Customer Reviews

Never Nosh a Matzo Ball

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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

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.)

I suppose this can be considered an update of perception a decade down the road from its publication and review by Amazon readers. This is not among the best of the series, but, if like I, you have come to like visiting the people at the Temple, idiosyncrasies and all, it will prove pleasing. The Mystery Question is, what is going on at the Health Ranch which is marketing for the Mistress (or Tyrant_) of Temple affairs, a diet matzoball. In the process of digging up the answers, Ruby, the former Rabbi's wife, runs into all sorts of dilemmas. In the Temple, of course, there are the usual amusing goings-on.
To take off on a point by another reviewer, you don't have to be Jewish to like the book and its characters, you can be Jewish and dislike them. Most general readers of what has come to be called "cozies" should find this good light entertainment.

I'm Jewish and I'm from Texas so, I should like this book, right? WRONG! None of these characters is likeable and that includes Ruby, the Rabbi's wife. Since she's the character at the center of this story, that makes it difficult. She's nosy, pushy, snide, and sneaky. That's just SOME of her good qualities. Her friends are even worse. The "mystery" is far-fetched. The blurb on the book's cover is very appealing. It's a shame the book isn't as good as its cover.

Fast, light reading, but not up to her earlier effort, "Fax Me A Bagel". The characters are not as well drawn, almost cartoonish in fact. The emails to friend, Nan, are pointless here, unlike the key roll played in "Fax Me.." Ruby, herself, comes across as less likeable here, and you have to like her to like these books since she is the narrator. Still, this series is a fresh approach to murder mysteries, so "Nosh" gets one additional star for that. Let's hope for a better effort from Sharon next time.