Just as good on 2nd? 3rd? time

Have always loved this series and the narration by guidall is excellent. Complements the book and allows me to focus on the storyline.

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A great mystery and an awesome education

I absolutely loved this book and learnt so much from it. I read Hebrew and understand it a little. I know the prayers and can teach Bar Mitzvah students. However, there is always more to learn. And the author is a natural teacher and I feel privileged to be his student.
Thank you so much.
Tristram Oldfield

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Can’t wait to read the rest of this series

Wonderful insight into Jewish life and lore coupled with a gently logical problem solving approach to a murder mystery. Going back to listen to number one in this series. Fabulously observed dialogue and characters.Terrific

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kemelman is a master

so much enjoyed this book, brilliantly plotted, written and narrated. if your like to learn while you are being thoroughly entertained. there is no one better than Kemelman

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Yom Kippur Happy New Year?

This is the second book in the Rabbi David Small murder mystery series. (Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, is book 1). This is almost a run of the mill whodunnit series, along the lines of the Miss Silver tales, but the lovely difference (& one that add so much depth and character to the tales), is that it’s set in a Jewish community in America, so there are the various cultural elements, traditions and characters surrounding Jews and Judaism that we just don’t know about. (We learn the difference between the two in this story). Judaism is far more complex and structured than Christianity - full of rituals and laws. It’s the Jewish Talmud books of the Law that Rabbi Small works through to guide the solution to the crimes. What I particularly enjoy with these novels is that, whilst the Rabbi works out whodunnit, he never does the denouement. He always discusses the case with the Chief of Police and leaves the policing to them. I like that he is very low key, misunderstood by most of his congregation, yet still human enough to be stubborn, annoyed and reticent in some instances, humble and scholarly(& therefore quite forthright) in others! I’m really enjoying this series. The narrator is just perfect!

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1 person found this helpful

Comfortable whodunnit

The USA before 9/11, a small town Eden where civil rights demonstrations are somewhere else, but class is a big issue, where business sharp practice is nasty, but does not ruin thousands of pensioners.
Rabbi David Small is a good man, albeit given to the sort of casuistry for which the Jesuits have earned expulsion from many countries on many occasions. Unlike the majority of fictional detectives he is happily, if not convincingly, married. Poor Miriam isn't daft, but seems to be satisfied with less consideration than her husband's crumpled jacket.
It's "I love Lucy" with a touch of theology and a seemly murder, great bedtime listening, told in an old fashioned American accent which is easy to follow.

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Loving this series

The combination of learning about Jewish traditions and enjoying the whodunnit plot is captivating. Highly recommended.

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