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Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus #22
Murder 101
New York Times bestselling author Faye Kellerman’s beloved Decker and Lazarus embark on a new life in upstate New York—and find themselves entangled in deception, intrigue, and murder in picturesque elite college town.
As a detective lieutenant with the LAPD, Peter Decker witnessed enough ugliness and chaos for a lifetime. Now, he and his devoted wife Rina Lazarus are ready to enjoy the quiet beauty of upstate New York, where they can be closer to their four adult children and their foster son.
But working for the Greenbury Police department isn’t as fulfilling as Decker hoped. While Rina has adapted beautifully to their new surroundings, Decker is underwhelmed and frustrated by his new partner, Tyler McAdams, a former Harvard student and young buck with a bad ‘tude. Just when he thinks he’s made a mistake, Decker is called to his first real crime here—a possible break-in at the local cemetery.
At first, it seems like a false alarm until it’s discovered that a mausoleum’s stunning Tiffany panels have been replaced by forgeries. Then, a coed at one of the exclusive local colleges is brutally murdered. Poking into the hallowed halls of academia to find a killer, Decker and McAdams are drawn deep into a web of dark secrets, cold case crimes, international intrigue, and ruthless people who kill for sport.
Suddenly, the job is anything but boring. This case just might be too much to handle and Decker will have to draw on every ounce of experience that he has garnered in the past thirty years as a Homicide cop. And then again, even that might not be enough!
As a detective lieutenant with the LAPD, Peter Decker witnessed enough ugliness and chaos for a lifetime. Now, he and his devoted wife Rina Lazarus are ready to enjoy the quiet beauty of upstate New York, where they can be closer to their four adult children and their foster son.
But working for the Greenbury Police department isn’t as fulfilling as Decker hoped. While Rina has adapted beautifully to their new surroundings, Decker is underwhelmed and frustrated by his new partner, Tyler McAdams, a former Harvard student and young buck with a bad ‘tude. Just when he thinks he’s made a mistake, Decker is called to his first real crime here—a possible break-in at the local cemetery.
At first, it seems like a false alarm until it’s discovered that a mausoleum’s stunning Tiffany panels have been replaced by forgeries. Then, a coed at one of the exclusive local colleges is brutally murdered. Poking into the hallowed halls of academia to find a killer, Decker and McAdams are drawn deep into a web of dark secrets, cold case crimes, international intrigue, and ruthless people who kill for sport.
Suddenly, the job is anything but boring. This case just might be too much to handle and Decker will have to draw on every ounce of experience that he has garnered in the past thirty years as a Homicide cop. And then again, even that might not be enough!
496 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 2, 2014
654 people are currently reading
3003 people want to read
About the author
Faye Kellerman
179 books2,021 followersFaye Kellerman was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Sherman Oaks, California. She earned a BA in mathematics and a doctorate in dentistry at UCLA., and conducted research in oral biology. Kellerman's groundbreaking first novel, THE RITUAL BATH, was published in 1986 to wide critical and commercial acclaim. The winner of the Macavity Award for the Best First Novel from the Mystery Readers of American, THE RITUAL BATH introduced readers to Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, termed by People Magazine "Hands down, the most refreshing mystery couple around." The New York Times enthused, "This couple's domestic affairs have the haimish warmth of reality, unlike the formulaic lives of so many other genre detectives."
There are well over twenty million copies of Faye Kellerman's novels in print internationally. The Decker/Lazarus thrillers include SACRED AND PROFANE; MILK AND HONEY; DAY OF ATONEMENT; FALSE PROPHET; GRIEVOUS SIN; SANCTUARY; as well as her New York Times Bestsellers, JUSTICE, PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD - listed by the LA Times as one of the best crime novel of 2001; SERPENT'S TOOTH; JUPITER'S BONES, THE FORGOTTEN, STONE KISS, STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS, THE BURNT HOUSE, THE MERCEDES COFFIN and BLINDMAN'S BLUFF. . The novels, STALKER and STREET DREAMS, introduced Kellerman's newest protagonist, Police Officer Cindy Decker. In addition to her crime series, Kellerman is also the author of New York Time's bestseller MOON MUSIC, a suspense horror novel set in Las Vegas featuring Detective Romulus Poe, as well as an historical novel of intrigue set in Elizabethan England, THE QUALITY OF MERCY. She has also co-authored the New York Times Bestseller DOUBLE HOMICIDE, with her husband and partner in crime, Jonathan Kellerman. She has also written a young adult novel, PRISM, with her daughter, Aliza Kellerman
Faye Kellerman's highly praised short stories and reviews have been anthologized in numerous collections including two volumes of the notable SISTERS IN CRIME SERIES, Sara Paretsky's, A WOMAN'S EYE; THE FIRST ANNUAL YEAR'S FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES; THE THIRD ANNUAL BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR; WOMEN OF MYSTERY AND DEADLY ALLIES 11. Her personally annotated collection of her award winning stories, THE GARDEN OF EDEN and OTHER CRIMINAL DELIGHTS, was published in August of 2006. H
Her other hobbies include gardening, sewing and jogging if her back doesn't give out. She is the proud mother of four children, and her eldest son, Jesse, has just published his fourth novel, THE EXECUTOR, from Putnam. She lives in Los Angeles and Santa Fe with her husband, Jonathan, their youngest child, and their French Bulldog, Hugo.
There are well over twenty million copies of Faye Kellerman's novels in print internationally. The Decker/Lazarus thrillers include SACRED AND PROFANE; MILK AND HONEY; DAY OF ATONEMENT; FALSE PROPHET; GRIEVOUS SIN; SANCTUARY; as well as her New York Times Bestsellers, JUSTICE, PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD - listed by the LA Times as one of the best crime novel of 2001; SERPENT'S TOOTH; JUPITER'S BONES, THE FORGOTTEN, STONE KISS, STRAIGHT INTO DARKNESS, THE BURNT HOUSE, THE MERCEDES COFFIN and BLINDMAN'S BLUFF. . The novels, STALKER and STREET DREAMS, introduced Kellerman's newest protagonist, Police Officer Cindy Decker. In addition to her crime series, Kellerman is also the author of New York Time's bestseller MOON MUSIC, a suspense horror novel set in Las Vegas featuring Detective Romulus Poe, as well as an historical novel of intrigue set in Elizabethan England, THE QUALITY OF MERCY. She has also co-authored the New York Times Bestseller DOUBLE HOMICIDE, with her husband and partner in crime, Jonathan Kellerman. She has also written a young adult novel, PRISM, with her daughter, Aliza Kellerman
Faye Kellerman's highly praised short stories and reviews have been anthologized in numerous collections including two volumes of the notable SISTERS IN CRIME SERIES, Sara Paretsky's, A WOMAN'S EYE; THE FIRST ANNUAL YEAR'S FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES; THE THIRD ANNUAL BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR; WOMEN OF MYSTERY AND DEADLY ALLIES 11. Her personally annotated collection of her award winning stories, THE GARDEN OF EDEN and OTHER CRIMINAL DELIGHTS, was published in August of 2006. H
Her other hobbies include gardening, sewing and jogging if her back doesn't give out. She is the proud mother of four children, and her eldest son, Jesse, has just published his fourth novel, THE EXECUTOR, from Putnam. She lives in Los Angeles and Santa Fe with her husband, Jonathan, their youngest child, and their French Bulldog, Hugo.
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February 6, 2017
I have been reading books from the Kellermans, both Faye and Jonathan, for many years. I enjoy their solo efforts as well as their combined work. ( I have yet to try anything from Jesse). This latest addition to the series brings the whole family back together. Peter, his wife Rina, their kids and now grandchildren. Wow! Where has the time gone!
Peter Decker, newly retired homicide detective, and his wife Rina move to a quaint college town in upstate New York. Peter is bored stiff and can't seem to settle into the slower pace of a small town as compared to life in LA.
He has taken a job with the local police department who have little, if any serious crime. (Sounds nice eh?). His new partner Tyler McAdams is young, self-described as obnoxious and thinks he knows it all. He's blue blood not blue collar, so why is he working at a small middle of nowhere police force? Shouldn't he be in law school? After all his nickname is Harvard.
Decker gets his first big case involving the theft of 2 Tiffany stained glass panels from a mausoleum. He jokingly thinks this is as serious as crime gets in his new laid back town.
But not so fast... now suddenly there are 2 murders! He, of course is the only qualified detective on the squad to take the case, with the help of his questionable rookie partner.
For me, the investigation gets a bit bogged-down in the world of art. I had a hard time staying focused. The last three books in the series I couldn't read fast enough. This one took the whole week. I just kept putting it down and scrolling through my Goodreads feeds. Reading everyone else's week of five star books!
3.5* Rounding up because I love Peter and Rina.
Peter Decker, newly retired homicide detective, and his wife Rina move to a quaint college town in upstate New York. Peter is bored stiff and can't seem to settle into the slower pace of a small town as compared to life in LA.
He has taken a job with the local police department who have little, if any serious crime. (Sounds nice eh?). His new partner Tyler McAdams is young, self-described as obnoxious and thinks he knows it all. He's blue blood not blue collar, so why is he working at a small middle of nowhere police force? Shouldn't he be in law school? After all his nickname is Harvard.
Decker gets his first big case involving the theft of 2 Tiffany stained glass panels from a mausoleum. He jokingly thinks this is as serious as crime gets in his new laid back town.
But not so fast... now suddenly there are 2 murders! He, of course is the only qualified detective on the squad to take the case, with the help of his questionable rookie partner.
For me, the investigation gets a bit bogged-down in the world of art. I had a hard time staying focused. The last three books in the series I couldn't read fast enough. This one took the whole week. I just kept putting it down and scrolling through my Goodreads feeds. Reading everyone else's week of five star books!
3.5* Rounding up because I love Peter and Rina.
October 8, 2017
For those who keep up with my reviews, I have mentioned that I enjoy reading mysteries as palette cleansers. While I enjoy Agatha Christie and other classic crime writers, my go to contemporary series over the last two years has been the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series by Faye Kellerman. It is a pure comfort read I revisit when I have no time to read much else or am in need of a pick me up. Being knee deep in cooking at a busy time of year, I found it to be a good time to spend a visit with some old friends.
Lieutenant Peter Decker has retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after thirty years of covering homicides and other horrendous crimes. The Deckers made a joint decision to relocate to upstate New York, a mere three hours from their children and grandchildren. Greenbury is a sleepy town full of college students and retirees like the Deckers with few other people in between. Nothing sensational ever happens so Decker gladly joins the police force whose main duties are rescuing cats from trees and reminding old ladies to take their pain medication. Meanwhile, Rina takes to Greenbury like a fish to water and becomes the unofficial director of the Jewish student center on campus. Throwing herself into many activities, Rina is the textbook definition of a busy retiree who does not let aging or a cross country move slow her down. Being closer to her children seems to be more of an added bonus than the impetus for the Deckers' move, at least at first.
Greenbury is quiet until it isn't. Two valuable stained glass windows are stolen from a crypt in the local town cemetary. Police captain Mike Radar asks Decker to investigate along with newbie, Harvard educated Tyler McAdam. While the heists seem like a minor crime at first, two people are discovered murdered in conjunction with the theft, one in Greenbury and one outside Boston. As Greenbury has not had a murder investigation in over twenty years, Radar asks Decker to be the lead detective on the case and to take McAdam along for the ride. What ensues is a fast pace race through the northeast corridor to stop the murderers and thieves before they strike again. All the while, Decker takes McAdam under his wing in a mentorship role as he is determined to make an above average detective out of his partner before he goes off to Harvard Law School.
In the last few cases in Los Angeles, Kellerman appeared as though she was winding down the series. With Decker, Marge, and Oliver all nearing retirement age, it seemed as though the series was coming to an epic finally. This cross country move has breathed new life into the series as now the Deckers have to adjust to life in a quiet college town with New York and Boston only a skip away. A young partner like McAdam is sure to extend this series indefinitely because even though Decker seems to have most of his best detecting days behind him, a partner in his twenties still has an entire career to look forward to. Plus with Cindy restarting her detective career following maternity leave and cameos by Marge, Oliver, and other LAPD cops, there is no telling how long Kellerman will choose to extend the life of this series.
Now that my palette is cleansed, I may still choose to read the next book in this series in the relative near future as I look forward to seeing what happens next to the extended Decker family. Kellerman continues to find new material to write about, making each case as interesting as the last. With two children getting married soon and the others still at the beginning stages of family life, there is no telling where this series will lead. Until the next time I revisit the Decker family, I can get excited that just because the Lieutenant is getting older, it does not appear that he will be slowing down any time soon.
3.5 stars
Lieutenant Peter Decker has retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after thirty years of covering homicides and other horrendous crimes. The Deckers made a joint decision to relocate to upstate New York, a mere three hours from their children and grandchildren. Greenbury is a sleepy town full of college students and retirees like the Deckers with few other people in between. Nothing sensational ever happens so Decker gladly joins the police force whose main duties are rescuing cats from trees and reminding old ladies to take their pain medication. Meanwhile, Rina takes to Greenbury like a fish to water and becomes the unofficial director of the Jewish student center on campus. Throwing herself into many activities, Rina is the textbook definition of a busy retiree who does not let aging or a cross country move slow her down. Being closer to her children seems to be more of an added bonus than the impetus for the Deckers' move, at least at first.
Greenbury is quiet until it isn't. Two valuable stained glass windows are stolen from a crypt in the local town cemetary. Police captain Mike Radar asks Decker to investigate along with newbie, Harvard educated Tyler McAdam. While the heists seem like a minor crime at first, two people are discovered murdered in conjunction with the theft, one in Greenbury and one outside Boston. As Greenbury has not had a murder investigation in over twenty years, Radar asks Decker to be the lead detective on the case and to take McAdam along for the ride. What ensues is a fast pace race through the northeast corridor to stop the murderers and thieves before they strike again. All the while, Decker takes McAdam under his wing in a mentorship role as he is determined to make an above average detective out of his partner before he goes off to Harvard Law School.
In the last few cases in Los Angeles, Kellerman appeared as though she was winding down the series. With Decker, Marge, and Oliver all nearing retirement age, it seemed as though the series was coming to an epic finally. This cross country move has breathed new life into the series as now the Deckers have to adjust to life in a quiet college town with New York and Boston only a skip away. A young partner like McAdam is sure to extend this series indefinitely because even though Decker seems to have most of his best detecting days behind him, a partner in his twenties still has an entire career to look forward to. Plus with Cindy restarting her detective career following maternity leave and cameos by Marge, Oliver, and other LAPD cops, there is no telling how long Kellerman will choose to extend the life of this series.
Now that my palette is cleansed, I may still choose to read the next book in this series in the relative near future as I look forward to seeing what happens next to the extended Decker family. Kellerman continues to find new material to write about, making each case as interesting as the last. With two children getting married soon and the others still at the beginning stages of family life, there is no telling where this series will lead. Until the next time I revisit the Decker family, I can get excited that just because the Lieutenant is getting older, it does not appear that he will be slowing down any time soon.
3.5 stars
December 3, 2021
In this 22nd book in the 'Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus' series, former LAPD homicide detective Peter Decker - who's close to retirement age - is now working in upstate New York. When art theft ends in murder, Peter and a new partner investigate. The book can be read as a standalone but familiarity with the characters is a plus.
*****
Detective Peter Decker and his wife Rina Lazarus have moved East to be closer to their children, and Peter is now working for the Greenbury Police Department in New York.
As the book opens, two valuable Tiffany stained glass panels have been stolen from a mausoleum in the local cemetery, replaced by cheap fakes.
A couple of suspects come to light, a young female student......
and an award-winning professor, each of whom is associated with a different artsy college in upstate New York. Before long both are brutally murdered.
Decker leads the investigation along with a brash, young, too-full-of himself, Harvard-educated partner named Tyler McAdams who's taken a temporary job with the Greenbury Police Department.
Decker and McAdams discover that the murders seem to be associated with art thefts, perhaps of some very valuable works such as Russian icons, a historic Russian 'amber room', Nazi-confiscated art, panels from valuable reference books, and so on.
Rina helps with the investigation, as does Decker's old partner/friend Detective Scott Oliver.
Everyone puts their heads together to make sense of the clues, twists, and numerous suspects. Even McAdams - who starts out as a rather irritating snob - mellows out and makes himself useful. Rina also fosters camaraderie among the disparate personalities by organizing a delicious kosher dinner and serving tasty sandwiches and snacks as needed.
I enjoyed visiting with familiar characters and I liked the plot until the climax. The unmasking of the killer and the reasons for the crimes are anti-climactic and, in fact, don't make a lot of sense. It feels like Faye Kellerman ran out of steam and just hurriedly wrapped up the book. Up to then, though, it's a pretty good story. I can't wholeheartedly recommend the book but fans of the series will probably like it okay.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
September 6, 2014
I actually have not finished this book - about halfway thru. And in general, I am enjoying it. But one aspect is making me crazy. Ms. Kellerman wrote this from her home in Calif or NM without benefit of a map. It is set in the northeast and all her times and directions are goofy. Particularly annoying because she is unnecessarily specific... the book is set someplace in "upstate" NY, 3 hours from NYC. But they get to Boston in 1.5 hours (and they drive up or down to Boston, not over). Peter notes that a critical location in RI is an hour away. A character in Florida says "if we drive in [not up], we won't be there for a day." And "on the way" from "upstate" to NYC, they stop by the Hamptons. Is the author so successful that editors (who presumably are in NY) can't correct such glaring errors?!
October 1, 2014
I'll preface my comment by saying FK is a favorite author of mine, mostly when I need to calm down or bust some stress. Love her style, her attention to detail (not in an OCD way). Her Decker/ Lazarus characters are like friends. My opinion of FK's latest book, MURDER 101, goes contrary to everything I've written at the top of this review. I found this book to be void of FK on every level, as if someone else wrote the material in her place.
The character of Decker was unrecognizable )in comparison with the way he has been written in the previous nineteen books(?) in the series. I get that he is older and now semi-retired but I don't buy him completely changing his manner of verbal communication or way of being. The Rina character wasn't as unrecognizable but she was def. different in small ways.
The young, 'wet behind the ears' partner didn't read very believably (McAdams).Decker didn't seem to have a clue how to cope with the young guy. Something that would not have happened in the other Decker stories.
The topic of this book was of no interest to me. The minute details were gone over ad nauseum and added to my frustration (as a rule I don't skip around in a story: if I start it I finish it ever the optimist).The story construction seemed that of a very inexperienced writer (the book was begging for an editor with a sharp blue pencil).Over all the book wasn't very well written.
The addition of Decker's ,now retired and depressed,for workmate Scott Oliver was a complete waste of time. He served no purpose and contributed almost nothing. Formerly he was a character with snappy dialogue and a quick wit ,neither of which was displayed in this book.
By the time the story was over I just did not care about anything or anyone, I just wanted it to be over.
Very disappointed and very glad I borrowed the book and didn't waste my money on it. One last aggravating aspect of the story was the ridiculous use of a trope, I won't divulge it here but it will be obvious after one reads a few chapters.
The one bright spot was that the book was only 374 pages in length (excuse my snarkasm).
The character of Decker was unrecognizable )in comparison with the way he has been written in the previous nineteen books(?) in the series. I get that he is older and now semi-retired but I don't buy him completely changing his manner of verbal communication or way of being. The Rina character wasn't as unrecognizable but she was def. different in small ways.
The young, 'wet behind the ears' partner didn't read very believably (McAdams).Decker didn't seem to have a clue how to cope with the young guy. Something that would not have happened in the other Decker stories.
The topic of this book was of no interest to me. The minute details were gone over ad nauseum and added to my frustration (as a rule I don't skip around in a story: if I start it I finish it ever the optimist).The story construction seemed that of a very inexperienced writer (the book was begging for an editor with a sharp blue pencil).Over all the book wasn't very well written.
The addition of Decker's ,now retired and depressed,for workmate Scott Oliver was a complete waste of time. He served no purpose and contributed almost nothing. Formerly he was a character with snappy dialogue and a quick wit ,neither of which was displayed in this book.
By the time the story was over I just did not care about anything or anyone, I just wanted it to be over.
Very disappointed and very glad I borrowed the book and didn't waste my money on it. One last aggravating aspect of the story was the ridiculous use of a trope, I won't divulge it here but it will be obvious after one reads a few chapters.
The one bright spot was that the book was only 374 pages in length (excuse my snarkasm).
March 26, 2016
Peter Decker and Rina have moved to a idyllic collegiate town in upstate NY. A theft of Tiffany windows from a local mausoleum results in two horrible murders. Peter is teamed with a Harvard grad, who is defying his family's wish for him to enter law school. The kid is obnoxious, but Peter and Rina use their charms to help him mature as they work together to solve the crimes. I liked Faye's return to their large family, which is now closer than in L.A. However, the ending was very poor, the international intrigue pretty silly, and the multiple trips between NY and Boston were unnecessary, especially the exaggerated speed at which they were able to occur.
July 15, 2023
Retired from the LAPD to be closer to his kids on the East Coast, Detective Peter Decker is now attached to the Greenbury Police Department but finds just as many felonies in the Five Colleges region of upstate New York. On the whole, the theft of a pair of Tiffany windows from the Bergman family crypt at the local cemetery looks like a professional job. Whoever stole the panels obviously took them one at a time, replacing them with fakes in planning to come back for the winter and spring ones later on. The fakes themselves, however, are amateurish... even Decker, who is in no way an art expert, spots one of them as a li counterfeit before Bergman descendant Ken Sobel and his son-in-law, gallery owner Max Stewart, confirm his suspicions. It’s not at all obvious who pulled off the switch, but it’s practically certain that the forger was Littleton College art student Angeline Moreau. Now it’s going to take the services of a talented "ghost whisperer" to question Angeline, who has been brutally murdered. Decker and his rookie partner, the insufferable Harvard grad Tyler McAdams, turn their attention to identifying her accomplice as Tufts postgraduate, John Latham, but then... he’s murdered also. Throughout the complications that follow.... which includes an intense rivalry among competing art galleries...the unsolved 30-year-old theft of some Russian mosaics...attempts on the two detectives' lives...enemy agents and government officials doing everything in their power to keep everything quiet...the presence of the conceited and clueless McAdams which gives Decker an excuse for explaining everything from simple police procedure to the kiddush blessing of the wine. Yeah...that's way, way, way too much info and this longtime fan of the series, grew aggravated and just wanted the whole thing to end. I love the Decker series...but this one?...not so much.
September 2, 2014
I have missed the last two books in the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series, largely because they have been released since I started blogging and my reading time has rarely since been my own, so I jumped at the chance to rejoin the series with Murder 101.
It's been six months since Peter retired from the LAPD and he and Rina are now living in upstate New York, closer to their adult children. Peter is working for the local police force which is rarely troubled by anything more than drunken college students, while Rina has made herself at home within the community. When the body of a young coed is discovered brutally stabbed to death, Decker is the only member of the Greenbury Police with the experience to investigate. He quickly connects the dead woman to a recent theft from a crypt and, teamed with an obnoxious rookie, Tyler McAdams, Decker suddenly finds himself in the midst of a case involving stolen art, Russian assassins and international politics.
I so enjoyed reconnecting with the characters of this series, I love that Kellerman has aged them in 'real time'...it has been 27 years since The Ritual Bath was first published. The children Decker and Rina share, including foster son Gabe, are now grown up and on their own, Decker's old partner Marg has left the LAPD for quieter pastures and Decker and Rina are adjusting to the changes their move has wrought.
In this book Decker is partnered with Tyler McAdams, a Harvard graduate with a silver spoon in his mouth and a chip on his shoulder, who initially drives Peter crazy but eventually, with Decker's gruff guidance, proves useful.
I wouldn't expect anything less from Kellerman than a well crafted mystery which requires shoe leather, rather than luck, to solve. Decker's investigation is all about following leads, face to face interviews and a bit of hard earned cop instinct. The murdered girl is the first homicide to occur in Greenbury in twenty years so it makes sense that Decker is placed in charge, and in his usual bulldog manner, Decker is determined to solve the case even when his life, and Rina's and Tyler's, are threatened.
Murder 101 is another well paced, solid installment in the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series, which is likely nearing its conclusion, but proves that Decker isn't quite ready to give up his badge just yet.
August 23, 2014
I have read everything by Faye Kellerman. She has really grown as an author and I love that she writes the same characters in every book - giving us the opportunity of growing with the "Decker" family.
Addtionally, I am so grateful that Kellerman has substantially toned down the religious aspect of her stories. I have no problem with incorporating some religion in the story if it will make it move forward, but at some point, she was spending so much time telling us about Rena's beliefs and myriad of traditions that it seriously took away from the storyline - after all, this is a thriller - not a book on religion.
Why I liked this story so much? The combining of Decker and Harvard was perfect. At first, I wasn't sure, but by a few chapters, I was loving the back and forth between the two partners. It was amusing and engaging and I felt myself rooting for them to remain partners......
The whodunit is mild enough - a theft of art that ends up being a homicide which Decker investigates through NYC and Boston (great way for Kellerman to get Decker back in the big city for a bit).
A word of warning, when you start reading this book pay very close attention because there are so many people "involved' in this "art" theft/murder that you are going to lose the thread if you don't pay attention. Ditto on the details about which country stole what heirloom. I think Kellerman could have toned it down a bit here.
However, in true Kellerman style, while there is a bit of action, the story is mostly about solving the mystery with brains and good old fashion investigating.
The one thing that Kellerman still needs to do is tone down the propaganda when it comes to Rina. Wow, between Decker, Harvard and absolutely everybody else in this story, Rina is made out to be a saint. She never says anything wrong, every person around her loves her instantly, she is welcome at meetings where she should clearly not be and she is the center of absolutely everyone's world. Its getting old and it feels fake and takes away from the rest of the story.
Honestly, I think the future stories would highly benefit from reducing Rina's role SIGNIFICANTLY or better still, remove her completely.
Overall though, this was a strong book.
Addtionally, I am so grateful that Kellerman has substantially toned down the religious aspect of her stories. I have no problem with incorporating some religion in the story if it will make it move forward, but at some point, she was spending so much time telling us about Rena's beliefs and myriad of traditions that it seriously took away from the storyline - after all, this is a thriller - not a book on religion.
Why I liked this story so much? The combining of Decker and Harvard was perfect. At first, I wasn't sure, but by a few chapters, I was loving the back and forth between the two partners. It was amusing and engaging and I felt myself rooting for them to remain partners......
The whodunit is mild enough - a theft of art that ends up being a homicide which Decker investigates through NYC and Boston (great way for Kellerman to get Decker back in the big city for a bit).
A word of warning, when you start reading this book pay very close attention because there are so many people "involved' in this "art" theft/murder that you are going to lose the thread if you don't pay attention. Ditto on the details about which country stole what heirloom. I think Kellerman could have toned it down a bit here.
However, in true Kellerman style, while there is a bit of action, the story is mostly about solving the mystery with brains and good old fashion investigating.
The one thing that Kellerman still needs to do is tone down the propaganda when it comes to Rina. Wow, between Decker, Harvard and absolutely everybody else in this story, Rina is made out to be a saint. She never says anything wrong, every person around her loves her instantly, she is welcome at meetings where she should clearly not be and she is the center of absolutely everyone's world. Its getting old and it feels fake and takes away from the rest of the story.
Honestly, I think the future stories would highly benefit from reducing Rina's role SIGNIFICANTLY or better still, remove her completely.
Overall though, this was a strong book.
October 7, 2015
I've worked on a couple of college campuses so my first "Huh?" was at page 3. The Five Colleges of Upstate New York are described, briefly, as a consortium of liberal arts schools. Two specialize in science/science and business/economics, one is a fine arts school, one is a girls' school, one is an elite (military?) academy. On page 3 "The sprawling campuses ... sat on hundreds of acres of dense, bucolic landscape: parks, natural springs, and open forest."
These campuses aren't sprawling, they're tiny. Using examples of five colleges in the real upstate New York.
1. Marist College = 210 acres
2. SUNY New Paltz = 350 acres
3. Bard College = 500 acres
4. Vassar College = 1000 acres
5. U.S. Military Academy at West Point = 16,080 acres
Total = 18,140 acres
OK, let's not use West Point because it's crazy big. So plug in Cornell's Itheca campus which is 2000 acres or SUNY Albany's which is 610 acres. Even the smallest 4-year SUNY college is 240 acres. Times 5 that's still 1200 acres.
This book is a train wreck. Why be so specific and include so many details only to make them silly or just plain wrong? For example, distances between real places. Florida is somewhere around North Carolina and Boston is apparently a suburb of New York City. Other reviewers have listed numerous geographical oddities. So use a real place or use a fake place but why move a bunch of real places to fake locations?
I am imagining a situation where the author left blanks to be filled in by a disgruntled minion who decided to take his revenge.
There are some other odd inconsistencies. On page 3 the author goes out of the way to avoid using any real names. All the chain stores in the shopping mall have slightly silly made-up business names. But just a few pages later, on page 8, the padlock on the door of the cemetery vault is, very specifically, a Schlage®. I'm bummed because it wasn't a Yale®.
The book is also a Tourist Board nightmare. Although it is presumably set in the present (since characters talk about 2007 as being some years in the past) the extremes of nouvelle cuisine suffered by Peter Decker on page 76 haven't been a serious problem for diners in New York since the mid-1980's.
Also, worst sex ever: " 'You want to ****?' She looked at her watch."
Individually, these are just goofy little details that shouldn't really matter but, there are just way too many of them. It's like, one flea, no big deal but 20 fleas...
These campuses aren't sprawling, they're tiny. Using examples of five colleges in the real upstate New York.
1. Marist College = 210 acres
2. SUNY New Paltz = 350 acres
3. Bard College = 500 acres
4. Vassar College = 1000 acres
5. U.S. Military Academy at West Point = 16,080 acres
Total = 18,140 acres
OK, let's not use West Point because it's crazy big. So plug in Cornell's Itheca campus which is 2000 acres or SUNY Albany's which is 610 acres. Even the smallest 4-year SUNY college is 240 acres. Times 5 that's still 1200 acres.
This book is a train wreck. Why be so specific and include so many details only to make them silly or just plain wrong? For example, distances between real places. Florida is somewhere around North Carolina and Boston is apparently a suburb of New York City. Other reviewers have listed numerous geographical oddities. So use a real place or use a fake place but why move a bunch of real places to fake locations?
I am imagining a situation where the author left blanks to be filled in by a disgruntled minion who decided to take his revenge.
There are some other odd inconsistencies. On page 3 the author goes out of the way to avoid using any real names. All the chain stores in the shopping mall have slightly silly made-up business names. But just a few pages later, on page 8, the padlock on the door of the cemetery vault is, very specifically, a Schlage®. I'm bummed because it wasn't a Yale®.
The book is also a Tourist Board nightmare. Although it is presumably set in the present (since characters talk about 2007 as being some years in the past) the extremes of nouvelle cuisine suffered by Peter Decker on page 76 haven't been a serious problem for diners in New York since the mid-1980's.
Also, worst sex ever: " 'You want to ****?' She looked at her watch."
Individually, these are just goofy little details that shouldn't really matter but, there are just way too many of them. It's like, one flea, no big deal but 20 fleas...
September 7, 2014
So happy Rina and Peter are back! I was feeling uneasy knowing they had headed to Upstate NY but it brought back almost the whole family (except Gabe, my least favorite character and storyline) which is kind of what I like best anyway. (I find it hard to believe Rina left her 90+ parents so far away, of course) Usually the mystery is what I have to get through to read about the characters, but this time Rina played a major part -- which I love. Also some great art and stolen art facts, perhaps well-known to more cultured people but new to me. FK really brought her A game back after the last effort of Gun Games. (I know, I gave it 5 stars...but I am always so happy to see these characters!!). Lots of off-stage action (Peter's father died? Everyone retired, not just Peter? Hannah is engaged?? and in a PhD program? Didn't she just leave for seminary right after high school in the last book, last year??) which I don't love, but no quibbles. Now if only FK would write a book solely on the family...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2014
The last three outings in Faye Kellerman’s Rina Lazarus / Lt. Peter Decker series were disappointing. Not only were the plots lackluster, but much of the three stories were about the teenaged machinations of foster son Gabe – which, with nothing whatsoever to do with the stories, were tiresome and annoying. Peter spoke often of retiring, and we almost wished he would!
Then along comes “Murder 101”, the 22nd novel in the set (!), which starts out with a big surprise – the Deckers have moved from L.A. to an upstate New York “Podunk” named Greenbury, where the former tenured Lieutenant has taken on essentially a patrol job with the local PD. Crimes now run to cats caught in trees and maybe a drunk college kid now and then.
However, when two real Tiffany stained glass window hangings are stolen from a local mausoleum, and perversely replaced with rather obvious fakes, that real crime takes some effort by Decker and his Harvard-trained but totally unqualified as a detective, partner Tyler McAdams, to investigate. As they continue to pursue the case, it then happens that a local college girl is murdered; and later a Boston man who they suspect is coupled to her is also killed. As the case progresses, all manner of art-related topics are pursued with vigor, as Decker and his rookie pard actually start to bond a little and make good progress on the cases. Rina herself comes out of the woodwork of the past three books and actually contributes some brainpower to the investigation, which concludes in a little bit of a hurry, but still leaves us readers feeling fairly satisfied with the outcome.
We liked Peter in his new setting; this case brought him back to life in some sense; and we did not miss at all the distractions of Gabe (etc.), who is now permanently away from home on a music tour. The middle half of the book got a little boring, as the plodding progress and running back and forth to Boston and New York got everyone weary. We did find the relationship that developed with Decker’s college-kid partner entertaining; however, it seems McAdams is bound for law school – so what might happen next in downtown Greenbury remains to be seen! Just when we were about to give up on Ms. Faye, we will now probably continue on to a future #23!
Then along comes “Murder 101”, the 22nd novel in the set (!), which starts out with a big surprise – the Deckers have moved from L.A. to an upstate New York “Podunk” named Greenbury, where the former tenured Lieutenant has taken on essentially a patrol job with the local PD. Crimes now run to cats caught in trees and maybe a drunk college kid now and then.
However, when two real Tiffany stained glass window hangings are stolen from a local mausoleum, and perversely replaced with rather obvious fakes, that real crime takes some effort by Decker and his Harvard-trained but totally unqualified as a detective, partner Tyler McAdams, to investigate. As they continue to pursue the case, it then happens that a local college girl is murdered; and later a Boston man who they suspect is coupled to her is also killed. As the case progresses, all manner of art-related topics are pursued with vigor, as Decker and his rookie pard actually start to bond a little and make good progress on the cases. Rina herself comes out of the woodwork of the past three books and actually contributes some brainpower to the investigation, which concludes in a little bit of a hurry, but still leaves us readers feeling fairly satisfied with the outcome.
We liked Peter in his new setting; this case brought him back to life in some sense; and we did not miss at all the distractions of Gabe (etc.), who is now permanently away from home on a music tour. The middle half of the book got a little boring, as the plodding progress and running back and forth to Boston and New York got everyone weary. We did find the relationship that developed with Decker’s college-kid partner entertaining; however, it seems McAdams is bound for law school – so what might happen next in downtown Greenbury remains to be seen! Just when we were about to give up on Ms. Faye, we will now probably continue on to a future #23!
February 20, 2015
I have been a fan of all the Kellermans, albeit to various degrees. This book felt different, but I enjoyed it a lot. Possibly several somewhat personal "connections" added to my pleasure: being Jewish (so I like references to Judaism and Jewish historical events), living in upstate NY (so I felt more comfortable with the milieu instead of the LA setting), being originally from Russia (so some of the issues related to art and locations...but no spoilers:)
Anyway, in this one many of old acquaintances are back, even though their presence is not always logical. Of course, the extended Decker family is center stage, but we also get glimpses of Scott Oliver and even Marge Dunn. The new kid on the block Tyler Mcadams is a plot device allowing for many events and procedures to be explained to a newbie, hence the title. But he is a character who sort of grows on you, as he does on the Deckers. And his connections to the blue bloods in NYC and Harvard, as well as his grandmothers apartment in Manhattan are invaluable to the story.
The actual mystery is way too convoluted and unbelievable to my taste mixing some historical things and places (the Amber room, the Hermitage, the Chabad library collection, a lot of the stolen art stories- all loosely based on history and well worth learning about), and some pure fiction, such as the Petrushkevich icons (I could not find any references to this).
I have to agree with another reviewer here who expressed irritation with the overblown role of Rina Decker in this book, and her being a saint. Another mention of her famous cooking and I was about to scream. And the interminable epilogue, again, mostly focusing on Rina was totally unbelievable. To imagine that more than a dozen high level law enforcement professionals would accept an unknown amateur to sit in and to even give them advice at a highly secretive meeting only because she happens to be married to a provincial policeman - that just could not happen, and should not happen.
Overall, and enjoyable ride, good entertainment.
Anyway, in this one many of old acquaintances are back, even though their presence is not always logical. Of course, the extended Decker family is center stage, but we also get glimpses of Scott Oliver and even Marge Dunn. The new kid on the block Tyler Mcadams is a plot device allowing for many events and procedures to be explained to a newbie, hence the title. But he is a character who sort of grows on you, as he does on the Deckers. And his connections to the blue bloods in NYC and Harvard, as well as his grandmothers apartment in Manhattan are invaluable to the story.
The actual mystery is way too convoluted and unbelievable to my taste mixing some historical things and places (the Amber room, the Hermitage, the Chabad library collection, a lot of the stolen art stories- all loosely based on history and well worth learning about), and some pure fiction, such as the Petrushkevich icons (I could not find any references to this).
I have to agree with another reviewer here who expressed irritation with the overblown role of Rina Decker in this book, and her being a saint. Another mention of her famous cooking and I was about to scream. And the interminable epilogue, again, mostly focusing on Rina was totally unbelievable. To imagine that more than a dozen high level law enforcement professionals would accept an unknown amateur to sit in and to even give them advice at a highly secretive meeting only because she happens to be married to a provincial policeman - that just could not happen, and should not happen.
Overall, and enjoyable ride, good entertainment.
October 7, 2014
MURDER 101
Faye Kellerman
My appreciation for Ms. Kellerman began with her original title THE RITUAL BATH. It was a very good mystery featuring a budding relationship with the Jewess, Rina Lazarus and the gentile detective, Peter Decker. I have been a fan ever since. The books and the relationship have developed into a wonderful series that I have followed faithfully.
In Ms. Kellerman’s latest book, MURDER 101 ex LAPD detective Lieutenant Peter Decker and his wife are living in a quiet beautiful college town in upstate New York. Peter is a little restless working for the small Greenbury Police Department until there is a break in at the local cemetery that quickly escalates into the murder of a co-ed. He is quickly drawn into the case that is full of nasty secrets, international intrigue and ruthless killers.
I do have some criticism of this current book, the multitude of trips up and down the state gets to be quite tedious, and the enormous cast of characters is terribly confusing. In my opinion I believe Ms. Kellerman fell prey into the present trend that a straight mystery is not enough, and has to be full of international intrigue to keep the reader involved. It was too long and needed to be edited.
Faye Kellerman
My appreciation for Ms. Kellerman began with her original title THE RITUAL BATH. It was a very good mystery featuring a budding relationship with the Jewess, Rina Lazarus and the gentile detective, Peter Decker. I have been a fan ever since. The books and the relationship have developed into a wonderful series that I have followed faithfully.
In Ms. Kellerman’s latest book, MURDER 101 ex LAPD detective Lieutenant Peter Decker and his wife are living in a quiet beautiful college town in upstate New York. Peter is a little restless working for the small Greenbury Police Department until there is a break in at the local cemetery that quickly escalates into the murder of a co-ed. He is quickly drawn into the case that is full of nasty secrets, international intrigue and ruthless killers.
I do have some criticism of this current book, the multitude of trips up and down the state gets to be quite tedious, and the enormous cast of characters is terribly confusing. In my opinion I believe Ms. Kellerman fell prey into the present trend that a straight mystery is not enough, and has to be full of international intrigue to keep the reader involved. It was too long and needed to be edited.
December 17, 2014
This is my 19th Faye Kellerman book. I'm getting older along with her characters, maybe that's why I fell asleep reading it.
I'm fine with the evolution of the Deckers but there are several things I didn't like. We can start with the title "Murder 101," which has been already used multiple times.
Then we have the spoiled rich kid working in the small police department as Peter's superior. The kid has absolutely no training. This is maybe possible, but seems extremely unlikely.
While the plot involves stolen art, there's way too much art discussion in the book. It's as if Ms. Kellerman took an art history class and had to tell us what she learned.
Rina's always been an interesting character, but bringing her into the middle of a murder investigation is ludicrous. She's a civilian, professionals are not going to involve her this way.
Finally there's the completely unsatisfying ending. The CIA tells the detectives that the problem's been handled, just shut up and forget it. Really?
Ms. Kellerman, I know that you can write much better than this. Please do.
I'm fine with the evolution of the Deckers but there are several things I didn't like. We can start with the title "Murder 101," which has been already used multiple times.
Then we have the spoiled rich kid working in the small police department as Peter's superior. The kid has absolutely no training. This is maybe possible, but seems extremely unlikely.
While the plot involves stolen art, there's way too much art discussion in the book. It's as if Ms. Kellerman took an art history class and had to tell us what she learned.
Rina's always been an interesting character, but bringing her into the middle of a murder investigation is ludicrous. She's a civilian, professionals are not going to involve her this way.
Finally there's the completely unsatisfying ending. The CIA tells the detectives that the problem's been handled, just shut up and forget it. Really?
Ms. Kellerman, I know that you can write much better than this. Please do.
March 30, 2015
I have long enjoyed Faye Kellerman's Decker/Lazarus series, and now it's as if it has been given a new beginning. Perhaps recognizing the difficulty of sustaining a long series, Kellerman has moved her characters to a completely new environment, while maintaining some links to the LAPD and of course to the family.
Murder 101 provides a complex plot which unfolds through each step of the investigative process. What starts out as a simple B&E gains new dimensions all the way to the last chapter.
Peter Decker is older but still at the top of his game. Rina Lazarus, also older of course with guarded references to menopause, is featured making a substantial contribution to the investigation and it is fun to watch her brilliantly organized mind at work. A new character, a wiseass Harvard grad who is playing at being a cop evolves under Decker's guidance and will perhaps return in future episodes.
Murder 101 provides a complex plot which unfolds through each step of the investigative process. What starts out as a simple B&E gains new dimensions all the way to the last chapter.
Peter Decker is older but still at the top of his game. Rina Lazarus, also older of course with guarded references to menopause, is featured making a substantial contribution to the investigation and it is fun to watch her brilliantly organized mind at work. A new character, a wiseass Harvard grad who is playing at being a cop evolves under Decker's guidance and will perhaps return in future episodes.
September 11, 2014
Not one of Ms Kellerman's better books and I've read all of the Decker series. The location of Greenbury New York being one of them. How can you be in Upstate New York, be 3 hours from Manhattan, 1.5 hours from Boston and be south of Boston at the same time? Just doesn't add up in my opinion. I also had troubles with McAdams' asking for peoples Wi-Fi password so he could use his Ipad. He's rich, he's a detective why would you have a package that includes internet access? And don't all cops, detectives included, carry guns.
I think the editors, if there were any on this book didn't do their job. They should have pointed out the, in my opinion, glaring errors.
I've really liked the Decker books. I just hope the next one, if they is on, is better than this one.
I think the editors, if there were any on this book didn't do their job. They should have pointed out the, in my opinion, glaring errors.
I've really liked the Decker books. I just hope the next one, if they is on, is better than this one.
August 25, 2014
Yeah, Faye Kellerman. Another good read. Fun twists and turns; great characters and story development. Another book could not put down until I finished it.
November 4, 2023
This is the well-written 22nd book in the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series but my first experience with these characters. The main and supporting characters are well-defined and have personality quirks to keep it interesting. The book gives a glimpse into the world of art collectors and art brokers and includes many insider details. The solving of the mystery is a realistic police procedural. If there are any flaws, it may be the too abrupt ending chapters that wraps up a complicated thread of incidents but still doesn't quite satisfy.
The audiobook is perfectly narrated and helped to pass the time on a long drive back and forth from Pennsylvania to Indiana. However, if I had been reading the print version this would probably have made it to the Did-Not-Finish shelf. At many points it just seemed too formulaic and when the writer's style indicates that to the reader or listener, it can pull them out of the story.
The audiobook is perfectly narrated and helped to pass the time on a long drive back and forth from Pennsylvania to Indiana. However, if I had been reading the print version this would probably have made it to the Did-Not-Finish shelf. At many points it just seemed too formulaic and when the writer's style indicates that to the reader or listener, it can pull them out of the story.
October 10, 2014
So I’m a HUGE fan of the Kellerman Dynasty – Faye, Jonathan and Jesse – I discovered the Decker/Lazarus series solely through being interested in the Kellerman clan having loved all of the Alex Delaware books – and have been hooked ever since.
It is a long running series, has had its ups and downs, but overall has always given an excellent reading experience and this one was no exception. It seems to have been a bit hit and miss with the fans, but for THIS fan it was a hit.
Pete Decker, having opted for a slower pace of life, had been bored out of his mind. But when he investigates a robbery which leads to a brutal murder, he is back in his element once again. As the story ebbs and flows towards its final resolution it is, as always, very compelling and absolutely fascinating.
The “Murder 101″ of the title presumably relates to new character Tyler Mcadams, a wet behind the ears temporary recruit, whose arrogance is immense and who is none too pleased it seems to be stuck with an “Old man” for a partner. Rina of course can see past the bluster and as things progress one of the very best things about this story was the eclectic and ever changing relationship developing between Tyler and Pete. A lot of whether or not you will love this one will come down to your feelings as a reader about him, his background and his persona – for me he was a perfect yin to Decker’s yang and gave a fresh feel and a new ambience to the series as a whole.
The mystery element as always was well done – if I had one slight bugbear it was that the art speak was a little too complicated at times and perhaps over egged slightly, possibly too much information occasionally to absorb into the plot as a whole – but putting that aside the “whodunnit” is still a lot of fun to try and work out and there are lots of lovely little twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Excellent writing and sense of place still there, Ms Kellermans style extremely readable.
It is true sadly that Pete and Rina are getting on a bit – how much longer they can take front and centre is of course open to discussion – but the series as a whole has a deep and enduring mythology with plenty of more peripheral characters easily able to take the reigns (indeed Cindy, daughter of Pete, has had her own stories already) but despite the division of opinion on the Tyler character I would love to see more of him. His ongoing story bodes well for a scenario where he could take a bigger role and if that was the intention (and I kind of hope it was) then, well, Yay. Although obviously there are people that would disagree…
Overall though another terrific read from Faye Kellerman – I am still two books behind on Mr Delaware which gives me something to look forward to – and I have no hesitation of highly recommending the Decker/Lazarus series as a whole entity and indeed you can pick up any individual book and immerse yourself in their world very easily.
Happy Reading Folks!
June 21, 2015
Detective Pete Decker and his wife, Rina have moved to upstate New York. Pete has left the L.A.P.D. and is looking forward to a quieter life at Greenbury Police Department. They are also closer to their extended family who all live on the east coast.
He has to adjust to the different environment and his new young partner, Tyler McAdams, who is arrogant, Harvard-educated and spoilt.
When Tiffany panels are stolen from a mausoleum at the local cemetery, his dreams of a quieter life are quickly left behind. Two brutal murders, international art fraud allegations, and an attempt on his and Tyler's lives follow.
I enjoyed the book until Decker's wife, Rina, becomes a part of the investigation. She is annoying as she dispenses endless food, coffee and advice. It is ridiculously implausible. I would have given the book a better rating if Kellerman had not done this.
He has to adjust to the different environment and his new young partner, Tyler McAdams, who is arrogant, Harvard-educated and spoilt.
When Tiffany panels are stolen from a mausoleum at the local cemetery, his dreams of a quieter life are quickly left behind. Two brutal murders, international art fraud allegations, and an attempt on his and Tyler's lives follow.
I enjoyed the book until Decker's wife, Rina, becomes a part of the investigation. She is annoying as she dispenses endless food, coffee and advice. It is ridiculously implausible. I would have given the book a better rating if Kellerman had not done this.
November 15, 2014
This was a very very very long book that went no where in my opinion. If you like art or art history this may be a good book for you.
I felt cheated by this book by the ending which I didn't like and they seemed to wrap up in the last chapter. It seem like the author didn't know where to go with this and just wrapped it up quickly.
I only gave this book 3 stars because I like the main characters. I may or may not read another Faye Kellerman book.
There was too many F bombs in this book where I didn't think they would be needed.
I felt cheated by this book by the ending which I didn't like and they seemed to wrap up in the last chapter. It seem like the author didn't know where to go with this and just wrapped it up quickly.
I only gave this book 3 stars because I like the main characters. I may or may not read another Faye Kellerman book.
There was too many F bombs in this book where I didn't think they would be needed.
October 26, 2014
I used to be such a fan of this series, but I fear that Elizabeth George and Louise Penny have ruined the simpler plot/character mysteries for me. It was fun the see the couple relocated to a small, rural town, but all of the secondary characters seemed cartoonish to me. I just couldn't believe that people would say or do what they did.
April 12, 2018
Ms. Kellerman never fails to please. Peter and Rina have moved to upstate New York to be closer to all the kids including their foster son. However, as the book starts, all is not well. While Rina has settled down an gotten involved in teaching at one of the local colleges, Peter is bored with a job that has little to offer but rescuing kittens from trees. Also, he is plagued by his partner Tyler McAdams an arrogant know-it-all taking a gap year from Harvard who insists on calling Peter, "Old Man."
Suddenly, Peter's professional life gets interesting. Two Tiffany panels are stolen from a local graveyard. Off they all are on a fantastic search first the panels then killers who . The Decker/Lazarus team rocks. (It's nice to see people around my age racing around the countryside and solving crimes. Tyler McAdams' sarcasm does not stand a chance against Rina's cookies and Pete's reluctant mentoring.
Suddenly, Peter's professional life gets interesting. Two Tiffany panels are stolen from a local graveyard. Off they all are on a fantastic search first the panels then killers who . The Decker/Lazarus team rocks. (It's nice to see people around my age racing around the countryside and solving crimes. Tyler McAdams' sarcasm does not stand a chance against Rina's cookies and Pete's reluctant mentoring.
January 31, 2018
3.5
It has been a while since I have read one of Faye Kellerman's mysteries. It was interesting to view Rina and Peter advancing in age, yet still fully productive. Also their family had grown in numbers and in their own maturity.
As always, I found this novel intriguing and complex. In brief, it involved art forgeries and art thefts. I learned some of the complexities engaged by the miscreants, which I had never even considered. I often thought of and compared these actions with the book, The Art Forger , although Shapiro's book was more technical and detailed in nature when describing forgeries.
This mystery was not of the heart pounding ilk, but it maintained a good tension throughout. I was unable to determine "whodunit" due to the numerous characters involved and the multi-faceted issues. The personalities and their activities seemed realistic and the narrative often contained nuggets of humor.
It has been a while since I have read one of Faye Kellerman's mysteries. It was interesting to view Rina and Peter advancing in age, yet still fully productive. Also their family had grown in numbers and in their own maturity.
As always, I found this novel intriguing and complex. In brief, it involved art forgeries and art thefts. I learned some of the complexities engaged by the miscreants, which I had never even considered. I often thought of and compared these actions with the book, The Art Forger , although Shapiro's book was more technical and detailed in nature when describing forgeries.
This mystery was not of the heart pounding ilk, but it maintained a good tension throughout. I was unable to determine "whodunit" due to the numerous characters involved and the multi-faceted issues. The personalities and their activities seemed realistic and the narrative often contained nuggets of humor.
September 5, 2014
It's almost hard to believe this is the 22nd book in the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series - if I missed any, I'm not aware of them, so you could say I've been around from the git-go. I "watched" as they got hitched, Peter struggled early on with becoming a practicing Jew, they dealt with teenage sons and a new baby and now, a new life in a new place.
In her most recent book, The Beast, the author hinted that the couple might be thinking about moving from Los Angeles to be closer to their children and grandchildren. And that's exactly what they've done here, relocating to a small community in upstate New York where Peter is working for the Greenbury Police Department.
Wen I finished the first couple of chapters, I had a vague feeling that something was "off." Both Peter and Rina seemed a bit unsure of how they feel about the change (Peter more so), and somehow it didn't feel quite right to me, either. Of course, going from a fast-paced big-city department to one where rescuing kittens from trees provides the big excitement of the day would make me question my decision as well.
Peter has partnered up with fairly recent Harvard grad Tyler McAdams, who's got money, a lousy attitude and a totally obnoxious personality. He's also got friends in high places, so like it or not, Peter's stuck with him (adding to Peter's trouble adjusting to the new surroundings). But then, a real crime is reported: valuable Tiffany panels have been stolen from a family mausoleum and replaced by fake versions. Not long thereafter, a female student from the local consortium of five liberal arts schools is murdered, and it seems there could be a connection to the theft.
Since Peter has 30 years of experience in the homicide field, he's tapped to lead the investigation. That, in turn, leads to forays and encounters within the halls of academia and the world of ancient works of art, including pieces that may have been stolen by the Nazis. I must say the ins and outs were a little hard for me to follow - there was almost too much historical information and too many characters. I found myself re-reading pages here and there just to make sure I remembered who was who.
The move wasn't the only noticeable change, either; Rina takes on a much larger role here than usual. That's not a bad thing, mind you - in a couple of the older books, I actually wondered why her name was even in the book title. In a couple of spots, in fact, she actually outshines her husband in the sleuthing department. My guess? This will be the trend for future books, with Rina becoming as much a partner in Peter's career as she is in their marriage.
In her most recent book, The Beast, the author hinted that the couple might be thinking about moving from Los Angeles to be closer to their children and grandchildren. And that's exactly what they've done here, relocating to a small community in upstate New York where Peter is working for the Greenbury Police Department.
Wen I finished the first couple of chapters, I had a vague feeling that something was "off." Both Peter and Rina seemed a bit unsure of how they feel about the change (Peter more so), and somehow it didn't feel quite right to me, either. Of course, going from a fast-paced big-city department to one where rescuing kittens from trees provides the big excitement of the day would make me question my decision as well.
Peter has partnered up with fairly recent Harvard grad Tyler McAdams, who's got money, a lousy attitude and a totally obnoxious personality. He's also got friends in high places, so like it or not, Peter's stuck with him (adding to Peter's trouble adjusting to the new surroundings). But then, a real crime is reported: valuable Tiffany panels have been stolen from a family mausoleum and replaced by fake versions. Not long thereafter, a female student from the local consortium of five liberal arts schools is murdered, and it seems there could be a connection to the theft.
Since Peter has 30 years of experience in the homicide field, he's tapped to lead the investigation. That, in turn, leads to forays and encounters within the halls of academia and the world of ancient works of art, including pieces that may have been stolen by the Nazis. I must say the ins and outs were a little hard for me to follow - there was almost too much historical information and too many characters. I found myself re-reading pages here and there just to make sure I remembered who was who.
The move wasn't the only noticeable change, either; Rina takes on a much larger role here than usual. That's not a bad thing, mind you - in a couple of the older books, I actually wondered why her name was even in the book title. In a couple of spots, in fact, she actually outshines her husband in the sleuthing department. My guess? This will be the trend for future books, with Rina becoming as much a partner in Peter's career as she is in their marriage.
October 13, 2014
Murder 101 is the latest entry in Faye Kellerman's long running Decker/Lazurus series. In fact it's number twenty two.
Kellerman has aged her characters over the course of the series. Peter Decker has recently retired from the LAPD. He and his wife Rena Lazurus have moved to quiet Greenbury, NY to be closer to their grown children. Peter has taken a job with the Greenbury PD. But truthfully he's a bit bored - there's not a lot of crime in the town. A possible art forgery in a cemetery crypt seems pretty exciting. But when a body is found, Decker is back in his element. He has a new partner as well - a young man named Ryan, with no experience, and a bad attitude.
I always enjoy the mystery in Kellerman's books and the path Decker takes to solve the cases. This one was good, but I did find the international connection to be a bit of stretch.
But, the strength of this series is the characters. Rina and Peter are such engaging characters. I've enjoyed watching their relationship grow from their first meeting to this comfortable older stage. Their joy in each other, their love of their family, their faith and their convictions are wonderfully depicted.
The title is a nod to Decker's attempts to teach young Ryan the basics of a investigation (and a little bit about life as well. Rina plays a larger role in Murder 101 - she's actually part of the investigation this time round.
I like that path that Kellerman has chosen to take for Peter and Rina. I wonder if there will be further cases in Greenbury? And, as much as I enjoy the family aspect of this series (daughter Cindy has had her own book and I'm growing tired of foster son Gabe's issues), it is Peter and Rina I prefer to follow.
With such a long running series, there are bound to be some books that are stronger than others. I thought this latest entry was a really good read.
Kellerman has aged her characters over the course of the series. Peter Decker has recently retired from the LAPD. He and his wife Rena Lazurus have moved to quiet Greenbury, NY to be closer to their grown children. Peter has taken a job with the Greenbury PD. But truthfully he's a bit bored - there's not a lot of crime in the town. A possible art forgery in a cemetery crypt seems pretty exciting. But when a body is found, Decker is back in his element. He has a new partner as well - a young man named Ryan, with no experience, and a bad attitude.
I always enjoy the mystery in Kellerman's books and the path Decker takes to solve the cases. This one was good, but I did find the international connection to be a bit of stretch.
But, the strength of this series is the characters. Rina and Peter are such engaging characters. I've enjoyed watching their relationship grow from their first meeting to this comfortable older stage. Their joy in each other, their love of their family, their faith and their convictions are wonderfully depicted.
The title is a nod to Decker's attempts to teach young Ryan the basics of a investigation (and a little bit about life as well. Rina plays a larger role in Murder 101 - she's actually part of the investigation this time round.
I like that path that Kellerman has chosen to take for Peter and Rina. I wonder if there will be further cases in Greenbury? And, as much as I enjoy the family aspect of this series (daughter Cindy has had her own book and I'm growing tired of foster son Gabe's issues), it is Peter and Rina I prefer to follow.
With such a long running series, there are bound to be some books that are stronger than others. I thought this latest entry was a really good read.
December 27, 2014
Thank you to Edelweiss for my ARC e book of this title.
One of my problems with the late, much lamented Robert B. Parker is that he refused to really truly deal with the character Spenser's aging.
And we won't even get into his girlfriend's aging.Or his dog's aging, which he handles simply by having him adopt a new look alike dog, giving the dog the same name and having it take on the same behaviors!
Perhaps this is because Spenser was his alter ego, but when you realize that Spencer starts out serving in the Korean War, and yet there he is in 2005 or so not sitting in his chair at the Old Detectives home, it strains credulity. And it's not good writing. By the last few books (and I recently re-read them all, straight through)Spencer is just going through the same old things, updated with current restaurants and technology.
I bring this up because Faye Kellerman is far more daring and has allowed Peter Decker, his wife Rima, and perhaps most importantly of all, their children to age. That has allowed her to let them grow and develop and in this book, move to a new place and a new stage of life.
Of course, Decker gets bored working as a cop in a college town, and a nice juicy murder gets him back into the work he knows best. But the move changes him, allows him to get a new, smart aleck young partner to school in the ways of copdom. And it makes for an excellent new book.
I do have to add that I have found Rina Lazarus increasingly annoying and she is a little too perfect in this book. But she at least has been allowed to age a bit. That's better than Parker does with HIS Jewish American Princess!
One of my problems with the late, much lamented Robert B. Parker is that he refused to really truly deal with the character Spenser's aging.
And we won't even get into his girlfriend's aging.Or his dog's aging, which he handles simply by having him adopt a new look alike dog, giving the dog the same name and having it take on the same behaviors!
Perhaps this is because Spenser was his alter ego, but when you realize that Spencer starts out serving in the Korean War, and yet there he is in 2005 or so not sitting in his chair at the Old Detectives home, it strains credulity. And it's not good writing. By the last few books (and I recently re-read them all, straight through)Spencer is just going through the same old things, updated with current restaurants and technology.
I bring this up because Faye Kellerman is far more daring and has allowed Peter Decker, his wife Rima, and perhaps most importantly of all, their children to age. That has allowed her to let them grow and develop and in this book, move to a new place and a new stage of life.
Of course, Decker gets bored working as a cop in a college town, and a nice juicy murder gets him back into the work he knows best. But the move changes him, allows him to get a new, smart aleck young partner to school in the ways of copdom. And it makes for an excellent new book.
I do have to add that I have found Rina Lazarus increasingly annoying and she is a little too perfect in this book. But she at least has been allowed to age a bit. That's better than Parker does with HIS Jewish American Princess!
November 11, 2014
This book took me back to the beginning of the series when Decker wasn't "the Loo" but was a a detective in Foothills. When he was doing the legwork. He and Rina have retired to a sleepy town in New England where Decker is just a cop. Until there is a brutal murder and Decker is the only one on the force with hands on experience dealing with such s thing. His partner is a a political appointee, not even a cop. A Harvard grad avoiding law school. It doesn't take long before Harvard becomes another of Decker's strays. Meanwhile, what looks like a single murder of a college student burgeoned out of control as the murder count grows and becomes more gruesome. But when the murderer starts targeting Peter and his partner things get personal. It was a great read and I can't wait for the next book which I suspect will take place 9 months later after his partner has finished his first year of law school. Harvard has the makings of a good cop.despite being a smartass. We get cameos from Marge and a real visit from Oliver so it's not s completely new cast. I couldn't have had a better reading experience although I do agree with another reviewer, Kellerman had no real idea of distances so made some comments that were completely inane. I chose to overlook them in favor of the greater story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2014
Murder 101 by Faye Kellerman is the latest of the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus mysteries. Until recently almost all of the books took place in LA, because that is where Decker or Loo was a detective. However the couple had moved east to be nearer all their children and grandchildren. They live in Greenbury, New York, a small bucolic college town. There the biggest issues are not murder and Peter Decker is BORED. Until the cemetery was robbed and then there may have been a murder or so. Suddenly, Peter and Rina are back in to the swing of things, solving mysteries.
Tyler McAdams is his new partner. He has a bad attitude, a Harvard education and no job experience.
Faye Kellerman’s books are meant to entertain. The characters are likable and grow with each book. Her mysteries are not always straight forward, which makes them even more fun to solve. Peter and Rina’s personal life and their marriage always come into the story in some way.
An enjoyable mystery, Murder 101 keeps you engrossed in the story until the end.
Tyler McAdams is his new partner. He has a bad attitude, a Harvard education and no job experience.
Faye Kellerman’s books are meant to entertain. The characters are likable and grow with each book. Her mysteries are not always straight forward, which makes them even more fun to solve. Peter and Rina’s personal life and their marriage always come into the story in some way.
An enjoyable mystery, Murder 101 keeps you engrossed in the story until the end.
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