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Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus #6
Grievous Sin
Book #6 from the series: Decker/Lazarus Novels
🎧Run Time = 12 hours and 44 minutes
The birth of their baby girl has filled Rina Lazarus and her husband, LAPD Homicide Detective Peter Decker, with joy mingled with sorrow, since complications have ensured that they can have no more children. But the situation is grim at the hospital, which has been devastated by severe budget cutbacks and staff shortages. And when a respected nurse vanishes along with a newborn from the nursery, Peter and Rina fear for the safety of their own precious child - especially when the missing nurse's car is found at the bottom of a cliff...with a corpse inside.
A most grievous sin has been committed. In pursuit of justice, Decker—with the help of his tough-as-nails partner, Marge, and an able assist from his teenage daughter, Cindy—follows a twisted path that winds through a sinister maze of hospital politics, misplaced passions, and torturous mind games that can all too easily lead to murder.
🎧Run Time = 12 hours and 44 minutes
A “satisfying mystery” (Publishers Weekly) from a New York Times bestselling author: The birth of their daughter should be a time of celebration for Detective Peter Decker and his wife Rina Lazarus. But when a nurse and a newborn go missing from the hospital, Decker must track down the culprit while protecting his family. “Tautly exciting” (Los Angeles Times).
The birth of their baby girl has filled Rina Lazarus and her husband, LAPD Homicide Detective Peter Decker, with joy mingled with sorrow, since complications have ensured that they can have no more children. But the situation is grim at the hospital, which has been devastated by severe budget cutbacks and staff shortages. And when a respected nurse vanishes along with a newborn from the nursery, Peter and Rina fear for the safety of their own precious child - especially when the missing nurse's car is found at the bottom of a cliff...with a corpse inside.
A most grievous sin has been committed. In pursuit of justice, Decker—with the help of his tough-as-nails partner, Marge, and an able assist from his teenage daughter, Cindy—follows a twisted path that winds through a sinister maze of hospital politics, misplaced passions, and torturous mind games that can all too easily lead to murder.
Audio CD
First published June 3, 1993
About the author
Faye Kellerman
181 books2,035 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 185 reviews
May 12, 2016
Around 3.7-3.8. I'd like to wish a hearty mazel tov to Akiva and Rina Miriam on the birth of Chana Shoshana. May they raise her to Torah, chupah, and maasim tovim ( a life of Torah, marriage, and good deeds). Before the Deckers can enjoy their baby, tragedy strikes the maternity ward- another newborn has disappeared and a head charge nurse along with her. The teenage parents are distraught and the Deckers along with them. If Cindy hadn't been in the nursery, the missing baby could easily have been their own.
Peter and Marge easily take the case even though Rina is convalescing and needs his help. Enter Cindy, Rina's parents, and a full time nurse to help out. Cindy not only helps with her sister, but also with investigating the case. I enjoyed her character as she played the role of new cop eager to question everyone and anyone. Peter the nervous father attempts to dissuade her from detecting and encourages her to go back to school.
The case itself focuses on issues that were current in the early 90s when the book was written- hospital budget cuts, mental health awareness, and the ongoing saga of the LAPD to deflect high profile cases post Rodney King. As Peter and Marge work overtime to find the missing newborn, they also look forward to their transfer to homicide six weeks later. Should make for some thrilling cases as the series moves forward.
Peter and Marge easily take the case even though Rina is convalescing and needs his help. Enter Cindy, Rina's parents, and a full time nurse to help out. Cindy not only helps with her sister, but also with investigating the case. I enjoyed her character as she played the role of new cop eager to question everyone and anyone. Peter the nervous father attempts to dissuade her from detecting and encourages her to go back to school.
The case itself focuses on issues that were current in the early 90s when the book was written- hospital budget cuts, mental health awareness, and the ongoing saga of the LAPD to deflect high profile cases post Rodney King. As Peter and Marge work overtime to find the missing newborn, they also look forward to their transfer to homicide six weeks later. Should make for some thrilling cases as the series moves forward.
November 22, 2017
Rounding up from 4.5. Book kept me guessing right until the end!
January 11, 2019
This book was more like the first ones - like the storyline and the banter. This particular story deals with the birth of Decker and Lazarus baby girl, the maternity ward and the kidnapping of another new born, plus the horrible murder of a nurse.
4 solid stars and 2 thumbs up!
From the blurb: The birth of their baby girl has filled Rina Lazarus and her husband, LAPD Homicide Detective Peter Decker, with joy mingled with sorrow, since complications have ensured that they can have no more children. But the situation is grim at the hospital, which has been devastated by severe budget cutbacks and staff shortages. And when a respected nurse vanishes along with a newborn from the nursery, Peter and Rina fear for the safety of their own precious child—especially when the missing nurse's car is found at the bottom of a cliff . . . with a corpse inside.
A most grievous sin has been committed. In pursuit of justice, Decker—with the help of his tough-as-nails partner, Marge, and an able assist from his teenage daughter, Cindy—follows a twisted path that winds through a sinister maze of hospital politics, misplaced passions, and torturous mind games that can all too easily lead to murder.
4 solid stars and 2 thumbs up!
From the blurb: The birth of their baby girl has filled Rina Lazarus and her husband, LAPD Homicide Detective Peter Decker, with joy mingled with sorrow, since complications have ensured that they can have no more children. But the situation is grim at the hospital, which has been devastated by severe budget cutbacks and staff shortages. And when a respected nurse vanishes along with a newborn from the nursery, Peter and Rina fear for the safety of their own precious child—especially when the missing nurse's car is found at the bottom of a cliff . . . with a corpse inside.
A most grievous sin has been committed. In pursuit of justice, Decker—with the help of his tough-as-nails partner, Marge, and an able assist from his teenage daughter, Cindy—follows a twisted path that winds through a sinister maze of hospital politics, misplaced passions, and torturous mind games that can all too easily lead to murder.
January 4, 2014
In Grievous Sin, Peter and Rina are at the hospital due to their baby's birth. The whole clan makes appearances throughout the novel. Cindy, Decker's oldest daughter, becomes very attached to her new sibling and spends time with her in the nursery. When a baby goes missing Peter and Cindy are pulled into trying to find the baby and a missing nurse.
I love how Faye Kellerman develops real characters, and some how balances between the mystery and Peter and Rina's life.
I love how Faye Kellerman develops real characters, and some how balances between the mystery and Peter and Rina's life.
May 12, 2025
Good stuff.
May 11, 2017
loved the new investigator Cindy!
August 27, 2019
Another Decker -Lazarus police procedural . Reena has just given birth to baby Hannah and another baby is kidnapped from the hospital . Everyone comes under police radar , especially the NICU nurses .. and a story of obsession and madness starts .
I still don't know exactly why baby Caitlin was kidnapped
🤦
I still don't know exactly why baby Caitlin was kidnapped
🤦
August 28, 2019
4.5 stars. I started this book off not quite sure where it was going. The first 15 - 20% were exclusively about the birth of Rina and Decker's child and was a bit boring. Once baby is born and the inciting incident occurs, the book picks up a bit and becomes slightly more exciting. At this point, I was fairly intrigued but still a little bored. This was maybe 40%.
Then, without my permission, this book kicked into gear and hooked me hard. I couldn't stop reading it. At around 7 pm, I was at 53% and I had a sad face moment where I thought to myself I don't think I can finish this book tonight. But the book had other ideas and at 11:50 I turned off my Kindle, book completely finished. I simply HAD to know who did it and why. I had to. My brain would not let me stop thinking about it. Tiredness was a thing of the past, a thing that happens to people who aren't in the middle of this book.
It got me, plain and simple. And I'm glad because I've read a few stinkers lately and this was a welcome reprieve.
Then, without my permission, this book kicked into gear and hooked me hard. I couldn't stop reading it. At around 7 pm, I was at 53% and I had a sad face moment where I thought to myself I don't think I can finish this book tonight. But the book had other ideas and at 11:50 I turned off my Kindle, book completely finished. I simply HAD to know who did it and why. I had to. My brain would not let me stop thinking about it. Tiredness was a thing of the past, a thing that happens to people who aren't in the middle of this book.
It got me, plain and simple. And I'm glad because I've read a few stinkers lately and this was a welcome reprieve.
April 1, 2014
This is one of my favorite Kellerman books. I love Cindy with the baby! Though - I also want to scream at her for being stupid.
January 23, 2015
better than the last; fast moving. Liked it. Gets lost in the small talk sometime.
October 26, 2018
Two-haiku review:
Baby disappears
From hospital nursery
Decker's baby's there
Interesting plot
Loved Decker's family stuff
Really weird villains
Baby disappears
From hospital nursery
Decker's baby's there
Interesting plot
Loved Decker's family stuff
Really weird villains
April 24, 2021
I'm not sure who did what or who covered for who and how they were related to each other.
April 27, 2022
Well told story, but these last couple of books don't quite wrap me up in the story. I hoped to see Rina more involved in the cases, and at least recently, she's been mothering. Judaism is less a factor as well. I'm still reading these in between meatier books, but interest is dwindling.
July 2, 2017
I really enjoyed this book many twist and turns keeping you on the edge of your seat.
April 9, 2025
another
Fellerman has penned yet another good novel, this one more psychological than usual. Always enjoy the family involvement in her novels.
Fellerman has penned yet another good novel, this one more psychological than usual. Always enjoy the family involvement in her novels.
May 9, 2025
NOTE: Children are in danger... specifically new-born infants. If the possibility of that will bother you then skip this novel. It also discusses abortion and even late-term abortion.
The Story: Detective Peter Decker and his wife, Rina, have a baby. They are still in the hospital and Peter's daughter, Cindy (from a previous marriage) insists on helping out at the hospital nursery since they seem to be understaffed. The head nurse doesn't like Cindy and relegates her to a back room with the baby. The next morning a different baby has been kidnapped from the nursery and Cindy becomes embroiled in the investigation to find it. Then they find the suspect's car with a body in it burned beyond recognition. And where is the baby?
Any problems with this story? I was a little miffed at the head nurse because she was so unnecessarily mean to Cindy, but this was later explained to my satisfaction. It made sense then.
Perter continued to be overly-sensitive and offended at the slightest thing.
So far, in this series, I have liked The Ritual Bath the best. The sequel, Sacred and Profane, was not a good fit for me. The books have been getting progressively better, though.
The problem stems from the Peter Decker character. Faye Kellerman does a good job of portraying a man's actions, but the inner thoughts of a man are slightly off. It feels a little weird. Perhaps the improvement of the novels can be ascribed to fewer excursions into Peter Decker's angst. Faye Kellerman tries to understand the inner motivations of a man. Her husband must be grateful. In a practical sense, she does a good job, but it's like trying to build an imitation cat, one can build a very convincing cat. It might fool anyone except another cat. (I stole that comparison from a Jack Campbell novel.)
Any modesty issues? Well... sex was discussed although not in detail. Promiscuity was also discussed.
The ending was not as clean as I would have liked, but it was realistic given the circumstances. Nothing in life ends cleanly, I suppose.
I have read this book before, but so long ago I had forgotten who had done it. It was exciting. I will probably read this book again... later.
The Story: Detective Peter Decker and his wife, Rina, have a baby. They are still in the hospital and Peter's daughter, Cindy (from a previous marriage) insists on helping out at the hospital nursery since they seem to be understaffed. The head nurse doesn't like Cindy and relegates her to a back room with the baby. The next morning a different baby has been kidnapped from the nursery and Cindy becomes embroiled in the investigation to find it. Then they find the suspect's car with a body in it burned beyond recognition. And where is the baby?
Any problems with this story? I was a little miffed at the head nurse because she was so unnecessarily mean to Cindy, but this was later explained to my satisfaction. It made sense then.
Perter continued to be overly-sensitive and offended at the slightest thing.
So far, in this series, I have liked The Ritual Bath the best. The sequel, Sacred and Profane, was not a good fit for me. The books have been getting progressively better, though.
The problem stems from the Peter Decker character. Faye Kellerman does a good job of portraying a man's actions, but the inner thoughts of a man are slightly off. It feels a little weird. Perhaps the improvement of the novels can be ascribed to fewer excursions into Peter Decker's angst. Faye Kellerman tries to understand the inner motivations of a man. Her husband must be grateful. In a practical sense, she does a good job, but it's like trying to build an imitation cat, one can build a very convincing cat. It might fool anyone except another cat. (I stole that comparison from a Jack Campbell novel.)
Any modesty issues? Well... sex was discussed although not in detail. Promiscuity was also discussed.
The ending was not as clean as I would have liked, but it was realistic given the circumstances. Nothing in life ends cleanly, I suppose.
I have read this book before, but so long ago I had forgotten who had done it. It was exciting. I will probably read this book again... later.
June 6, 2015
4.5 stars! I love the Decker/Lazarus series. This is the 7th book so far I've read/listened to in this series, and Grievous Sin was one of my favorites (top 2 or 3 at least) so far. This is the book the Rina has Baby Hannah. I was glad Hannah was born healthy but felt for Rina that because to apparently save her life, the dr. had to give Rina a hysterectomy and couldnt have any more kids. Luckily, she already had her 2 sons from her deceased husband and not Hannah with Decker, but she wanted more, and although I never wanted than many and told my dr. when I had female surgery that a hysterectomy was ok if it was needed but it wasnt, I could feel for Rina and other women who felt differently. I liked this book since it included the family so much especially Cindy (Decker's 19 yr old daughter).
While recovering at the hospital after everything, another baby was stolen from the same nursery as Baby Hannah so it led Decker, Marge, and crew (with some help from Hannah) to solve the stolen baby and dead body in burning car and related antics.
Glad even Decker's parents made a brief appearance at the end.
While recovering at the hospital after everything, another baby was stolen from the same nursery as Baby Hannah so it led Decker, Marge, and crew (with some help from Hannah) to solve the stolen baby and dead body in burning car and related antics.
Glad even Decker's parents made a brief appearance at the end.
August 26, 2015
Ever had that deja vu experience while reading a book? While a certain amount of characters were familiar and last I left off... Peter's wife was pregnant... I'm sure I hadn't read this book. And yet... maybe I read the first few chapters but had to return the title to the library???? Anyway... It was great to get back into the lives of Peter and Rina, their family life and the detectives working a case. I love Peter! In fact a case with Peter Decker and Harry Bosch would be awesome to read. Old school guys working the cases one clue at a time. A missing baby, a missing nurse, a car over the cliff with a body in it... What does it all mean and how are the people connected. I went from one theory to another to figure out the crime. A case of one person arriving at the wrong time, who had a mental problem. Mental health issues and women unable to have babies were the topics through out much of the case. This is a series I would like to get caught up within the next year for sure. I just love this writing family!!!!
December 13, 2017
The mystery part was boring and contrived, there were stupid inconsistencies (for example, Decker tells the doctor that they are trying to identify a body by dental records, and a page later the doctor is shocked that Decker is not 100% sure that his patient is dead! Really?!) but what bothered me the most (and this is just a very personal pet peeve) is that the parts about Rina's labor, birth and postpartum period felt like they were written by a man in the 1950s. Faye Kellerman and her husband have 4 children. Even if they were all adopted - and I have no idea if they were - she should have done more research into this, IMNSHO, to be able to write it more organically. Feeding the baby SUGAR WATER? Are you kidding me??
Not sure yet, but I may have to stop reading this series now, I disliked the book that much. Also, in the first couple of books, there was SO MUCH religion and it was this huge obstacle for Decker and Rina, and now that they are married - goodbye religion, it all magically disappeared. I much prefer Jonathan Kellerman's writing, TBH.
Not sure yet, but I may have to stop reading this series now, I disliked the book that much. Also, in the first couple of books, there was SO MUCH religion and it was this huge obstacle for Decker and Rina, and now that they are married - goodbye religion, it all magically disappeared. I much prefer Jonathan Kellerman's writing, TBH.
July 29, 2012
There are books that I read, that I don't like, but I understand why others like them. I don't understand how *anyone* likes this book, it's that bad. Worst 5 dollars I ever spent.
I left my notes on my desk at work, so I can't finish this review at present time. But I will say that not only was I shocked at how basic police procedure was thrown to the wind, but also the borderline racist comments the detectives made. I'd hate to have these detectives on my case. Hate it!..
Review to come.
January 7, 2016
I'm sorry but this book is not worth the time I spent reading it. It was contrived and nothing about it felt real. I found the decisions made by Peter and Rina when they found themselves smack in the middle of this mystery were all off. Nothing they did made sense. The plot felt like it was being forced upon the reader and that we were only feeling scared or sad because we were told to feel that way. It was like a bad movie that uses bad music to cue the appropriate emotional reaction. I hope that this novel is not indicative of the direction in which the Decker/Lazarus series is headed.
July 20, 2017
I loved both the personal story and the mystery in this one. The plot twists the strange coincidences mad this an enjoyable read.
December 9, 2021
What happened?
I am completely unable to fathom this book, nor can I fathom the five star reviews. How? How does a writer fall apart so completely? Dialogue - ridiculous. Plot - absurd. Where was the editor on this pile of garbage?
I am completely unable to fathom this book, nor can I fathom the five star reviews. How? How does a writer fall apart so completely? Dialogue - ridiculous. Plot - absurd. Where was the editor on this pile of garbage?
January 22, 2018
This is the first Decker/Lazarus novel I have listened to instead of read. I really liked the narrator for this one (Mitchell Greenburg). Other than making a couple of the characters sound like stereotypical "goombahs" and Marg a "country bumpkin" at times, he did a great job of giving each character their own voice, making it easy to determine which character was speaking. Additionally, two books ago, I was left with a VERY negative impression of Peter Decker - to the point I almost stopped reading the series - and I think listening to this book rather than reading it went a long way in erasing any lingering doubts as he seemed more "normal" in this one vs the borderline abusive jerk I felt he was a couple of books ago.
This story starts shortly after the last one left off, with Rina in the hospital to give birth to her and Peter's first child together. Complications with the delivery leave Rina in the hospital a few extra days and during the time she is there, another baby, born to a teen mother, goes missing - as does the head nurse in charge of the nursery, who appears to have perished when her car went up in flames (and over a cliff), with no indication that the baby was in the car with her - and which was determined to be murder.
I liked that the murder was not the central mystery of this story - while it was still a plot point, of course, it was more in the background to finding the missing baby, which Decker seemed to be even more inclined to do due to the personal nature of how easily it could have been his own baby that was taken. Decker's older daughter, Cindy, was also more of a (somewhat annoying at times) central character in this one as she tried to help solve the case showing a natural aptitude for detective work, much to the chagrin of Peter. I'm curious as to whether or not she will show up as a student in the police academy vs Columbia University down the road!
I did figure a few things out along the way (though was wrong about a couple as well) and found myself talking to the radio probably a bit more than I should have while listening to this one but that just tells me it held my interest, especially when everything came together at the end.
This story starts shortly after the last one left off, with Rina in the hospital to give birth to her and Peter's first child together. Complications with the delivery leave Rina in the hospital a few extra days and during the time she is there, another baby, born to a teen mother, goes missing - as does the head nurse in charge of the nursery, who appears to have perished when her car went up in flames (and over a cliff), with no indication that the baby was in the car with her - and which was determined to be murder.
I liked that the murder was not the central mystery of this story - while it was still a plot point, of course, it was more in the background to finding the missing baby, which Decker seemed to be even more inclined to do due to the personal nature of how easily it could have been his own baby that was taken. Decker's older daughter, Cindy, was also more of a (somewhat annoying at times) central character in this one as she tried to help solve the case showing a natural aptitude for detective work, much to the chagrin of Peter. I'm curious as to whether or not she will show up as a student in the police academy vs Columbia University down the road!
I did figure a few things out along the way (though was wrong about a couple as well) and found myself talking to the radio probably a bit more than I should have while listening to this one but that just tells me it held my interest, especially when everything came together at the end.
March 3, 2020
It was good to get back into the Decker/Lazarus series again. As with former books, the story's crime/mystery is closely connected with events in Decker and Rina's life. They have now married and the book opens with the birth of their baby girl, Hannah. But two tragedies hit. One, Rina must have a hysterectomy following complications of childbirth. Secondly, another baby from the nursery is kidnapped, and staff mysterious disappear, and later someone turns up murdered. Due to the book's age (written in 1993), Decker goes about tracking down the baby and missing staff members using good old detective skills - skills used prior to our total dependence on the Internet or computers. It was also fun, and rather quaint, to read of their use of finding people by using the phone book. Does anyone still have a phone book!!?? As with previous books, and as a theme of the series which keeps me coming back, Peter and Rina's Jewish heritage and practice still appear sprinkled throughout the book; this is a piece I enjoy, and which will keep me reading the subsequent volumes Kellerman has written.
A real good, classic detective book worthy of reading!
A real good, classic detective book worthy of reading!
September 3, 2019
unabridged audio edition of 10 cd's
Having given birth Rina is exhausted, she starts to struggle with ideas about her worth in life. She has had a hysterectomy and is in grief even though she has birthed 3 children. She believes in her deepest heart that if she cannot have more children she has outlived her usefulness. She also looks at herself both by looking at her body and by looking at herself in the mirror and sees herself as ugly because she doesn't have the "sexy" beauty of a non pg woman.
IMHO these are the thoughts of a culture that is declining. What could be more womanly than being pg? what could be more womanly than giving birth? She thinks she is a feminist but I cannot reconcile hating being a woman with being a feminist. Feminists need to love and admire themselves not just as biological/reproductive beings but also as being complete persons in all their complexities and talents.
The author doesn't repair this obvious breach of Feminism. I don't know what to make of this. Nothing like this showed up in the previous books.
August 8, 2020
Female hormones on overdrive with Peter Decker in the midst of it all... and that includes family and felons alike into the Estrogen mix... and after that, everything is Relative. Sometimes funny... sometimes alarming events that beset any male of the species specially if he is investigating a case of baby snatching from the nursery of the hospital where his wife had just successfully delivered his baby daughter... and a doctor's judgement call to save Rina's life that would cause massive psychological repercussions on her female psyche. A good enough mirror on a slice of a woman's stake or Journey in Life. As for the partners' professional lives... both are slated for the Devonshire Homicide station still in the San Fernando Valley... Decker made his request as a duo to include Marge (as the macho brotherhood from the dark ages was obviously leery of female detectives) and also as an opportunity to prove herself.
November 29, 2023
Another great read by Faye Kellerman....although I did find that it dragged a bit in the middle with so many people, nurses, aides, doctors, policemen in the mix.
Rina had a baby girl but had problems shedding the placenta...it was attached to some of the organs inside so she had to have surgery which ended up being a hysterectomy. She was very sick, depressed over the fact that she couldn't have any more children.
It took her a long time a accept the idea; in the meantime Cindy was caring for her new baby sister at the back of the nursery making sure she got good care because they were so short staffed. During this time a tiny baby belonging to two teens was kidnapped...and it took most of the book to figure out who did that and why.
One black nurse was murdered and burnt in a car going over a cliff. The real killer got away with it while someone else took the blame....really weird ending.
Rina had a baby girl but had problems shedding the placenta...it was attached to some of the organs inside so she had to have surgery which ended up being a hysterectomy. She was very sick, depressed over the fact that she couldn't have any more children.
It took her a long time a accept the idea; in the meantime Cindy was caring for her new baby sister at the back of the nursery making sure she got good care because they were so short staffed. During this time a tiny baby belonging to two teens was kidnapped...and it took most of the book to figure out who did that and why.
One black nurse was murdered and burnt in a car going over a cliff. The real killer got away with it while someone else took the blame....really weird ending.
September 6, 2021
I am still enjoying following this series, and characters. Peter was less of a jerk in this one, still not a huge fan of him. Rina had a baby girl in the beginning of this book. She had complications that left us on edge for a short while.
While recovering, a newborn was kidnapped from the nursery. Peter's daughter was in the nursery with her new sister, so she was safe. But the incident really hits home to Peter and Rina.
Peter and Marge decide to investigate.
This is where I feel it goes off the rails. So many twists and turns new characters and connections,at times it felt like too much, and kinda difficult to keep track. However, I wasn't satisfied with the ending. I'll still read the next book, but not sure after that. Maybe because these are older/dated books. I'll try to continue.
While recovering, a newborn was kidnapped from the nursery. Peter's daughter was in the nursery with her new sister, so she was safe. But the incident really hits home to Peter and Rina.
Peter and Marge decide to investigate.
This is where I feel it goes off the rails. So many twists and turns new characters and connections,at times it felt like too much, and kinda difficult to keep track. However, I wasn't satisfied with the ending. I'll still read the next book, but not sure after that. Maybe because these are older/dated books. I'll try to continue.
November 2, 2020
As I continue through the Decker/Lazarus mystery series, I am enjoying the unfolding story of Peter and Rina's life while appreciating the crime plots. This mystery of a missing baby and murdered nurse kept me interested to the end. At the same time, I can't help but notice that the book is a product of its time - published in the 90s. An era before strict security protocols in hospital nurses and an era when stereotypical depictions of ethnic groups were commonplace. And of course, as a nurse, I am a little overly sensitive to the "Nurse Ratchet" type characters. Kellerman offers a variety of characters, not just stereotypical ones, but a part of my mind was distracted noticing the ones that didn't ring true. I am still looking forward to continuing the series.
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