ISBN: 0-7887-1991-2 Order from: Recorded Books Amazon.com
Pleasantly cosy, the mystery features a classic murder mystery and low-key but likable amateur sleuth.
Reviewed by David on December 12, 2004
Genre: Mystery (Amateur Sleuth, Jewish)
Synopsis: David Small is the rabbi of the small Jewish community in Barnard's Crossing, Massachusetts. To help out a colleague, and because he always liked the idea of teaching, Rabbi Small accepts a term of teaching a course in Jewish Thought at a small liberal arts Boston college.
The long-cherished dreams of peaceful existence of academia suffer a quick demise when the Rabbi finds the collegiate life no less contentious or bureaucratic than his congregation. But perhaps his greatest challenge is to keep his students engaged—students who are irreverent, lazy or inspired by the protests of their era.
Even that pales in comparison, however, when the college is bombed and a fellow professor is killed in the explosion.
Full Review: Despite the occasionally intrusive habit of lecturing, the unassuming but stubborn and perceptive Rabbi makes a good protagonist, as the crew of flawed but generally likable characters provide food for suspicion and theorizing.
On the whole, this is pleasant diversion, with a rather classical mystery at the core and plenty of appealing if simplistic characters.
Overall: 6; Plot: 6; Characters: 6; Style: 5.5; World-building: 6; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 1973, Recorded Books, 1998, Audio cassette, 6 Cassettes
ISBN: 0-7887-1991-2 Order from: Recorded Books Amazon.com