Category: Cozy Mysteries

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry (The Rabbi Small Mysteries Book 2)

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Rabbi Small returns in this New York Times–bestselling novel to investigate a mysterious death on the Day of Atonement
The day before Yom Kippur, the synagogue sound system is on the blink, the floral arrangements are in disarray, and a member of Rabbi David Small’s congregation—in the Massachusetts town of Barnard’s Crossing—is terribly concerned with how much a Torah weighs. The rabbi is determined not to let these mundane concerns ruin his day of prayer and contemplation. But the holiest day of the Jewish year is interrupted when a member of the congregation is found dead in his car.
 
Details emerge that suggest the man may have killed himself, but the rabbi’s wife suspects murder. Which is it? Rabbi Small kicks into high detective gear to find out. His search for the culprit among the small town’s cast of eccentric characters leads to nail-biting suspense in this highly entertaining and engrossing mystery.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A whale of a good time.” —The New York Times
 
“A crackling good mystery.” —Time
 
“A first-rate mystery.” —The New Yorker on Friday the Rabbi Slept Late
 
“Vintage Kemelman—clean prose, quiet wit, absorbing characters, and revealing conversations, with David’s discourses on Judaism as fascinating as ever.” —Publishers Weekly on That Day the Rabbi Left Town

From the Inside Flap

ngs Yom Kippur to Barnard’s Crossing and Rabbi Small is preparing as usual. But his prayers and fasting are interrupted when a member of his congregation is found dead in his car. The police call it accidental. The insurance company calls it suicide. Only Rabbi Small’s pregnant wife, Miriam, thinks it’s murder. Now it’s up to him to prove her right . . . .
“A crackling good mystery.” — TimeEditorial Reviews

Review

“A whale of a good time.” —The New York Times
 
“A crackling good mystery.” —Time
 
“A first-rate mystery.” —The New Yorker on Friday the Rabbi Slept Late
 
“Vintage Kemelman—clean prose, quiet wit, absorbing characters, and revealing conversations, with David’s discourses on Judaism as fascinating as ever.” —Publishers Weekly on That Day the Rabbi Left Town

From the Inside Flap

ngs Yom Kippur to Barnard’s Crossing and Rabbi Small is preparing as usual. But his prayers and fasting are interrupted when a member of his congregation is found dead in his car. The police call it accidental. The insurance company calls it suicide. Only Rabbi Small’s pregnant wife, Miriam, thinks it’s murder. Now it’s up to him to prove her right . . . .
“A crackling good mystery.” — Time

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

Friday the Rabbi Slept Late (The Rabbi Small Mysteries Book 1)

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

First in the New York Times–bestselling series and winner of the Edgar Award: A new rabbi in a small New England town investigates the murder of a nanny.
David Small is the new rabbi in the small Massachusetts town of Barnard’s Crossing. Although he’d rather spend his days engaged in Torah study and theological debate, the daily chores of synagogue life are all-consuming—that is, until the day a nanny’s body is found on the rain-soaked asphalt of the temple’s parking lot.
 
When the young woman’s purse is discovered in Rabbi Small’s car, he will have to use his scholarly skills and Talmudic wisdom—and collaborate with the Irish-Catholic police chief—to exonerate himself and find the real killer.
Blending this unorthodox sleuth’s quick intellect with thrilling action, Friday the Rabbi Slept Late is the exciting first installment of the beloved bestselling mystery series that offers a Jewish twist on the clerical mystery, a delightful discovery for fans of Father Brown and Father Dowling or readers of Faye Kellerman’s suspense novels set in the Orthodox community.


Editorial Reviews

Review

“A master of detectival disputation . . . The most important debut of a detective in recent years.” —The New York Times
 
“A first-rate mystery.” —The New Yorker
 
“America’s finest living creator of the good old detective story!” —Chicago Tribune
 
“An excellent storyteller . . . Here is detective work at its best.” —The Detroit News
 
“Ingenious . . . Highly recommended.” —The New York Times on Thursday the Rabbi Walked Out
 
“Vintage Kemelman—clean prose, quiet wit, absorbing characters, and revealing conversations, with David’s discourses on Judaism as fascinating as ever.” —Publishers Weekly on That Day the Rabbi Left Town

From the Publisher

When I was a young boy, the first real mystery I ever read was FRIDAY THE RABBI SLEPT LATE. I loved reading about a rabbi solving crimes. When I went to temple while studying for my Bar Mitzvah, during the rabbi’s sermons I’d try to imagine him catching the myriad murderers in Barnard’s Crossing; somehow, he just wasn’t quite Rabbi David Small. And it was more than just the Jewish protagonist that drew me to the writing of Harry Kemelman; it was the spirit with which he told the story. When I came to Ballantine, I was so happy to be able to work on these terrific books. Unfortunately, Mr. Kemelman passed away shortly after THAT DAY THE RABBI LEFT TOWN was published. There may be no more new Rabbi David Small mysteries coming, but that won’t prevent me from revisiting an old friend, time and time again.

Mark Rifkin, Managing Editorial

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

The Inn at Holiday Bay: Trickery in Toyland

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

It’s the week before Christmas, and Abby and Lacy are on a mission—find the one toy Lacy’s youngest wants more than anything. But when Toyland’s long-awaited shipment arrives without the elusive gift, the pair jump into a high-stakes holiday scavenger hunt where the coveted toy is part of the prize package. What begins as merry fun quickly turns chaotic as half the parents in town seem to be chasing the same hard-to-find treasure… and some will do anything to win.

Meanwhile, Toyland’s owner is stirring up trouble of his own—trouble that ends in murder. With a suspect list longer than Santa’s naughty-and-nice roll, Colt and Alex must unravel a tangle of holiday secrets before a killer slips away.

Celebrate the season with the entire Inn family as they dive into all the beloved traditions: Pamela’s List shenanigans, fresh Christmas snow, and the joyful anticipation of Georgia’s new baby. Cozy, chaotic, and filled with Christmas cheer—this is one holiday mystery you won’t want to miss.

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

The Inn at Holiday Bay: Trouble in the Turkey Truck

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Holiday Bay is a charming seaside town where every season brings a celebration—and healing comes when you least expect it.

After a heartbreaking loss, Abby Sullivan never imagined she’d find solace in a quaint seaside inn in Holiday Bay, Maine. But surrounded by new friends, cozy traditions, and an endless parade of mysteries, Abby has discovered that sometimes the best way to heal is to start fresh.

In Book 36 of this heartwarming series, Abby joins Mackenzie Cole—niece of her boyfriend, Colt Wilder—and Colt’s father, Hank, for the town’s first-ever Holiday Bay Turkey Olympics. The trio arrives early to get settled, only to discover something far more surprising than turkeys inside the turkey truck…

As the Holiday Bay family prepares for the season’s first snowfall, familiar faces are navigating their own challenges: Georgia is overwhelmed by the pressure of choosing a name for baby Peyton, Hazel’s mysterious cough has everyone concerned, Anna is adjusting to her new life at the inn with cautious optimism, and Lacy is struggling with mixed emotions after letting her triplets travel for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Full of heart, humor, and seasonal charm, this cozy mystery is perfect for fans of feel-good fiction, small-town camaraderie, and the warm magic of the holidays.

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

The Inn at Holiday Bay: Wallflowers in the Window

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Holiday Bay is a charming seaside town where every season brings a holiday, every holiday is a reason to celebrate, and healing comes in the most unexpected forms.

After a devastating loss, Abby Sullivan never imagined her road to healing would lead her to a quaint seaside inn in Holiday Bay, Maine—or to a new life filled with quirky companions, cozy traditions, and mysteries that seem to follow her wherever she goes.

Now, in Book 35 of this heartwarming series, Abby and her friend Lacy are roped into coaching a ragtag soccer team of first-time players—including Lacy’s twins and Colt’s niece—after the original coach moves away. With no experience but plenty of heart, the duo sets out to guide the underdogs, forming bonds with each of the girls along the way, especially a quiet player hiding more than just nerves. When the girl suddenly disappears from practice, Abby’s instincts kick in, leading to a deeper mystery that proves some hunches are too important to ignore.

As the leaves turn and preparations for the annual harvest festival fill the air with the scent of cider and autumn cheer, the inn buzzes with seasonal excitement. With Colt in rehab, Georgia preparing for a life-changing arrival, and new beginnings on the horizon for all, Holiday Bay once again proves that healing, hope, and a little bit of magic can be found where you least expect it.

Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, small-town stories, and feel-good fiction that celebrates friendship, family, and the spirit of the holidays.