The Yom Kippur Murder

Christine Bennett #2

by Lee Harris

When ex-nun Christine Bennett can't get into her friend Mr. Herskovitz's apartment to accompany him to Yom Kippur services, she discovers that he's been murdered. The police arrest someone almost immediately, but Chris isn't ready to end her own investigation . . .


From the Paperback edition.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 23, 1992

About the author

A pseudonym used by Syrell Leahy.

Lee Harris is the author of the mystery novels featuring ex-nun Christine Bennett, who first appeared in The Good Friday Murder, an Edgar Award nominee. She also writes the New York Mysteries, which debuted with Murder in Hell's Kitchen. In 2001, Lee Harris received the Romantic Times magazine Career Achievement Award for her distinguished contribution to crime writing.

Reviews

[Roz Curney-Sherod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had originally started reading this series out-of-order and it's been awhile since I visited Christine Bennett. Ex-nun and a cousin to all female Sherlock Holmes characters! I really like this series and no matter when you read one of the Holiday mysteries, it's easy to pick-up with the details of who the character is.

This second installment really surprised me because it had a really good plot and I'm into history especially involving WWII. I actually learned more than I knew about the Jewish faith and the backstories of all the characters was really interesting. I'm glad I didn't guess who the murderer was so it came as a complete surprise for me.

I enjoyed this one alot and approx. 7 hours seemed pretty short. Highly recommended.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute murder mystery. A woman, Chris, who had been a nun for 15 years leaves the convent and befriends some older people in an apartment complex in New York City. When one of them is found murdered, she resolves to figure out what happened.
Meanwhile she has met a man she thinks she cares about, but is scared, since he’s the first man she has gone out with in her life. She dates another man, but ultimately isn’t interested in him.
I liked the book because it was simple and the reader starts to care about the characters. I suffered a “willing suspension of disbelief” a few times, but nevertheless, the book was good. Chris, the man character, and nun-turned-detective, is a likable person, willing to extend herself to solve the mystery. As in any good mystery, there were many times when the reader suspected who committed the murder, only to have to change her mind later. The reader doesn’t suspect the ultimate perpetrator until the very end. There are some despicable characters, who are suspects, until later proven innocent.

[Sandra Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great beach read ! the characters are well developed and you turn each page wanting to know what happens next. The story centers around the murder of an elderly Jewish man with no enemies. As the story develops we find that what seems to be is only the surface and the depth of the truth is amazing

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well written cozy about a former nun who sets out to solve the murder of an old man she was helping. It's set in NYC and the city comes alive as the complicated plot meanders through a collection of bad guy suspects. It is a nice bit of escape literature...and I'll probably read more books in this series.

[Margaret Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best mysteries I have ever read. Kept me guessing to the end. And there are mysteries inside of mysteries. And an ex-nun investigating a murder on Yom Kippur. It's New Yorkie in all the right ways set in real places I recognize. Wonderful read. And a great break from the High Holy Day preparations and seriousness that is my life in September. Can't wait to read another one.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery itself was interesting. The time setting appears to be in the mid-1990s, I found the portrayal of religious life stereotypic, unless this was an extremely conservative group because by then nuns did not wear such arcane habits, or live such structured lives, or take religious names.

[Ashlie Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great continuation of the first book in the series

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story. It's fun to watch the main character evolve!

[Amy Rhodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reliable, pleasant series that is a perfect fill-in between newer books.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Maybe because I am also married to a police officer, maybe because they mostly take place in the 90’s and there’s so much nostalgia when Chris tries to find a pay phone. Haha. A-

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#2 in the Christine Bennett Mystery series. This 1992 entry is dated since the victim, a Holocaust survivor, was a mature family man in 1939, but that in no way lessens the enjoyment to be found in reading it. The lawyer that Christine is doing volunteer work for was a minor character in the first book of the series, The Good Friday Murder (1992).

Christine Bennett, a former nun, is teaching a college poetry course and helping an activist lawyer. When one of the tenants the lawyer is protecting from an avaricious landlord is murdered, Christine takes it personally. She delves into the man's background looking for motive and finds estranged children, a wife who committed suicide and a second pre-war family.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not her first book, but the first book of her's I've read and enjoyed tremendously. This is an ex-nun who now works with people who may need her help once or twice a week. This story involves 3 elderly people who will not give up their apartments, though the landlord is a mean bully who has deprived them of services they've paid for and has pushed every one else out of this huge, dark building. At the time of Yom Kippur, the one man (Jewish) that she was going to see was found dead. The books offer clues into the Jewish belief, friendship and hatred.The book was a pleasure. I could hardly put it down.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, and our favorite former nun stumbles upon a new mystery through her volunteer work with the elderly. It's an interesting story of greed and secrets and the sometimes deadly problems they create. This was a strong continuation of the series, and I look forward to reading the others.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad that Christine is not the bumbling idiot or nosy ninny but quite intelligent and sincerely concerned about everyone she comes in contact with.

The writing is smooth and engaging...and...I did not guess who the killer was.

[Homerun2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is an interesting series. The main character, an ex-nun, is intriguing and self-contained, trying to re-establish herself after 15 years in a convent. Well-plotted, with some depth and quiet confidence, and nicely understated but descriptive writing

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all of Lees books this one is quite good. The character is an ex-nun and she is married to a policeman and they have one son.
They are simple books but they do have their red herrings.

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the heroine, Chris Bennett. I like her love interest, Det Sgt Jack Brooks. I'll keep reading this series.

[Linda Arnsdorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good second book in the seris

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great mystery by Lee Harris. This is one of my favorites.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great literature but a good entertaining read. Could hardly wait to get to the next chapter.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters. The puzzle had me guessing until the last.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read several of the holiday books by this author and I do enjoy them mostly because they are quick reads. Can say they are beach books.

[Francine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series new to me--fast reads with interesting plot twists. Pleasant books to read to read between more thought provoking reads.

[Shirley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plot as to identity of killer good, but premise of very recent former nun getting so involved in solving a crime and then being so welcomed by police for all her snooping very hard to believe.

[Delia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect read for a road trip. The narrator is a little bit annoying but somehow it fits the story.
I liked the puzzle and the characters.

[Regine · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit awkward.

[Sally906 · Rating 3 out of 5]

transferring reading records from spreadsheet

[Mrklingon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice entry in the Bennet series. I particularly liked how she swerved away from every expectation and assumption about 'the facts' of the case. It's also an interesting time-trip to follow Chris Bennet, sans-internet sans-cell-phone needing to do legwork and make connections the old fashioned way.