Customer Reviews

Sanctuary: A Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus Mystery

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have now read all of Faye Kellerman's mysteries, and although I enjoyed every one, this is unquestionably her best in my opinion. The complexity of the story rivals that of a P.D. James, but the setting is familiarly California. I learned a great deal about Judaism and the fascinating world of diamond brokerage, but more importantly about the many roles that religion plays in our lives. It is, indeed, a "sanctuary," but can just as easily become a prison. Kellerman's characters are, as always, believeable and richly developed. I never tire of her books!

In my book, this title vies with 'Ritual Bath' and 'Justice' as Kellerman's best. As with 'Ritual Bath' the reader is treated to the all encompassing traditions of Judaism. Although the Honey Klein angle seems to get more emphasis in reviews, I found the diamond merchant subplot more believable and fascinating. Descriptions of Israel and the West Bank were super--I enoyed the travelogue. Faye, give us more!

In my book 'Sanctuary' is one of the best in the Peter Decker/ Rina Lazarus series. The story revolves around the missing husband of Rina's friend. The search takes Rina and Peter to Israel where we are treated to a fascinating tour of the West Bank and the diamond trade in Israel. What makes this entry so important today is the portrayal of the continuing conflict and violence that shapes Israel's future and her people. It is a pleasure to read a book that is both thoughtful and fun to read.

My only other suggestion if you are new to Faye Kellerman is to start at the beginning with 'Ritual Bath' to see the relationship between Rina and Peter unfold. Then read all her books in the order in which they were written. Its a great series.

I had trouble putting down this book from the very start -- it's a real page turner with a well-plotted mystery -- two of them actually -- keeping you going. The mysteries involve a family who has disappeared out of the blue -- he's a California diamond dealer, so perhaps this was part of a theft -- and a woman and children who arrive unexpectedly for a visit with Detective Decker and his family -- her husband is also a diamond dealer in a Chasidic community in New York. As Decker goes about trying to solve the disappearance of the California family, odd things begin happening with the New York family who are visiting -- they also disappear. Is there a connection?

The mystery takes Decker and wife Rina to Israel, a major diamond cutting/dealing country.

I learned a lot about diamonds and Israel reading this book, and for the most part really enjoyed it. The dialogue was more natural than in some Kellerman books I've read. But -- her pro-Jewish, anti-everything else sentiment was present in this book again, this time in an anti-Moslem bias. Why are metal boxes on door frames considered good religious practice but painting a doorway blue (as Moslems do) treated as superstitious? It seems to me that the customs of Orthodoxy Judaism are unusual enough that Kellerman should be more tolerant and openminded about the practices of other faiths.

Peter Decker and his wife Rina are enjoying family life with her sons and their new baby daughter when Rina's old friend Honey Klein asks to come visit. Rina is surprised because they hasn't been in close contact with Honey in recent years, but she agrees to the visit. Meanwhile Peter works with his partner Marge on a case involving an entire family who have suddenly vanished. The husband is a diamond dealer, and there are many motives for a possible murder, most of them having to do with money. Coincidentally, after Honey comes to the Lazarus home, her husband, also a diamond dealer, is mysteriously killed. Peter's quest for the truth in these matters eventually takes him and Rina to Israel where they pursue missing persons from both of these cases. As usual, author Kellerman weaves interesting facts about the orthodox Jewish religion as well as Peter and Rina's evolving family life. The trip to Israel adds an extra dimension to the story, and the total package is very satisfying for a mystery reader.

In the realm of popular mystery stories, Mrs Kellerman's Rina Lazarus/Peter Decker series is without par, and the one I just finished, Sanctuary, is no exception. The book combines an intriging mystery with a storyline that could have come out of yesterday's newspaper, together with the comforting touchstone of orthodox Judaic practice by people whom we end up truly caring about. The story is well-plotted, complex but not confusing, and the dialog rings true. I did not give it a "10", because I thought that should be reserved for books of fine literature or scholarship...but I was tempted.

Cheryl Everett
Montreal, QC Canada

I was aware that a Jewish husband could divorce his wife, even over mundane things such poor cooking, etc. But I didn't know that the wife had a recourse if her husband was not performing or keeping up his end of the marriage vows. Rina relates to Pete that she can by going to the rabbi and asking for a Git. It appears the husband is asked if he will give a bill of divorcement and if he does not he is punished.He is hit until he relents, if not he can not it can lead to his death. Honey Klein wants out of her marriage because her husband does not bathe and is sexually inattentive. This book leads to a whirlwind tour that ends up in Israel. This concludes that there is no Sanctuary if issues are not settled in one's spirit. Interesting characters and premises kept me on the edge of my seat. I especially liked Milligan, the South African lawyer and Gold the murdered couple's friend and partner

This is a good page turner/mystery about a murder in the diamond industry.
It takes detectives to Israel, Los Angeles and New York. Decker and Rina
team up again for a good read.

There is a lot of information about Judaism and lots of easy and well-
written plot to enjoy.

In this entry of the popular Rina/Peter Decker series, Kellerman assures us of more Jewish history and customs as the victims in this one are of the Jewish faith. This time the double-edged mystery sends Peter and Rina to Israel to track down the sons of a wealthy diamond magnate and his wife. Did the boys kill their parents? Add to this, the search for a friend of Rina's from New York, who comes to California for a visit with her three children and then mysteriously vanishes as well---to Israel. Add a cool ice queen named Kate Milligan, a shady partner named Shaul Gold, add a few other nasties and Kellerman sends her heroes off into a labyrinthine plot.
Kellerman's a good writer and as she progresses, she tries to focus more on plot and suspense, and not so much on Rina's faith. It does seem surprising though that she manages to slight other religious beliefs while sanctifying her own? Hopefully, as she progresses she'll take some clues from her husband Jonathan and write more substantial works.

Faye Kellerman is my favorite author. Every book she writes that contain a story including Rena Lazarus and Peter Decker has to be interesting. I specifically look for those two characters when choosing one of her books. I am getting them on Kindle now through my connection with Amazon.