The Forgotten

The Deckers realize the violence done to their synagogue can be traced to one deeply disturbed adolescent, Ernesto Golding. But Peter Decker still worries that others were involved. And six months later Ernesto is found murdered.

This was an interesting and bit complicated police procedural. There are a number of suspects whose motives may or may not be antisemitic. Things are complicated when the Decker’s son has a connection to 2 of the suspects. The Decker’s family relationships are caring but imperfect. There was a side story of some of the holocaust victims that was sad. It was a good story and kept me interested.

Solid entry in an excellent series. A Jewish school is vandalized and the unlikely perp caught. One of Rina's boys becomes a key conduit into a college admissions ring that moves prep school boys into the best colleges.
The bodies(5) pile up before the Decker and his team sort it out.

The Forgotten is a book about the Holocaust and what parents will do to get their children to pass the standardized tests in order to get into the best colleges. The story was believable. The settings and characters were all believable. The forgotten was the heroes of the Holocaust who would risk their lives to help people in camps where Jewish people were murdered. In order to learn how the Holocaust and standardized tests are linked in this book, one has to read the book. Four stars were awarded to this book.

One of the better Decker and Rina novels, Faye Kellerman still has what it takes to write a gripping mystery/police procedural. While character development continues to be her strong suit, Kellerman gets the details right too.

This is the 13th installment in this series, but you don't need to read the first 12 to enjoy this story or understand the characters. Kellerman finds logical ways to re-introduce material from earlier stories that is needed for continuity. Even if you've never read a Decker and Rina book, you'll be able to follow this one.

The story starts with the Deckers' synagogue being vandalized. Soon, the kid who vandalized the synagogue is killed, as is his shrink. Decker, with Rina's help, has to figure out what the show more connection is.

A very enjoyable read. show less

Absolutely gripping. Kellerman does not provide easy answers and she has a sympathetic but unwavering eye when it comes to family relationships. The Forgotten can be a heart-wrenching read at times as it deals with both the Holocaust and parents facing the loss of a child.

Rina Lazarus ist wie vor den Kopf geschlagen, als sie erfährt, dass ein infamer Anschlag auf die kleine Synagoge, zu der sie und ihre Familie gehören, verübt wurde. Die Wände sind mit antijüdischen Parolen beschmiert, der Boden ist mit rassistischen Pamphleten übersät, die kostbaren Bücher sind zerfleddert und beschmutzt. Peter Decker, Rinas Mann und Kommissar bei der Polizei von Los Angeles, nimmt routiniert die Ermittlungen auf. Vergehen wie dieses gehören zu seinem Alltag. Schnell kommt er denn auch Ernesto Golding, einem jungen Mann aus wohlhabendem Elternhaus, auf die Spur, der sich nach kurzem Widerstand zur Tat bekennt. Als Motiv nennt Ernesto das Entsetzen über seinen jüdischen Großvater, der angeblich ein Nazi show more gewesen sein soll. Ernestos Freundin Lisa freilich sät in Decker starke Zweifel an dieser Version des Geschehens. Als Ernesto einige Zeit später einem Mordanschlag zum Opfer fällt, muss Peter Decker erkennen, dass ihn der Fall weit mehr betrifft, als er bislang wahr haben wollte. Denn sein eigener Stiefsohn Jacob scheint tief verstrickt in ein Netz zwielichtiger Machenschaften. Und sein Leben ist in Gefahr... (Klappentext) show less

This is the 13th of the Decker/Lazarus series and I have enjoyed each one. I have learnt a lot about the Jewish faith and have loved watching Peter and Rina's relationship grow.

Back Cover Blurb:
A place of worship is vandalised, daubed swastikas testifying to a hatred that, for a time at least, defies understanding.
But the Deckers, Rina and her detective husband Peter, soon realise the violence done to their synagogue can be traced to one deeply disturbed adolescent, Ernesto Golding. Born into privilege but obsessed by the past, he is eventually charged, his case closed. But Peter Decker still worries that others were involved. And six months later Ernesto is found murdered.
Suddenly Decker and his family are plunged into a ghastly world, show more of damaged youth, ruthless parents, and of secrets, their roots in the horrors of the last generation, that seem to demand ultimate retribution.... show less