Elizabeth Zelvin is a New York City psychotherapist. Her new mystery,
Death Will Help You Leave Him, is second in the series, featuring
recovering alcoholic Bruce Kohler, that started with Death Will Get You Sober. Two short stories about Bruce
were finalists for the Agatha Award for Best Short Story. Another appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. Liz has written and lectured widely on codependency, relationships, and addictions. She currently does online therapy via chat and
email.
Extended one-page bio (PDF)
Interview Questions & Answers (PDF)
Reviewers have said:
"Smooth prose and outstanding storytelling ability....a remarkable and strongly recommended first novel." - Library Journal
"Definitely up to her previous high standard....many moving moments. 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
"Compassion and wisdom...recommended." - Ted Feit, Midwest Book Review
"A hell of a job....Great characters and a wonderful voice. Zelvin is an author to keep your eye on. - Crimespree Magazine
"Entertaining debut novel by a psychotherapist...
a good surprise ending." - Booklist
"A refreshing, oddly light-hearted look into the world of alcoholics....
an extremely original debut mystery with unique and engaging characters." - Cindy Chow, No Name Cafe
"Dry humor and original characters....a welcome addition to the mystery field." -
Lesa Holstine, Blogcritics and Lesa's Book Critiques
"The strength of Death Will Get You Sober lies in the funny and believable [characters].
New York City comes to life as their gritty and highly-detailed backdrop. Best of all, we get an insider
look at...a highly specialized profession with its
own rituals and jargon and it's skillfully integrated here: plenty of detail that never drags down the pace."
- Karm Holladay, Mystery Books, Bella Online
"A well-plotted mystery filled with believable characters and realistic situations....
Without being maudlin, cliched or clinical, Zelvin delivers a poignant story....Zelvin's acute sense of people and
how sturdy friendships can be destroyed by
dependency elevate Death Will Get You Sober....[a] promising series." - Oline H. Cogdill, Sun-Sentinel
"Both the characters and the locations seem true to life and her dialog
sparkles." - Joseph Scarpato, Jr., Mystery Scene
"A novel full of rich and complicated characters....an engrossing and
complex tale." - Kevin R. Tipple, Kevin's Corner
"Very well-constructed, with snappy dialogue between interesting characters....
A good read, and recommended." - Theodore Feit
""Zelvin has managed to capture the reality of alcoholism and detox, with
its black humor and tragedy. Her characters are realistic examples of people struggling with their sobriety, and
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
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