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brianlokker's review
4.0
In this second Rabbi Small mystery, Rabbi David Small gets drawn into a police investigation when a man is found dead on the eve of Yom Kippur, apparently as the result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Although the man was Jewish, he was not a member of Rabbi Small’s congregation. Nonetheless, his non-Jewish widow wants him to be buried in the Jewish cemetery.
This request causes some difficulty because it is not completely clear how the man died. If it was by suicide, it would not be permissible for him to be buried in the cemetery. Although an insurance investigator argues that it was suicide (which would conveniently invalidate the dead man’s insurance policy), the police rule it accidental. This clears the way for Rabbi Small to allow the burial.
Unfortunately for the rabbi, however, several prominent members of the temple board don’t accept his decision and plot to undermine him. He feels he has no choice but to tender his resignation. The timing couldn’t be worse, as he and his wife, Miriam, are expecting their first child in a matter of days.
Meanwhile, because of the controversy over the burial, Rabbi Small wants to be as sure as possible about how the man died. When he looks into it with police chief Hugh Lanigan, he becomes convinced that the man was murdered. Lanigan agrees with him, but because of the circumstances of the death, there are few clues and no suspects. That doesn’t stop Rabbi Small, whose amateur detective work relies on his Talmudic reasoning skills rather than standard police methods.
I enjoyed this book very much, although maybe a smidgeon less than the first one in the series. The mystery is intriguing. Kemelman has again assembled a great cast of characters and has a great ear for dialogue. The book is often gently humorous. And without being at all didactic, it offers some interesting insights into Jewish religion and culture. It all adds up to a worthwhile and enjoyable read.
This request causes some difficulty because it is not completely clear how the man died. If it was by suicide, it would not be permissible for him to be buried in the cemetery. Although an insurance investigator argues that it was suicide (which would conveniently invalidate the dead man’s insurance policy), the police rule it accidental. This clears the way for Rabbi Small to allow the burial.
Unfortunately for the rabbi, however, several prominent members of the temple board don’t accept his decision and plot to undermine him. He feels he has no choice but to tender his resignation. The timing couldn’t be worse, as he and his wife, Miriam, are expecting their first child in a matter of days.
Meanwhile, because of the controversy over the burial, Rabbi Small wants to be as sure as possible about how the man died. When he looks into it with police chief Hugh Lanigan, he becomes convinced that the man was murdered. Lanigan agrees with him, but because of the circumstances of the death, there are few clues and no suspects. That doesn’t stop Rabbi Small, whose amateur detective work relies on his Talmudic reasoning skills rather than standard police methods.
I enjoyed this book very much, although maybe a smidgeon less than the first one in the series. The mystery is intriguing. Kemelman has again assembled a great cast of characters and has a great ear for dialogue. The book is often gently humorous. And without being at all didactic, it offers some interesting insights into Jewish religion and culture. It all adds up to a worthwhile and enjoyable read.
snowdrowsey's review
2.0
This is the second book in the Rabbi Small series. I read the first one when I first moved here and my husband and I were living in the downstairs basement apartment. This book was okay. I still need to remember that these books take place in the 60s and I really don't like that era. This book had strife between the rabbi and his board at the temple and if I remember right that was a struggle that appeared in the previous book. I get the feeling that the temple's board doesn't really want a rabbi. They like the idea of having a rabbi so the person can do the religious stuff for the temple, but they don't want a rabbi who will wield any sort of power over them.
cchu1215's review against another edition
3.0
A very enjoyable mystery, filled with small town gossip, personal ambitions, and learning about Jewish religion and tradition. I enjoy the fact that nothing really exciting happens, and there's no violence, except for the murder. You also get an education into aspects of the Jewish religion and traditions.
kate_stevenson's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
skateanddonate's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It was a fast comfortable read. Great characters that were well rounded and showed good moral character. Meaning even the bad guys were just human nature flaws not the cynical, self centered evil you get in current fiction novels. The plot is detailed and intricate. None of that flash and bang with constant escalation you get in current fiction. Meaning the first half reads like a sequential day to day plot, but then the mystery pops up and you have a "Duh!" moment and realize each scene contained a clue about the killer or one of the red herring suspects. You've seen it all then the intelligence and philosophy of the Rabbi ties it all together. Current books I almost always solve. This one I didn't figure it out till the Rabbi did! Strongly recommend.
dashausfrau's review against another edition
3.0
Much appreciation for this book series as a look into the past & unique characters.