First Rule of Ten

The First Rule of Ten: A Tenzing Norbu Mystery
by Gay Hendricks, Tinker Lindsay
Hay House, 2012 (Adult Fiction / Mystery, Detective)

I was attracted to this book because of an uncommon mix of mystery, murder and spirituality. And I kept reading because the authors continued to use the best of each of these areas in developing the characters and action.

As the book opens, Ten is deciding to leave his job -- LAPD detective-- after getting shot and realizing he's not where he wants to be. He loves detective work, so he strikes off on his own.

Along the way Ten is accompanied by his house mate Tank (a large feline with an equally large personality), his ex-partner Bill and family, and the quintessential tech help, Mike. This combination of friends, as well as new ones he makes along the way, makes for a fun and comfortably mysterious read.

What's different about this book:
This is not your typical heavy, angst-ridden LA detective. Ten is fun, enjoys people, treasures his moments of solitude, and examines his relationships and path in the world through his Buddhist beliefs and background. It's refreshing to have a protagonist who represents the universal virtue of grace. Ten also differs from other LA detectives in his personality or aura: his is a gentler soul, softer.

Evaluation:
This was an enjoyable read. It's not compelling enough to push with my young adult / high school / adult readers. But I can recommend it without hesitation. And I will probably watch for the two titles that will be following in this trilogy. Not a high-stress read, but a pleasant one. Engaging characters, enough "bad guy gets his comeuppance" to be satisfying.

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