The Witch and The Borscht Pearl [Paperback]

Angela Zeman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

When Mrs. Risk's widowed friend, Pearl, a former Borscht Belt comedienne, finds herself broke, her long-time manager, whom she plans to marry, arranges a comeback--a live Thanksgiving Day national TV special from a renown Catskills resort. Then Pearl's famous Borscht Pear necklace is stolen and Solly is murdered. When the police think Pearl did it, Mrs. Risk rejects the idea that her friend murdering in a fit of jealous rage. But can she prove it, before the killer strikes again?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Angela Zeman's debut book, The Witch and the Borscht Pearl: A Mrs. Risk Mystery Novel, offers an engaging twist on the Watson and Holmes-style sleuthing duo: Mrs. Risk, who seemingly wields magic, and her young, recently widowed florist sidekick, Rachel, attend a down-and-out Borscht Belt comedienne's comeback party. When their hostess's sole valuable, a pearl necklace, goes missing, and soon thereafter her manager dies mysteriously, Rachel tries to help as the inscrutable Mrs. Risk attempts to clear Pearl's name.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Pendulum Press; 1ST edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971253811
• ISBN-13: 978-0971253810
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,111,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Angela Zeman writes mystery fiction, primarily short stories. She is also the author of THE WITCH AND THE BORSCHT PEARL, a novel developed from the Mrs. Risk (the witch) story series first published in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.

Her short fiction often appears in anthologies in addition to various publications. Her new website will launch soon at www.AngelaZeman.com. In that site will be a blog called "Murphy's Blog--if anything can go wrong, it will happen here!" (Email her if interested in contributing.) Also within the website will soon debut a small webzine: Risk AZ Art magazine.

On March 1, 2012, the debut of a new series (Murphy's Law) will appear in Robert J. Randisi's anthology: CRIME SQUARE. In April, her second in her Trueden Falls series will appear in Dennis Webster's annual ADIRONDACK MYSTERIES, with a third to appear in 2013. She will also debut another series, The Tales of Roxanne, in the Douglas Preston edited ICWA anthology in 2012.

Last year her work was included in Nelson DeMille's THE RICH AND THE DEAD. Her stories can also be found in Stuart Kaminsky's ON A RAVEN'S WING and also his SHOW BUSINESS IS MURDER; Linda Fairstein's anthology: THE PROSECUTION RESTS; Nancy Pickard's MOM, APPLE PIE, AND MURDER; and other anthologies.

Her story, "Green Heat," first published in Jeffery Deaver's A HOT AND SULTRY NIGHT FOR CRIME, was selected by Otto Penzler and Nelson DeMille to be included in their collection: BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR (Houghton Mifflin, 'O4).

She is a long standing member of MWA, PWA, ICWA/NA, and the New York Friars Club. All of her work will soon be available from Otto Penzler Ebooks in every format, including Amazon Kindle. That website url will be posted soon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dorothy Cannell fans rejoice!, December 29, 2002

By 

Margaret Marr "Published Author" (NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Witch and The Borscht Pearl (Paperback)

Angela Zeman writes a witty and oftentimes-humorous mystery that has enough twists and turns to baffle a maze builder.

The story begins when Mrs. Risk, also known as the witch, takes Rachel Elias under her wing after her husband dies and subtly teaches her amateur detective work.

Rachel and Mrs. Risk are invited to Pearl Borscht's birthday party. Pearl is a comedian who's been off the circuit since her beloved husband, Bernie, died two years ago. She plans a big comeback the weekend after Thanksgiving.

But then her sister, Bella, shows up after a thirty-year absence. She'd stolen Peal's fiancé all those years ago, and he'd died under mysterious circumstances.

Bella repeats history and steals Pearl's now fiancé, Solly, along with the famous Borscht's Pearls it seems. Solly ends up dead. And Bella and Pearl both have a motive.

So the lies began and Mrs. Risk, with the help of Rachel and a milkman named Charlie, try to untangle the mess and figure out who is a true friend and who isn't.

Just when you think you've gotten it figured out, another kink appears in the chain of events. This is a wonderful mystery with lovable characters that'll keep you guessing right up to Pearl's comeback weekend.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining!!, December 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Witch and The Borscht Pearl (Paperback)

This book had me quickly turning the pages to find out who the killer was. It was very entertaining with all the different character types, especially Mrs. Risk. The end of the book didn't let me down, either. When you think you know "whodunnit", another twist comes along. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes surprises.

I also read Angela Zeman's short story in the book "Murder and Apple Pie", put together by Mary Higgins Clark. Angela's story was quite intriguing. For a short story, it had all the elements needed to make you lose yourself in the story itself.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brava! Ms. Zeman, Encore!, June 18, 2002

By 

Paula Faye Tran (Tomball, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Witch and The Borscht Pearl (Paperback)

I read this mystery novel in one sitting -- not necessarily because I had planned to spend my evening hidden away from my family, but because the almost lyrical nature of the writing demanded and sustained my attention. In this compelling debut novel, Angela Zeman writes with power, authority, and most significantly, the confidence of a master. A consummate story-teller, she breathes life and spirit into her unique characters, weaves an intricate, suspenseful plot, creates a colorful, realistic setting, and conjures evocative, origianl imagery. Like the rich, intoxicating wines of her protagonist, Mrs. Rusk, Zeman's prose pleases -- and teases -- the intellectual palates of the readers, appealing to both the emotional and rational components of their psyches. As a university-level writing instructor, I am frequently asked, "What criteria do you use for determining excellent writing?" That's easy. If after completing a work, I would eagerly reread it, then it is superior quality. This is one of very few novels that I have willingly read a second time!