DEATH WILL HELP YOU LEAVE HIM is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and Barnes & Noble online. Or you can pre-order the book at your favorite mystery or independent bookstore.

ANTHONY NOMINATION! The cover of DEATH WILL GET YOU SOBER, designed by David Rotstein, has been nominated for an Anthony award. The voting will take place in October at Bouchercon in Indianapolis.

DEATH WILL HELP YOU LEAVE HIM, the second mystery about recovering alcoholic Bruce Kohler and his friends, will be out from Minotaur Books on October 13, 2009.

The latest from Liz: Next on my agenda: a quick trip to Chicago on July 10-11, where I'll participate in a panel at the Niles Library along with Barbara D'Amato, Jane Cleland, Rosemary Harris, and Meredith Cole and give away signed sneak previews (the entire first chapter) of Death Will Help You Leave Him at the American Library Association's annual meeting. Librarians who attend ALA can find me at the Sisters in Crime booth on Saturday morning till 10:45 or catch me at the Macmillan booth until noon.

In Death Will Get You Sober, Bruce woke up in detox on the Bowery and realized he had to change his life. Investigating the death of a detox buddy he cared about more than he expected to kept Bruce sober and reunited him with his best friend Jimmy, the computer genius, and Jimmy's girlfriend Barbara, the 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 the lure of his compelling but self-destructive ex-wife, who's on her own collision course.

Advance praise for Death Will Help You Leave Him:

"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

"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, two-time Shamus award winner

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!"