Rick Levine, ex lawyer, ex druggie, ex-alcoholic now clean and a P.I. Is accused of the murder of his ex-wife and decides to find the real killer. ( )

Former criminal defense attorney turned PI Rick Levine, aka "The Zen Man," has been clean and sober for five years. After losing his attorney's license six years ago for his substance abuse, he's now on the right path to rebuilding his life and getting relicensed so he can practice law again. Rick and girlfriend Laura purchased a Bed & Breakfast lodge in Denver, and was hosting an annual retreat for Colorado's Criminal Defense Association. In attendance for the criminal defense attorney conference were 55 attorneys including Rick's ex-wife Deborah, aka "Wicked as in Wicked Wench of the West," and former law partner, Sam Wexler, aka "Roof Top." During a party on the first night of the retreat, Deborah was drunk and started a fight with Rick, causing a scene in front of everyone. A few hours later, Laura finds Deborah's nude body lying dead in the pool outside the lodge, she had been fatally stabbed in the heart. Rick is taken into custody as the prime suspect and charged with the first degree murder of his ex-wife. With Sam as his attorney, Laura posts bail and Rick has thirty days to investigate his case and find the real killer. Is this a crime of passion case? Has Rick been framed on trumped up charges? Will Rick and Laura solve the case, or will he become a prisoner in Colorado's criminal justice system?

The Zen Man is a classic whodunit story with a sarcastic and humorous edgy side mixed with some light romance that will keep the reader guessing as they turn the pages. Set in Denver, Colorado, the story is told in the first person narrative by our protagonist, Rick, whose comedic personality shines through as he tells his story and keeps the reader in stitches. Jam packed with enough intrigue, suspense, twist and turns, and sprinkling of clues, this entertaining mystery engages the reader to come along with Rick and Laura on their investigation to solve the murder case.

The author creates a cast of characters in the story that are realistic, complex and have a variety of personalities that make the story that much more entertaining and compelling. Who wouldn't pull for Rick and Laura? They are a down-to-earth, engaging and lovable couple willing to go the distance to prove Rick's innocence. With supporting characters such as: criminal defense attorney Sam Wexler; Mavis the chair loving Rottweiler; stoned handymen Garrett and Ziggy; a Santa Hitman; some unscrupulous attorneys; mafioso and FBI investigators, the reader better strap themselves in for one heck of a fast paced mystery thrill ride.

As a fan of murder mystery suspense thrillers, The Zen Man was an entertaining whodunit that kept me entertained. From Rick's comedic personality, to the zen quotes and Deadhead references, to the intriguing clues and twists and turns, to the lighthearted romance, this story was simply a fun read!

The Zen Man is a fun, fast paced murder mystery novel that has all the ingredients to satisfy true murder mystery suspense fans. With an intriguing ending, the reader is left wondering if this is the first in a series that we will see Rick and Laura involved in new investigative adventures.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review, and for hosting a virtual book event on my book review blog site.

Virtual Book Event: On Monday, June 18, 2012, author Colleen Collins participated in a virtual book event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/author-guest-post-colleen-coll...

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/zen-man-by-colleen-collins.htm... ( )

Former attorney and current private investigator Rick Levine has a lot to be worried about in author Colleen Collins’s The Zen Man. Now clean and sober for five years after having had his law license suspended by the state of Colorado because of his substance abuse, Rick and his girlfriend, Laura, have opened a B&B lodge and things seem to be looking up for Rick personally and professionally.

In an attempt to lure some of Rick’s former colleagues into using his investigative services, Rick and Laura decide to host a seminar for criminal defense attorneys at the lodge. What started out as a good idea immediately goes downhill when Rick’s decidedly bitter ex-wife shows up at the seminar and gets quite vocally belligerent with him, as well as several others in attendance.

Things go from bad to worse when she’s subsequently found dead in one of the lodge’s hot tubs and Rick is arrested for her murder. Able to secure bail with the help of Laura and his former law partner, Rick has thirty days to discover the real killer’s identity before he’s swept into a system that seems just fine with closing the books on the case with him as the culprit. Easier said than done, as Rick soon finds out there were more than a few people who had reason to want his ex dead, and that someone at the Sheriff’s office is not playing fair with all the evidence.

Throw in a murderous Mexican Santa, a few shady lawyers (I know, can you believe it?), perpetually stoned handymen, a guard dog who’s only good for guarding her favorite chair, a couple of high speed chases and a kidnapping, and top that off with some high stakes embezzlement, a ‘retired’ South Boston mafioso, and the appearance of some very interested F.B.I. agents and The Zen Man makes for one heck of a fast-paced ride.

Though already an accomplished author of close to two dozen novels for the Harlequin and Dorchester labels, The Zen Man is Collins’s first foray into pure mystery/crime fiction, and it’s a quite successful one at that. Though not exactly a cozy – there are guns and knives and drugs and even a malicious use of darts – Collins was still clearly aiming for a more lighthearted approach, with the ‘Zen Man” Rick and his girlfriend Laura being hat tips to The Thin Man’s classic characters of Nick and Nora.

It was a wise decision, and one executed to great effect. Rick and Laura are incredibly charming and likable, with both striking the right balance between aggressive competence and cautious concern over their situation. The lodge’s on-site handymen, wacky weed aficionados Garrett and Ziggy, provide built-in comic relief with their endearingly earnest – if slightly clueless- attempts to help, and the book’s mystery is well structured with clues and red herrings doled out steadily to move the plot along and keep things interesting. And though some readers may figure out the ending before arriving at it, that doesn’t make the journey to get there any less enjoyable.

It’s no spoiler to say the case is resolved in Rick’s favor, but it is left hanging whether Rick will continue his private investigation career or go back to practicing law. Either way, I can’t wait for the return of The Zen Man. ( )