her dialogue rings true. Terrific series." - Melinda Drew on DorothyL

"Just the thing for an enjoyable beach read." - Gloria Feit, Midwest Book Review

"A perfect vacation book! Full of heart, full of humor--this honest and believable mystery put its straight-talking characters into a page-turner of a plot. Suspense plus insight plus compassion--equals a great read!"
- Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity winner

"Empathetic and insightful, Elizabeth Zelvin celebrates the power of recovery against the backdrop of a holiday in the Hamptons. Well-drawn characters written with verve. Zelvin knows the human heart and all its struggles."
- Carolyn Hart, Malice Domestic Lifetime Achievement honoree

"The Hamptons plus a juicy murder, with the added twist of addiction and recovery--what more could the intelligent mystery reader want?"
- Rhys Bowen, multiple Anthony, Macavity, and Agatha winner

A reader who's a therapist says: "The important thing about Liz's books is that you read them. The topic of co-dependency and self doubt is beautifully and affectionately handled. A very difficult topic handled with grace. I am truly enjoying watch Bruce grow up and take risks."

Praise from readers for Liz's short stories:
"The Green Cross" - "Beautifully written and absolutely compelling."
"The Silkie" - "Appropriately spooky and chilling...the denouement was a surprise."
"Dress to Die" - "I loved it! What a satisfying conclusion! After reading it, however, I'm very glad I showed up to my prom date's house with a corsage."

And the novels:
"This is definitely a character-driven series, and the relationships between the three friends are as complex as they are fascinating." - Cindy Chow

"Death Will Get You Sober and Death Will Help You Leave Him are suspenseful, fast-paced mysteries that offer readers real insight into alcoholism and the process of recovery. I don't think I ever realized just how difficult recovery is until I read these books. I recommend them highly." - B.K. Stevens

Hear Liz read her story, "The Green Cross," as a podcast from Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.

Praise for Death Will Help You Leave Him:

"Definitely up to her previously high standard....characters who are wonderfully drawn and three dimensional. I also very much enjoyed the New York setting and the many moving moments in the story. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
- Eden Embler, I Love A Mystery

"Zelvin [has the] ability to bring us both tragedy and humor, sometimes in the same sentence...I've become addicted to the series."
- Lourdes Fernandez, Lost in Books

"An extremely unique mystery that sucks the reader in and refuses to let go."
- Cindy Chow, Mystery Rat's Closet

"What sets this book and this series apart from the many other mysteries set in New York City is the protagonist's life in recovery....the first book took a very real social problem and dealt with it head on...This [book] shows real growth for Bruce as a character....real without becoming preachy." - Caryn St.Clair, Bestsellers World

"Zelvin's characters continue to grow....The tangled web of relationships that Bruce steps into reads like some of the stories one hears at the beauty parlor or while working out: convoluted, full of angst, and all too real. Zelvin excels at this."
- P.J. Coldren, Reviewing the Evidence

"The detailed insights...are penetrating and...full of understanding. The author writes with compassion and wisdom...recommended."
- Ted Feit, Midwest Book Review; also, Crimespree, Mystery Women, Spinetingler

"Wow....Awesome book and an emotional wallop at the end." - A librarian in rural Ohio

"The pages flew through my fingers... deeper meanings lingered after I finished. The characters are people you want to spend time with. I can't recommend it enough!" - A reader in Pennsylvania

"A wonderful book--authentic, compassionate, and tough."
- Barbara D'Amato, two-time Anthony & Agatha winner

"Her dialogue sparkles...she's created characters who are both over the top and completely believable. Just like real people!"
- SJ Rozan, Edgar award winner, author of The Shanghai Moon

"Readers will care deeply about Bruce and his feelings and relationships."
- Lesa Holstine, Lesa's Book Critiques

"A heartbreaker of a novel...seamless prose....Much more than a mere whodunit... the 'whys' will haunt you long after the book is read."
- Naomi Hirahara, Edgar Award-winning author of the Mas Arai mystery series

"With humor and heart, Zelvin writes about the challenges of sobriety and the beat of New York City with impressive accuracy. Death Will Help You Leave Him is a terrific read."
- Alafair Burke, author of Angel's Tip

"Zelvin proves with this second outing that she is... here to stay....A wondrous read."
- Ken Bruen, Shamus award winner and multiple Edgar nominee

"Even more addictive than Death Will Get You Sober."
- Reed Farrel Coleman, three-time Shamus award winner

"An intriguing urban mystery."
- Harriet Klausner

What reviewers said about Death Will Get You Sober:

"Smooth prose and outstanding storytelling ability....a remarkable and strongly recommended first novel." - Library Journal

"A hell of a job....Great characters and a wonderful voice. Zelvin is an author to keep your eye on. - Crimespree Magazine

"An extremely original debut mystery with unique and engaging characters." - No Name Cafe

"Dry humor and original characters.... a welcome addition to the mystery field." - Lesa Holstine, Blogcritics and Lesa's Book Critiques

"A well-plotted mystery filled with believable characters and realistic situations... .Without being maudlin, cliched or clinical, Zelvin delivers a poignant story." - Oline H. Cogdill, Sun-Sentinel

"Her dialog sparkles." - Mystery Scene

"A novel full of rich and complicated characters....an engrossing and complex tale." - Kevin R. Tipple, Kevin's Corner

""Zelvin has managed to capture the reality of alcoholism and detox, with its black humor and tragedy. Her pictures of AA meetings are very realistic. Death Will Get You Sober will strike home with anyone familiar with alcoholism or the addictions field." - The AA Blog

What readers said:

"I enjoyed the book so much that I bought two copies to give to my brothers who have been in AA for over 20 years each."

"You are the first professional that I have come across that really seems to get it... I'm coming up on thirty five years of continuous sobriety....a delightful read."

"I lent the book to a friend, who also couldn't put it down....This is a really well-written story that nails the experience of alcoholism, even if you aren't connected to drinking."

"Everyone in our book club really liked your book....your characters, their friendship, and their interactions."

"It really is funny....I can't figure out which line makes me chuckle most."

"I was profoundly moved by the struggle of the recovering addict. I finally got what it means to crave something so bad for you."

"As a judge, my experience with the addicted is mostly with failure. Your characters seem...unique and realistic.... They are also funny. I was entertained by your realism, and happy at your hopefulness."

"Realistic, direct, concise, droll--love it."

From a librarian: "I spent much of the time I read the book laughing, and I hope for a sequel."

From a clergywoman: "I loved it because the plot was well thought out and the...the journey to sobriety rang true to my experiences as a pastor."

"A great read, fast, funny."

"Loved the characters and the smooth, page-turning style."

"Page turning. I loved the characters. I loved the setting...and I loved the plot. What a great writer!"