The Not Quite Enlightened Sleuth

Verlin Darrow’s third novel, THE NOT QUITE ENLIGHTENED SLEUTH, is a unique mystery, with an ex-Buddhist num as the protagonist. Ivy Lutz returns to California after ten years as a Buddhist nun, most recently in Sri Lanka, when her mother has a massive stroke and dies. Ivy’s bipolar sister Jan believes their mother was murdered, probably by her husband, Dennis. Ivy teams up with the detective in charge of the case to find out the truth, especially once Dennis is murdered. The book’s characters are relatable, complex, and interesting. The way Ivy learns to navigate cell phones, computers, and the noise of daily living that is so different from the temple noises is both poignant and funny. Ivy’s attraction to the detective, her determination to find the truth, and the tension caused between her chosen spiritual path and the realities of solving a murder are all handled with a mix of grace, compassion, and understanding, without sacrificing the necessary rising stakes as the body count goes up. THE NOT QUITE ENLIGHTENED SLEUTH is a unique mystery for all the right reasons, and will keep readers entertained.