The Tenth Commandment

The Commandment #2

by Lawrence Sanders

Joshua Bigg, an investigator for a Manhattan law firm, usually spends his days tracking down witnesses and verifying clients’ alibis. Ironically, Bigg is quite short, and uses his boyish looks to coax information from his targets. The newly promoted agent gets the chance to show his mettle when he probes the disappearance of one client and the suspicious suicide of another.

Professor Yale Stonehouse left his apartment one night, without saying anything to his wife, and never returned. Sol Kipper plunged to his death from the top floor of his Upper East Side townhouse. With little to go on, Bigg enlists the help of a cop, and uncovers a shocking connection between the two cases: a corrupt clergyman who preys on the lonely and bereaved.

Desperate to stop the stone-cold killer who uses religion to mete out his own brand of justice, Bigg has to prove that no one is above God—or the law.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Detective, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks

393 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Lawrence Sanders was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels. The Anderson Tapes, completed when he was fifty years old, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel. His prodigious oeuvre encompasses the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, along with his acclaimed Commandment books. Stand-alone novels include Sullivan's Sting and Caper. Sanders remains one of America’s most popular novelists, with more than fifty million copies of his books in print. Also published as Mark Upton.

Reviews

[Leira Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

As what I have read from Mr. Sanders Seventh Commandment, I understand that he had idolized short people. (not mentioning himself, specifically). Josh Biggs' character is what amazed me most, an easy-going person with a lot of juice on his head, brilliant as we call it. A day-to-day hold of Mr. Sanders books gave me more confidence, it made me feel good about myself. Beyond many book characters that were pleasantly described by authors came Mr. Sanders mix of characters with inner beauty and brain.
Of course, to make it more exciting the antagonist are handsome people with masks. Hahaha I couldn't help myself from laughing on how I imagined Tippi Kipper's face when Josh tried to unravel her mask by asking innocent questions. Father Knurr's bewildered look when Josh and the policemen found his hideout, the boat. Father Knurr, the good-looking beast, his charm endangered some lives and destroyed many hearts.
It is such a funny thing how Mr. Sanders managed to emphasize how ordinary people can help solve a case. :)
It had me going 'How could she do that?' 'How did they managed to do it', 'Why?', 'What's in him?'. It is interesting to know the reasons behind the crime in this novel than who did the crime.

Quote: ''Hate is a Poison'' -Wanda.

[Greer Andjanetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with ANY book by Lawrence Sanders, this is an excellent story written in Sanders' usual tongue-in-cheek style. Real-life, believable characters with his usual selection of whimsical names and humourous dialogue, this book is a quick and very entertaining read with at least two absorbing plots that keeps the reader reluctant to stop as you want to see what happens next. It also benefits from a minimum of profanity which some authors apparently feel is necessary to make their plots believeable. Highly recommended!

[Nana Aboagye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading “The tenth Commandment”. It is good. I enjoyed reading it.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a PI type story in which a ruthless conman-clergyman gets his comeuppance from the forces of good in the person of a quite unusual investigator for a law firm initially examining the unrelated circumstances surrounding a suicide and the disappearance of another client. The persistent, short (5’3”) young protagonist, helped by a sympathetic cop, is an appealing character and it’s a smoothly-written narrative.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was probably he first "adult" mystery/thriller I ever read and it was fun to track it down and re-read it. Great voice for the narrator and wonderful feel of 1970s Manhattan. Somewhat dated but that was part of the fun.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could I have forgotten the wonderful Joshua Bigg? These early Lawrence Sanders were the best.

[James Oates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to 4 1/2 stars.

This is a nifty book to read. Great characters, moving back and forth between two excellent plots and sub plots (suicide and a missing man) who both are attached to a law firm where our Mr. Bigg is the chief investigator. Mr Bigg is assigned to look into both cases to make sure they are what seem to be and of course they aren't.

Sanders books are like a buffet, you never know what your going to get. Some are real Winners, and then there are a few where when your finished you can't believe he wrote it.

However don't pass this one by, it might not be a page turner, but it's pretty close. I loved it!!

I loved it, hated to see it end!

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawrence Sanders always one of my favorite reads. I being a New Yorker the book has so much of that 70s nostalgia. People have criticized the book as being dated. I don't find that problem at all. Read this by my pool over a period of a few days. Lawrence gets right to the point, and by the end, even though you probably have guessed the ending the book does not disappoint. The innuendos and snarky remarks and awkward relationships give you an insight into the author's thoughts. A pleasure to read and highly recommended as most of Mr. Sanders catalog...

[RC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A random find at a Little Free Library outside the Y. Nothing exceptional in terms of plotting, but Sanders was an excellent writer. This is a pulpy crime novel written with much more care and craft than one might except. Wonderfully redolent of late 70s New York in all its grimy, class-extremes, graffitied glory—with the expected occasional outdated improprieties. But this aged very well, imho, in terms of style and language. And a pretty excellent ending.

I didn’t know anything about Sanders before but this made me want to read more from him.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and Mr. Bigg! Sanders' books have that "almost" hard-boiled approach to the crime, but something about his characters keeps his books from being run of the mill. It was fun watching Mr. Bigg learn to appreciate himself and stop worrying how other people saw him. I've read books by Lawrence Sanders and intend to read others.

[Maria do Socorro Baptista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma excelente narrativa de detetives, embora o protagonista seja apenas um investigador de uma firma de advogados. Identifiquei-me muito com ele, que se considera um homem muito baixo diante de seus conterrâneos. Mas sua altura não impede que ele seja bem sucedido, muito pelo contrário. Gostei bastante.

[Brendan Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protagonist Joshua Bigg is outstanding. Humor is great. As I recall from almost 40 years ago, content pretty rough sexually. Not sure I can recommend that part. The mystery was very good in my youthful eyes. I particularly enjoyed the ending with the protagonist and his friend.

[Thomas Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Liked the main character a lot, and great story! Didn't want it to end & would have liked to follow the main character in a follow-up book, but...That is that not the skill of an artist: Leave them wanting more?

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've not read a Lawrence Sanders book in ages, but the theme of this one got my attention. I was not disappointed. I liked all of the characters, especially Joshua Bigg, the protagonist. It was a nice mix of murder mystery, legal thriller and love story. It was an easy read and satisfying.

[Lyn Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many years ago I used to read anything by Lawrence Sanders as I could and to find these on ebooks now is great. Really enjoyed it. Fast reading; humerous; good characters and good story plot! What more could you ask for?

[Bryan Higgs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. I particularly enjoyed the author's tendency to use amusing sounding names for his characters. The plot was interesting, and drew me in quickly and held me. The characters were well drawn, if a little stereotyped; but perhaps that's part of the tongue-in-cheek style.

[Melenda Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seemed long but maybe I just didn’t spend enough time reading. The characters were hilarious and likable. Many places I laughed out loud. Interesting story and the way it was brought together.

[Linda Gettig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still has excellent, detailed characters

But the overall writing is not as good as the "Sin" books. This series seems to be a bridge between the "Sin" and "McNally" books. The latter are no indication of how good the writer was.

[Anne Vandenbrink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like his writing style. Very linear. Easy to keep up with the characters.

[Mary Burley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a lot of goods twists with multiple suspects but the end was disappointing.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Lawrence Sanders! Boy, I miss him. What a great detective mystery writer. Old School!

[Barry McLeane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A quirky, great investigator and an honorable Cop get together to solve two cases. They do so with much pizzaz as well as a host of other characters.

[Bob Box · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 1981. A masterpiece of murder and intrigue.

[Chandni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great lead-up to the end. I enjoyed how it had a faster pace than the Sixth Commandment book.

[Sgt Rick]

Love Lawrence Sanders

[Gaby Brillante · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read. I found myself glued to the story as it kept going. Joshua Bigg is a new breed of detective we need. I hope there's more!

[Bradley A · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read, great character development. Lots twists and turns.

[Richard T. Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

A great story well told. I think the characters are well developed and the suspense well maintained. A great investigated process.

[Sridharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written book. Always fascinated by the underdog succeeding. Joshua Bigg is one such person and his eventual success gladdens me. Sanders is a wonderful writer.

[ZZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spectacular!