cj_mo_2222's review
4.0
Dan and Rivka Sherman, owners of the Olde Victorian Bookstore in Annapolis, Maryland, get mixed up in a real police investigation when a member of their mystery writer’s critique group becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her fiancé. Goth Peggy Fraume is an unlikely match for Orthodox Jew Israel “Izzy” Finestein, but Peggy insists she loved Izzy and would never have hurt him. Peggy claims the real murder for Izzy’s murder is a missing Holy book that was written in Yiddish in the 14th century and that Izzy was restoring for Dan and Rivka. The more Dan and Rivka hear about the case, they more they agree with Peggy.
There are many different things packed into this book. There is the main plot of the missing Holy book and the murder, as well as a side-plot with Dan and Rivka’s clerk, Ivy Cohen, who is involved in a battle over the estate of an elderly friend of Ivy’s. The fight includes a catfight with a relative of the deceased, which seems beneath Ivy. These events aren’t really related to the main plot, but do have a satisfactory resolution and added some lightness to the mood of the book.
The story behind the book is very interesting and the authors explain that the Holy book in the story is based on an actual book the “Menorat ha-maor” or “Candlestick of Light” which was a moral and religious household guide for Jewish people in the Middle Ages. Excerpts of the book are included at the beginning of each chapter and I was surprised how relevant some of those words of wisdom, such as “He who guards his mouth and tongue protects himself from woe” are today. I enjoyed these passages, as well as the information about Jewish traditions that is included as part of the story and think the book would appeal to fans of the early works of Faye Kellerman.
The official investigation is the weakest part of the story since the lead detective uses his questions to gather information to fit his theory instead of the other way around. The other characters are unique and interesting, though. Parts of the book move a little slow, but I was pleased by the twist the investigation takes at the end. The investigation is interesting, but it’s regretful that Izzy is the victim because his relationship with Peggy is so unique, I would have liked to have read more about them as a couple. This isn’t an ordinary mystery and I appreciated its distinctive subject and tone.
This review was originally written for the Smitten by Books website and blog. (3.5 stars) The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
There are many different things packed into this book. There is the main plot of the missing Holy book and the murder, as well as a side-plot with Dan and Rivka’s clerk, Ivy Cohen, who is involved in a battle over the estate of an elderly friend of Ivy’s. The fight includes a catfight with a relative of the deceased, which seems beneath Ivy. These events aren’t really related to the main plot, but do have a satisfactory resolution and added some lightness to the mood of the book.
The story behind the book is very interesting and the authors explain that the Holy book in the story is based on an actual book the “Menorat ha-maor” or “Candlestick of Light” which was a moral and religious household guide for Jewish people in the Middle Ages. Excerpts of the book are included at the beginning of each chapter and I was surprised how relevant some of those words of wisdom, such as “He who guards his mouth and tongue protects himself from woe” are today. I enjoyed these passages, as well as the information about Jewish traditions that is included as part of the story and think the book would appeal to fans of the early works of Faye Kellerman.
The official investigation is the weakest part of the story since the lead detective uses his questions to gather information to fit his theory instead of the other way around. The other characters are unique and interesting, though. Parts of the book move a little slow, but I was pleased by the twist the investigation takes at the end. The investigation is interesting, but it’s regretful that Izzy is the victim because his relationship with Peggy is so unique, I would have liked to have read more about them as a couple. This isn’t an ordinary mystery and I appreciated its distinctive subject and tone.
This review was originally written for the Smitten by Books website and blog. (3.5 stars) The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
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