Tag: #Mystery

As he counsels a woman considering conversion to Judaism, Rabbi Small takes a break from murder mysteries to discuss the mysteries of his religion.
In Conversations with Rabbi Small, the rabbi finds himself taking a well-deserved vacation at a Jewish retreat in the mountains, where he reads, plays cards, and furthers his studies, which have been languishing for too long. When the rabbi’s wife is called back to the city to deal with an illness in the family, the rabbi meets a curious young woman in the midst of a life-changing moment.
 
Joan is a gentile who is about to marry a Jewish man, and she is desperate for answers as she determines whether or not to convert to her betrothed’s religion. In Rabbi Small, she finds an ideal teacher. In a series of impassioned conversations, the rabbi guides her through the ancient mysteries and wonders of Judaism, giving guidance to both her and her husband-to-be. With humor and compassion, the rabbi shares the history, beliefs, and traditions that have linked Jewish people across the world for millennia.

New York Times Bestseller: An anti-Semitic millionaire is murdered, and Rabbi Small must defend his congregants from false accusations . . .
Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts, is thriving. Every year, more young couples move to this cozy New England village to raise their families, and many of them join Rabbi David Small’s synagogue. But the town is jolted out of domestic tranquility when Ellsworth Jordon, the town selectman, is murdered. An outspoken anti-Semite, and one of the town’s richest and most powerful men, it seems like everyone had a reason to dislike Jordan. When he’s murdered, not even the rabbi is surprised.
 
Police suspicion falls on several upstanding members of the synagogue, so Rabbi Small endeavors to clear them the way only he can—with God at his back and the Talmud in hand. Surprises lurk at every turn as the rabbi narrows down the long list of suspects to find the killer.

A pharmaceutical mishap draws the rabbi into a murder investigation in this New York Times bestseller: “An endearing character . . . a devious plot” (San Diego Union-Tribune).
New Age thinking has come to Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts. The recently elected president of Rabbi David Small’s synagogue is intent on using temple money to build a meditation retreat. The congregation is practicing yoga, buying crystals, and reciting chants. When a troubled young man returns to the town after spending time in a controversial Hasidic cult, the rabbi expects him to be another New Ager. But things take a grisly turn away from new-fangled mantras of peace and love when something terribly old fashioned happens: murder.
 
An elderly patient dies after being given the wrong medication by the local pharmacist, who coincidentally is also the Hasidic man’s father. When the dead man’s family suggests the mix-up was intentional, both the druggist and his son become suspects and it’s up to Rabbi Small to investigate by drawing on some Old Testament wisdom in a village of New Age fads.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A jim-dandy tale.” —Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
“Kemelman has blended an endearing character with a devious plot to give us a spicy peek at mystery and the Talmudic ambience.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune
 
“Ingenious . . . Highly recommended.” —The New York Times on Thursday the Rabbi Walked Out
 
“A first-rate mystery.” —The New Yorker on Friday the Rabbi Slept Late

From the Inside Flap

Rabbi Small’s congregation dies a mysterious death during the worst hurricane Barnard’s Crossing has seen in years. When the suspect turns out to be a troubled but likable young man, Rabbi Small comes to his aid — drenching himself in a decidedly non-kosher mystery involving prescription drugs, real estate shenanigans, and possibly, pre-meditated murder . . .

“The Jewish Sherlock Holmes” investigates a deadly disruption on a college campus in this New York Times bestseller (The Detroit News).

Edgar Award–Winning Author

Once again, Rabbi Small finds himself looking for solace outside the confines of the contentious world of his synagogue in Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts. When a member of his congregation expresses that she does not want him to officiate her wedding, Rabbi Small has had enough. He seeks escape by dabbling in academia with a part-time teaching gig at a local college. But his fantasy of a tranquil life in an ivory tower is about to come tumbling down.

A bombing at the school kills one of the rabbi’s coworkers, and Small finds himself caught between adversarial students and feuding faculty members. As he investigates possible suspects with the same logic and measured caution that make him a brilliant religious leader, Rabbi Small finds that everyone has a motive—and an alibi—and it’s up to him to uncover the truth.

“When Rabbi Small finally pins down the killer, the reader’s only regret is that its all over.” —Associated Press

“First rate.” —The New Yorker

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Very fine.” —The New York Times
 
“The Jewish Sherlock Holmes is not only as brilliant and perceptive as his British counterpart, but in time very likely will surpass him in exciting adventures.” —TheDetroit News
 
“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

Small takes a break from the Barnard’s Crossing’s pulpit to teach a course on Jewish thought at a small community college. But he soon discovers all is not idyllic behind the ivy-colored walls. When a bomb goes off in the dean’s office, the peaceful campus mood is shattered and everyone — from professors and students to the indefatigable rabbi himself — is suspected . . . of murder.

A bomb plot draws Rabbi Small into international intrigue while he’s vacationing in the Holy Land in this New York Times–bestselling novel.

Edgar Award–Winning Author

David Small has spent six years as the rabbi of Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts, and every year his job has been in crisis. In desperate need of time away, he embarks on a three-month trip to Israel. He expects a relaxing, soul-nourishing stay, but wherever Rabbi Small goes, murder follows.

A bombing disrupts his vacation and the rabbi finds himself thrust into a world of terrorism and political discord in the divided city of Jerusalem. He teams up with an Orthodox Israeli cop to hunt down the terrorists before they can attack again. Dispensing Jewish wisdom as he employs his astute detective skills, Rabbi Small might be the only one who can crack this explosive case.

“Salty, smart, shrewdly funny, well-plotted and fast-moving . . . Will take the blue out of Monday.” —The Detroit News

“A fascination and delight from beginning to end.” —Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Salty, smart, shrewdly funny, well-plotted and fast-moving . . . Will take the blue out of Monday.” —The Detroit News
 
“A fascination and delight from beginning to end.” —Library Journal
 
“Ingenious . . . Highly recommended.” —The New York Times on Thursday the Rabbi Walked Out
 
“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