Fax Me a Bagel

Ruby, the Rabbi's Wife #1

by Sharon Kahn

Ruby, a forty-six-year-old rabbi's widow, dodges a cunning criminal and keeps an eye on suspicious temple doings as she tries to determine who poisoned Marla Margolis with a dose of cyanide at the local bagel store in Eternal, Texas. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Jewish, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Cozy, Humor

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Sharon Kahn has worked as arbitrator and attorney, and is a graduate of Vassar College and the University of Arizona Law School. The mother of three, she lives in Austin, Texas.

Sharon spent thirty-one years as a rabbi’s wife, inspiring the creation of Agatha nominated Fax Me A Bagel (Scribner) -- an Alternate Selection of the Book of the Month Club, with Ruby the Rabbi’s Wife doing the sleuthing. Her second mystery novel, Never Nosh A Matzo Ball, was followed by Don't Cry for Me, Hot Pastrami, Hold the Cream Cheese Kill the Lox, Which Big Giver Stole the Chopped Liver, and Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Choir.

Books in the series have been published as hardcover, Kindle and Nookbooks, e-books, Thorndike large print hardcover, paperback, and Audible.com editions.

Reviews

[LaShawna Powers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ruby Rothman series is perfect for me when I want a light snack instead of a full meal. Fax Me a Bagel is easily the weakest of these books, but it was still interesting enough to make me want to read the whole series. Ruby doesn't get much more characterization than "grossly put-upon," Essie Sue and Kevin both need a ding about the ears (which holds true throughout the rest of the books that I've read), but their interactions are so entertaining that I was willing to overlook both these simplistic characterizations and the gaping plot holes. It's a good intro to the series, which gets much better as it goes along.

[Catherine S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I pick this up from the library just because the title made me laugh? Yes. Was I pleasantly surprised by the solid plot and twists it had? Also yes! While Fax Me a Bagel isn't fine art, I was engaged the whole time and found Ruby a pleasant narrator to accompany on this mystery. I would recommend if you want a relatively light (but still high stakes) murder. I will warn that as the main character is a computer consultant and the book was written in the 90s, there were a few cringeworthy discussions of 'new' tech.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really slow to start with and at first I thought I would never get through it. I pushed on and I am glad I did because about half way through the story line picked up and I couldn't put the book down. I really like Ruby, and Milt and really don't like Essie Sue or the new Rabbi. I also like the detective Paul. The story line was decent and the book is well written and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Loralei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely hilarious

[Susan D'Entremont · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for something fun and light and fast in the library, and this mystery certainly fit the bill. Yes, there are some caricatures - can there really be a rabbi as full of himself as this one? - and some implausible plot devices, but all in all I liked the main character and the discussion of being part of a tight-knit Jewish community in the suburbs of Austin, Texas. Also, as the former roommate of a minister, I enjoyed the exploration of the social stress of being a rabbi or rabbi's spouse. Seemed very on point! Putting aside the fact that some murders and attempted murders are the core of this book, it is funny.

The resolution of they mystery may be obvious to some readers, even though it wasn't to me. When the end was revealed, I felt so dumb that I didn't get the significance of a scene early in the book.

Oh, and this is the first mystery I've read that has a jacket quote from Alan Dershowitz!

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby, the Rabbi's widow, is a force to be reckoned with. She is not the stereotypic Rabbi's wife/widow that you think about. She is a unique character who manages to solve the mysteries she is presented with in intelligent ways. This story begins with Ruby at a Texas Bagel Shop. A nasty acquaintance is killed while she is in there...I'm not telling you anymore as I don't want to ruin the story for you! Read it, you'll like it!

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The complexity of the plot is on a par with an average Murder She Wrote. The only big differences are Ruby's religion and her location. That means the book is pretty easy to read, perfect for just before bed reading or maybe reading while on a road trip. It's not, though, as satisfying as some of the modern series I'm following.

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[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up at my Library only because it encompassed requirements for the "Reading Challenge" I was participating in; was very surprised how much I enjoyed it. Characters were not even close to the types I usually enjoy. Storyline was believable; not attempt at being politically correct which was refreshing; had mystery to it and heartfelt, unapologetic, commonsense approach.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable mystery. Written as a point of view by Ruby, the Rabbi’s widow. I’m not Jewish but this book laced with ethnic humor was fun to read. I’ve already read another in this series.

[Rebecca Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read #5 fist not realizing it was a series. This is #1. Can't wait to read the next. Light, easy read but enjoyable.

[Rachel Fritts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly fun read

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby's husband Rabbi Stu has passed but she's still seen as the rabbi's wife being called to service in that capacity probably forever. In the Hot Bagel one morning trying to avoid Essie Sue, the self appointed leader of the congregation, Ruby is cut in line by none other than Essie Sue and her sister Marla. Ruby takes this rudeness as a matter of course expecting nothing less from Essie Sue. When Marla ends up dead and Hot Bagel owner, Milt, is the only suspect Ruby has to find the true killer. She uncovers secrets from family, survives someone trying to kill her and deals with the new rabbi and Essie Sue while trying to help her friend Milt.

[Mac C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice cozy mystery with appealing and amusing characters and a strong story line. I don’t really know much about the Jewish religion or lifestyle, so that was interesting learn some things about. I’ll definitely read more by this author.

[Madcow Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great cozy murder! While my knowledge of the Jewish religion might be lacking, this was a fun trip down memory lane to 1998. Lots of technology references that make you laugh and think about how far we have come. I'll be adding the next book to my list now.

[Text Addict · Rating 2 out of 5]

First-person present tense, & putting in the text of e-mails no longer seems on trend (it's kind of been a while since 1998).

[Mckochan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light. Fluffy. But I did really crave a bagel. Sesame.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story, tried to figure out the fax part and could not. The fax was a good touch I liked how the fax fit in.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the first book to this series. It’s an older one I must have missed.

[Kszr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery like the Rabbi on XXXday, this follows the rabbi's wife. Not too heavy, but engaging.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Sometimes overly intricate and too much detail, making for a bit of a slog in spots. Interesting to learn facts about the NYC Bagel Bakers Local 338, a historical fact.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read. The story moved along quickly and I really enjoyed the characters.

[Nefty123 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised to see how much I enjoyed Kahn's novel. The characters were well done and the plot was enthralling. I'll be on the lookout for her other novels.

[Michael Sponsler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good mystery with a mix of interesting characters.

[Zev · Rating 1 out of 5]

2021 review: (glances, dismayed, at the original review) (sigh) Some books, I am rereading at this time because I want to know how my thoughts on them have changed. This was one of those times. Others, I read and rated back when I thought the Goodreads algorithm meant something. I'm rereading books and it looks like I hate reading. I do not. On second read, five years from the original date, this book made me cringe. Nothing in it is funny. No one is likeable, and they are all cartoon characters anyway. Plot, subplots, and character choices are absurd, even for such an attempt at comedy. The emails as plot transitions are sooo cheesy and unrealistic. Jenny Trout's book "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" uses this device much more effectively. Plot contrivance would reign if this book actually had one, instead of Ruby whining about how much she hates Essie Sue, who rules the community. Essie Sue is so cartoonish and controlling that I'd be surprised if she -weren't- based off someone in the author's life that the author tried to disguise. And not -one- person stood up to her? Gimme some conflict, and someone to root for! Fax machines and emails were firmly in use in 1998, when this book came out. There are ways to make your work not look so dated and this one faaaaaillleddd hard. There's plenty of Buffy-speak in this. The title character of the TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" spoke in slang so stylized (unintentional triple alliteration, hah!) that an official guide to it came out. This book uses similar, and it DOES. NOT. WORK.

Rather than simply note, "I looked around the room to see if I wanted to say hi to anyone," (this is paraphrased, not a direct quote), Ruth thinks, "...if I should be hello-ing anyone." To "hello" someone? COME ON. Rather than "I eat something and wipe my mouth," Ruth "I napkin." Ruth -napkins- as a verb. OH MY G-D, YOU ARE SO CRINGE-INDUCING. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a sixteen-year-old girl from trendy Los Angeles who just moved to the small town of Sunnydale, California. You are a widow in her late forties with a somewhat odd fixation on your son's childhood, when he's fully grown, living in Eternal, Texas, who cannot stop jawing about New York. This book was insufferable. I'm glad I once got joy out of it

2016 review: I picked this book up as I was helping sort through books donated to my synagogue's library. What an enchanting book! Not scary at all. The mystery was woven into a charming character study of a small town. The use of emails as plot transitions was incredibly well-done. Characters were believable. Parts of the book were cliche but made sense for the story. I'm glad I read it.

[Homewood Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby Rothman's rabbi husband was killed by a hit and run driver one and one half years ago. But the people of Temple Rita still expect her to bear responsibilities of the rabbi's wife. Essie Sue continues involving Ruby in her events, planned down to the words Ruby should use, what she should wear, where she should sit and with whom. The Temple search committee is in the home stretch to find a new rabbi as each member is campaigning for a different applicant. Essie Sue, self appointed director of protocol and all things proper for the Temple, promotes her candidate as being exactly what they need in a charismatic leader who is also in need of a mate. Ruby is enlisted to for Essie Sue's next event which is still on even though Marla died suddenly at the Hot Bagel. Essie Sue continued her match making efforts and Ruby pursued finding Marla's killer so Milt wouldn't be convicted of a crime he didn't commit. When Ruby is almost killed she figured maybe she was on the right track. Who killed Marla, why and in the Hot Bagel? Ruby will find out and then all will be well. Maybe she can come out of this without be matched with the new rabbi.
Ms. Beth

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This first title in the new Agatha Award-acclaimed series features Ruby, the widow of the rabbi in Eternal, Texas. When a patron drops dead in The Hot Bagel, Ruby's friend the baker faces interrogation--and Ruby starts wondering about a connection to her husband's still-unsolved hit-and-run death.

My Review:

I picked up this book to read because I liked the title. It has a lot of humor even though it involved a murder. It wasn't a very deep murder though as in not a lot of twists at all. It was a fast read. I liked the main character, Ruby but didn't care for Essie Sue or the new Rabbi. I connected with this book because of the Yiddish words in the book. They were words that my parents and grandparents always spoke. There were also settings that I was familiar with which made the book more personable I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, easy mystery about an amateur sleuth Ruby the wife of a rabbi in the small town Eternal, Texas. Though the mystery wasn’t especially well-crafted and the writing is somewhat lacking, the best parts of this book were Ruby’s interaction with the other parishioners. This book will definitely resonate with anyone who is related to a rabbi/minister/priest/etc. and who knows how crazy that life can be. I also got hungry reading about all the delicious Jewish food and was jealous of Ruby’s two trips to New York City . . . a good light read.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

A death in a bagel shop turns out to be a murder. The rabbi's wife plays the central role in figuring out who-done-it. I really wanted to like this book but I just did not. The characters are quirky in a good way, much like Janet Evanovich or Harlan Coben writes. However, the story line was filled with more holes than Swiss cheese. It feels like the book was 400 pages when written but only 250 pages when printed.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

on the cover of this book it says, "first in the new Agatha Award-Nominated Series. It is nicely written, and the main character, Ruby Rothman, widow of a rabbi, is a good sleuth. Part of the book consists of emails between her and her good friend, Nan in Seattle. It takes place in Eternal, Texas, but she makes visits to relatives in NYC. Essie Sue, the manipulative Temple member, makes a good villainess.