Unorthodox Practices

Nina Fischman #1

by Marissa Piesman

Welcome to New York in the 1980s, where the best thing about being obsessed with real estate is that you can count on it to arise in conversation about every ten minutes. Nina Fischman mostly opts out of those She's too busy running down to Housing Court on behalf of her poverty law clients, and tracking down sales on sweaters that camouflage the hips. But Nina's mother, Ida, has a nose for the market, and that nose gets twitchy when old ladies in her neighborhood start dying, leaving apartments that have miraculously escaped what New Yorkers delicately call "the cockroach problem." Someone's making a killing in real estate.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Judaica, Crime

244 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1989

About the author

New York attorney Marissa Piesman (Assistant New York State Attorney General) writes the popular Nina Fischman series and is also co-author of The Yuppie Handbook (1984).

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

At one point, the main character feels like she is like a character caught in a book that doesn't know which way to go. I think the author must have felt this way, too, because this was the point where it changed for me.
The first part was a very enjoyable read. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the "legalese" and the debate as to first, whether murder had been committed and whether or not they actually had a case. I loved the teamwork between mother and daughter to collect mysterious powder samples from two apartments and I loved the main character's relationships... but only up this point.

After that, things are wrapped up too quickly. I get the impression that the author may have worked herself into a corner, because suddenly the "mystery" was resolved by telling vs. showing. I also didn't like how things played out between the main character and her new love interest. It seemed like something more should have happened at the end.

So, 4 stars for the first 2/3s of the book and 1 star for the last part.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was all set to give this book five stars but then the mystery part--ostensibly the heart of the book--was a lameo letdown. The rest of it was so awesome that I couldn't put it down, though. Campy in the best way possible, also with a couple of nice silly "sex" scenes.

[The Flooze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unorthodox Practices is an ode to New York in the 80s, replete with references to Alexander's, Loehmann's, the plague of cucarachas, and the fast moving real estate market — when all the old buildings were being turned into condos or co-ops, and those who couldn't buy in felt quite abruptly pushed out.

Being from NYC, and a child of the 80s no less, I'm completely biased. Practically every chapter dunked me headlong into a pool of nostalgia. Nina Fishman even came from the Bronx. And she went to my high school! I was doomed to like her from the start. Although the character is many years my senior by real-world math, I felt particularly seen when she admitted:

Women like [this dippy, pampered real estate agent] always brought out the Bronx in Nina. They made her assume a demeanor somewhat like a hostile Catskills comedian.

So it was inevitable that I would disagree strongly with the complaints of other reviewers that the book centered too much on Nina's kibitzing and on her love life. (Regarding the latter, isn't discussion of romance a given in the cozy mystery genre? That's been my experience, at least...)

There is a mystery here, though I admit it's not Nina who does the majority of the investigating. I'd label her as more of an enabler. Her observant mother — flexing some yenta-ish abilities — is the real driving force. I enjoyed the family dynamic between Nina, her mom, and her sister. They needle each other a bit, but never cross the line. It's nice to see.

With a good amount of humor, a somewhat interesting mystery, and an excellent snapshot of 80s New York, Unorthodox Practices was a compelling yet easy read. I'll definitely check in on Nina in the future.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery is a minor point in this book. The characters and the setting in the Bronx and in Housing Court are the prime reason for reading this story. It was written in 1989, prior to cell phones and universal contact. There are references to dial up modem as being the state of the art. The plot revolves around rent control and co-op apartment buildings. The main character and her mother are non-observant Jews, and part of the plot revolves around the relationships between non-observant and strict Orthodox Judaism. It was very light and at times fun, but I don't think I'll continue the series.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, so I'll admit I picked up this book mainly because of the main character's last name, and because I don't see many mysteries that are Jewish-themed. Well, I still haven't. There isn't much of a mystery here, only who paid for the murders and why, and that's all solved offstage, through legal research and paperwork.

You will probably enjoy this book more if you think of it as chick lit, set in NYC, with dollops of real estate gossip thrown in. (Also, if you like Jewish grandmothers. Ida is much more fun to read about than Nina!)

[Louetta · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Nina” is the most obnoxious character I’ve ever read. Ms. Piesman seems to find her lead character’s flaws charming. Not this reader. She’s a shallow woman who looks down her nose on others in spite of the fact they all are far happier with their lives than she is with her own. Perhaps she’s envious. Unfortunately, zero self awareness from this one. Her mother is the book’s saving grace.

Fortunately for Ms. Piesman, many must not agree with me or it wouldn’t have become a series. Perhaps the series shows Nina evolving into a decent human being but I think I’ll pass to find out.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me forever to read this book because I had to just make myself finish it. First of all, the "mystery" was just a side story, so to speak, thrown in there in a few paragraphs per chapter. The rest of it was a running dialogue on what it was like to be a single Jewish woman living in New York, a lot about her sex life and her mother. And it wasn't at all funny. I was very disappointed. I wouldn't recommend this book and I won't be reading any more in the series.

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neither the character nor the plot held my interest.

[Dogsandbooks]

Charming. Old school

[Cathi95 · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Mystery, 2005) Nina Fleishman series. Didn't feel like the author knew what direction to book was taking - not quite a mystery, romance or whatever. Interesting Jewish perspective on things. It was fun to read, even so.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing story.
Nina Fischman is a housing court attorney and daughter of a "great yenta". Her mother bought her appartment when the building converted from rental to co-op, but one of her neighbors stayed on as a tenant. And thereby hangs a tale ...

[K. Dillard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have realized this book is Jewish-based, so some of the words I am not familiar with. I'll keep you posted.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this author for her descriptions of New York Jewish life.
Have read everything by her and wish she would write more.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever and entertaining. Would love to read a Nina Fischman Mystery set at 60 Centre Street!

[Linda Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual little mystery story about two Jewish ladies who live together - a mother and daughter. Lots of Jewish humor

[Andrea Sachs · Rating 3 out of 5]

New York Times Book Review said "hilarious mystery", but it is not much of a mystery - more one-liner funny.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this many years ago.. fun book

[Jemera Rone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. A surprise ending where the buxom heroine catches the eye of a powerful man after being dumped by a disapointing boyfriend. And a mystery involving rent control and a legal aid lawyer.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good, cute read. This story seemed to concentrate more on the personal life of Nina more than the crime. Her mother, Ida, was a spitfire, even comical.