legalois's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the mystery. I liked the main characters, the police officer and the rabbi, but there were a lot of minor characters which sometimes hard to keep track of. The pacing was a bit odd, with the actual murder not happening until halfway through the book. I learned a lot about Judaism but overall what I learned just reinforced my belief that it’s a very empty religion. In the end I felt like it was a Father Brown wannabe. I did enjoy it but it was only ok.
eososray's review against another edition
4.0
Out of an entirely random find at the library, I've found a great little mystery series.
The charm of this book was not so much in the mystery itself, which was middling, but in the Jewish culture portrayed and explained and in the character of Rabbi Small, who is a naive but clever intellectual with out of the box solutions to Temple matters and murder mysteries.
The charm of this book was not so much in the mystery itself, which was middling, but in the Jewish culture portrayed and explained and in the character of Rabbi Small, who is a naive but clever intellectual with out of the box solutions to Temple matters and murder mysteries.
mike_word's review against another edition
informative
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lorireads2much's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
competencefantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I loved how much the sleuth's background and community figured into the rest of the story.
kilcannon's review against another edition
3.0
I don't read a lot of mysteries, but I see how someone could be hooked on them.
This one took the formula and set it against a pleasant little tale of local Jewish politics. The rabbi is a compelling and unexpected crime solver.
This one took the formula and set it against a pleasant little tale of local Jewish politics. The rabbi is a compelling and unexpected crime solver.
mollykwhelan's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A totally fun mystery. I had no idea it was written so long ago! I really love Rabbi Small and Miriam and can't wait to read more about them. Very fun to see "modern" issues through the eyes of a Talmudist.