Unleavened Dead

Rabbi Aviva Cohen Mystery #2

by Ilene Schneider

Two members of Rabbi Aviva Cohen’s congregation are found dead, victims, they say, of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. But Aviva has info that leads her to doubt it was an accident. Then, police suspect Aviva’s niece’s partner in a hit-and-run death. Aviva is sure the woman is innocent, even though her SUV has a body-sized dent on the hood. As she looks into the two disparate cases, Aviva discovers they may be connected, and her amateur sleuthing takes a sinister turn that involves sexual abuse of teenage girls, money laundering, stolen identities, and an FBI investigation. Once again, her curiosity has put her life in jeopardy.

Genres: Mystery, Jewish

Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2012

About the author

A 1976 graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia, Rabbi Ilene Schneider, Ed.D., was one of the first six women rabbis in the United States. She has been a columnist for the Burlington County Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer. She is the Coordinator of the Jewish Hospice Program for Samaritan Hospice, Marlton, NJ. An avid birder, she is active with the New Jersey Audubon Society Rancocas Nature Center. Rabbi Schneider resides in Marlton, NJ, with her husband and their two sons. Her first novel, a cozy mystery titled CHANUKAH GUILT, was published April 2007 by Swimming Kangaroo Books. Visit her website at http://rabbiavivacohenmysteries.com"

Reviews

[Lisa Teves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rabbi Aviva is amazing. She solved two crimes that initially seemed to have no connection. One was a tragic accident that could’ve been prevented if only a carbon monoxide detector had been installed. And if the dryer vent had been cleaned. The second crime was the revenge killing of someone who committed unspeakable acts. In between investigations, she has to soothe a stressed out same sex couple who want to marry but can’t seem to agree on anything including a future together. Then there are the other characters who add to the intrigue of the story line. A Tony Soprano wannabe who had his own reason for a revenge killing. But he insists he’s no longer involved in nefarious behavior. Then there’s a hapless Rabbi who can’t hold down a job. And his wife who absolutely abhors Rabbi Aviva though the reason for it is unclear. Rabbi Aviva tries to help her fellow Rabbi but inadvertently may cause him to lose another job. So much going on and so interesting, I couldn’t stop reading until everything was resolved.
I’ve read all three of Rabbi Aviva’s books and enjoyed each one. I wish there were more to come.

[Helen Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started Unleavened Dead yesterday. The only reason it took me this long to finish was life get to g in the way.


Rabbi Schneider's protagonist is the epitome of the cozy heroine. She's funny, clever,and outspoken. All the things readers wish they were, but feel they fall short. It is the perfect follow up to Chanukah Guilt, although it could stand alone for those unfamiliar with the series.

And no, you don't have to be Jewish to read these books.

[Kathleen Kalb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a great read. Rabbi Aviva Cohen is a unique main character, and the ensemble around her is warm and memorable. Kemelmen's rabbi, she ain't, and that's a very good thing. All of the fun of a great series mystery, plus insight and celebration of Jewish culture that you don't see very often. Loved it!

[Lisa of Hopewell]

I learned of this book here: https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2021/06/0...

[Kathleen Gunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

I have read all three of her books. I am dying for another one. I hope ms. Schneider will publish another one soon!!!

[Saralyn Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy mystery with an unforgettable amateur sleuth and a laugh on every page. Thoroughly entertaining.

[Dayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series!

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great cozy mystery to read while preparing for Passover. The characters are fun, although the mystery was kind of silly.

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. It is about this Rabbi

[Denise Zendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A husband and wife, members of Rabbi Aviva Cohen’s congregation, are found dead, victims of an apparent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The Rabbi has information that leads her to think otherwise. Then, Aviva’s niece’s partner becomes the prime suspect in a deliberate hit-and-run death. The Rabbi wants to believe she is innocent, even if her SUV does have a body-sized dent on the hood. As she looks into these two disparate cases, the Rabbi uncovers a connection that ultimately leaves her at risk.

The book involves subplots of same-sex marriage, sexual abuse of young teenage girls, money laundering, stolen identities, the mob, an FBI investigation and a possible rekindled romance between Aviva and her ex-husband, the acting head of the Department of Public Safety.
Rabbi Aviva is very relatable and human. Her internal dialogues are entertaining. The day-to-day aspects of being a rabbi and dealing with temple politics are skillfully woven into the plot. The supporting characters are well-drawn. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Aviva and her ex-husband (will they or won’t they get back together).

This book is the second in the series, but it stands alone on its own quite nicely.

I received a free copy of this book to review and about one-third of the way in knew I liked it so much I bought my own copy, as well as the first in the series (“Chanukah Guilt”), and a non-fiction book (“Talk Dirty Yiddish”) by the author. The Rabbi Aviva books are reminiscent of a modern version of the Rabbi David Small/Harry Kemmelman books. Fans of Faye Kellerman’s Rina Lazarus/Peter Decker series might enjoy this one as well.

[James Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, sassy Rabbi.

I'm talking about the fictional Rabbi Aviva Cohen, although I suspect the author is equally fun and sassy.

Unleavened Dead contains a bucketful of fully formed characters, each unique and each flawed in just the right way. The character conflicts yield lots of tension and humor without becoming slapstick. Toss in the pressures of preparing for Passover, her annual job performance review and the return of her ex- and Aviva should have enough on her plate.

But as the bodies start to drop, she has to protect those she loves and that means finding out the real story behind the deaths. The mystery has enough twists and turns to keep any fan happy, and the background societal issues Schneider includes (employment loss, interfaith and same-sex couple marriages) are expertly interwoven into the fabric of the story.

I had not read the first book in the series (Chanukah Guilt), and that was not a problem. This story stands on its own (but if you are someone who prefers to start at the beginning of a series, go for it).

[Dindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to read a lot of cozies, but in recent years have gone more for police procedurals. However, Unleavened Dead has everything I like in a cozy: a strong heroine with a sense of humor, a believable plot, an interesting premise, and zany characters. Unleavened Dead is the second Aviva Cohen mystery (full disclosure, in another life I owned a publishing company that published the first Aviva Small mystery, Chanukah Guilt).

Aviva is a rabbi of a fairly small congregation, surrounded by lots of colorful characters, including her former husband, the interim police chief, her niece and her niece's partner/soon-to-be wife (Sherry), and members of the congregation. When Sherry comes under suspicion of driving the car that hit and killed the director of the department of the local college from which Sherry had just been fired, Aviva goes into full sleuth mode to find out the truth.

The book is a fun read, told with lots of humor and a believable plot. Rabbi Aviva Cohen may not be Rabbi David Small, but she comes pretty close!

[Jill Yesko · Rating 5 out of 5]

To paraphrase a classic Levy's rye bread commercial: you don't have to be Jewish to love "Unleavened Dead"——but it helps.

Even if you're not Jewish (don't worry, you'll catch on to the lingo fast), you will love this cozy mystery. Once again, good-natured but meddlesome rabbi Aviva Cohen is up to her eyeballs in mishegoss (craziness). Her niece's wife-to-be may be a killer, her ex-husband could be coming on to her, the FBI and a handsome mobster are both competing for her attention...and in mitten drinnen...it's almost Passover.

Kudos to Ilene Schneider for some of the best plotting I've come across all year. I was kept guessing who dunnit until the last chapter. I also laughed out loud several times (while guffawing to myself amost every chapter) at Schneider's wry humor. Her characters are believable, warm and will be familiar archetypes to readers of any religion, race or creed.

"Unleavened Dead" is a worthy 21st century successor to Harry Kemelman's "Rabbi" series.

[Anne Louise Bannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schneider's writing is always so eloquent and just brings to life her small community and synagogue. Not to mention, she's really funny. Featuring a woman rabbi, the series started out really well with Hannukah Guilt, and it's growing nicely with this one. The puzzle is fun, the observations fascinating, the characters are real. You can't ask for better.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

By page three I wasn't reading a book, I was sitting in the car with Aviva, listening to her, as we were going to get something to eat. Rabbi Schneider has a great "voice" and a smooth flow to her story. It was a complex mystery and Aviva has a multi-layered life but she's fun, friendly, sarcastic, amusing, smart, challenging, stubborn, and loyal. You want her on your side. I wish she'd do a glossary of what the events, holidays, phrases, mean. This is the middle book of three and it's longer than the others but worth the read. If you want a new friend, read Unleavened Dead. Perfect for stay at home times. I hope there are three more books soon.

[Davida Chazan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabbi Aviva Cohen is back, and solving murders once again - even though she's already busy getting ready for Passover! Both tasks are taken on with humor and wit. Read my full review here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2014/12/3...

[Lorna Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must confess I'm not Jewish, but it made no difference in how much I enjoyed this delightfully funny cozy mystery. The heroine, Rabbi Aviva Cohen, is reminiscent of Jessica Fletcher or Miss Marple, only more outspoken and nosier. The book is a pleasure from beginning to end. Highly recommended!

[Leslie Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. Like the woman/rabbi protagonist.