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Bodhi King #1
Dark Path
In Dark Path, Melissa F. Miller brings back Bodhi King, the unflinching Buddhist forensic pathologist from Improper Influence, her USA Today bestselling legal thriller in the Sasha McCandless series.
After solving a series of unexplained deaths in Pittsburgh several years ago, Dr. Bodhi King retreated from the limelight. Now, he's called out of early retirement to help investigate a death cluster on a private island in the Florida Keys. Relatively healthy residents of a nursing home are dying in the middle of the night, expressions of terror etched on their faces.
Reluctant and cautious, the devout Buddhist soon finds himself in the middle of a maelstrom of anger, blame, and death. Members of the Golden Island Church have a furtive agenda to protect. The dying Cuban-Americans have long-held secrets of their own. And everyone seems to have a reason to stop Bodhi from bringing the truth to light.
Lonely Path (Book 2) will be available on November 14, and Hidden Path (Book 3) arrives on December 12. Preorder both titles today!
After solving a series of unexplained deaths in Pittsburgh several years ago, Dr. Bodhi King retreated from the limelight. Now, he's called out of early retirement to help investigate a death cluster on a private island in the Florida Keys. Relatively healthy residents of a nursing home are dying in the middle of the night, expressions of terror etched on their faces.
Reluctant and cautious, the devout Buddhist soon finds himself in the middle of a maelstrom of anger, blame, and death. Members of the Golden Island Church have a furtive agenda to protect. The dying Cuban-Americans have long-held secrets of their own. And everyone seems to have a reason to stop Bodhi from bringing the truth to light.
Lonely Path (Book 2) will be available on November 14, and Hidden Path (Book 3) arrives on December 12. Preorder both titles today!
346 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2017
4080 people are currently reading
1708 people want to read
About the author
Melissa F. Miller
89 books594 followersMelissa F. Miller is a multi-time USA Today bestselling author of mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance novels. Formerly a complex commercial litigator, Melissa graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in medieval literature and creative writing poetry and earned her JD, cum laude, from the Duquesne University School of Law, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Law Review.
After fifteen years, Melissa traded the practice of law for the art of storytelling, drawing on her legal background and love of research to craft fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. She writes strong, resilient characters who tackle serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes with heart.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Novelists, Inc. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending her garden, doing yoga, or drinking coffee. Melissa currently lives outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her family and their rescues—a cat and a beagle. The cat’s in charge.
After fifteen years, Melissa traded the practice of law for the art of storytelling, drawing on her legal background and love of research to craft fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. She writes strong, resilient characters who tackle serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes with heart.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Novelists, Inc. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending her garden, doing yoga, or drinking coffee. Melissa currently lives outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her family and their rescues—a cat and a beagle. The cat’s in charge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
March 16, 2021
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is the first book in a new series with Bodhi King as the main character. Bodhi is a “retired” forensic pathologist. He retired from his position after the overwhelming publicity due to his discovering the reason for a group of unexplained deaths. Now, he is called to consult on another cluster of unexplained deaths. This time, the location is an assisted living in the Keys. And all the victims have died with grimaces of terror on their faces.
Bodhi was a well developed character. A practicing Buddhist, he stands in contrast to the church behind the retirement community. That church, with Brice Smith as the pastor, touts a version of “prosperity theology”. And then there are the victims, who don’t belong to that church but are Roman Catholics. Bodhi wasn't the only well developed character. Detective Felicia Williams is Cuban American and knows she’s been handed the case as her bosses believe she’s incapable of solving it.
I enjoyed that each chapter starts with both a Buddhist and a Biblical quote that provide similar thoughts. In fact, the contrasting religions play a large role in the story.
I wasn’t quite sold on the ending, but the story was enjoyable enough that I would seek out the second book in the series.
Andrew Tell was a good narrator.
My thanks to netgalley and Orange Sky Audio for an advance copy of this book.
This is the first book in a new series with Bodhi King as the main character. Bodhi is a “retired” forensic pathologist. He retired from his position after the overwhelming publicity due to his discovering the reason for a group of unexplained deaths. Now, he is called to consult on another cluster of unexplained deaths. This time, the location is an assisted living in the Keys. And all the victims have died with grimaces of terror on their faces.
Bodhi was a well developed character. A practicing Buddhist, he stands in contrast to the church behind the retirement community. That church, with Brice Smith as the pastor, touts a version of “prosperity theology”. And then there are the victims, who don’t belong to that church but are Roman Catholics. Bodhi wasn't the only well developed character. Detective Felicia Williams is Cuban American and knows she’s been handed the case as her bosses believe she’s incapable of solving it.
I enjoyed that each chapter starts with both a Buddhist and a Biblical quote that provide similar thoughts. In fact, the contrasting religions play a large role in the story.
I wasn’t quite sold on the ending, but the story was enjoyable enough that I would seek out the second book in the series.
Andrew Tell was a good narrator.
My thanks to netgalley and Orange Sky Audio for an advance copy of this book.
May 3, 2021
This was the first book by this author that I have read. I have to say it was decent read. i liked the main character he was different but I liked him-she did a good job with him. i also liked at the beginning of every chapter abuddism spin on things compared to the Christian view-was not preachy. More like a key proverb from each religion . I also liked that she never revealed who the bad guy was or what they were up to well done and I thought the story flowed at a decent pace. A couple of things I did not like were at times the story or case felt fluffy or light in the first half not that serious for a serious crime. I also did not have to know what a lot of the other characters were thinking especially in the first half of the book. I thought the ending was meah or so so . In the end this book squeaked by at 3.0 on the dot . If your light on reading material and not looking for a real serious deep thriller then give it a spin. Would I read the next book in the series likely not and if I did I was low on reading material and I liked the main character. In the end I say maybe give it a spin you can do way worse trust me.
July 17, 2019
Started this new series (to me), by Melissa F Miller, about a forensic pathologist that is a practicing Buddhist.
DARK PATH was a fun, quick read that was not only a great read, but I learned many new things about Buddhism and the world of forensic medicine.
The story centers around sudden deaths taking place in an assisted living facility run by a non-denominational church, led by a evangelistic minister whose church owns the Florida island on which the church and facility are found.
The local medical examiner and police detective investigating the case call in Bodhi King, forensic pathologist consultant, to assist them in solving the puzzling deaths.
This was a quick read and the characters were interesting. I think I’ll check out the next book in the Bodhi King series.
DARK PATH was a fun, quick read that was not only a great read, but I learned many new things about Buddhism and the world of forensic medicine.
The story centers around sudden deaths taking place in an assisted living facility run by a non-denominational church, led by a evangelistic minister whose church owns the Florida island on which the church and facility are found.
The local medical examiner and police detective investigating the case call in Bodhi King, forensic pathologist consultant, to assist them in solving the puzzling deaths.
This was a quick read and the characters were interesting. I think I’ll check out the next book in the Bodhi King series.
March 28, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
****AUDIO BOOK VERSION****
Dark Path is the first book by Melissa F. Miller that I have read and I enjoyed this read and found the main character Bodhi King likeable and different.
Bodhi is a retired forensic pathologist who is called to consult on a series of unexplained deaths at a retirement home. Each death has resulted in the same type of strange facial grimaces on the victims faces linking them all as unnatural and suspicious deaths. The race is on to uncover the method of murder and the killer before more deaths occur.
Bodhi is a Buddhist and I enjoyed the diffent religious beliefs that were blended to similar beliefs through this book at the beginning of each chapter through quotes relating to both religions featured.
We also meet Felicia Williams who is a female detective of Cuban American nationality and loved how she worked hard at proving herself both as a female and a detective in a career where she is not believed in to be good enough to solve this kind of case.
I wasn't too sure of the ending of this book which is why I rated it 3 stars but will be checking out the next book in this series.
****AUDIO BOOK VERSION****
Dark Path is the first book by Melissa F. Miller that I have read and I enjoyed this read and found the main character Bodhi King likeable and different.
Bodhi is a retired forensic pathologist who is called to consult on a series of unexplained deaths at a retirement home. Each death has resulted in the same type of strange facial grimaces on the victims faces linking them all as unnatural and suspicious deaths. The race is on to uncover the method of murder and the killer before more deaths occur.
Bodhi is a Buddhist and I enjoyed the diffent religious beliefs that were blended to similar beliefs through this book at the beginning of each chapter through quotes relating to both religions featured.
We also meet Felicia Williams who is a female detective of Cuban American nationality and loved how she worked hard at proving herself both as a female and a detective in a career where she is not believed in to be good enough to solve this kind of case.
I wasn't too sure of the ending of this book which is why I rated it 3 stars but will be checking out the next book in this series.
March 31, 2019
This book will appeal to anyone who likes to break away from the norm, and read about different cultures. I picked this up because the main character is a practising Buddhist who is also a forensic pathologist. Now that sounds intriguing, doesn't it? And, I wasn't disappointed.
Dr. Bodhi King is an unusual protagonist. I had not come across Buddhism in crime fiction before this... The book also seemed well researched, in both the scientific and religious aspects. The various explanations made by Bodhi and Father Rafael regarding religious belief systems was very easy to follow. I also liked the quotations from both Buddhism and the Bible that began every chapter.
Dr. King is called as a consultant in an investigation of suspicious deaths in an assisted care facility. He joins a female Cuban American police detective in solving the case. That in itself made the book worth reading - it is definitely refreshing to move away from the same old cultures we see on TV and read in books. The care facility is on an island off the Florida Keys and is owned and run by a Christian sect that believes God blesses with material wealth. Santeria and black magic are also thrown into the mix of Buddhism and Christian sect, and that is undoubtedly what I found most fascinating. The mix of religious beliefs, ethnicities and cultures was a real hot pot that kept the story going. And, I was also happy to note that the plot was solid and kept me guessing right up to the end.
I am a Catholic living in a predominantly Buddhist country. I am also interested in other countries, cultures and beliefs. This story left me wondering about parallels in my own country where Buddhists pray to Hindu gods and there is an intense belief in black magic, devils and malevolent spirits. I may even buy the rest of the series !
Dr. Bodhi King is an unusual protagonist. I had not come across Buddhism in crime fiction before this... The book also seemed well researched, in both the scientific and religious aspects. The various explanations made by Bodhi and Father Rafael regarding religious belief systems was very easy to follow. I also liked the quotations from both Buddhism and the Bible that began every chapter.
Dr. King is called as a consultant in an investigation of suspicious deaths in an assisted care facility. He joins a female Cuban American police detective in solving the case. That in itself made the book worth reading - it is definitely refreshing to move away from the same old cultures we see on TV and read in books. The care facility is on an island off the Florida Keys and is owned and run by a Christian sect that believes God blesses with material wealth. Santeria and black magic are also thrown into the mix of Buddhism and Christian sect, and that is undoubtedly what I found most fascinating. The mix of religious beliefs, ethnicities and cultures was a real hot pot that kept the story going. And, I was also happy to note that the plot was solid and kept me guessing right up to the end.
I am a Catholic living in a predominantly Buddhist country. I am also interested in other countries, cultures and beliefs. This story left me wondering about parallels in my own country where Buddhists pray to Hindu gods and there is an intense belief in black magic, devils and malevolent spirits. I may even buy the rest of the series !
March 13, 2021
I listened to the audio of this book and the narration was pretty decent. This story was good and it was an interesting mystery about the suspicious death cluster. The idea of that being something someone could specialize in (although I found it hard to believe that Dr. Brodie King was such an “expert” after solving one suspicious death cluster). There was a lot of religion in this book but it was interesting to see several different takes on religion, There were times this story dragged a little for more and struggled to keep my attention, but in general I did enjoy it. Bodie King is an interesting protagonist with his expertise in pathology and dedication to a simple Buddhist life.
January 17, 2020
I downloaded this ebook during a free promotion. The main character is a Buddhist pathologist and I was drawn in by this interesting mix to read the story. After the first few pages, I thought, "This is lovely!" and continued reading the story with a smile on my face. I loved the immediate conflict created when the ascetic Buddhist is forced to deal with the pastor of a church preaching prosperity theology. I was curious to see how the main character would maintain his tranquility and inner peace when confronted with appalling greed. Add to that a detective with serious anger issues but her heart in the right place. As Sartre said, hell is other people--and yet the Buddhist both abides and solves the mysterious deaths. I'm intrigued by this author and the broad cast of main characters she's developed for her other books.
October 30, 2021
Set in Florida in a facility for assisted living. The guests are dyeing under mysterious circumstances. The place is owned by a slightly creepy evangelist. A retired forensic pathologist is called in to assist on the case.
Very light on crime and mystery solving, with a buddhist main character and buddhist sayings at the start of every chapter. Minimal character development, simplistic plot. Well written though, an easy and entertaining read. Brain candy, if you need a light palate cleanser in between. If you want a decent crime novel or thriller, this is too much of a fluff piece.
Would I read something else by the author? Maybe, if it came cheap and I was looking for something extremely light. It is not very likely though.
Very light on crime and mystery solving, with a buddhist main character and buddhist sayings at the start of every chapter. Minimal character development, simplistic plot. Well written though, an easy and entertaining read. Brain candy, if you need a light palate cleanser in between. If you want a decent crime novel or thriller, this is too much of a fluff piece.
Would I read something else by the author? Maybe, if it came cheap and I was looking for something extremely light. It is not very likely though.
April 10, 2020
Easy to skim through, with a mildly engaging protagonist. Otherwise, not compelling or interesting in any way.
October 8, 2022
A cozy mystery, with an idealized Anglo-American Buddhist
This crime fiction is a lite-mystery—which reads like a cosy rather than a forensic thriller—featuring serial deaths of healthy retirees in an assisted living facility. The cause of deaths is undetermined, but the victims’ faces are contorted by a rictus grin. In this book, a cluster of sudden unexpected deaths (SUD) requires an expert on SUD—no matter that the “expert” solved only one other SUD case.
The SUD expert, Dr. Bodhi King, is a practicing Buddhist and ex-forensic pathologist, who has “a scientist’s analytical mind for creating patterns.” Two months ago, I read about a character who was an ex-FBI-agent, astrophysics professor, and polymath with preternatural pattern recognition abilities. I hope there’s not a third detective with a similar talent.
As a reader interested in EAsian religions and philosophies, Buddhism seems to be the default choice of Western literature and its literati. There is a lot of religion in this book. Many locals belong to a prosperity gospel church, which owns the franchise of assisted care facilities. Members are subtly pressured to invest in the franchise.
Many secondary characters are older, Catholic Cuban-Americans, who also practice Santería, the syncretist Yoruba-Catholicism founded in Cuba. There’s a lot of info on Santaría, including the differences between Santería and a similar but darker religion from Cuba. This second religion, Palo Mayombe, requires blood sacrifices, human remains, and black magic.
The storyline is neither supernatural nor paranormal, but is cleverly told with appropriate characters and cultural/religious beliefs. I thought of “cui bono” whilst reading and solved the whodunnit. I was amused that—like some, high-profile villains in the 2020s—culprit(s) beseech others to pay for their legal fees.
3.5-4.0 stars
This crime fiction is a lite-mystery—which reads like a cosy rather than a forensic thriller—featuring serial deaths of healthy retirees in an assisted living facility. The cause of deaths is undetermined, but the victims’ faces are contorted by a rictus grin. In this book, a cluster of sudden unexpected deaths (SUD) requires an expert on SUD—no matter that the “expert” solved only one other SUD case.
The SUD expert, Dr. Bodhi King, is a practicing Buddhist and ex-forensic pathologist, who has “a scientist’s analytical mind for creating patterns.” Two months ago, I read about a character who was an ex-FBI-agent, astrophysics professor, and polymath with preternatural pattern recognition abilities. I hope there’s not a third detective with a similar talent.
As a reader interested in EAsian religions and philosophies, Buddhism seems to be the default choice of Western literature and its literati. There is a lot of religion in this book. Many locals belong to a prosperity gospel church, which owns the franchise of assisted care facilities. Members are subtly pressured to invest in the franchise.
Many secondary characters are older, Catholic Cuban-Americans, who also practice Santería, the syncretist Yoruba-Catholicism founded in Cuba. There’s a lot of info on Santaría, including the differences between Santería and a similar but darker religion from Cuba. This second religion, Palo Mayombe, requires blood sacrifices, human remains, and black magic.
The storyline is neither supernatural nor paranormal, but is cleverly told with appropriate characters and cultural/religious beliefs. I thought of “cui bono” whilst reading and solved the whodunnit. I was amused that—like some, high-profile villains in the 2020s—culprit(s) beseech others to pay for their legal fees.
3.5-4.0 stars
May 17, 2021
This is my first story by this author but I thoroughly enjoyed it so it will not be my last. This brought Bohdi King, a Buddhist pathologist who had retired after too much publicity to the Florida keys and a retirement community that is a supposed non-denominational church run facility has too many deaths and they are determined to be a "cluster." All are Cuban and Catholic and not of the "faith" that runs the facility. They are all found with "terror" on their face in the morning. Explain that one! Along with the feisty Cuban-American Felicia Williams, who her superiors think cannot solve this mystery, she and Bodhi set out to figure out what is happening on this island retirement community. I really enjoyed this one and hope to grab more of this author's releases in the future.
**Received this ARC for review in audio form from the publisher via NetGalley**
**Received this ARC for review in audio form from the publisher via NetGalley**
April 22, 2020
Though I'm not necessarily a forensic reader, I did love this one. Okay, I skipped the autopsy blow by blow as I'm only interested in results and interpretations. And found out about SUD, SUNDS, and Black Swans.
Like the info on local variations on Christianity, the beliefs and superstitions and how they can hurt you. They are different than eastern variations, I hope you know. Throw in Buddhism and it was quite the hoot. Good mystery, liked the main character. Liked the info about all the Keys.
Will read next one because it take place in one of my favorite towns: Quebec City.
Like the info on local variations on Christianity, the beliefs and superstitions and how they can hurt you. They are different than eastern variations, I hope you know. Throw in Buddhism and it was quite the hoot. Good mystery, liked the main character. Liked the info about all the Keys.
Will read next one because it take place in one of my favorite towns: Quebec City.
December 12, 2019
Not 100% sure I'm sold on this series. I haven't read any other Melissa F. Miller but I understand it is a spin off. Interesting that Bodhi is a Buddhist forensic pathologist, so I will try the next in the series.
August 16, 2020
I was disappointed in this work by Melissa Miller. I had read her novel Irreparable Harm and gave it five stars. This novel read like a young adult effort. There was no tension, little guess work as to the killer or motive. So sorry I had to write this review.
July 11, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
March 27, 2021
A Different Way of Looking at Things
I enjoy exploring new cultures as well as mysteries. Bodhi was at first hesitant to leave his home to help find the cause of these deaths, he soon realized his perspective might be needed. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I enjoy exploring new cultures as well as mysteries. Bodhi was at first hesitant to leave his home to help find the cause of these deaths, he soon realized his perspective might be needed. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
September 12, 2019
As a fan of Miller’s Sasha McCandless series, we thought we’d try this first in what is currently a four-book Bodhi King set. What initially drew our interest is the mere fact that protagonist King is a Buddhist forensic pathologist! He is called to a small island in the Florida Keys where several nursing home residents have suddenly died of unknown causes, with uniform grins of terror on their faces. King works with local police and the autopsy specialist to hopefully identify causes, all of whom are hampered by the money-hungry evangelist that more or less runs the island but not the nursing home.
While we generally liked the characters herein, the plot only generated moderate suspense en route to a major let-down in its conclusion. In particular, the religious mumbo-jumbo of the last quarter of the book was both confusing to read and, at least to us, not at all interesting. Outright voodoo might have been more entertaining!
Since we usually like Miller’s work, and did think she was on to something with her Buddhist character, we might try another to see if a more typical plot might be more appealing.
While we generally liked the characters herein, the plot only generated moderate suspense en route to a major let-down in its conclusion. In particular, the religious mumbo-jumbo of the last quarter of the book was both confusing to read and, at least to us, not at all interesting. Outright voodoo might have been more entertaining!
Since we usually like Miller’s work, and did think she was on to something with her Buddhist character, we might try another to see if a more typical plot might be more appealing.
December 3, 2022
I found it to be pretty dull with no excitement and a boring ending. The narrator was good but the book itself was very forgettable.
November 9, 2017
Forensic Pathologist Bodhi King first made an appearance in “Improper Influence” - the fifth book in the Sasha McCandless series. The quiet, reflective Buddhist pathologist brought an interesting element to the novel and clearly made an impact because he is now back and has his own series, of which “Dark Path” is the first instalment.
We find Bodhi meditating on plants among Buddhist monks: the media exposure ensuing from the case he solved in “Improper Influence” has driven him away from the profession and into a life of travelling, house sitting and volunteering.
But when a series of unexplained deaths hits Golden Island, a retirement community based off of the Florida keys, Bodhi is contacted by an old acquaintance because of his specific expertise on cluster deaths. Realising that a refusal to help would be no different than taking a life and therefore contrary to his buddhist principles, Bodhi accepts and travels to Florida.
Central theme to the plot of this novel is the power of religious beliefs. Different religions are heavily featured in the story: there’s the wealth-focused ‘prosperity gospel’ preached at Golden Island by Pastor Bryce; the superstition-heavy Santería that many of the residents practice under the guise of Catholicism, and the darker, more disturbing presence of Yoruba, a complex belief system originating from Nigeria. Who, then, better than buddhist forensic pathologist to find out the truth?
“Dark Path” is a very enjoyable read - a forensic thriller crossed with cozy mystery, with a cast of entertaining characters confined in a remote location - a kind of ‘and then there were none’ scenario. But in Miller’s books there are always interesting themes alongside the thrill of a fast-paced plot, and “Dark Path” is no exception: for instance, at the start of every chapter we find quotes from both Buddhist and Christian scriptures that are pertinent to the story. The similarities between the two belief systems are fascinating, and I am amazed at how well this author is able to weave Buddhism and Christianity into a crime novel.
Once again after reading one of Melissa F. Miller’s novels, I feel that, while she entertained me with a story about murders and unsavoury characters, I learnt something new (confession: I didn’t know the meaning of ‘syncretization’ until I read it in this book). I can’t wait to find out what the reluctant pathologist will be up to next. Luckily, the next instalment, ‘Lonely Path’, will be out in a few days.
We find Bodhi meditating on plants among Buddhist monks: the media exposure ensuing from the case he solved in “Improper Influence” has driven him away from the profession and into a life of travelling, house sitting and volunteering.
But when a series of unexplained deaths hits Golden Island, a retirement community based off of the Florida keys, Bodhi is contacted by an old acquaintance because of his specific expertise on cluster deaths. Realising that a refusal to help would be no different than taking a life and therefore contrary to his buddhist principles, Bodhi accepts and travels to Florida.
Central theme to the plot of this novel is the power of religious beliefs. Different religions are heavily featured in the story: there’s the wealth-focused ‘prosperity gospel’ preached at Golden Island by Pastor Bryce; the superstition-heavy Santería that many of the residents practice under the guise of Catholicism, and the darker, more disturbing presence of Yoruba, a complex belief system originating from Nigeria. Who, then, better than buddhist forensic pathologist to find out the truth?
“Dark Path” is a very enjoyable read - a forensic thriller crossed with cozy mystery, with a cast of entertaining characters confined in a remote location - a kind of ‘and then there were none’ scenario. But in Miller’s books there are always interesting themes alongside the thrill of a fast-paced plot, and “Dark Path” is no exception: for instance, at the start of every chapter we find quotes from both Buddhist and Christian scriptures that are pertinent to the story. The similarities between the two belief systems are fascinating, and I am amazed at how well this author is able to weave Buddhism and Christianity into a crime novel.
Once again after reading one of Melissa F. Miller’s novels, I feel that, while she entertained me with a story about murders and unsavoury characters, I learnt something new (confession: I didn’t know the meaning of ‘syncretization’ until I read it in this book). I can’t wait to find out what the reluctant pathologist will be up to next. Luckily, the next instalment, ‘Lonely Path’, will be out in a few days.
March 19, 2020
Book review originally posted at kittylishareviews.blogspot.com.
Bohdi is a retired forensic pathologist who has decided to live the reminder of his days away from the public eye after becoming a near-instant celebrity after solving a SUD cluster while unearthing a political scandal. That being said when the healthy elderly start dropping like flies at a retirement home he is asked to step in and see if he can help. He agrees, but only as long as the church isn't paying for him.
There is a mix of a lot of religions in this book including Catholicism, Buddhism, and Santerianism. I was hesitant on this book at first due to all of the religions, but I can honestly say that it played out nicely. I was skeptical of the cause of all of the deaths from the beginning and in a way I am glad I was right. Some things are just meant not to be liked.
Within these pages lay a story that has mystery, drama, religion, and even a bit of flirting. As with any book I have a favorite character. For once it was not one of the main characters. Instead it was Mr. Santiago. The older gentleman had a love of reading and a fear of dying. But, of course, who could blame him when all of his friends were dying around him at night with a look of abject horror on their faces?
If you can keep an open mind about religions and love a good mystery to curl up with then you should get this book. Who knows, you might even learn some things. I learned about the possibility of dying due to consuming too much copper. Makes me want to rethink some of my copper pans in my kitchen.
Bohdi is a retired forensic pathologist who has decided to live the reminder of his days away from the public eye after becoming a near-instant celebrity after solving a SUD cluster while unearthing a political scandal. That being said when the healthy elderly start dropping like flies at a retirement home he is asked to step in and see if he can help. He agrees, but only as long as the church isn't paying for him.
There is a mix of a lot of religions in this book including Catholicism, Buddhism, and Santerianism. I was hesitant on this book at first due to all of the religions, but I can honestly say that it played out nicely. I was skeptical of the cause of all of the deaths from the beginning and in a way I am glad I was right. Some things are just meant not to be liked.
Within these pages lay a story that has mystery, drama, religion, and even a bit of flirting. As with any book I have a favorite character. For once it was not one of the main characters. Instead it was Mr. Santiago. The older gentleman had a love of reading and a fear of dying. But, of course, who could blame him when all of his friends were dying around him at night with a look of abject horror on their faces?
If you can keep an open mind about religions and love a good mystery to curl up with then you should get this book. Who knows, you might even learn some things. I learned about the possibility of dying due to consuming too much copper. Makes me want to rethink some of my copper pans in my kitchen.
March 11, 2021
After reading many, many criminal mystery books over the years I have almost seen it all. Most books that sit within the genre fit a familiar trope - there's the amateur sleuth (someone not connected to an official police role solves crimes), the cosy mystery (usually set in a small community), the ever popular hard-boiled detective (a tough, cynical crime fighter - closely associated with film noir) and others.
In this book, Miller has managed to inject a freshness into the criminal mystery genre in the form of Bodhi King - a retired forensic pathologist turned buddhist monk who is drawn back into the investigative fold. I have don't think I've ever seen a book mesh eastern philosophy with police procedure but in this instance it worked!
I appreciated the little moments of humour dotted throughout the book that lifted it from the usual serious tone, however this began to grate on me as I got further into the story. I was confused when the plot became more cosy and fluffy and less forensic and procedural. The story began with strong elements but then began to peter out until the final lacklustre resolution. I was left satisfied with the character development but wanting more from the plot.
I listened to the audiobook of course, and I found the narration to be high quality. It was easy enough to tell the characters apart, although if was being picky, I would have liked some more nuance in the portayals.
Overall this was a strong take on a well-worn genre and I enjoyed the characters in particular.
In this book, Miller has managed to inject a freshness into the criminal mystery genre in the form of Bodhi King - a retired forensic pathologist turned buddhist monk who is drawn back into the investigative fold. I have don't think I've ever seen a book mesh eastern philosophy with police procedure but in this instance it worked!
I appreciated the little moments of humour dotted throughout the book that lifted it from the usual serious tone, however this began to grate on me as I got further into the story. I was confused when the plot became more cosy and fluffy and less forensic and procedural. The story began with strong elements but then began to peter out until the final lacklustre resolution. I was left satisfied with the character development but wanting more from the plot.
I listened to the audiobook of course, and I found the narration to be high quality. It was easy enough to tell the characters apart, although if was being picky, I would have liked some more nuance in the portayals.
Overall this was a strong take on a well-worn genre and I enjoyed the characters in particular.
July 19, 2023
The first Bodhi King mystery introduces Buddhist Dr. Bodhi King who is a forensic specialist. After gaining too much publicity for his liking, he decided to retire from public view. Now, a case in the Florida Keys draws him back into the world. People who live in an assisted living facility are dying unexpectedly with looks of terror on their faces.
Bodhi is called down to the scene by the local medical examiner. The Golden Life Church which owns the island where the facility is located offers to hire him, but he prefers his independence. It seems strange to him that all the victims were Roman Catholics and not members of the Golden Life Church. Religion plays a strong role in this mystery. Beyond Roman Catholicism and the beliefs of the Golden Life church, there are references to religions brought over from Africa and melded with the Catholic religion which are practiced by some of the victims in this story.
The story is packed with interesting characters. The local police liaison has anger management issues. The local medical examiner is a hippie living in an airstream trailer. The head of the Golden Life Church, a church that seems to have the goal of making everyone wealthy, seems to have an agenda of his own. Bodhi is intriguing too. His Buddhist beliefs are evident.
This is the first of a series that will reach eight books in September.
Bodhi is called down to the scene by the local medical examiner. The Golden Life Church which owns the island where the facility is located offers to hire him, but he prefers his independence. It seems strange to him that all the victims were Roman Catholics and not members of the Golden Life Church. Religion plays a strong role in this mystery. Beyond Roman Catholicism and the beliefs of the Golden Life church, there are references to religions brought over from Africa and melded with the Catholic religion which are practiced by some of the victims in this story.
The story is packed with interesting characters. The local police liaison has anger management issues. The local medical examiner is a hippie living in an airstream trailer. The head of the Golden Life Church, a church that seems to have the goal of making everyone wealthy, seems to have an agenda of his own. Bodhi is intriguing too. His Buddhist beliefs are evident.
This is the first of a series that will reach eight books in September.
April 19, 2020
Clean, clear, and stirred a new interest for me
Clean writing...no typos, grammatical errors, misspellings...so rare in today's marketplace.
(I have stopped reading a few books where the story could not rise above the errors.)
Bodhi King is a skilled forensic pathologist who "retired" when a former case drew too much attention to him versus the group of deaths involved. Here he is drawn out by another, different grouping of deaths, at a church-affiliated senior citizens home.
An interesting supporting cast keeps things popping, but not so many other stories that the reader loses track.
There is a famous writer whose four-to-six-page chapters drive me away from his books. Ms. Miller's chapters range from short to moderate in length, but they each end leaving me eager for the next page rather than feeling as if I'm dangling from a cliff, frustrated knowing that guy is going other places. Grrr.
Excuse me now while I go get the next Bodhi King book. Peace out, and happy reading.
Clean writing...no typos, grammatical errors, misspellings...so rare in today's marketplace.
(I have stopped reading a few books where the story could not rise above the errors.)
Bodhi King is a skilled forensic pathologist who "retired" when a former case drew too much attention to him versus the group of deaths involved. Here he is drawn out by another, different grouping of deaths, at a church-affiliated senior citizens home.
An interesting supporting cast keeps things popping, but not so many other stories that the reader loses track.
There is a famous writer whose four-to-six-page chapters drive me away from his books. Ms. Miller's chapters range from short to moderate in length, but they each end leaving me eager for the next page rather than feeling as if I'm dangling from a cliff, frustrated knowing that guy is going other places. Grrr.
Excuse me now while I go get the next Bodhi King book. Peace out, and happy reading.
March 18, 2019
A retired Buddhist forensic pathologist is lured out of retirement by a perplexing case. a number of elderly residents of a church-sponsored retirement home have died inexplicably. All share Cuban ancestry. Bohi, the pathologist, agrees to investigate along with a feisty Cubana detective and hipster medical examiner. The end result is an engaging yet cerebral enterprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The pacing is a bit slow but Bodhi is a great character. He dispenses his Buddhist wisdom gently and appropriately in stark contrast to the greedy, grasping teleminister who owns the retirement home. It is a clean novel with no explicit sex or violence and no foul language. The gentle pacing and approach, however, diminished the fear felt by the residents especially the targeted group. The reader is told that they are afraid, not shown that they were. Still an engrossing read with a unique lead character.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The pacing is a bit slow but Bodhi is a great character. He dispenses his Buddhist wisdom gently and appropriately in stark contrast to the greedy, grasping teleminister who owns the retirement home. It is a clean novel with no explicit sex or violence and no foul language. The gentle pacing and approach, however, diminished the fear felt by the residents especially the targeted group. The reader is told that they are afraid, not shown that they were. Still an engrossing read with a unique lead character.
November 25, 2020
I wasn't so sure this interesting secondary character from the Sasha McCandless mystery series set in Pittsburgh could sustain his own series. How much intrigue and adventure can you get with a pacifist Buddhist forensics expert as your hero? How do you sustain reader interest?
Miller succeeds here, and she certainly does an excellent job keeping me involved. I loved the way she worked in information about several different religions that readers might not know and a thread in one they think think they know but are not aware of: the Christian prosperity preachers. We also get a welcome setting to escape to via literature during a pandemic, the Florida Keys. There are issues of race, class, gender, and ethnicity here, and insight into assisted living bureaucracies. And if that is all not enough: people keep dying inexplicably, with looks of horror frozen on their faces!
A fine start to a new series from a trusted author!
Miller succeeds here, and she certainly does an excellent job keeping me involved. I loved the way she worked in information about several different religions that readers might not know and a thread in one they think think they know but are not aware of: the Christian prosperity preachers. We also get a welcome setting to escape to via literature during a pandemic, the Florida Keys. There are issues of race, class, gender, and ethnicity here, and insight into assisted living bureaucracies. And if that is all not enough: people keep dying inexplicably, with looks of horror frozen on their faces!
A fine start to a new series from a trusted author!
February 17, 2018
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
From the aging and angry female detective to the gentle and brilliant consulting Coroner, this tale is packed with surprises. Four closely spaced deaths in a nursing home owned by a proselytizing church, each with the victim frozen with eyes open in a visage of fear have the entire facility terrified. Bodhi King, unwillingly pulled into things because of his heretofore displayed brilliance in solving SUD chains (singular unexplained deaths that are clustered), must help detective Felicia and Coroner Arthur unravel the solution to these murders. I fervently enjoyed the twists and turns as one by one, the clues to the puzzle are discovered. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
From the aging and angry female detective to the gentle and brilliant consulting Coroner, this tale is packed with surprises. Four closely spaced deaths in a nursing home owned by a proselytizing church, each with the victim frozen with eyes open in a visage of fear have the entire facility terrified. Bodhi King, unwillingly pulled into things because of his heretofore displayed brilliance in solving SUD chains (singular unexplained deaths that are clustered), must help detective Felicia and Coroner Arthur unravel the solution to these murders. I fervently enjoyed the twists and turns as one by one, the clues to the puzzle are discovered. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
March 20, 2019
A strange death cluster in a retirement centre
Pastor Bruce Stroud was one of those guys who serves Mammon - the god of wealth. He had established a retirement centre where his every intention was to milk the retirees. Unlike his poverty-stricken father, he had no intentions of being poor. Instead of protecting the retirees, he used people's fear against them in the cruelest way. Voodoo dolls made by a Cuban Santieró merged vaguely with Catholic beliefs including witchcraft, black magic, animal and human sacrifice to get his hands on their wealth. It took a Buddist Forensic Pathologist to uncover his tactics through a process of elimination to expose the Pastor's game and snap the handcuffs on this evil charleton.
Pastor Bruce Stroud was one of those guys who serves Mammon - the god of wealth. He had established a retirement centre where his every intention was to milk the retirees. Unlike his poverty-stricken father, he had no intentions of being poor. Instead of protecting the retirees, he used people's fear against them in the cruelest way. Voodoo dolls made by a Cuban Santieró merged vaguely with Catholic beliefs including witchcraft, black magic, animal and human sacrifice to get his hands on their wealth. It took a Buddist Forensic Pathologist to uncover his tactics through a process of elimination to expose the Pastor's game and snap the handcuffs on this evil charleton.
May 25, 2019
Dr Bodhi King used to be a forensic pathologist but he gave that all up after everything went wrong now he is happy to mediate and not worry about the outside world. But that is all about to change as a friend has reached out for his help he isn't too sure about getting involved. Dt Felicia Williams is surprised when she meets Bodhi he isn't what she was expecting but she needs his help with this case as too many people are dying at Golden Shores and she is convinced that Pastor Bryce Scott has something to die with it. Bodhi finds the deaths strange as it seems that the victims died of fright but what is causing it. Who is to blame? The more they dig into Golden Shores the stranger things become will they be able to find the culprit before even more people die? A good read.
June 13, 2020
Dark Path is book 1 of Bodhi King series. This was a great introduction to Bodhi Miller. Bodhi is a retired Forensic Pathologist that specialized in determining cluster SUD (Sudden Unexplained Death) cases. After his last case, he had given it all up and sought peace in Buddhism. But he's brought out of retirement to help on a cluster of SUD cases at an assisted living facility on a private island owned by a Church. The charismatic leader of the Church seems more interested in making more money for the Lord than the safety of the residents.
Bodhi is intrigued that the SUD cases all have 1 thing in common: their faces are frozen in terror! A fast moving great read! I am on to Book 2--Lonely Path.
Bodhi is intrigued that the SUD cases all have 1 thing in common: their faces are frozen in terror! A fast moving great read! I am on to Book 2--Lonely Path.
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