Two-time Agatha Award finalist for "Death Will Clean Your Closet" and "Death Will Trim Your Tree."

The latest from Liz: In June, Liz's short stories are bustin' out all over. "The Green Cross," featuring a young Marrano sailor on Columbus's first voyage, appears in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine (August issue, on newsstands June 22). "The Silkie," Liz's first foray into paranormal noir, heads the lineup in the inaugural issue of Dark Valentine. "Death Will Clean Your Closet" has been reissued in the anthology Xangans. Coming up in August: "Dress to Die," a prom revenge story, in Beat to A Pulp.

Praise from readers for Liz's new short stories:
"The Green Cross" - "Beautifully written and absolutely compelling."
"The Silkie" - "Appropriately spooky and chilling...the denouement was a surprise."

"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

In Death Will Get You Sober, Bruce wakes up in detox on the Bowery and realizes he has to change his life. Investigating the death of a detox buddy he cared about more than he expected to keeps Bruce sober and reunites him with his best friend Jimmy, computer genius, and Jimmy's girlfriend Barbara, addictions counselor and world-class codependent.

In Death Will Help You Leave Him, a friend's abusive boyfriend is found dead in her apartment. Bruce has to juggle sleuthing, sobriety, a crush on the bereaved girlfriend, and his addictive relationship with his compelling but self-destructive ex-wife.

You can read "Death Will Trim Your Tree" or download it as a PDF file. Or if you prefer, you can visit Lit 103.3 to hear Alan Vogel read the story aloud and even download it as a podcast.

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!"