The Third Rule of Ten by Gay Hendricks
Third Rule of Ten – A new kind of hero
by Gay Hendricks, Tinker Lindsay
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book to review*
“Do that which you are most avoiding.”
“Be honest and tell the truth.”
It is so refreshing to read about an action-hero who is not out to kill everyone and win all the glory, but rather yet find peace and do what is right and honourable.
When I read the book’s description it said that the main character, Tenzing Norbu was a former Tibetan Monk, ex-LAPD officer turned private investigator. How was that combination going to work and would it be a plausible character?
The easy answer is, yes!
The Third Rule of Ten is actually the third book in a series about Tenzing Norbu. I was worried that coming into the middle of a series I would not understand what was going on. This was not the case. Although the novel does refer to events in the past, it does not shadow the action in the present book. In fact, it just made me want to go back and read the first books to learn more about this fascinating character!
In The Third Rule of Ten, a wealthy politician hires Tenzing to find her family maid who has gone missing. This simple request turns into chaos when the Mexican drug cartel, become linked. Tenzing must solve the mystery, while staying true to himself and doing what is right.
Through this book, I learned a lot about not only the Mexican drug cartel, but also about the Mexican culture as well as the Buddhist belief systems.
If you are looking for a new kind of hero, try Tenzing. It’s a well-written book, and you will think about the characters even when not reading about them. This is a refreshing change to your typical action hero!
To get another opinion, I asked my Mom, an avid reader, to read this book, too. Here’s what she says:
Our unlikely protagonist is Tenzing Norbu, an ex Buddhist monk, ex-LAPD officer now private investigator – quite an unlikely combination. The main story line is that Norbu is asked to find a missing housekeeper which leads him into conflict with the Mexican drug cartel among other villains.
We learn that the third rule of Ten is: Keep current with the truth; we’re only as weak as our secrets – especially the ones we keep from ourselves.
The chaos in Norbu’s life is reflected as chaos in his case. As he gets his life together so does the case start falling into place. When he acknowledges the truth within himself he is able to see what is happening around him. This enables him to go forward and not get mired in the past.
As this is the third book in a series I wondered if I would understand what had happened previously and if it mattered to this particular story. This was not so as the authors handled past events skillfully. The story stood on its own with strong characters and a griping, twisting plot leading to a satisfying conclusion. An edge of your seat, nail biting epic tempered with a humanity and soul searching hero.
Not only did I enjoy reading this particular story but I plan to read the first two in the series as well.
Here’s what the book says: Keep current with the truth: we’re only as weak as our secrets- especially the ones we keep from ourselves. That’s the Third Rule of Ten.
As the go-to private detective for a bevy of high-profile clients, our beloved ex-Buddhist monk, ex-LAPD officer, Tenzing “Ten” Norbu, has finally found his stride. With his beautiful pathologist girlfriend, a healthy bank account, and a steady stream of clients, courtesy of middle-aged movie star Mac Gannon and rising political star Bets McMurtry, Ten’s life is bursting with activity. But it’s not all joy and happiness. The death of his father and a growing abundance of secrets-both personal and professional-leave Ten feeling an unexpected depth of sorrow and confusion. Even with the emotional turmoil, nothing can stop Ten from taking the case when McMurtry’s housekeeper goes missing.
The investigation leads him down a dangerous path littered with bodies, untraceable prescription drugs, and human organ trafficking. But nothing is as shocking as the realization that the mastermind behind it all is none other than-Chaco Morales, a criminal that slipped through Ten’s hands once already. The Third Rule of Ten will have readers on the edges of their seats, as they learn, along with Ten, that there is a fine line between healthy privacy and unhealthy secrecy. Knowing the difference may just determine whether Ten will stop Chaco or lose himself.
