The First Rule of Ten (A Tenzing Norbu Mystery, #1) by Gay Hendricks

The First Rule of Ten (A Tenzing Norbu Mystery, #1) Reviews

• 
  Frances

  Enjoyable and A Fun Read!
  The synopsis of this book immediately caught my eye. Ten, short for Tenzing, is a Tibetan monk who after years of chanting longed for a different way of life. As the Buddha says, change is inevitable and that was something Ten desperately wanted; he wanted to be a detective. Ten finally leaves the monastery, travels to Los Angeles, joins the LAPD and eventually becomes a private detective. This novel was a fun, enjoyable, easy read, with many thought-provoking life lessons throughout.
• 
  Benjamin Thomas

  I'm often skeptical when I try a new mystery; I tend to expect some kind of formula writing, or a re-hash of stuff I've read before. So it takes an intriguing premise or character for me to give them a try. Ten Norbu, the protagonist of this novel, is a former Tibetan monk, turned LA cop, and now will attempt to make a go of it as a private detective. OK, that's certainly intriguing enough to get me to give it a whirl. But how would it measure up to my expectations?
  
  Folks, I can honestly say, this novel is the best debut mystery novel I've read in years. It not only lived up to my hopes but far surpassed them. Turns out our hero, Ten (short for Tenzing, by the way) used to read contraband Sherlock Holmes stories as a child while growing up in the monastery. How cool is that? This novel does everything right: masterful plot, great character building, nice settings, fabulous pacing (so important in a mystery/detective novel), and all done in an intimate way that makes you one with the story (no pun intended). I was really able to identify with the character of Ten, himself, and just loved his outlook on life and the way he copes with stressful situations.
  
  All that is great as long as the mystery itself, the plot, is good. It's like trying a new restaurant with a new gimmick. The gimmick might get you to try it but to keep coming back the food has to be really good. And, the food here is spot on. I understand this is the first of three planned novels. Rest assured the story is complete in this one novel (no cliffhangers or anything), but is open enough for more. I, for one, hope there are more than two still to come. Really a fantastic read.
  
• 
  Ije the Devourer of Books

  Excellent!
  
  The first rule of Ije is to read as many great murder mysteries as possible.
  
  The second rule of Ije is that the mystery must keep me guessing, no easy solutions please.
  
  And this book delivered and I am thrilled to have another mystery series to work through. (Yay)
  
  But who is Ten?
  
  Tenzing Norbu was brought up by his alcoholic mother in Paris and Buddhist monk father in Tibet. As a child when his mother died he moved from France to Tibet to become a monk at the same monastery that his father led. In the end it didn't work out but those deep teachings and meditations that the child struggled with became very much part of the man.
  
  Years later Tenzing (Ten) having worked for LAPD for many years decides to go it alone as a private investigator. When a friend of an old friend is killed Ten decides to investigate her death and uncovers a web of fraud, murder, mafia, cults and pig farming.
  
  Ten himself is a mystic and a mystery. The Buddhist teaching that shaped his youth provides him with extra awareness and a mystic sensitivity to the world around him. This mysticism enables him to see beyond the facts that emerge as he investigates.
  
  The mystery is one which I enjoyed because it kept me guessing but Ten also kept me guessing as I got to know him during the story. Ten is a complex man. Not only does he solve murders but he is trying to solve the mystery of his own life. Having had one catastrophic relationship he is unwilling to enter another until he meets Julie another friend of a friend. Julie is different to his former relationship but Ten needs to discover what he wants from her and who she is, as well as who he is with her.
  
  This is a great story for the beginning of a series. Ten is an amazing character - a third culture kid with a peculiar upbringing and heritage which have made him an enigmatic man, and yet it is the enigma of who he is that makes him such an extraordinary investigator. As he pieces together the mystery he shows a deep regard for his inner life, dreams, reflections and what these show him about the case. He makes friends, learns about himself and learns what it means to trust and love. His early relationship with Julie is fascinating as we get to see his thoughts about her mixed with both his desire for her and his reluctance to get involved with someone.
  
  The mystery develops at an even pace and draws the reader in and holds their attention as things get more complex with different players, intrigue and a network of murder.
  
  I love a good mystery and this is definitely one of them. The tentative romance gives the story an additional and enjoyable dimension.
  
  Well worth reading and I am looking forward to following this series. Big smiles and happiness for me as I add a few more to my tbr pile.
• 
  Susan (aka Just My Op)

  4.5 out of 5 stars. This is my new favorite series in the mystery genre. I love the character Tenzing Norbu. The writing is smart and fun, and the mystery doesn't involve overly gruesome murders and doesn't need to. Ten, a former Buddhist monk, teaches as well as learns as he begins his life as a private investigator, and some lessons are harder than others.
  
  I initially wondered if I had missed a first book in the series because there were references to his life as an LAPD officer in the days before the story picks up. But no, this is the first of the series. Perhaps I'll learn more of his earlier life in subsequent books in the series. The next is due to be published in October 2012, I believe.
  
  I read this book for fun, and I got that. But I also received some nice reminders about mindfulness and spirituality without feeling I was being preached to. I loved that Ten has a foot in the Buddhist spiritual world and another foot in the Mustang-loving, relationship-bashing world. An altogether enjoyable mystery.
  
  I received a complimentary copy from the publisher for review.
• 
  Linden

  Tenzing Norbu, AKA Ten, is Buddhist monk turned LAPD cop turned private detective. When Barbara stops by his home looking for her ex, who used to live there, he is surprised, even more so when she turns up dead. He knows then that he has his first case. Barbara had recently left a cult, and there are some questionable people running it, possibly an ex-con masquerading as a man of God. Add in some insurance policies with the same beneficiaries, and Ten knows something is terribly wrong. I really liked the characters and the unique premise of this mystery, and was pleased to earn that this is the first in a series of five novels.
• 
  Dika

  Story: 4.1/5.0
  Character: 4.5/5.0
  Vibe (idk why but I just want to bring this up): 4.8/5.0
• 
  Carolyn Breckinridge

  How thrilling to find a new series and new authors with whom I want to spend a lot of time. Such is the case with co-authors Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay, who have written a series of novels based on a Tibetan monk turned police detective turned private investigator. The private investigator’s name is Tenzing Norbu, known more casually as Ten. Ten grew up In a monastery in India, splitting his time between this environment where he lived and trained as a monk under his father’s unaffectionate eye, and his free-spirited but substance-abusing American mother’s home in Paris. Ten, a rebellious monk in training, winds up in California and ultimately follows his childhood passion, to follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes. The first rule of Ten, which states, “Don’t ignore intuitive tickles lest they reappear as sledgehammers,” helps to drive Ten’s Buddhist-grounded approach to crime fighting. The overarching philosophy of Buddhism is peppered beautifully throughout this book, as is delightfully-placed wit. Ten also drives a vintage bright yellow mustang, has a love for fine dining, has romantic inclinations, and a Persian cat named Tank. Through meditation, dangerous sleuthing, struggling cyber-sleuthing, and collecting both friends and criminals along the way, Ten is a private investigator in Los Angeles prepared to match his skills against both the super-rich and ex-con ‘bad-guys,’ a religious cult with nefarious intentions, and multiple deaths that don’t quite add up to natural. Fast-paced and fun, with Buddhist influence and plenty of humor, ‘The First Rule’ of Ten is a total delight.
• 
  Cheryl

  Tenzing “Ten” Norbu is a Buddhist and newly appointed private investigator. This first client is a woman named Barbara Maxey. She asks ten to give her ex, Zimmy Backus a warning. That he might be in trouble. Ten does not really take Barbara too seriously. That is until she turns up in the morgue dead as a doornail.
  
  I liked the idea of the character Ten. I like that he was a Buddhist private investigator. I have not come across a character like this before. So my interest was piqued. Unfortunately for me this book missed the mark. I found that Ten’s downfall was his Buddhist background. He never let himself react to anything too seriously. Like for example when he broke his first rule and it was early in the book that he broke it, he just commented that he broke his first rule. Never overreacted. Also, I thought that monks were taught discipline so that they had more patience and could hold out longer. So why did Ten break his first rule so quickly? Of course, I am no expert on this subject matter.
  
  So what Ten’s reactions to everything, this book seemed mild. Even though the rest of the characters used some cuss words and the action was a good murder set up. Also, I felt that the story moved slowly. The action was not the type to be in your face. I had to skim lots of parts as if to press fast forward. The ending was nice and tidy. There were no loose ends left. The pairing of Mr. Hendricks and Ms. Lindsay was a good one. I could not tell where one stopped and the other one picked up.
  
• 
  Diane S ☔

  3.5 Hard to come up with a unique concept for a private detective but these authors have managed to do just that. Ten has been raised in a monastery and was a Buddhist monk, which gives this mystery a different spin. Meditation, an organic diet, in touch view of nature and quite a bit of humor is interspersed with the solving of the mystery. Loved reading his philosophies and his supporting characters are enjoyable as is the storyline. A new character to savor and enjoy. ARC by NetGalley.
• 
  Chris

  The premise of this book is interesting and I wanted to like it more than I did. The authors are very qualified to write about a Buddhist monk who becomes a police officer and now a private investigator. The meditative details are in detail and all through the book. It is unique and I would suggest it if you meditation and murder sound interesting to you. It didn't hold my interest and I am not planning to read more of the series. Still a really unique book.
• 
  Jackie

  Fun Buddhist character, with a splash of plots
• 
  Riobhcah

  I enjoyed this book tremendously. Being a Tibetan Buddhist myself, I thought it was fascinating how the paradoxes of Samasara were subtly expressed in the storyline. Ten himself is a very interesting character, having to live with so many, as do we all since we are all creatures of paradox. I’m looking forward to reading the following books in this series very much.
• 
  Penny

  Too sexist for me ... first person doesn't work if the character is not especially likeable (as well as the narrator).
• 
  Anita

  Great main character and exciting story. This is a character I want to follow in the series.
• 
  Delia

  Tenzin Norbu is truly a one-off: an ex-Buddhist monk and ex-homicide detective who applies the principles of Mindfulness to the job of solving of murder mysteries. What sets this character apart from any other contenders in the detective fiction market is his adherence to the Buddhist practice of 'checking in' with his visceral and emotional states in each situation that requires a considered response from him. With a taste for good wine, an occasional cold beer, and an eclectic approach to food, he is certainly not your average Buddhist. In fact, he hated life in the monastery whilst still seeing the benefits of his training there.His family was also anything but ordinary. He had an eccentric Franco-American mother and a rather severe Buddhist monk for a father. Throw in part of his childhood in France and then immersion in colloquial American culture and you have a uniquely appealing and intriguing character who is just exotic enough to baffle the brash and often insensitive cops he spent 20 years working with.
  
  The First Rule of Ten opens on Ten's last day with the LAPD. After making a brief appearance he gives his own farewell party a miss and embarks on semi-retirement as a private investigator. Ten's innate decency and insistence on dealing with 'What Is' rather than focusing on what distracts most people, wins him roughly equal numbers of detractors and friends. His first case involving a strange and mysterious cult with disappearing members, conflicting loyalties in the local sheriff's department, deceit and betrayal of a son trying to manipulate his father for gain and a political/financial back story and you have the makings of an absorbing and highly enjoyable read. I like Ten as a character and can already see the options for a tv series and/or movies landing on the desks of the writer, Gay Hendricks (better known to most people as relationship psychologist) and screen writer Tinker Lindsay. The authors envisage a set of 10 novels in the Tenzin Norbu series and I for one am delighted at the prospect of nine more novels to come. They have started what I hope will be a new trend: selling the book on Kindle for $2.99 in order to reach the largest possible readership. I think it's a brilliant marketing strategy. Come book number two, the audience will already be panting for more. Hendricks' command of interpersonal dynamics and Lindsay's long experience as a Buddhist meditator have combined to produce to new genre, the Mindful P.I. Long may he prosper!
• 
  LJ

  First Sentence: I was just sitting down to a cold beer and hot corn soup, at the end of a long week, when my phone rang.
  
  Half Tibetan, half Caucasian, raised in the Buddhist monastery, Tenzing “Ten” Nurbu always wanted to be Sherlock Holmes. Now retired from the LAPD, he becomes a private investigator with a high-tech sidekick, and his first case.
  
  It’s always intriguing to have a protagonist with an unusual background and Ten is definitely different. A very good opening introduces us to the character, his background, outlook and ambition all within a dangerous situation and very effectively sets him, and us, up for the next step. Then, for some unexplainable reason, Hendricks falls into the rookie-author trap of not one, but two portents. Happily, he stopped that completely unnecessary device after those two.
  
  The mix of Buddhism, with descriptions and explanations of the rituals such as a bardo, is nice, but more research for accuracy would have been appreciated. Still, it’s a nice offset to Ten’s passion for his car and guns. His alleged telepathic powers with his cat is a bit over the top. I would suggest not reading this while hungry—“Thirty minutes later, we were serving up a cashew-and-vegetable stir-fry with basmati rice. Expertly chopped cucumber salad on the side.”
  
  There is an interesting mix of philosophy and menace in a verbal dual--“The Buddha himself said we shouldn’t believe his words without question—we must discover the truth for ourselves.” Brother Eldon saw things a little differently. “Obey your God, Nehemiah. Obey me. Go! Guard God’s Paradise!” I got a sudden urge to “find my own way” out of there, and quick.”—and a simplistic, but adequate definition of karma—“…it is our intention that determines our karma; good intentions produce good karma; bad intentions produce bad karma.”
  
  The story is well-plotted, and a bit painful for those of us who all too well remember Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple, but with a very interesting and effective twist. There are a few minor inaccuracies related to Buddhism, and rather TSTL move by the protagonist.
  
  “The First Rule of Ten” has plenty of action and a good resolution, as well as some minor first-book problems. Still, it makes for a good airplane read.
  
  THE FIRST RULE OF TEN (PI-Tenzing Norbu-LA-Contemp) - Good
  Hendricks, Gay and Tinker Lindsay – 1st in series
  Hay House Visions – January, 2012
  
• 
  Amy Corwin

  "The First Rule of Ten" is a fascinating mystery featuring an ex-Buddhist monk who became a police officer and has now quit to become a private investigator. As you might expect, the books has a definite zen-like quality to it. :) Tenzing Norbu, nicknamed Ten, is an interesting character, but I felt a little lukewarm about him. I liked him and his interaction with John D, an old farmer with cancer, but Ten came off as a bit of a jerk at times, particularly where women were concerned, hence my overall lukewarm reaction to him. I just didn't find him as endearing as I usually find characters with flaws. I'd like him to have more real flaws without being such a goody-two-shoes jerk. I know that makes no sense and even seems contradictory, but what c
  an I say? I guess I prefer grumpy, bad-tempered jerks. LOL
  
  That will give you a bad impression though. Ten is an interesting character and like I said, his relationship with John D. makes the book. It makes Ten a lot more real and likeable.
  
  The mystery starts when a beautiful woman shows up, asking for his help, and he turns her away. She winds up dead and Ten decides to investigate her death. It leads him to some strange encounters and troubling events. The story moves quickly and is well written, which I really appreciated. It was the kind of story I enjoy since I learned a few new things about criminal activities that I would never have imagined. The ending wasn't a complete surprise, but the story moved well and kept you fully engaged.
  
  The real test of any book is whether you'll buy another in the series, and the answer is yes for this one. Try it. You'll like it.
  
• 
  Grady

  The concept -- a Tibetan Buddhist ex-cop striking out as a private eye in Los Angeles -- is interesting, if rife with potential for cultural appropriation. The plot is fine, mixing a mobbed-up hog farm with an odd cult and insurance fraud and murder; and there's the obligatory romantic interest. But somehow, this just didn't work for me. I think the authors perceive human nature on a different set of wavelengths than I do, and throughout the book, I felt like I was trying to absorb the story through a distracting New Age gauze. Adding to the challenge, while the lead character and narrator is a supposed to be a guy, the narrative voice didn't sound like a guy. It was enjoyable enough, but the rest of the series does not beckon.
• 
  Greg

  I really enjoyed this book, even though the mystery felt a little loosey-goosey, and there was no way I believed the main character was a former LAPD homicide detective. What I enjoyed and admired was the way the authors portrayed the practice of mindfulness, not just day to day but also in times of great stress. For me, this elevated the book above other mysteries that seek deep truth from the external world, but not from the far more interesting internal one. Four enthusiastic stars!
• 
  Tanya

  This book seems to have been written for me! A great mystery, set in Southern California, and the detective is in touch with intuition, meditation, visualization, and good food! (And he has a cat!) the discussions of karma and compassion added depth to the story.
• 
  Lorna Nicholson

  Fun, fun read. I'm a mystery buff and this book was totally refreshing.
  
• 
  Dawn

  I think I'm going to really enjoy this series!
• 
  Ellen Chronister

  good read. thanks Babs for the referral. I will continue to read the next one in the series.
• 
  Jenny

  I loved it. The character of Ten appealed to me. There were certain technicalities that didnt add up for me but I loved the lightheatedness of the story... I will definitely read more of the series.
• 
  Jeremy C. Stone

  Ok, but painful inner dialogue.
  
  Not bad, really, but not great either. The main character was not especially believable but fairly interesting. His inner dialogue was inconsistent and unrealistic. His back story, while a possible fertile field was shallow and often made little sense. Little time spent on deeper plot details exposed the fact that the other created a rather silly and, again, unrealistic crime scenario. As far as the actual writing, it was average with a few gaps and passages that made no sense. One that stuck with me was that the main character stating that two people have a conversation were too far away to hear what they were saying yet at the same time describing one of the speakers in detail down to the color of the hair on their toe “knuckles”. Hmm. Impressive eyesight for that distance. Silly, I suppose, but it made me doubt the author through the rest of the book. Some of the Tibetan Buddhist content was interesting if not relayed fairly poorly. This ingredient was the book’s saving grace. Without it, I doubt I would have finished the book. Perhaps, I will read another in the series just to see if the lacking areas of the first were improved upon with practice.