The First Rule of Ten introduces private detective Tenzing Norbu, a most unusual character. Tenzing, known as Ten, lived for a while with his mother in Paris and when she died went to live with his father, a Buddhist monk, in a Tibetan monastery.
Ten is not cut out for monastic life. He says, "People assume life in a monastery is filled with blissful, solitary contemplation. People assume wrong." In reality, his days were filled with mandatory prayers, practices, rituals, and endless dry debates.
His real dream is to be a modern incarnation of his hero, Sherlock Holmes. He leaves the monastery and moves to Los Angeles where he joins the LAPD and in a few years reaches the rank of detective. On a domestic violence run, a ricocheting bullet grazes his temple and catches his attention - as a bullet is wont to do. He takes that as a sign that his days on the police force are over.
First Rule of Ten: Don't ignore intuitive tickles lest they become sledgehammers.
He lives in a cool house in Topanga Canyon - his place of refuge. He drives a yellow vintage Mustang. His first solo case as a private detective involves a former rock star, a pig farm, almonds, a cult, and a tycoon. Quite a mix and lots to keep him busy.
In the meantime, spiritual warrior that he is, when stressed he reminds himself to breathe. He meditates. He sends up prayers for the newly departed to ease their transition from this stage of life to the next. He cares for his feline friend, Tank, a Persian Blue. He finds - and then loses - romance. He is a gentle soul even though he does sometimes have to carry a weapon.
A most unlikely private detective. I like him very much.
So far, there are five Rules of Ten published in this series written by Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay. I am all in for all of them and hoping for more.
