Jane Isenberg

A book telling the intertwined stories of two women. Rachel Mazursky offers to translate a diary found with the remains of a young woman that were dug up from the streets of Seattle. The diary is that of Aliza Rudinsk, an immigrant from Ukraine who ended up in Seattle, sewing for her living.

The diary takes Rachel from Aliza's journey to America, from New York to Seattle, to Alaska and back to Seattle, where she encounters people her orthodox Jewish background would suggest she ordinarily would not countenance. But Aliza has changed her name to make her journey easier and this change is just the first of many.

Rachel, meanwhile, is tackling demons of her own. Just gaining her feet after losing her husband, Rachel is insecure but hopeful. She is also obsessed with discovering what happened to this young woman in the late 1800s.

It's an interesting trek, mostly for Aliza. I didn't find Rachel all that interesting. I did wonder at times if a woman raised as Aliza was would so easily accommodate such changes. But the story seems realistic enough. We do what we need to do to survive.… (more)

Murder in the Melting Pot had me absorbed from start to finish. Miranda Breitner is a complex protagonist whose attempt to restart her life in rural Washington brings her into contact with a fascinating group of local characters. As she faces the fact that she must solve a murder in order to save her business - and herself - Miranda evolves from a victim of childhood trauma into a strong minded, confident woman. The story also illuminates the times we live in and the challenges we face in accepting the diversity of our fellow Americans. A great mystery and an engrossing read.… (more)