Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry

Once again, the Rabbi has to solve a murder to overcome the nitwits in his synagogue who are more interested in their own personal agendas than in doing the right thing. The formula is exactly the same as in the first book, but it hasn't grown old yet. What is a little jarring is the 1960s setting, against the background of the civil rights movement. The book's references and attitudes seem more than a bit out of date, but the rabbi DOES have his own opinions about things, so part of it is probably the rabbi's responsibility rather than the author's! The crime itself is cleverly solved, but it is just a plot device that enables the rabbi to overcome his adversaries and prove his superior thought processes. Now that I'm used to the show more character, I actually enjoyed this better than the first book. The audiobook versions are an ideal way to get into the series, since the narrator does a really great job. The next thing you know, you'll be eating lunch in your car every day so you have an excuse to listen longer. show less

Rabbi David Small is preparing for Yom Kippur services at the temple in Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts. His wife Miriam is expecting their first child any day. Rabbi Small has to deal with several minor crises, including the death of a non-practicing Jew whose Protestant wife requests his burial in the temple’s cemetery. The man, an alcoholic, was found in his car in his closed garage, and the police ruled that his death was accidental. However, the insurance company suspects that the man killed himself, and the possibility of a suicide’s burial in the temple’s cemetery has some of the congregation ready to fire Rabbi Small for permitting it to happen. As Rabbi Small looks for a solution to the conflict, he becomes convinced show more that the death was neither accident nor suicide, but murder.

Once again, Rabbi Small’s Talmudic logic proves useful for crime solving. Along the way, readers are treated to the rituals of Yom Kippur and Jewish death and burial customs. The dead man was a mathematician who had worked on the Manhattan Project, which is of special interest to me since Oak Ridge is local for me. George Guidall once again proved he is the perfect narrator for this series, and I look forward to continuing it on audio. show less

A man who is an alcoholic dies of carbon monoxide poisoning in his garage at home. Rabbi Small enters the scene when the widow wants to have him buried in the Jewish cemetery. The rabbi must decide whether it was suicide, accidental death or perhaps something more sinister?
I saw the solution to this mystery a mile away, but love reading about all the synagogue intrigue and how the rabbi cuts to the heart of things in a discussion. I will never in a million years be able to understand the way the Jewish tradition and culture thinks, but I am fascinated none-the-less.

This is the second of the Rabbi Small mysteries and Rabbi Small is still new to the congregation. His wife is carrying their first child during Yom Kippur. There is much to learn about some of the religious customs that surround that time. however, there is also another death in the community. The question is was it suicide, an accident, or something worse.

of course, Rabbi Small ends up in the thick of things. The dead person was a non-observant Jew, but his wife wants him buried in the Jewish cemetery; a suicide would not be allowed to be buried within it. Rabbi Small's decision raises all sorts of questions.

I have to admit, I didn't suspect the end; I had my eyes on the red herring. The author played totally fair, though. It does not show more have to be read in order, although events that happened in the first book are mentioned. I think they are sufficiently explained that a reader would be able to enjoy this one as a standalone.

Highly recommended for people who enjoy traditional mysteries with a hint of "cozy." show less

This is the second book of the Rabbi Small series. It is the beginning of Yom Kippur as a murder happened. A non-practicing Jew is found dead. What first looks like a suicide turns out to be a murder with time. Rabbi Small has all hands full. On the one hand, he has to keep members of his church from being considered as murderers. On the other hand, there are disputes between the community board and his responsibilities. Some members want to turn things so that they can profit economically. Once again, Rabbi Small assists the chief of police Hugh Lanigan in his investigations and, last but not least, he becomes a father for the first time.
It was again an amusing reading. The protagonists have already grown to my heart.

Read as part of the omnibus "Four Rabbi Small Mysteries" (Kindle edition). I continue to find Rabbi David Small a very interesting character and am learning some aspects of Jewish religion and tradition. The mystery is well crafted and conforms to my preference that all the clues and information are available to the reader -- the fact that I couldn't figure it out is a sign of a good mystery imo!

Jewish, Jewish-law, murder, murder-investigation, small-town, law-enforcement*****

Critical thinking and inductive reasoning are Rabbi Small's forte. It's been years since I read these books, but it would seem that they've only gotten more relevant as mysteries and clearer as tools to learn more about the Jewish faith. Yes, it was a murder. Great reread.
George Guidall is well suited as narrator.