Craving

A mash-up of standard urban fantasy tropes with the underpinnings of Buddhist philosophy sounds like fertile ground, but Meister doesn't deliver on that promise. Lilith Pierce decides to investigate the mysterious death of her sister, Eva. She endures strange visions while meeting an array of enigmatic characters, including a nightclub owner who is not what she seems and a peculiarly attractive bookbinder. Eventually Lilith discovers who's responsible for Eva's death: a group of supernatural beings who trace their origins to the Buddha's first disciple. The book displays a thorough knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and history, but awkward writing leads to a lackluster tale that's often confusing and muddled, lacking the clarity such an unusual topic demands. Agent: Laurie McLean, Larsen/Pomada Literary Agents. (Oct.)