'Death Will Get You Sober' features many deaths

From Wire Reports
Published Monday, May 12, 2008

"Death Will Get You Sober" by Elizabeth Zelvin; St. Martin's Press ($23.95)

As the name implies, "Death Will Get You Sober" revolves around an alcoholic who is going through recovery for the umpteenth time.

In her debut, Elizabeth Zelvin draws on her own experiences as a psychotherapist who has directed alcohol treatment programs and who has lectured extensively on the subject. Zelvin takes all that knowledge and weaves it into a well-plotted mystery filled with believable characters and realistic situations.

Once again Bruce Kohler finds himself in a detox center on the Bowery. Bruce's dependency on alcohol has alienated people and ruined any chance he had for a career. Still, his loyal friends, Jimmy and Barbara, are willing to give him another chance as long as he can stay sober.

Bruce may be scared sober when several homeless alcoholics at the detox center die suddenly, including a man with whom Bruce was becoming friendly.

Without being maudlin, cliched or clinical, Zelvin delivers a poignant story about a man for whom recovery is a daily trial, and she shows a flair for deftly-placed wit.

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