Susan Juby, Nanaimo, B.C., teaches creative writing at Vancouver Island University.

Her book set on a Canadian gulf island.

In this comedic (murder) mystery, Helen Thorpe is a former Buddhist nun who is fresh out of butler school. 

When a suspicious death takes place in an upscale spiritual retreat, suspicions turn to a quartet of suspects with a motive for murder. …

Susan Juby’s novel Mindful of Murder is a murder mystery full of humour and compassion

I many times laughed out loud. Though Judy is a Buddhist and clearly sympathetic to all things west coast, she pokes fun at hippies, flower arrangement, spiritual dance, and all things bohemian. 😀

She loves butlers. I wanted to go to butler school myself by the end of the story.

The book is told from the perspective of a number of interesting characters. My favourite was a stoner, slacker local teen brought in last minute as a general dogsbody.

Having spent time in Buddhist and Hindu ashrams myself, I could relate to the mixed feelings of the … inmates. 😀

Though a light read, there is quite a bit of philosophy, as well. I enjoyed reading about the Death Club. And their views on assisted suicide. The conflicts between Buddhist philosophy and the real world.

There will be two more books about Helen Thorpe, the butler who didn’t do it.  Planned for 2024 and 2025.