Death Will Extend Your Vacation

Zelvin’s unsatisfying third cozy (after 2009’s Death Will Help You Leave Him) takes recovering alcoholic Bruce Kohler and friends Jimmy Cullen and Barbara Rose to Dedhampton, Long Island, where they reside at a “clean and sober” group house for recovering addicts. On an early morning beach walk, Barbara discovers the body of journalist Clea Hansen, a fellow resident. While the police investigation suggests Clea’s death was accidental, Barbara thinks it might have been murder, and the three launch their own inquiry. Since their house and a larger one nearby contain addicts of many different stripes (alcoholics, sexual compulsives, debtors, etc.), suspects abound, though everyone’s anonymity makes it easy to hide or disguise relationships. Zelvin relies on too many surprise connections as more deaths occur, and the friends’ amateurish detection attempts might embarrass even Nancy Drew. Agent: Tekno Books. (Apr.)