ISBN: 0-7887-1761-8 Order from: Recorded Books Amazon.com
A warm look at a small New England town, and the investigation of a crime with careful observation and even more careful thinking.
Reviewed by David on December 05, 2004
Genre: Mystery (Amateur Sleuth, Jewish)
Synopsis: When a man is found in his garage, suffocated by carbon monoxide from his car, the police rule accidental death. However, despite the lack of a suicide note, the insurance company claims it was one, refusing to pay. In even more concern to Rabbi Small, who just officiated over the victim's burial, the members of his congregation are upset over the grave of a possible suicide in their cemetary.
It falls to Rabbi Small, and his friend the Chief of Police Lanigan, to try to put together all the little signs to prove once and for all the cause of death—accident, suicide or murder.
Full Review: The town of Barnard's Crossing, and its Jewish community seem small and even cosy in the literary sense. There are few people involved, and Temple politics as well as the investigation bring many of them together.
The investigation is pleasant, with the putting together of small clues and alternating suspicions. The final discovery seems a bit abrupt; still the pleasant characters and their interactions deliver a very satisfying experience.
Overall: 6; Plot: 6; Characters: 6; Style: 5.5; World-building: 6; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 1966, Recorded Books, 1997, Audio cassette, 5 Cassettes
ISBN: 0-7887-1761-8 Order from: Recorded Books Amazon.com