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Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus #4
Day of Atonement
Peter Decker of the L.A.P.D. never dreamed he'd be spending his honeymoon with his new wife, Rina Lazarus, in an Orthodox Jewish enclave in Brooklyn, New York -- or that a terrible event would end it so abruptly. But a boy has vanished from the midst of this close-knit religious community, a troubled youth fleeing the tight bonds and strictures he felt were strangling him. The runaway, Noam, is not traveling alone. A killer has taken him under his wing to introduce Noam to a savage world of blood and terror. And now Decker must find them both somewhere in America before a psychopath ends the life of a confused and frightened youngster whose only sin was to want something more.
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 14, 1991
446 people are currently reading
1447 people want to read
About the author
Faye Kellerman
179 books2,021 followersFaye Kellerman was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Sherman Oaks, California. She earned a BA in mathematics and a doctorate in dentistry at UCLA., and conducted research in oral biology. Kellerman's groundbreaking first novel, THE RITUAL BATH, was published in 1986 to wide critical and commercial acclaim. The winner of the Macavity Award for the Best First Novel from the Mystery Readers of American, THE RITUAL BATH introduced readers to Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, termed by People Magazine "Hands down, the most refreshing mystery couple around." The New York Times enthused, "This couple's domestic affairs have the haimish warmth of reality, unlike the formulaic lives of so many other genre detectives."
There are well over twenty million copies of Faye Kellerman's novels in print internationally. The Decker/Lazarus thrillers include SACRED AND PROFANE; MILK AND HONEY; DAY OF ATONEMENT; FALSE PROPHET; GRIEVOUS SIN; SANCTUARY; as well as her New York Times Bestsellers, JUSTICE, PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD - listed by the LA Times as one of the best crime novel of 2001; SERPENT'S TOOTH; JUPITER'S BONES, THE FORGOTTEN, STONE KISS, STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS, THE BURNT HOUSE, THE MERCEDES COFFIN and BLINDMAN'S BLUFF. . The novels, STALKER and STREET DREAMS, introduced Kellerman's newest protagonist, Police Officer Cindy Decker. In addition to her crime series, Kellerman is also the author of New York Time's bestseller MOON MUSIC, a suspense horror novel set in Las Vegas featuring Detective Romulus Poe, as well as an historical novel of intrigue set in Elizabethan England, THE QUALITY OF MERCY. She has also co-authored the New York Times Bestseller DOUBLE HOMICIDE, with her husband and partner in crime, Jonathan Kellerman. She has also written a young adult novel, PRISM, with her daughter, Aliza Kellerman
Faye Kellerman's highly praised short stories and reviews have been anthologized in numerous collections including two volumes of the notable SISTERS IN CRIME SERIES, Sara Paretsky's, A WOMAN'S EYE; THE FIRST ANNUAL YEAR'S FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES; THE THIRD ANNUAL BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR; WOMEN OF MYSTERY AND DEADLY ALLIES 11. Her personally annotated collection of her award winning stories, THE GARDEN OF EDEN and OTHER CRIMINAL DELIGHTS, was published in August of 2006. H
Her other hobbies include gardening, sewing and jogging if her back doesn't give out. She is the proud mother of four children, and her eldest son, Jesse, has just published his fourth novel, THE EXECUTOR, from Putnam. She lives in Los Angeles and Santa Fe with her husband, Jonathan, their youngest child, and their French Bulldog, Hugo.
There are well over twenty million copies of Faye Kellerman's novels in print internationally. The Decker/Lazarus thrillers include SACRED AND PROFANE; MILK AND HONEY; DAY OF ATONEMENT; FALSE PROPHET; GRIEVOUS SIN; SANCTUARY; as well as her New York Times Bestsellers, JUSTICE, PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD - listed by the LA Times as one of the best crime novel of 2001; SERPENT'S TOOTH; JUPITER'S BONES, THE FORGOTTEN, STONE KISS, STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS, THE BURNT HOUSE, THE MERCEDES COFFIN and BLINDMAN'S BLUFF. . The novels, STALKER and STREET DREAMS, introduced Kellerman's newest protagonist, Police Officer Cindy Decker. In addition to her crime series, Kellerman is also the author of New York Time's bestseller MOON MUSIC, a suspense horror novel set in Las Vegas featuring Detective Romulus Poe, as well as an historical novel of intrigue set in Elizabethan England, THE QUALITY OF MERCY. She has also co-authored the New York Times Bestseller DOUBLE HOMICIDE, with her husband and partner in crime, Jonathan Kellerman. She has also written a young adult novel, PRISM, with her daughter, Aliza Kellerman
Faye Kellerman's highly praised short stories and reviews have been anthologized in numerous collections including two volumes of the notable SISTERS IN CRIME SERIES, Sara Paretsky's, A WOMAN'S EYE; THE FIRST ANNUAL YEAR'S FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES; THE THIRD ANNUAL BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR; WOMEN OF MYSTERY AND DEADLY ALLIES 11. Her personally annotated collection of her award winning stories, THE GARDEN OF EDEN and OTHER CRIMINAL DELIGHTS, was published in August of 2006. H
Her other hobbies include gardening, sewing and jogging if her back doesn't give out. She is the proud mother of four children, and her eldest son, Jesse, has just published his fourth novel, THE EXECUTOR, from Putnam. She lives in Los Angeles and Santa Fe with her husband, Jonathan, their youngest child, and their French Bulldog, Hugo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
April 28, 2016
In this fourth book in her mystery series, Faye Kellerman details Peter and Rina Decker's honeymoon to Brooklyn, New York for Rosh Hashanah. They are to spend the new year at the home of Rina's former in laws, Rabbi and Mrs Lazarus. Per family tradition the extended Lazarus and Levine families spend the holiday together, as though they are one large mishpacha (family). Yet something is amiss: when Peter first notices Mrs Levine, he sees her face, and realizes that she is his mother who gave him up for adoption at birth. Something else is amiss as well: Peter's actual teenage nephew, although the family doesn't know it, has gone missing. Although on a two week vacation and it is a holiday, Peter with Rina's help takes the case immediately.
As the case take the newlyweds through Brooklyn, back to Los Angeles, and then back to Brooklyn, the Deckers grapple with married life and how to trust each other. Rina actually is much closer with the teen's family than Peter is, yet it is his blood relative. She wants nothing more than to help solve the case, but he would like to separate work and home life. All the while, thoughts keep going through his mind as to how to confront his mother and half siblings when finally given the opportunity to do so.
I enjoyed this mystery more than books two or three, although not at the level of book one, because it runs the gamut of human emotions. Yes, it is a page turning detective story, but it also delves more into Peter's back story and introduces us to more characters. Although it doesn't explicitly say it, I feel Kellerman leaves the door open for the two boys to split time between Los Angeles and New York. How will they respond to their new family? That is a story for another time and place, as I look forward to book five and reading through this series to the end.
As the case take the newlyweds through Brooklyn, back to Los Angeles, and then back to Brooklyn, the Deckers grapple with married life and how to trust each other. Rina actually is much closer with the teen's family than Peter is, yet it is his blood relative. She wants nothing more than to help solve the case, but he would like to separate work and home life. All the while, thoughts keep going through his mind as to how to confront his mother and half siblings when finally given the opportunity to do so.
I enjoyed this mystery more than books two or three, although not at the level of book one, because it runs the gamut of human emotions. Yes, it is a page turning detective story, but it also delves more into Peter's back story and introduces us to more characters. Although it doesn't explicitly say it, I feel Kellerman leaves the door open for the two boys to split time between Los Angeles and New York. How will they respond to their new family? That is a story for another time and place, as I look forward to book five and reading through this series to the end.
March 4, 2017
Ahh, the honeymoon, a time for joy, celebration, bonding, love, excitement...murder.
Yep as seems to be the case with some people (old English ladies, mystery writers, owners of mystery book stores etc.) no matter where you go, murder and mayhem seem to ensue. They dog your footsteps. So when another horrific murder takes place near Peter and Rina and since it involves "family" and Peter is now the "policeman in the family" he gets drawn in.
Of course it's not that simple, there are also huge family development to deal with along with the tragedies all around.
Ms. Kellerman is a good writer as I'm sure hosts of fans have discovered before I even picked up one of her books. I think simply based on what I've read that these books will appeal to a wide range of readers based simply on their readability. She has a great storytelling skill.
Recommended. Enjoy.
Yep as seems to be the case with some people (old English ladies, mystery writers, owners of mystery book stores etc.) no matter where you go, murder and mayhem seem to ensue. They dog your footsteps. So when another horrific murder takes place near Peter and Rina and since it involves "family" and Peter is now the "policeman in the family" he gets drawn in.
Of course it's not that simple, there are also huge family development to deal with along with the tragedies all around.
Ms. Kellerman is a good writer as I'm sure hosts of fans have discovered before I even picked up one of her books. I think simply based on what I've read that these books will appeal to a wide range of readers based simply on their readability. She has a great storytelling skill.
Recommended. Enjoy.
December 27, 2018
So the saga continues! Peter Decker is such a flawed character, I guess that's what makes this series to good. Rina Lazarus is a likeable but also flawed character who can sometimes put Decker in his place. The story starts off in New York City where Decker has just married Rina, and is meeting all the in-laws and friends of family, etc. A disgruntled, Orthodox teenager befriends an on the edge young Jewish man - one with a very nasty habit and urges! A race across continental U.S.A. keeps your heart thumping!
I'm really liking this series, a solid 4 stars and 2 thumbs up
From the blurb: Peter Decker of the L.A.P.D. never dreamed he'd be spending his honeymoon with his new wife, Rina Lazarus, in an Orthodox Jewish enclave in Brooklyn, New York -- or that a terrible event would end it so abruptly. But a boy has vanished from the midst of this close-knit religious community, a troubled youth fleeing the tight bonds and strictures he felt were strangling him. The runaway, Noam, is not traveling alone. A killer has taken him under his wing to introduce Noam to a savage world of blood and terror. And now Decker must find them both somewhere in America before a psychopath ends the life of a confused and frightened youngster whose only sin was to want something more.
I'm really liking this series, a solid 4 stars and 2 thumbs up
From the blurb: Peter Decker of the L.A.P.D. never dreamed he'd be spending his honeymoon with his new wife, Rina Lazarus, in an Orthodox Jewish enclave in Brooklyn, New York -- or that a terrible event would end it so abruptly. But a boy has vanished from the midst of this close-knit religious community, a troubled youth fleeing the tight bonds and strictures he felt were strangling him. The runaway, Noam, is not traveling alone. A killer has taken him under his wing to introduce Noam to a savage world of blood and terror. And now Decker must find them both somewhere in America before a psychopath ends the life of a confused and frightened youngster whose only sin was to want something more.
November 6, 2020
My least favorite of the series so far. First part of the book starts off in Brooklyn, with a large extended family of Rina's Orthodox Jewish former in-laws. So many new characters, I found it a bit confusing. Once the story goes back to L.A. I found it more interesting--I like the Southern California setting so much more. (I guess you can call that location bias!) I'm finding it hard to like Peter Decker and he makes so many bad decisions in this book. He does go through quite a bit of emotional turmoil, but I think his character should be able to handle it. Hard to imagine why Rina puts up with him. I have book #5 sitting on a shelf--that will probably be the make or break book to determine if I continue on with the series.
July 20, 2017
This was a great book. I enjoyed the main plot of a lost boy and Peter Decker's search for him in New York and Los Angeles. I enjoy the constantly growing relationship between Rina and Peter. I love Peter's struggling relationship with his religion and himself; how he must come to terms with who he is as a person and as a Jew and how being raised Baptist and the relationship with his adopted family is impacted by his return to his birth religion. All of this creates a depth of character that is very interesting to read. Kellerman does an excellent job at balancing a mystery/criminal procedure book with a story about a man and a woman. I love it.
August 5, 2019
I love Decker and Rina! They're finally married and spending their honeymoon with her very extended family in Brooklyn for Rosh Hashanah. Not exactly the ideal honeymoon, especially when Decker meets the woman who is his biological mother and then one of the teenaged nephews runs away. The boy hooks up with a dangerous character, and they manage to get to L.A. where they begin a crime spree. Naturally, Decker can't help but get involved in the search for the boy, which leads to all kinds of action.
I love all the characters in this series! Such great stories, but this is the best so far for me. The first part of the book is filled with fascinating info about Jewish law, traditions, and conflicts. Once the crimes begin, though, the focus is definitely on getting them solved and finding the boys. Decker is a great leading man!!!
I love all the characters in this series! Such great stories, but this is the best so far for me. The first part of the book is filled with fascinating info about Jewish law, traditions, and conflicts. Once the crimes begin, though, the focus is definitely on getting them solved and finding the boys. Decker is a great leading man!!!
January 16, 2021
As book four opens, Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus are finally married. Decker is fully and officially Jewish. He technically didn’t have to convert, since his biological mother was Jewish, but he had passed all the tests and attended all the study groups. But this is not the honeymoon he had hoped for. Instead of being somewhere exotic, Decker is in Brooklyn spending Rosh Hashanah with his new wife’s former in-laws, of all people. He’s hanging out with some orthodox Jews, and one of them turns out to be far more involved in his past than he wants to deal with.
When Noam, the son of one of Rina’s family members, goes missing, it’s up to Decker and Rina to figure out what happened to the kid. The young man wanted what so many adolescents want—a sense of self, a sense of freedom and autonomy. The best way he could get that, eh reasoned, was to hook up with an older guy from the neighborhood—a guy who seemed to understand him so well. He, too, had been part of an orthodox family at one time, and he understood the restraints Noam dealt with. He tapped into the kid’s psyche in ways no one else had. The problem is, he’s a psychopath who wants nothing more than to introduce Noam to his chaotic bloody murderous world. It’s up to Decker and Lazarus to find him and bring him home before the psychopath kills him. It’s a dizzying chase between New York, Los Angeles, and ultimately back to New York.
I was fascinated by the snapshot of how orthodox Jews live and celebrate their sacred holidays. You’ll learn much from this book without feeling like someone sought to teach you things. That’s a good kind of learning in which to engage.
When Noam, the son of one of Rina’s family members, goes missing, it’s up to Decker and Rina to figure out what happened to the kid. The young man wanted what so many adolescents want—a sense of self, a sense of freedom and autonomy. The best way he could get that, eh reasoned, was to hook up with an older guy from the neighborhood—a guy who seemed to understand him so well. He, too, had been part of an orthodox family at one time, and he understood the restraints Noam dealt with. He tapped into the kid’s psyche in ways no one else had. The problem is, he’s a psychopath who wants nothing more than to introduce Noam to his chaotic bloody murderous world. It’s up to Decker and Lazarus to find him and bring him home before the psychopath kills him. It’s a dizzying chase between New York, Los Angeles, and ultimately back to New York.
I was fascinated by the snapshot of how orthodox Jews live and celebrate their sacred holidays. You’ll learn much from this book without feeling like someone sought to teach you things. That’s a good kind of learning in which to engage.
May 28, 2020
Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement. We all have need of the cleansing catharsis of repentance and forgiveness whether religious or not. All, but perhaps some more than others. Noam is the runaway child in the age-old tightrope routine between parents attempting to rear young adults; the same trying to assert their own independence.
May 25, 2011
I read this book years ago and enjoyed it every bit as much as I did the first time. If you haven't read Kellerman before I recommend going back to the beginning and starting with Ritual Bath. The changing/growing relationship between her hero and heroine are my favorite part of these books and Day of Atonement is no exception. Rina and Peter are newly married in this book and seeing how the learn to work with each other and deal with complicated family problems is wonderful. If I had to rate the book strictly on this part of the story line I would give it five stars.
My problem is the mystery element -- in this case the search for a runaway boy. I find that it about half of Kellerman's book she gets more graphic and brutal than I care for. I've reached a point in life where I know awful things happen, but I don't always want to read about them. This is strictly a personal choice an many other readers might not feel this way. That said, even knowing that there were parts of the book I did not care for I was still eager to read it again for the wonderful relationship between Rina and Peter.
My problem is the mystery element -- in this case the search for a runaway boy. I find that it about half of Kellerman's book she gets more graphic and brutal than I care for. I've reached a point in life where I know awful things happen, but I don't always want to read about them. This is strictly a personal choice an many other readers might not feel this way. That said, even knowing that there were parts of the book I did not care for I was still eager to read it again for the wonderful relationship between Rina and Peter.
June 3, 2015
I enjoyed Book 4 and I am moving on to Book 5 right away. The Peter and Rina storyline is compelling enough to keep me going, and I found this cop-plot was more interesting than the previous ones.
Part of the reason why I liked this installment more than the others is because of the language - the previous books were not just rude, that wouldn’t faze me at all, but crude. Book 4 was much tamer on that front so maybe the worst is over. (As far as my memory goes, there was a total lack of toilet-talk in Book 16)
Part of the reason why I liked this installment more than the others is because of the language - the previous books were not just rude, that wouldn’t faze me at all, but crude. Book 4 was much tamer on that front so maybe the worst is over. (As far as my memory goes, there was a total lack of toilet-talk in Book 16)
April 11, 2017
This is an interesting book and I never thought I will enjoy it the way I did.I gave it 3 Stars.
September 28, 2017
The case that Decker and Lazarus pursue in this book is suspenseful, and overall I enjoyed the book. I gave it 3 stars instead of 4, however, because I just can't buy an important premise that is crucial to the plot. In this very early book in the Decker/Lazarus series, they have just gotten married and gone to visit Rina Lazarus' extended family in New York for Rosh Hashanah. Decker glimpses a group of female relatives and family friends preparing food and instantly determines that one of them is his birth mother, who gave him up for adoption some 40 years earlier. They've never met, never communicated, and as far as I could tell he'd never seen her picture. Yet somehow he knew it was her. He literally runs out of the house because he doesn't want to be near her or for anyone else to discover their relationship (she has never told her husband or their children that she had a child out of wedlock when she was just 15). Of course he has to come back, and inevitably comes face to face with his birth mother, and now SHE instantly recognizes him! I know that in some families there can be strong similarities in features and traits between children and parents or other relatives, while in others it's hard to pin down who looks like whom. But I just couldn't accept that these two strangers would both know each other right off the bat. This kinship is crucial to the plot because his birth mother's grandson has gone missing, and Decker offers to use his detective skills, getting more deeply involved than he initially planned because the boy is part of his family. To me, the entire plot rests on very shaky foundations, but aside from that it was well done.
November 27, 2019
Enjoyed the book. Decker and Rina are married and on their honeymoon in Brooklyn with Rina’s former in-laws. Shock sets in as Decker sees his biological mother at a family dinner. Now the mystery begins as Deckers biological nephew is missing. Decker, ever the policeman, takes on the job of finding the missing boy. He goes from Brooklyn to L.A. to find the boy. The plot both personally and professionally continue. A good read.
November 5, 2018
Two-haiku review:
Decker in Brooklyn
Young Jewish boy runs away
Decker takes on case
Very good story
More about Decker's background
He's very good man
Decker in Brooklyn
Young Jewish boy runs away
Decker takes on case
Very good story
More about Decker's background
He's very good man
July 10, 2022
I find myself continuing this series despite some of the graphic scenes and intense language. I find myself wanting to read more about these flawed main characters that I find intriguing.
October 16, 2023
I liked the ending on this one. And how Decker got to meet his bio mom and found out he has half siblings.
June 23, 2025
this book is ridiculously outdated but i love the full circle of reading about these orthodox jewish families and brushing up on my yiddish the night before going to work at chabad
August 20, 2025
good story
February 23, 2017
This is one of the fairly early Faye Kellerman books taking place not too long after Rina and Decker are married.
It is an exciting and is a "can't put it down" book".
Besides being a great mystery it has lots of information on the Jewish culture.
I loved this book!
It is an exciting and is a "can't put it down" book".
Besides being a great mystery it has lots of information on the Jewish culture.
I loved this book!
December 22, 2023
More family drama in this one. This one strayed off its course and Peter is caught in a situation where’s there’s a significant overlap between the case and his personal life. This book also shows characteristics of Peter that make him unlikeable, especially some of his behaviour towards Rina. But a decent and adequately paced read.
November 21, 2017
A bit slower than the first three books in the series but still a good read.
November 3, 2012
Ok. Here goes.
Decker uses handcuffs on his wife because he wants her to stay in the car. There is no preliminary disagreement. He stops the car, parks it, then he handcuffs her. She is shocked. So was I. She has a gun and she knows how to shoot it, but instead of either letting her help, or calling up for backup, he goes by himself to check out two people who have murdered and robbed. When he is hurting, he won't take pain medication. He won't see a therapist, despite having PTSD from the Vietnam War. He thinks ideas like on page 339: "god damn doctors trying to pump me up with pain-killers. What'd they think he was? A goddamn girl?" He thinks stuff like this all of the time. Throughout the series that I've read up to now, whenever he feels scared, weak or unsure, he bucks himself up by berating himself to not be a woman. He's straight out of the 1950's. The problem? The story is happening in 1991. Oh, and despite losing TWO pints of blood, he won't accept blood transfusions because he's afraid of AIDs, but instead of resting, he runs around packing clothes, hustling suitcases to and from airports, and flies from Los Angeles to New York, breaking open an arterial bleed injury. Did I mention Decker was a medic in the Vietnam War?
Second irritation. The phrase, 'weird smile". Over and over and over and over..... If you did a word count on that phrase, weird smile, I bet it would come out over 5o times. Kellerman sometimes alternated with crooked smile, but she didn't seem to think a thesaurus might be useful.
Third irritation. Apparently, Rina is a reincarnated goddess of love, the image of Venus. Everywhere she goes, everyone gets a woody, including women. Everyone starts fantasizing about raping her. Every book in the series so far, every chapter where she meets anyone, they all stare. This book has such scenes constantly, too.
Fourth irritation. Noam, a 13 year old boy raised in New York City as an ultra-orthodox Jew, runs off with a psychopath. Eventually Noam realizes he made a mistake, but what does he do? Wouldn't you guess he'd try to run away from the evil man, as ANY sane person would do?
I've noticed there are people who loved The Three Stooges, and others who preferred The Marx Brothers. There usually is a preference for one kind of comedy over another, very rarely do people like them equally. Generally, people agree The Marx Brothers were more clever, cerebral and high art. This is not a judgement on the people who prefer whatever; I've known college professors who prefer The Three Stooges. To me, Faye Kellerman writes for those who prefer The Three Stooges, and Jonathan Kellerman writes for those who prefer The Marx Brothers. While these mysteries are not intentional comedies, it feels like the appropriate comparison.
Decker uses handcuffs on his wife because he wants her to stay in the car. There is no preliminary disagreement. He stops the car, parks it, then he handcuffs her. She is shocked. So was I. She has a gun and she knows how to shoot it, but instead of either letting her help, or calling up for backup, he goes by himself to check out two people who have murdered and robbed. When he is hurting, he won't take pain medication. He won't see a therapist, despite having PTSD from the Vietnam War. He thinks ideas like on page 339: "god damn doctors trying to pump me up with pain-killers. What'd they think he was? A goddamn girl?" He thinks stuff like this all of the time. Throughout the series that I've read up to now, whenever he feels scared, weak or unsure, he bucks himself up by berating himself to not be a woman. He's straight out of the 1950's. The problem? The story is happening in 1991. Oh, and despite losing TWO pints of blood, he won't accept blood transfusions because he's afraid of AIDs, but instead of resting, he runs around packing clothes, hustling suitcases to and from airports, and flies from Los Angeles to New York, breaking open an arterial bleed injury. Did I mention Decker was a medic in the Vietnam War?
Second irritation. The phrase, 'weird smile". Over and over and over and over..... If you did a word count on that phrase, weird smile, I bet it would come out over 5o times. Kellerman sometimes alternated with crooked smile, but she didn't seem to think a thesaurus might be useful.
Third irritation. Apparently, Rina is a reincarnated goddess of love, the image of Venus. Everywhere she goes, everyone gets a woody, including women. Everyone starts fantasizing about raping her. Every book in the series so far, every chapter where she meets anyone, they all stare. This book has such scenes constantly, too.
Fourth irritation. Noam, a 13 year old boy raised in New York City as an ultra-orthodox Jew, runs off with a psychopath. Eventually Noam realizes he made a mistake, but what does he do? Wouldn't you guess he'd try to run away from the evil man, as ANY sane person would do?
I've noticed there are people who loved The Three Stooges, and others who preferred The Marx Brothers. There usually is a preference for one kind of comedy over another, very rarely do people like them equally. Generally, people agree The Marx Brothers were more clever, cerebral and high art. This is not a judgement on the people who prefer whatever; I've known college professors who prefer The Three Stooges. To me, Faye Kellerman writes for those who prefer The Three Stooges, and Jonathan Kellerman writes for those who prefer The Marx Brothers. While these mysteries are not intentional comedies, it feels like the appropriate comparison.
March 13, 2015
Decker & Lazarus - Book 4
Peter & Rina have married and are in NY on their honeymoon meeting Rina's Orthodox Jewish family and family friends. Peter didn't expect that he would come face to face with his biological mother, Frieda Levine. (Peter was adopted at birth by a loving Baptist couple and lived in Florida). The Levine's are close friends of the Lazarus'. When teenager Noam Levine becomes missing, Peter goes in search. His search takes them back home to LA where he confronts a psychopath who has frightened Noam to do his bidding. Peter also has to confront the family he never knew.
I'm enjoying how the relationship between Peter & Rena is developing, and being introduced to other family members along the way. And there is always that element of suspense in solving the crime.....even knowing that Peter & Rina will somehow survive..... there are more books in this series!
Peter & Rina have married and are in NY on their honeymoon meeting Rina's Orthodox Jewish family and family friends. Peter didn't expect that he would come face to face with his biological mother, Frieda Levine. (Peter was adopted at birth by a loving Baptist couple and lived in Florida). The Levine's are close friends of the Lazarus'. When teenager Noam Levine becomes missing, Peter goes in search. His search takes them back home to LA where he confronts a psychopath who has frightened Noam to do his bidding. Peter also has to confront the family he never knew.
I'm enjoying how the relationship between Peter & Rena is developing, and being introduced to other family members along the way. And there is always that element of suspense in solving the crime.....even knowing that Peter & Rina will somehow survive..... there are more books in this series!
May 18, 2011
The series is best enjoyed in chronological order.
Decker ends up hunting down a relative of Rina's, a teenager who has escaped a close-knit religious community. Some of Rina's relatives are behaving like total dicks, which Decker supports to a very high degree... interesting characters though, and lots of things happening.
Decker ends up hunting down a relative of Rina's, a teenager who has escaped a close-knit religious community. Some of Rina's relatives are behaving like total dicks, which Decker supports to a very high degree... interesting characters though, and lots of things happening.
October 11, 2016
Second time I have read the book. It is interesting to read about the Jewish communities & their culture. I know very little about the Jewish culture, their beliefs & the Yiddish language. Some of this is talked about & explained in the book as the two main characters are Jewish.
September 9, 2012
I am really enjoying this series. Can't wait to read them all!!
September 10, 2012
Going back and rereading all the early books in this series...I had forgotten how good they are!
November 19, 2023
Very interesting book about an unhappy Jewish boy, Noam who leaves home at 14 and is taken in by a very devious man, Hersh Schaltz who is actually 'mad'....loves knives and threatens Noam all the time. Noam is very afraid and wants to go home but can't get away from Hersh.
Rina and Peter Decker have gotten married and now in New York with all Rina's relatives when Noam's disappearce happens. The family all turn to Peter, who is on his honeymoon, and expect him to find Noam but Peter doesn't know New York City.
Then it is discovered that Noam and Hersh are now in Los Angeles which is Peter's district so he and Rina fly to L.A. and set forth to find Noam.
The ending is sad in that Noam is brought home but won't live with his parents because of the sins he had done...lives in the basement of a shul....his mind will take a long time to become right again even though he was only away 9 days. Peter gets shot in the shoulder and arm by Hersh; then he kills Hersh but he has to spend time in the hospital. He becomes estranged by everyone...his fault not the relatives fault.
Rina must love Peter a lot because she puts up with his refusal of pain killers, doctor's advice and he is cranky with Rina.
Rina and Peter Decker have gotten married and now in New York with all Rina's relatives when Noam's disappearce happens. The family all turn to Peter, who is on his honeymoon, and expect him to find Noam but Peter doesn't know New York City.
Then it is discovered that Noam and Hersh are now in Los Angeles which is Peter's district so he and Rina fly to L.A. and set forth to find Noam.
The ending is sad in that Noam is brought home but won't live with his parents because of the sins he had done...lives in the basement of a shul....his mind will take a long time to become right again even though he was only away 9 days. Peter gets shot in the shoulder and arm by Hersh; then he kills Hersh but he has to spend time in the hospital. He becomes estranged by everyone...his fault not the relatives fault.
Rina must love Peter a lot because she puts up with his refusal of pain killers, doctor's advice and he is cranky with Rina.
March 4, 2020
In this fourth installment of the series, detective Peter Decker and his wife Rina are on their honeymoon and spending some time with her family in New York City. One of the nephews is a troubled teenager that gets involved with a young man who is seriously disturbed and ends up running away to Los Angelas. Decker ends up volunteering to investigate and try to find the nephew and ends up following them back to Los Angelas which is Decker and Rina's home now. The story spends much time with the various members of Rina's family that are Orthodox Jews. The climax is rather exciting, but getting their is a little tedious.
Not my favorite episodes of the series. Though it is well written and informative, I'm beginning to tire of the amount of time this series spends on Peter and Rina's relationship and Orthodox Jewish family and community they inhabit. The investigation and action parts of the series are well written and the series is better when the bulk of the book is in that venue rather than linger in the cultural scenes.
Not my favorite episodes of the series. Though it is well written and informative, I'm beginning to tire of the amount of time this series spends on Peter and Rina's relationship and Orthodox Jewish family and community they inhabit. The investigation and action parts of the series are well written and the series is better when the bulk of the book is in that venue rather than linger in the cultural scenes.
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