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The Rabbi Small Mysteries #1
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late
273 pages
273 pages, Leather Bound
First published January 1, 1964
1216 people are currently reading
3218 people want to read
About the author
Harry Kemelman
64 books146 followersHarry Kemelman was an American mystery writer and a professor of English. He was the creator of one of the most famous religious sleuths, Rabbi David Small.
His writing career began with short stories for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine featuring New England college professor Nicky Welt, the first of which, "The Nine Mile Walk", is considered a classic.
The Rabbi Small series began in 1964 with the publication of Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, which became a huge bestseller, a difficult achievement for a religious mystery, and won Kemelman a 1965 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. The Rabbi Small books are not only mysteries, but also considerations of Conservative Judaism.
His writing career began with short stories for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine featuring New England college professor Nicky Welt, the first of which, "The Nine Mile Walk", is considered a classic.
The Rabbi Small series began in 1964 with the publication of Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, which became a huge bestseller, a difficult achievement for a religious mystery, and won Kemelman a 1965 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. The Rabbi Small books are not only mysteries, but also considerations of Conservative Judaism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 698 reviews
May 11, 2021
After a slow start, the Rabbi came through. A red herring or two, a couple of likable characters, and a not-incompetent police chief made for some interesting stops along the way.
It begins with a group of Jewish men, waiting for the tenth so that they can start morning prayers.
“The rabbi… strolled up and down the center aisle, not impatiently, but like a man who has arrived early at the railroad station. Snatches of conversation reached him: talk about business, about family and children, about vacation plans, about the chances of the Red Sox. It was hardly the proper conversation for men waiting to pray, he thought, and then immediately rebuked himself. Was it not also a sin to be too devout? Was not man expected to enjoy the good things of this life? the pleasure of family? of work–and of resting from work? He was still very young, not quite thirty, and introspective, so that he could not help raising questions, and then questioning the questions.”
Interestingly, despite being the titular character, we don’t spend as much time as I expected with the rabbi. Instead, the third person limited narration is shared. We spend a few scenes with Mr. Wasserman, “the elderly president of the congregation,” as he tends to the question of whether or not they will renew the rabbi’s contract for another year. There’s also a couple of chapters from the very-much-alive Elspeth Bleech, who unfortunately will not be alive much longer, as well as a couple centering on the temperamental Al Becker, car dealership owner, and Stanley Doble, chief maintenance man for the temple.
Even more interesting is that it takes so long to get to the actual murder (spoiler: chapter something, for those with bad memories). Definitely a different pace than what I’m accustomed to. Between the viewpoints that act almost like character studies and the pacing, it felt a little be more like an exploration of life in a small town.
What really sets it apart is the focus on Jewish culture, in the ethnic, cultural and religious senses. Though the rabbi is young, he finds he’s often in the role of instructing much older members of his congregation. In fact, early on in the story, there’s a dispute among two members and Wasserman encourages them to bring it to the rabbi. The rabbi suggests a Din Torah, which is a hearing, or judgement, on the case, using the Talmud as a reference for the principles of damage and responsibility. It becomes an interesting little example of the dynamics of how the rabbi works and the dynamics of the members of the synagogue.
Unsurprisingly, issues of ethnical and religious perception by the community at large continue to be raised throughout the story. For a 1965 book, it remains rather sedate, but shows the degree to which communities are often intolerant of the ‘Other,’ particularly when it reminds them of their own failures.
There’s a few easy plot points–I won’t list, for risk of spoilers, but I thought them tolerable . I was surprised at the murderer, so good on Kemelman for that.
I remember seeing these books when I was a kid, in the paperback carousel at the library. Since the Rabbi series has been around since1964, I can’t say for certain if I ever read any of the books. But with an e-deal on a four-box set (I don’t even know what that means), I had a feeling it would be worth it. I’m glad that I have three more in store.
Three and a half stars, rounding down so I have somewhere to go for the next. And the pacing.
It begins with a group of Jewish men, waiting for the tenth so that they can start morning prayers.
“The rabbi… strolled up and down the center aisle, not impatiently, but like a man who has arrived early at the railroad station. Snatches of conversation reached him: talk about business, about family and children, about vacation plans, about the chances of the Red Sox. It was hardly the proper conversation for men waiting to pray, he thought, and then immediately rebuked himself. Was it not also a sin to be too devout? Was not man expected to enjoy the good things of this life? the pleasure of family? of work–and of resting from work? He was still very young, not quite thirty, and introspective, so that he could not help raising questions, and then questioning the questions.”
Interestingly, despite being the titular character, we don’t spend as much time as I expected with the rabbi. Instead, the third person limited narration is shared. We spend a few scenes with Mr. Wasserman, “the elderly president of the congregation,” as he tends to the question of whether or not they will renew the rabbi’s contract for another year. There’s also a couple of chapters from the very-much-alive Elspeth Bleech, who unfortunately will not be alive much longer, as well as a couple centering on the temperamental Al Becker, car dealership owner, and Stanley Doble, chief maintenance man for the temple.
Even more interesting is that it takes so long to get to the actual murder (spoiler: chapter something, for those with bad memories). Definitely a different pace than what I’m accustomed to. Between the viewpoints that act almost like character studies and the pacing, it felt a little be more like an exploration of life in a small town.
What really sets it apart is the focus on Jewish culture, in the ethnic, cultural and religious senses. Though the rabbi is young, he finds he’s often in the role of instructing much older members of his congregation. In fact, early on in the story, there’s a dispute among two members and Wasserman encourages them to bring it to the rabbi. The rabbi suggests a Din Torah, which is a hearing, or judgement, on the case, using the Talmud as a reference for the principles of damage and responsibility. It becomes an interesting little example of the dynamics of how the rabbi works and the dynamics of the members of the synagogue.
Unsurprisingly, issues of ethnical and religious perception by the community at large continue to be raised throughout the story. For a 1965 book, it remains rather sedate, but shows the degree to which communities are often intolerant of the ‘Other,’ particularly when it reminds them of their own failures.
There’s a few easy plot points–I won’t list, for risk of spoilers, but I thought them tolerable . I was surprised at the murderer, so good on Kemelman for that.
I remember seeing these books when I was a kid, in the paperback carousel at the library. Since the Rabbi series has been around since1964, I can’t say for certain if I ever read any of the books. But with an e-deal on a four-box set (I don’t even know what that means), I had a feeling it would be worth it. I’m glad that I have three more in store.
Three and a half stars, rounding down so I have somewhere to go for the next. And the pacing.
June 16, 2015
Out of an entirely random find at the library, I've found a great little mystery series.
The charm of this book was not so much in the mystery itself, which was middling, but in the Jewish culture portrayed and explained and in the character of Rabbi Small, who is a naive but clever intellectual with out of the box solutions to Temple matters and murder mysteries.
The charm of this book was not so much in the mystery itself, which was middling, but in the Jewish culture portrayed and explained and in the character of Rabbi Small, who is a naive but clever intellectual with out of the box solutions to Temple matters and murder mysteries.
June 17, 2018
I was skimming through my TBR shelf and having a hard time deciding what to read next. Although I had read this a long time ago I had picked it up when I saw it on sale at Amazon. It is a short book (208 pages) and I decided now was a good time to reread this gem.
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late was published in 1964 and won a 1965 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. At the time it was a huge bestseller and was the beginning of a new series ... the Rabbi Small mysteries. One of the charms of the book was not only do we have a mystery but the opportunity to learn something about Jewish culture.
David Small is the rabbi in the small Massachusetts town of Barnard’s Crossing. He is young and relatively new having been there for about one year. In fact his contract is up renewal. He has supporters but there are those who do not see him as their view of what a rabbi should be. When the body of a young nanny, Elspeth Bleech, is found on the temple property and her purse in the rabbi's car he becomes a suspect in the crime.
Hugh Lanigan is the Irish-Catholic police chief of Barnard’s Crossing and initially questions Rabbi Small because Elspeth Bleech's body was found on the temple grounds and her purse was in his car. But a bond develops between the two and what appears to be the start of a friendship. They have several enjoyable and scholarly conversations. When things start turning nasty in the small town Rabbi Small employs his Talmudic wisdom and scholarly skill to solve the crime and reveal the identify of the murderer.
Although this story centers around the murder of a young woman there is not a lot of violence. The crime itself is described briefly and only out of necessity. Rabbi Small is a very likable character as is Hugh Lanigan. There are several characters who are not so likable so you are left guessing which one may be the murderer. Overall this was a very enjoyable little mystery. In the summertime perhaps a nice choice for a beach read. Or a good bedtime read at anytime. Now that I have read this I am going to have to read Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry.
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late was published in 1964 and won a 1965 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. At the time it was a huge bestseller and was the beginning of a new series ... the Rabbi Small mysteries. One of the charms of the book was not only do we have a mystery but the opportunity to learn something about Jewish culture.
David Small is the rabbi in the small Massachusetts town of Barnard’s Crossing. He is young and relatively new having been there for about one year. In fact his contract is up renewal. He has supporters but there are those who do not see him as their view of what a rabbi should be. When the body of a young nanny, Elspeth Bleech, is found on the temple property and her purse in the rabbi's car he becomes a suspect in the crime.
Hugh Lanigan is the Irish-Catholic police chief of Barnard’s Crossing and initially questions Rabbi Small because Elspeth Bleech's body was found on the temple grounds and her purse was in his car. But a bond develops between the two and what appears to be the start of a friendship. They have several enjoyable and scholarly conversations. When things start turning nasty in the small town Rabbi Small employs his Talmudic wisdom and scholarly skill to solve the crime and reveal the identify of the murderer.
Although this story centers around the murder of a young woman there is not a lot of violence. The crime itself is described briefly and only out of necessity. Rabbi Small is a very likable character as is Hugh Lanigan. There are several characters who are not so likable so you are left guessing which one may be the murderer. Overall this was a very enjoyable little mystery. In the summertime perhaps a nice choice for a beach read. Or a good bedtime read at anytime. Now that I have read this I am going to have to read Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry.
January 24, 2025
My recollection is that I've read six, possibly seven, Rabbi Small books. (A week's worth.) After all these years, the good rabbi probably hasn't changed much, but I have.
June 6, 2019
2019 reread:
I very much enjoyed rereading this first Rabbi Small mystery despite the fact that I suddenly remembered who the murderer was halfway through. Now (finally) on to the next book in the series.
2015 review of library hardcover edition (1964 edition):
4½ stars.
I had been vaguely aware of this series before but hadn't paid it much attention until I was introduced to the Guardian newspaper's list of 1000 Novels Everyone Should Read and found this first book of the series in the Crime section.
I am so glad that I finally read this! I found the rabbi David Small very likeable, although he played a smaller part in the story than I expected. The relationship between the Catholic chief of police and the Jewish rabbi promises to be an ongoing pleasure. I hadn't realized until I started reading this that it was set in Massachusetts, which as a MA native is a plus for me.
The mystery itself was excellently crafted. The pointers to the culprit were there yet the revelation of who it was still surprised me (even though I had noticed one of the biggest clues!).
I very much enjoyed rereading this first Rabbi Small mystery despite the fact that I suddenly remembered who the murderer was halfway through. Now (finally) on to the next book in the series.
2015 review of library hardcover edition (1964 edition):
4½ stars.
I had been vaguely aware of this series before but hadn't paid it much attention until I was introduced to the Guardian newspaper's list of 1000 Novels Everyone Should Read and found this first book of the series in the Crime section.
I am so glad that I finally read this! I found the rabbi David Small very likeable, although he played a smaller part in the story than I expected. The relationship between the Catholic chief of police and the Jewish rabbi promises to be an ongoing pleasure. I hadn't realized until I started reading this that it was set in Massachusetts, which as a MA native is a plus for me.
The mystery itself was excellently crafted. The pointers to the culprit were there yet the revelation of who it was still surprised me (even though I had noticed one of the biggest clues!).
December 27, 2023
Being Jewish and not being a fan of any kind of organized religion, I was a bit apprehensive about these series, but at the same time I just couldn't ignore them. Detective series about a rabbi? I must check them out! So I bought this audiobook the moment I happened to see it (this would be years ago) and now finally got to listening to it.
It has come as a pleasant surprise that the audio book is performed by George Guidall, one of my absolute favorite narrators who can make even a mediocre book a delight. But Guidall's masterful narration aside, "Friday the Rabbi Slept Late" exceeded my pessimistic expectations. I found the story and the setting interesting, and as far as whodunits go, this one was neither unnaturally complicated nor disappointingly predictable. The resolution was both unexpected and satisfying. "Well done," was my thought upon rabbi Small eventually solving the murder in which he was one of the main suspects. "Now I simply must read the next book in the series to see if it's as good as the first.";)
So why only four stars? Most of the characters, including the rabbi, were a bit too good to be true. And sometimes more than a bit. Oh well, four stars is "really liked it", and I can't deny I enjoyed it.
It has come as a pleasant surprise that the audio book is performed by George Guidall, one of my absolute favorite narrators who can make even a mediocre book a delight. But Guidall's masterful narration aside, "Friday the Rabbi Slept Late" exceeded my pessimistic expectations. I found the story and the setting interesting, and as far as whodunits go, this one was neither unnaturally complicated nor disappointingly predictable. The resolution was both unexpected and satisfying. "Well done," was my thought upon rabbi Small eventually solving the murder in which he was one of the main suspects. "Now I simply must read the next book in the series to see if it's as good as the first.";)
So why only four stars? Most of the characters, including the rabbi, were a bit too good to be true. And sometimes more than a bit. Oh well, four stars is "really liked it", and I can't deny I enjoyed it.
March 14, 2019
Aww, cool, it's a midcentury whodunit like all those Christies I love, only, CENTERING JEWS! (which I was very in the mood for since with all of Christie's good qualities, she does have some ickiness about us in one or two books.) I loved how it was a puzzle mystery, right up my alley, and FULL of suspects. The "detective" is a young rabbi with a passion for Talmudic justice, which is itself sort of a puzzle mystery, isn't it?
You see who he is right from the beginning, since it opens with him having to solve a very modern dispute between two temple members, formerly friends, which he chooses to do with ancient logic that works out pretty well.
The mystery itself, as I said, has tons of suspects and some really convincing red herrings.
Some warnings if you decide to dip your toes in -- some of the chapters nearest the end feature some anti-Semitism that the community is suffering because the mystery hasn't been solved yet. It'll be okay, just know that it's there so it doesn't catch you by surprise like it did me. Additional TW: homicide of pregnant woman.
You see who he is right from the beginning, since it opens with him having to solve a very modern dispute between two temple members, formerly friends, which he chooses to do with ancient logic that works out pretty well.
The mystery itself, as I said, has tons of suspects and some really convincing red herrings.
Some warnings if you decide to dip your toes in -- some of the chapters nearest the end feature some anti-Semitism that the community is suffering because the mystery hasn't been solved yet. It'll be okay, just know that it's there so it doesn't catch you by surprise like it did me. Additional TW: homicide of pregnant woman.
November 5, 2020
I actually really enjoyed this cozy mystery! Never even knew it was a book, let alone a series, until this month. Friday the Rabbi Slept Late kind of gave me Agatha Christie vibes. Mostly because the whole mystery was from everyone's POV. Of course, the main suspect is the Rabbi himself but he did a wonderful job helping the police and everyone else come to the right conclusion.
Now I'm not Jewish but my cousin did marry someone who is. That being said, I still know next to nothing about Judaism so I was really intrigued to see how things were going to go down in this book. The one thing that really upset me was the whole swastika on the door. Mostly because, I could see that happening even today. The world is filled with cruelty and racism - which just makes me heart so sad.
In the end, I'm intrigued enough to dive into the next book of this series!
Now I'm not Jewish but my cousin did marry someone who is. That being said, I still know next to nothing about Judaism so I was really intrigued to see how things were going to go down in this book. The one thing that really upset me was the whole swastika on the door. Mostly because, I could see that happening even today. The world is filled with cruelty and racism - which just makes me heart so sad.
In the end, I'm intrigued enough to dive into the next book of this series!
September 8, 2019
Én még kezdő krimi-olvasó vagyok, így nézzétek el nekem, hogy bőven az átlag fölé csillagoztam :)
De hát ha egyszer olyan aranyos a történet?! Már a gyilkosságot leszámítva, persze. :)
Kerestem egy könyvet, ami hangulatában kicsit zsidó, de mégis könnyed, utazásra ráhangoló, közben lefoglaló, repülőn, buszon olvasható és félretehető.
Na ezeket a kritériumokat jól teljesítette.
Mitöbb, a sorozat további részeihez is kedvet adott, szóval jön még az én utcámba Small rabbi ;)
De hát ha egyszer olyan aranyos a történet?! Már a gyilkosságot leszámítva, persze. :)
Kerestem egy könyvet, ami hangulatában kicsit zsidó, de mégis könnyed, utazásra ráhangoló, közben lefoglaló, repülőn, buszon olvasható és félretehető.
Na ezeket a kritériumokat jól teljesítette.
Mitöbb, a sorozat további részeihez is kedvet adott, szóval jön még az én utcámba Small rabbi ;)
October 18, 2016
After seeing on Bookbub that Amazon was offering this on Kindle for $1.99, I decided to purchase. What a great find! The storytelling was excellent and I learned some things about the Jewish religion. I'll definitely download the next in the series!
December 26, 2020
Esta serie policíaca es bastante original, ya que el protagonista es el rabino de una comunidad judía en una pequeña localidad cercana a Boston en los años 60.
Me ha gustado sobre todo como retrato de costumbres y de personajes. Es interesante ver cómo el rabino David Small colabora con el jefe de policía de origen irlandés y la manera en que aplica sus conocimientos de erudito del Talmud a la investigación de un crimen.
Otra característica notable es que el protagonista es también sospechoso del asesinato, ya que el cadáver de una mujer estrangulada ha aparecido en los jardines de la sinagoga. Por tanto tiene la presión de limpiar su reputación y para ello debe encontrar al verdadero asesino.
La trama y el desarrollo son un poco monótonos pero el conjunto es curioso y puede agradar a los que les interese la vertiente costumbrista del tema.
Me ha gustado sobre todo como retrato de costumbres y de personajes. Es interesante ver cómo el rabino David Small colabora con el jefe de policía de origen irlandés y la manera en que aplica sus conocimientos de erudito del Talmud a la investigación de un crimen.
Otra característica notable es que el protagonista es también sospechoso del asesinato, ya que el cadáver de una mujer estrangulada ha aparecido en los jardines de la sinagoga. Por tanto tiene la presión de limpiar su reputación y para ello debe encontrar al verdadero asesino.
La trama y el desarrollo son un poco monótonos pero el conjunto es curioso y puede agradar a los que les interese la vertiente costumbrista del tema.
November 13, 2023
I took a look at this book not expecting much and thinking a look would be the end of it. The library had a copy (thanks to my library system for that!) so nothing to lose. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that, true, it was dated, but it was like an old movie -- an old good one.
The main way it's dated is the role of women -- always bringing in coffee and cookies on a tray!
And everybody smokes like a chimney!
The book is set in the early '60s in a small Massachusetts town near the ocean. The Jewish community is acclimating to a new rabbi. He's not what they were hoping for, a sporty, sociable figure who would represent them stylishly to the wider community. He's very young, rumpled, maybe really wet behind the ears, and my first impression was of a combination absent-minded professor/Clark Kent figure -- the latter because he's quite bright and able to use his head, heart, and knowledge to be of real help -- not to mention having the mind of a Sherlock Holmes -- which as it happens turns out to be quite useful. Some appreciate him sooner than others.
The author is a good writer, able to incorporate a good sense of character along with the plot. The characters emerge and don't have to get "out of character" to make the plot work. The book is light but substantive. I guess one of the author's goals was to tell his readers a little about Judaism, which he synthesizes nicely with the plot. He snaps a picture of the time and place. The way it was. They thought they were modern -- and they are!
Not sure this is really an example of the author's lessons other than being a typical reaction to clergy of any stripe:
...I'm easily amused!
The town has a run-in with antisemitism. I wish we could deal with it as well now!
It was a hopeful time, maybe a simpler time. I think the picture holds up well.
The time and the place are very different, but the rabbi The Temple in Atlanta hired after the war was picked for similar reasons. Jacob ("Jack") Rothschild had been a military chaplain. He golfed. He would fit in with Protestant Atlanta and the other big houses of worship (except for The Temple, all churches) along Peachtree. His emerging position as a leader in the Civil Rights movement had not been anticipated and the making of waves not that easy to accept -- only later perceived as a blessing.
Enjoyable and something of a balm.
4 1/2 stars
The main way it's dated is the role of women -- always bringing in coffee and cookies on a tray!
And everybody smokes like a chimney!
The book is set in the early '60s in a small Massachusetts town near the ocean. The Jewish community is acclimating to a new rabbi. He's not what they were hoping for, a sporty, sociable figure who would represent them stylishly to the wider community. He's very young, rumpled, maybe really wet behind the ears, and my first impression was of a combination absent-minded professor/Clark Kent figure -- the latter because he's quite bright and able to use his head, heart, and knowledge to be of real help -- not to mention having the mind of a Sherlock Holmes -- which as it happens turns out to be quite useful. Some appreciate him sooner than others.
The author is a good writer, able to incorporate a good sense of character along with the plot. The characters emerge and don't have to get "out of character" to make the plot work. The book is light but substantive. I guess one of the author's goals was to tell his readers a little about Judaism, which he synthesizes nicely with the plot. He snaps a picture of the time and place. The way it was. They thought they were modern -- and they are!
Not sure this is really an example of the author's lessons other than being a typical reaction to clergy of any stripe:
..."His wife (has been in a wheelchair) for the last ten years of her life. For ten years they haven't had any-uh-relations."
"No, I didn't know that."
"A healthy man needs a woman. You being a rabbi wouldn't understand--"
"Rabbis aren't castrated."
...I'm easily amused!
The town has a run-in with antisemitism. I wish we could deal with it as well now!
It was a hopeful time, maybe a simpler time. I think the picture holds up well.
The time and the place are very different, but the rabbi The Temple in Atlanta hired after the war was picked for similar reasons. Jacob ("Jack") Rothschild had been a military chaplain. He golfed. He would fit in with Protestant Atlanta and the other big houses of worship (except for The Temple, all churches) along Peachtree. His emerging position as a leader in the Civil Rights movement had not been anticipated and the making of waves not that easy to accept -- only later perceived as a blessing.
Enjoyable and something of a balm.
4 1/2 stars
September 13, 2019
COUNTDOWN: Mid-20th Century North American Crime
BOOK 59 (of 250)
This Edgar Award Winning Novel has some good things going for it, but the best thing is that it's just a solid, rather short, straight-up crime story. This work is "Christie-cozy", anyone of any age can enjoy it. There is no overt violence, nothing absolutely shocking. And, oh, what I didn't know about the Jewish faith but do now!
HOOK = 3 stars: The opening lines are as follows>>>>>
"They sat in the chapel and waited. They were still only nine, and they were waiting for the tenth so that they could begin morning prayers. The elderly president of the congregation, Jacob Wasserman, was wearing his phylacteries, and the young rabbi, David Small, who had just arrived, was putting his on."<<<<<
I was stumped here a bit, as I know very little about Jewish practices. In those first few sentences though, I did learn much. I liked that. But with only "They sat in the chapel and waited," the author smartly gives us a good reason to read on and communicates to us, seemingly, that something big is on the way. Like I've already said, this is a simple, straight forward book and it starts just that way....
PACE=4:...and moves quickly to a murder, and if you have a few free hours, it could be a one-sit read. Almost everything centers right on the crime, even the opening argument between 2 temple members which occurs before the murder, but tells us how Rabbi Small thinks and how he will solve the crime.
PLOT =4: A body is found near the Temple's parking lot. And, the murder apparently occurred late at night while Rabbi Small was in the Temple, alone and studying, with no alibi. The author seldom strays from this central conceit, but does talk about other faiths and how the murder might be seen by, say, the Catholics in the neighborhood. A few bits of incorrect Jewish folklore are discussed and discarded quickly, and good for Kemelman for introducing then gracefully dismissing unpleasant bits of, well, misinformation about the Jewish faith.
CAST=4: Rabbi Small is an original. We're introduced to him even in an original way. He is a cool, calm, collected, fact-based man. And even though at first he's the prime suspect I very much liked that he's rather unconcerned about it: he knows he didn't do it and it's as if he thinks he need not even bother with trying to prove he didn't do it. And he stands up to his seniors: early in the novel two temple members expect Rabbi Small to solve a dispute as one character says about the temple, "It should be a place where Jews should settle their differences." Rabbi Small "reddened." He is young and he knows he just might not be around at this particular temple (which he likes, as well as the community) if he doesn't go along with the elders. But he says to them, "I'm afraid I can't agree, Mr. Wasserman...But settling differences is not traditionally the function of the temple, but of the rabbi." What? This young rabbi contradicting the president of the temple openingly, simply? One just likes Rabbi Small instantly. I can't recall a time when I instantly realized I'd be reading the rest of this series and that I liked and admired Rabbi Small as much or more than any other 'detective' I'd encountered in a first novel.
ATMOSPHERE = 4 stars. Small town gossip, lies, and misunderstandings abound. Kemelman takes us through these untruths (and, like I said before, discards them quickly) and solves the murder with little more than a few clues and Rabbi Small's references to Jewish teachings. I learned so much here about Jewish traditions.
SUMMARY: 3.8. And when I read this, I immediately checked out from the library the next 2 in the series. A surprisingly good debut, and I learned much! Kemelman has a very light comic touch here and it is refreshing. Rabbi Small is a wonderful creation. This Edgar winner absolutely deserved it!
BOOK 59 (of 250)
This Edgar Award Winning Novel has some good things going for it, but the best thing is that it's just a solid, rather short, straight-up crime story. This work is "Christie-cozy", anyone of any age can enjoy it. There is no overt violence, nothing absolutely shocking. And, oh, what I didn't know about the Jewish faith but do now!
HOOK = 3 stars: The opening lines are as follows>>>>>
"They sat in the chapel and waited. They were still only nine, and they were waiting for the tenth so that they could begin morning prayers. The elderly president of the congregation, Jacob Wasserman, was wearing his phylacteries, and the young rabbi, David Small, who had just arrived, was putting his on."<<<<<
I was stumped here a bit, as I know very little about Jewish practices. In those first few sentences though, I did learn much. I liked that. But with only "They sat in the chapel and waited," the author smartly gives us a good reason to read on and communicates to us, seemingly, that something big is on the way. Like I've already said, this is a simple, straight forward book and it starts just that way....
PACE=4:...and moves quickly to a murder, and if you have a few free hours, it could be a one-sit read. Almost everything centers right on the crime, even the opening argument between 2 temple members which occurs before the murder, but tells us how Rabbi Small thinks and how he will solve the crime.
PLOT =4: A body is found near the Temple's parking lot. And, the murder apparently occurred late at night while Rabbi Small was in the Temple, alone and studying, with no alibi. The author seldom strays from this central conceit, but does talk about other faiths and how the murder might be seen by, say, the Catholics in the neighborhood. A few bits of incorrect Jewish folklore are discussed and discarded quickly, and good for Kemelman for introducing then gracefully dismissing unpleasant bits of, well, misinformation about the Jewish faith.
CAST=4: Rabbi Small is an original. We're introduced to him even in an original way. He is a cool, calm, collected, fact-based man. And even though at first he's the prime suspect I very much liked that he's rather unconcerned about it: he knows he didn't do it and it's as if he thinks he need not even bother with trying to prove he didn't do it. And he stands up to his seniors: early in the novel two temple members expect Rabbi Small to solve a dispute as one character says about the temple, "It should be a place where Jews should settle their differences." Rabbi Small "reddened." He is young and he knows he just might not be around at this particular temple (which he likes, as well as the community) if he doesn't go along with the elders. But he says to them, "I'm afraid I can't agree, Mr. Wasserman...But settling differences is not traditionally the function of the temple, but of the rabbi." What? This young rabbi contradicting the president of the temple openingly, simply? One just likes Rabbi Small instantly. I can't recall a time when I instantly realized I'd be reading the rest of this series and that I liked and admired Rabbi Small as much or more than any other 'detective' I'd encountered in a first novel.
ATMOSPHERE = 4 stars. Small town gossip, lies, and misunderstandings abound. Kemelman takes us through these untruths (and, like I said before, discards them quickly) and solves the murder with little more than a few clues and Rabbi Small's references to Jewish teachings. I learned so much here about Jewish traditions.
SUMMARY: 3.8. And when I read this, I immediately checked out from the library the next 2 in the series. A surprisingly good debut, and I learned much! Kemelman has a very light comic touch here and it is refreshing. Rabbi Small is a wonderful creation. This Edgar winner absolutely deserved it!
October 27, 2020
This is a very enjoyable character-based mystery novel. Rabbi David Small is a charming protagonist, and there’s an interesting cast of secondary characters, including police chief Hugh Lanigan, temple board president Jacob Wasserman, and the rabbi’s wife, Miriam Small. There is little or no violence and not much action. Instead, the mystery is solved primarily through intuition and logic.
When a young woman is found murdered on the grounds of Rabbi Small’s temple in the town of Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts, the clues seem to point to the rabbi himself as the killer. This unwelcome event comes as the rabbi is approaching the end of his first year with the congregation and the temple board is debating whether to extend his contract. No one disputes that the rabbi is scholarly or that he is kind and well-meaning, but some think that his unassuming demeanor and somewhat rumpled appearance make him a less than ideal ambassador for the congregation in the community. Few think that he could really be the killer, but of course, anything is possible.
In order to clear his own name and preserve the good reputation of the Jewish community, Rabbi Small does some investigating in tandem with the police. Although he is strictly an amateur detective, his “learning in the (Talmudic) law” helps him to evaluate evidence and draw logical conclusions. And meanwhile, through Small’s conversations with Lanigan, Wasserman, and others, readers are treated to some lessons about Judaism, including the role of a rabbi in the community, the nature of Jewish prayers, and the function of Jewish law.
I enjoyed getting to know Rabbi Small and others in the Barnard’s Crossing community, and I look forward to another visit with them.
When a young woman is found murdered on the grounds of Rabbi Small’s temple in the town of Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts, the clues seem to point to the rabbi himself as the killer. This unwelcome event comes as the rabbi is approaching the end of his first year with the congregation and the temple board is debating whether to extend his contract. No one disputes that the rabbi is scholarly or that he is kind and well-meaning, but some think that his unassuming demeanor and somewhat rumpled appearance make him a less than ideal ambassador for the congregation in the community. Few think that he could really be the killer, but of course, anything is possible.
In order to clear his own name and preserve the good reputation of the Jewish community, Rabbi Small does some investigating in tandem with the police. Although he is strictly an amateur detective, his “learning in the (Talmudic) law” helps him to evaluate evidence and draw logical conclusions. And meanwhile, through Small’s conversations with Lanigan, Wasserman, and others, readers are treated to some lessons about Judaism, including the role of a rabbi in the community, the nature of Jewish prayers, and the function of Jewish law.
I enjoyed getting to know Rabbi Small and others in the Barnard’s Crossing community, and I look forward to another visit with them.
April 11, 2022
Početak serijala o rabinu koji rešava zagonetna ubistva u fiktivnom Barnard's Crossingu, gradiću u Novoj Engleskoj, blizu legendarnog Salemova, može se danas čitati i kao studija o polikonfesionalnoj i multietičnoj Americi sa početka šezdesetih godina prošlog veka, jer pored klasičnog whodunnita sadrži i zanimljiva razmišljanja o mestu religije u društvu i životu, a i kreira upečatljive karaktere, spremne da iznesu nastavke... Sve preporuke...
July 27, 2023
I liked this quite a bit. The casual racism and misogyny was balanced by the truly good people in the book. It was written in 1965 I think and really painted a picture of that time. I was surprised by the murderers identity and I liked that.
March 13, 2024
Okay, I like this series already. Rabbi Small is a great character and I love Lanigan's relationship with him. They are the kind of great friends that make a series like this excellent.
Yes, I could've done without the occasional word or bit of crassness but they were mild and very infrequent. Good mystery, all the clues were there, and I still didn't put it together until almost the end.
Yes, I could've done without the occasional word or bit of crassness but they were mild and very infrequent. Good mystery, all the clues were there, and I still didn't put it together until almost the end.
March 11, 2009
First, even those who don't think much of mysteries may well like this book. Indeed, this entire series is a pleasant read. Rabbi David Small finds himself in a nasty situation as this book opens. He's a bit of a scholarly type, and he doesn't necessarily do what other rabbis do in terms of easily mixing with other congregations in the community. As a result, the members of his temple question whether he should be reinstated when his contract is out at the end of the high holy days in September. He's quite sure he's about to be ousted, and he prepares to begin the search for a new position.
In the meantime, young Elsbeth, Bleech, a nanny in the employ of a nightclub owner and his wife, is murdered hours after she learns she's pregnant. Her body is dumped in the temple yard and her handbag is found the next day in poor Rabbi Small's car. Clearly, this lovable thoughtful rabbi needs whatever kind of miracle he can get to save him. In the end, it’s his love of the Talmud and his own thoughtful detective work that makes the difference. If you’re unfamiliar with the gentle, thoughtful, philosophical Rabbi Small, you’re missing a great literary friend.
This is a super short read, and it's very well written. All of the characters are people you will quickly come to appreciate, and the ending isn't necessarily one you'll see coming. For those who want a nice clean mystery devoid of strong language and sexual descriptions, this may well be your kind of book. As for me, I hope to visit Rabbi Small and his synagogue filled with its fascinating characters again in the not too distant future.
In the meantime, young Elsbeth, Bleech, a nanny in the employ of a nightclub owner and his wife, is murdered hours after she learns she's pregnant. Her body is dumped in the temple yard and her handbag is found the next day in poor Rabbi Small's car. Clearly, this lovable thoughtful rabbi needs whatever kind of miracle he can get to save him. In the end, it’s his love of the Talmud and his own thoughtful detective work that makes the difference. If you’re unfamiliar with the gentle, thoughtful, philosophical Rabbi Small, you’re missing a great literary friend.
This is a super short read, and it's very well written. All of the characters are people you will quickly come to appreciate, and the ending isn't necessarily one you'll see coming. For those who want a nice clean mystery devoid of strong language and sexual descriptions, this may well be your kind of book. As for me, I hope to visit Rabbi Small and his synagogue filled with its fascinating characters again in the not too distant future.
July 21, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this, enough that I read the whole thing one Saturday afternoon. The writing is charming, and the relationship between the Jewish rabbi and the Catholic chief of police, as well as the relationships of the leadership in the local Jewish temple, makes a platform for some very interesting explorations of faith, culture, and ways of thinking without getting too deep. The characters were almost universally compelling. I thought the answer to the mystery was perhaps a bit obvious (I figured out the solution somewhere between 50 and 75 percent of the way through the novel), and then the solution is quickly figured out and presented right at the end in a bit of an anticlimax. But the characters, relationships, conversations, and prose quality make up for the less-than-baffling whodunit, and I plan to read the sequels.
November 2, 2020
I just couldn't really get into this one and I feel bad saying that. I know extremely little about Jewish religion, laws, terminology, etc. so I was at a disadvantage. There were some things I was familiar with such as Jewish holidays. I thought it was interesting reading some of the differences between the Judaism and other religions as well as some similarities I didn't realize. The mystery fell a bit flat for me, though. I found it interesting that Rabbi Small becomes a prime suspect in a murder case, and we all know that there are religious leaders who've been guilty of crimes, so I wasn't sure. Another thing is that there is sexism in the book, and most of it is due to the setting/time the story takes place.
July 31, 2021
Great narration of audiobook by G. Guidall. In addition to a quirky sort of a murder mystery, it's a casual intro to the American Jewish experience, and a flashback to 1960s suburbia.
May 24, 2023
A bit slower than and dated but not bad. The series is currently free in the plus catalogue so I’ll work my way through them.
March 20, 2022
the explanation of the mystery was over rather quick, but quite enjoyable
October 24, 2023
Reason read: October Jewish Book Club read. It also was free down load for Nook. This is old, published in 1964 and so maybe it is dated. I enjoyed it and learned a great deal about Rabbis. don't think it was too hard to figure out the twist. It was more cozy and less thriller. The setting is the east part of the US, small town, time period would be the sixties. The social and cultural aspects include Jewish community, the synagogue, the Gentile community.
April 1, 2024
When a girl is murdered the rabbi becomes a suspect and works to solve the case.
August 24, 2014
Two and a half stars for what is almost a "period novel" when read from today's perspective. My, times have changed. In 1963, in well to do East Coast homes, marriage normally precluded a woman continuing to work, even if she had a university degree. Well-to-do women (without jobs or careers) apparently had maids to look after the kids. Adultery and unwed pregnancy weren't just a big deal, they were huge. Rock and roll was "that crazy music kids like today." Husbands bought the family car, and usually drove it too. (One of the first scenes in the book deals with the fact that a woman is not expected to drive herself around.) Wow.
However,that's not why I give 2.5 stars. The author's foreword to the edition I read says that he wrote the first Rabbi Small book to explore the "disaccord" (his word) between a rabbi's worldview and that of his own congregation--including, for example, a synagogue member's request that he bless a young couple's new Cadillac, and their disappointment when he refused to do so on the grounds that, basically, rabbis don't do that kind of thing. Kemelman's editor (probably realising that there would be a limited appeal for that sort of novel in the sixties) suggested that he "add some exciting elements" drawn from his experience writing short detective stories for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. Unfortunately, in this first novel, you can see the join.
It takes a good two thirds of the novel to even get to the "mystery"; most of the text is taken up with temple politicking and talktalk. The long discussion of who drove who's car where and why that occupies the first chapter has absolutely nothing to do with anything else in the novel. Even when death has been done, very little sleuthing is shown to the reader; the mystery is, what happened. We are told things like "He drove to Salem and spent about an hour there, and then drove home," or "He crossed the street and spoke to (one of the principle witnesses) for five minutes." What did he say, what did he do? No detail at all for the reader to draw conclusions from. While some of the red herrings are well-presented, there's a slightly sixties-soap-opera feel to them. The solution is pulled out of nearly-thin-air. As mysteries go, I found it unsatisfying.
Curiously, there's quite a lot of stereotyping of other groups, or even of the group the speaker belongs to: "You Jews are like this or that," but also "We Christians" or "We Jews" are thus and so. Maybe things really were that thoroughly black and white in those days. Maybe people really did think of their own racial, ethnic and social groups in such superficial terms in 1963. I don't know; this book was published when I was a year old.
However,that's not why I give 2.5 stars. The author's foreword to the edition I read says that he wrote the first Rabbi Small book to explore the "disaccord" (his word) between a rabbi's worldview and that of his own congregation--including, for example, a synagogue member's request that he bless a young couple's new Cadillac, and their disappointment when he refused to do so on the grounds that, basically, rabbis don't do that kind of thing. Kemelman's editor (probably realising that there would be a limited appeal for that sort of novel in the sixties) suggested that he "add some exciting elements" drawn from his experience writing short detective stories for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. Unfortunately, in this first novel, you can see the join.
It takes a good two thirds of the novel to even get to the "mystery"; most of the text is taken up with temple politicking and talktalk. The long discussion of who drove who's car where and why that occupies the first chapter has absolutely nothing to do with anything else in the novel. Even when death has been done, very little sleuthing is shown to the reader; the mystery is, what happened. We are told things like "He drove to Salem and spent about an hour there, and then drove home," or "He crossed the street and spoke to (one of the principle witnesses) for five minutes." What did he say, what did he do? No detail at all for the reader to draw conclusions from. While some of the red herrings are well-presented, there's a slightly sixties-soap-opera feel to them. The solution is pulled out of nearly-thin-air. As mysteries go, I found it unsatisfying.
Curiously, there's quite a lot of stereotyping of other groups, or even of the group the speaker belongs to: "You Jews are like this or that," but also "We Christians" or "We Jews" are thus and so. Maybe things really were that thoroughly black and white in those days. Maybe people really did think of their own racial, ethnic and social groups in such superficial terms in 1963. I don't know; this book was published when I was a year old.
March 6, 2015
I've always enjoyed this series, and have decided to read them all again. Rabbi Small has always been one of my favorite characters. It may have something to do with this being the first "adult" mystery I ever read. You know, something other than the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew.
In terms of sub-genre, I'm tempted to classify this one as just about a "cozy." With the obvious differences that the main characters are male, it's set in New England, and religion figures heavily in the book. The plot is pretty simple; what makes the book is the characterizations and the little subplots of temple life. The religious discussions between Rabbi Small (Jewish, obviously) and Chief Lanigan (Roman Catholic) are also a big part of the book's charm. In fact, I enjoyed Kemelman's book Conversations with Rabbi Small for that very reason. Published in 1964, it's somewhat dated today, but that's just another reason I like it.
This is one of the two mystery series I like to read again and again, along with Joseph Hansen's Dave Brandstetter series. I would very much recommend it to anyone who likes well-crafted mysteries with a touch of religion, and enjoys early 60's nostalgia.
In terms of sub-genre, I'm tempted to classify this one as just about a "cozy." With the obvious differences that the main characters are male, it's set in New England, and religion figures heavily in the book. The plot is pretty simple; what makes the book is the characterizations and the little subplots of temple life. The religious discussions between Rabbi Small (Jewish, obviously) and Chief Lanigan (Roman Catholic) are also a big part of the book's charm. In fact, I enjoyed Kemelman's book Conversations with Rabbi Small for that very reason. Published in 1964, it's somewhat dated today, but that's just another reason I like it.
This is one of the two mystery series I like to read again and again, along with Joseph Hansen's Dave Brandstetter series. I would very much recommend it to anyone who likes well-crafted mysteries with a touch of religion, and enjoys early 60's nostalgia.
March 1, 2017
A brisk and interesting read, the mystery was less compelling then the setting. The one question I had was when exactly this was supposed to be set, I guess the 1950s? It was one of those books where everyone was vaguely likable, had their quirks, and were basically genial even though murder was involved. Kind of a like a Jewish The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
May 6, 2022
Thius is a delightful little mystery which is totally different to others I've read before. Set in a small town in the United States it sets out to tell the reader so much about Judaism and the role of a rabbi while giving a clever little murder to be solved. The characters are well delineated and the balance between the Catholic policeman and the rabbi is cleverly expanded. There is a good cross-section of townspeople with their different foibles.
This tale will make me seek out further tales
This tale will make me seek out further tales
December 24, 2021
Don’t give up on a slow start with this book. I almost did, but I am so glad that I kept reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed the introduction to Jewish culture and the workings of a temple. A rabbi is an unusual crime solver, but Rabbi David Small reminds me somewhat of Hercule Poirot in the Agatha Christie novels. Small is a thinker. And he works modern circumstances out with the help of his knowledge of the Talmud. I am looking forward to reading the next in this series.
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