Customer Reviews

Thursday The Rabbi Walked Out

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

 

 

There's no rabbi more famous in fiction that David Small! In this tres kosher series of the rabbi-as-detective, author Harry Kemelman has created one of the most interesting characters of this genre. In "Thursday the Rabbi Walked Out," Small becomes involved in another murder story--this time the victim is a notorious anti-Semite, and a number of his congregation are now suspects (they seem to be for good reason!). It is up to Small to match wits--and skill--with the actual murderer. (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

Certainly any of the "day" novels of Kemelman are a treat (the first was "Friday the Rabbi Slept Late") and on this particular "day" (Thursday) readers will not be disappointed. Kemelman's style is fast-paced and his detective revelations are logical, solid, and do not insult the reader. Clearly, he takes the time and patience to weave his tales--and they are worth the wait!

This is the 7th novel in Kemelman's weekday mysteries. As usual, it is light reading with considerable Temple politics revolving around Rabbi Small's contract renewal at his Temple in a Boston suburban town. The mystery is, perhaps, a bit more complicated than most of them though a bit dated too--but still quite enjoyable, IMHO. As usual, Small's relationship with Police Chief Lanigan is central to the plot. I was glad to see the Rabbi's wife Miriam make a valuable contribution this time--a cute & clever scene. Once again R. Small expostulates on his version of Conservative Judaism though IMHO his version is hardly normative. While he's technically correct regarding the Bar Mitzvah I don't see why he would oppose something just because it's unnecessary. He seems to have a very rigid viewpoint whereas the Talmud usually has numerous conflicting opinions. Indeed, contemporary Conservative Judaism frequently accepts several alternatives from which a Rabbi may choose. Thus, a congregation will select/keep a Rabbi whose decisions generally reflect the congregation's orientation. Thus, I find R. Small's (Kemelman's?) views rather skewed--& lacking necessary context. Furthermore, his descriptions of free will & sin seem absurd to me. Still, such asides seem less intrusive in this particular novel. Also, it has some nice turns of phrase mostly relevant to the mystery: p. 9: "The fellow who got a reputation as a crack shot by firing first & then drawing a target around the bullet hole, p. 23: Her associates were all Bohemian & long on ideals, especially where the necessity of living up to them was someone else's, & p. 250: I suppose it shows that it takes age & experience & the wisdom of maturity to be fooled."

I like the Rabbi Small mysteries, because they are classic who-dun-it stories, and often give an insight into Jewish law and temple politics. If there is a problem with them, it is that Kemelman tends to beat people over the head with clues, and sometimes the police work is less than stellar. This mystery is one of those cases.

The real problem is that a serious examination of the crime scene shows the police theory was all wet. The facts were that the victim was shot dead-on, and a clock (providing the "time of death") was also shot. The altered timepiece is a classic of detective fiction, but since it has been so widely used, the clue was obvious. Also weak was the evidence which got the killer. Surely somebody who wiped the clock clean of fingerprints would also have wiped the key used to alter the clock in the first place. However, the motive is where everything falls down. The new (unsigned) will the victim's lawyer drew up acknowledged he had a blood son. Once that fact was out, there was no way the killer could inherit the victim's money.

The Rabbi's conclusions were good, but a good CSI would have had half the case solved.

Harry Kemelman, after fourteen years brings the reader THURSADY THE RABBI WALKED OUT.
All the problems are the same, a board that doesn't approve of his stands and actions. But like religions everywhere woman are demanding a voice that has been reserved for me. Rabbi David Small answers the issue in his fashions and upsets everyone.
An avid anti-Semite is murdered. The man is a major conflict because the love of his life is a Jewish woman. Hugh Lanigan, the town's chief of police, needs the aid of Rabbi Small to catch a killer.
A great visit with old favorites who do not disappoint.
Nash Black, author of SINS OF THE FATHERS.

This 7th entry in the 'Rabbi Small' series opens as the good Rabbi is struggling with preparing the Sabbath sermon, his least favorite task of the week. He is looking for any excuse to put off the dreaded chore just a bit more when a visitor arrives indigent that the recently approved stoplight near the temple has been put on hold due to an objection filed by a neighbor, a neighbor who also happens to be a well known anti-Semite. As any fan of the cozy genre of mysteries knows it will not be long before the complaining neighbor is a corpse.

Rabbi Small becomes involved in the investigation when rumors begin to circulate that a member of the Jewish community must have committed the crime due to the victim's well known bigotry. The trail to the true culpri leads the Rabbi to old loves, long kept secrets and family skeletons until he finds the solution. Along the way he is beset by the ever present temple politics that have plagued his tenure at Bernard's Crossing.

As always with this series the crime is secondary to the life of Temple. Kemelman creates complex believeable characters that breathe life into this rather thin plot. This 1978 novel is a bit dated, a few plot points hinge on factors that would not exist with more modern forensic techniques or cell phones but overall this is an enjoyable read and a definte must for any fans of this charming series.

If you like the Rabbi Small stories you will enjoy this one as well. It is not so good as the "Classic" Friday the rabbi slept late" but it is brilliant as well. Rabbi Small finds himself in troulbe (as usual): in a middle of a murder case and his job is in danger too. naturally he solves the problems with his clear logic, so you can count on the next stories.

If you like Rabbis Small misteries do not miss this one. The story is as usual: Rabbi Small's job in danger (he is going to be fired), and he is involved to a murder case. All good if ends good.