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Zip Ono, Buddhist Detective

By: John Christian Plummer
Narrated by: Allison Hiroto
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Publisher's summary

At first glance, the death of media mogul “Big Bill” Argosy appears to be suicide. But his widow, Laila, thinks otherwise. Because Big Bill made enemies - lots of them. And he’d rather fight to the death than take his own life.

When the authorities refuse to investigate, Laila turns to the one person who can see connections in the universe where others can’t: Zip Ono, a young private investigator - and practicing Buddhist.

Zip quickly learns that there’s no shortage of suspects who might very well want Argosy dead. A foul-mouthed hedge fund operator. A pistol-packing TV anchor. Even the Criminal Investigator for the County Sheriff - who happens to be the only man Zip has ever loved.

Following a complex trail of clues, Zip draws on her faith and “the eye of the Buddha” to lead her to the truth. The truth of what happened to Big Bill Argosy. And the truth of her own heart.

©2020 John Christian Plummer (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.
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About the Creator

John Christian Plummer is currently the writer of Mystery 101, the #1-rated mystery movie limited series for Hallmark and was head writer on all 3 seasons of Granite Flats, the cold war spy drama featuring Christopher Lloyd, Parker Posey, Cary Elwes, and Charlie Plummer. He’s worked as a writer and producer for NBC, Fox, Bravo, Comedy Central, TBS, IFC, VH1, MTV, Discovery, and History. John is also a theater director, with a special focus on Shakespeare. His 2008 production of Twelfth Night for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival was the subject of a documentary, Shakespeare on the Hudson, for Channel Thirteen/PBS. His original play, Bastard Nation, was produced by the Dynamo Theatre Lab at Vassar College; his play Rendition in Damascus was produced at the Philipstown Depot Theatre and at the Working Stages Theatre in Los Angeles. We Have Brought Nightmare, a play about New Netherland and the Wappinger War, was the winner of the True North Theatre Project’s River Play Festival Competition. He is a recipient of a prestigious Tanne Foundation Award for outstanding achievement in the arts. He has been a practicing SGI Buddhist for 24 years. He lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife, Maia Guest, sons Charlie and James, and their English bulldogs, Luigi and Luna.
Photo Credit: Ashley Garrett

About the Performer

Allison Hiroto is an actor, musician, and voice-over artist. Her voice-over work ranges from commercials to audiobooks, and she is an AudioFile Earphones Award winner and Audie nominee. As an actor, Allison is a member of La MaMa’s Great Jones Repertory Company, Loco 7 Dance Puppet Theatre, Yara Arts Group, and NYU's First Look Theatre Company. She has performed all over the world, including London, Taipei, Toronto, Bogota, Zagreb, and the Venice Biennale. Allison is also a grant recipient of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Creative Engagement Award.

What listeners say about Zip Ono, Buddhist Detective

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Peacefully exquisite and uplifting ...

As for the detective part, this is a first class mystery, with a realistic, satisfying ending.

As for the detective herself, she's the real thing, a very capable, very human, very clever, compassionate, and yet fiercely competent sleuth.

And as for the Buddhist part, I've learned a thing or two from this book that I will incorporate in my own concept of how to live a kind and meaningful life.

Here's a wish that this becomes a series!

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16 people found this helpful

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good mystery, and good knowledge shared

a twisting mystery story, and a full helping of education around Nichiren Buddhism and practices. As an avid mystery fan, this feels like Book 1 of a series e.g. early Kinsey Milhone by Sue Grafton, and it's nice to have another smart strong female detective on the case. if there are additional mysteries in the series, it will be interesting to see how the author moves from educating on basics of Nichiren Buddhism... to developing the character using Buddhism in deeper but more subtle ways in solving the case.

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3 people found this helpful

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More than a mystery

I am an American Buddhist. When I saw this book was coming out, I was so excited. I am as so happy it was available on Audible. It was fantastic to show how important our Buddha natures are in every day lives. Weather you are solving a mystery or have difficulty at work or in your personal relationships, when you remember your Buddha nature and see others, you can solve any problem. It also shows that this practice is open to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity or religion. I also enjoyed the realistic story. Life is messy and swearing happens. Allison did a wonderful job narrating. I truly look forward to more Zip Ono Mysteries!

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3 people found this helpful

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fantastic

what an amazing book. great narration as well. and now to investigate this SGI further. thank you

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2 people found this helpful

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Very Enjoyable

It is a interesting mystery. This book has made me interested in learning more about Buddhism.

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2 people found this helpful

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watt a message.

This book has great every thing Timing being the strongest Thank you writer please do some more...

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Foul language

I started this book and it has a good story but the foul language was so offensive I just couldn't finish it sorry

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Surprisingly engaging

This was a free audible original and I enjoy a murder mystery so gave it a try. I was surprised how much I liked the protagonist private detective Zip Ono and found the plot held my interest. I felt like there was a prequel but couldn’t find any other books. I would enjoy reading more adventures of Zip.

The narrator was okay, just some of the character voices were annoying.

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2 people found this helpful

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I loved. it

I had not heard of SGI Buddhism. great to learn outside the the mystery story

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Engaging and fun.

The plot was engaging and even fun at times. The story is also disturbing. For me, the romance between Ono and lead detective is unnecessary and distracting. I can't explain without spoilers.

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1 person found this helpful