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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Light murder mystery with unlikely but likeable Rabbi sleuth, 22 July 1998
By A Customer
Rabbi Small is a young, "rookie" rabbi at a synogogue in an upstart, suburban Boston community which only recently has had many Jews in the town. The congregation would prefer a "star" that they can show off to their Gentile neighbors--a man who presents himself well at community events--more than they want a spiritual leader and teacher. Unfortunately, Rabbi Small doesn't quite fit their bill: he is often unkempt, he gets lost in his books, he refuses to participate by blessing the boats in the town's annual regatta. He even publicly chides the Sisterhood for serving non-Kosher food at one of their luncheons. At the same time that the Rabbi's contract comes up for renewal, there is a new problem--he is implicated in the murder of a young woman, whose body is found in the synogogue parking lot and whose purse is found in his car. Forming an alliance with the local Irish-Catholic police chief, the Rabbi proceeds to solve the crime, while simultaneousl! y working to win over the confidence of the synagogue Board of Directors to keep his job.The book is a short, one-or-two nights read, easy to get into. As a mystery, it rates well but not among the great mystery classics. Kemelman's strength as a writer lies not in his build-up of the mystery tension, but rather in his ability to portray characters, including their admitted foibles, within their social context. The portrayal of suburban synagogue politics is uncannily accurate, as well as the struggle within the Yankee town to deal with the specter of prejudice and anti-Semitism when the Rabbi becomes a murder suspect. For a light mystery, a sort of "Murder, She Wrote" with sociological insight and a Jewish twist, try this first of the "Rabbi" mystery series.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
On a Number of Levels ...?, 16 Dec 2008
This book is interesting in that you can read it on a number of levels. I think Harry Kemelman wanted to write entertaining books that showcase the role of the Rabbi (as distinct from a pastor / minister) so you can read is as a murder mystery while gaining more insight into a faith that is not necessarily your own.
I, however, was facinated by the social commentary. I shan't give anything away but I was very surprised by Mr Kemelman's creation's interpretation of the 7th Commandment!
As I say, you can read this book in a number of different ways.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
First in crime series - finding its feet, 7 Dec 2009
Rabbi Small is a thin, pale, mild, scholar, 'a casual unfashionable rabbi' who might be an insurance or car salesman. His refusal to conform to the modern ideals of the aspirant liberal Jews in the middle-class suburbs provides the backdrop to this crime thriller.
When a pregnant young local girl's murdered body is found in the Temple environs suspicion falls on the young Rabbi. Fortunately the local policeman is an astute Irish Catholic willing to chew the cud over religious matters and also to listen to the Rabbi's rational analysis of the crime. So begins the first steps of amateur sleuthing that were to cover a dozen subsequent novels.
Jewish readers will understandably have an advantage as Mr Kemelman uses numerous terms unfamiliar to the lay reader. His own innate conservatism is amusing re rock music eg) the group 'Happy Hooligans' with their new single 'Trash collection Rock'! The novel spreads itself around trying to establish characters who could probably be more quickly absorbed later in the series; it feels like Mr Kemelman is finding his feet.
This is a slight novel in every sense. Would be ideal for a short-haul flight. Perfectly pleasant, having quite a twist given the occupation of the sleuth. On the down side it is really mid week afternoon TV material.
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by Harry Kemelman
by Harry Kemelman
by Harry Kemelman
by Harry Kemelman
by Kemelman
