Ex–Buddhist monk and ex–LAPD officer turned private eye Tenzing Norbu is back with a new case, a new love, and a whole new set of problems in this fresh installment in The Tenzing Norbu Mystery series.

In The Second Rule of Ten, Norbu investigates the unexplained death of his former client Hollywood mogul Marv Rudolph and searches for the sister, lost during World War II, of wizened Los Angeles philanthropist Julius Rosen. With two cases and an unforeseen family crisis that sends him back to Tibet, Ten finds himself on the outs with his best buddy and former partner, Bill, who is heading the official police investigation into Marv’s death. Cases and crises start to collide. When Ten mistakenly ignores his second rule, he becomes entangled in an unfortunate association with a Los Angeles drug cartel. As he fights to save those he loves, and himself, from the deadly gang, he also comes face to face with his own personal demons. Working through his anger at Bill, doubts about his latest lady love, and a challenging relationship with his father, Ten learns to see the world in a new light—and realizes that in every situation the truth is sometimes buried beneath illusion.

Review:

This new series has an interesting main character…who would expect a monk turned LA police officer turned PI to be the main character?!  It is definitely an interesting main character and one that doesn’t disappoint.  Ten takes on his next case (without his PI license quite yet….but when does that stop anyone?).  As with other cases, this one crosses several lines from the film industry to the drug cartel.  It is surprising that he hasn’t gotten himself killed yet!  He has also met a new woman…perhaps she will help him get past his issues and not run her off like he has other women in his life.

Like the first book, I enjoyed the storyline in this book and the interplay between the characters.  Ten and Bill’s relationship gets a little strained at times, but it is good to see that occur because not everything can be easy.  It is told to us that there are issues between Ten and his father (both in the first book and this one) and Ten has the opportunity to try and right that relationship.

I really enjoyed both books and I see that a third book is in the works.  I will have to put that on my list of books to read!

Overall I give the book 4 paws.

Giveaway:

I am giving away the first book and the ARC of the second book in this series to 1 lucky winner.  Open to US residents only.   A winner will be chosen on February 28th.  Good Luck!