Never Nosh a Matzo Ball [Paperback]

Sharon Kahn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2002

Ruby's temple is trying to establish a healthy new image-and their low-fat, low-salt matzo balls are to die for. Literally.

"Endearing characters and liberal amounts of comic relief. (Ottawa Citizen)

"Chicken soup for the funny bone. (Publishers Weekly)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kahn helps readers to a full serving of Judaic wit and wisdom in this follow-up cozy to Fax Me a Bagel. This time the Eternal, Texas, rabbi's widow, Ruby Rothman, is caught up in a temple fund-raiser--selling frozen, reduced-fat matzo balls, which are being stored in the Center for Bodily Movement, the town's new gym. But when a fitness trainer is found dead behind the center with a thawed matzo ball in his pocket, Ruby gears up to help her friend police Lt. Paul Lundy investigate. As she noses around, the temple's rabbi falls madly in love with the center's spiritual adviser, just one complication in an increasingly convoluted and confusing plot. Before Ruby can warn the rabbi of her suspicions that something's not kosher at the center, the two are drugged and left to freeze in the center's walk-in refrigerator. After escaping by building a fire that alerts authorities, Ruby is now even more suspicious about the center and decides to go all out to discover its secrets. Risking her life and those of others, she uncovers murderers, illegal drugs and a smuggling scheme, never for a moment losing her sense of humor and sharp eye for the absurd. This is chicken soup for the funny bone, a bit overdone but hearty all the same. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Ruby Rothman, widow of Eternal's (TX) previous rabbi (Fax Me a Bagel), runs a bagel bakery and a software consulting business while fending off the attentions of the new rabbi. In addition, the outrageous Essie Margolis, who owns half-interest in the town's only gym, enlists her aid in a fundraiser involving low-fat matzo balls, an ecumenical seder meal, and a nearby posh fitness farm. As if that weren't enough, someone murders the gym's personal trainer. The resulting confusion is a perfect mask for Ruby's breathless and somewhat ditsy sleuthing. Good for a few chuckles.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (February 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425184323
• ISBN-13: 978-0425184325
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars When the Jewish penicillin becomes the jewish strychnine, February 28, 2000

By 

Larry Mark "editor of MyJewishBooks.com" (nyc) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Never Nosh A Matzo Ball: A Ruby the Rabbi's Wife Mystery (Ruby, the Rabbi's Wife Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Just in time for passover, the author of "Fax Me A Bagel" delivers another Ruby Rothman mystery, just like Moses delivered the Hebrews. Who says soup is good for you? In some cases it can be the Jewish strychnine and not the penicillin. Return to Eternal Texas and meet Ruby Rothman, the widow of the rabbi. Rebbitzen Rothman is helping the synagogue raise money by selling frozen matzo balls (how many widows do you know who will still help out even after their husbands (the rabbi) have been replaced). But then the local personal trainer is found dead at the spa with a thawed matzo ball in hand. Can it be related to the current rabbi's infatuation with another spa employee? Is there something not so kosher at the interfaith seder or spa? Lt. Lundy teams up with Rothman to solve the case. A very funny mystery that mixes temple politics, the community, a seder, and the happenings in Eternal TX

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilariously funny amateur sleuth mystery, February 17, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Never Nosh A Matzo Ball: A Ruby the Rabbi's Wife Mystery (Ruby, the Rabbi's Wife Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The Jewish sector of Eternal, Texas is alive and thriving as the members of the Temple actively volunteer to do what is necessary to keep their sense of community thriving. All the local Jews seem to support all the activities and events sponsored by their small congregation. Although Ruby Rothman lost much of her power when her spouse, the rabbi, died, she remains a dynamic participant in the synagogue. Her nemesis Essie Sue Margolis is more than just the de facto female leader of the group since the new Rabbi Kevin Kapstein fails to control her. Currently, Essie Sue heads a fund raising drive to erect a monument in honor of her deceased daughter. To collect money, she wants the congregation to sell frozen dietetic matzo balls.

A nearby food processing plant on a guest ranch is manufacturing and packaging the matzo balls. However, the Fit and Rural ranch operates in a strange, hostile manner by discouraging potential clients. At an interdenominational seder held at the ranch, Ruby and Rabbi Kevin are rendered unconscious and left to die in the freezer. Ruby saves their lives, but begins snooping to try to learn what the ranch management is willing to kill to hide.

NEVER NOSH A MATZO BALL is an ethnic mystery that captures the essence of Jewish community life and culture. The characters are multidimensional and likable. The mystery is cleverly laid out so that fans that enjoy a puzzler will fully relish trying their sleuthing skills. Agatha nominee Sharon Kahn (see FAX ME A BAGEL) has written another offbeat and delightful tale that is more entertaining than a nosh.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another fun romp with Ruby, the Rabbi's wife, June 28, 2000

By 

M. Desoer (Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Never Nosh A Matzo Ball: A Ruby the Rabbi's Wife Mystery (Ruby, the Rabbi's Wife Mysteries) (Hardcover)

It is unusual to think of murder mysteries as funny, but this wonderful series featuring Ruby, the Rabbi's wife requires such an adjective. (Ruby's husband actually is deceased, but certain members of the congregation appear to believe that she must carry on the duties of the rabbi's wife. . . ) The returning characters, Essie Sue, and the new Rabbi are as entertaining as ever.

Essie Sue is desperately trying to raise funds for the synagogue through the sale of frozen, non-fat (and non-salted. . .) matzo balls. Yuch! Meanwhile, the former "Mr. Texas Muscle" who she hired to run her newly-acquired "Center for Bodily Motion" (formerly Sam's Gym) is found dead with a melting matzo ball in his pocket.

The twists and turns of this mystery, which involve a battery of odd-ball persons, mixed in with Essie Sue and the Rabbi keep you page-turning until the end. (And a bonus: a "traditional" matzo ball recipe, and Essie Sue's grossly adulterated version, are provided.)