GROUP B BOOKS 2023-2024: 10 Nominated books. Vote for no more than 5.

B3 Type: Amateur sleuths: cozies, and/or traditional mysteries Friday the Rabbi Slept Late by Harry Kemelman, 1964 / MVLC: 4 CWC: 40

Basics · Briefly: Rabbi David Small is surprised when the local police chief informs him that the body of a young murdered woman was found in the grass, on the synagogue property. And the woman's purse was found in the Rabbi's car parked nearby! · Protagonist: Rabbi David Small, near the end of his first year as Rabbi in a newly built synagogue. · Setting: 1964, Barnard’s Crossing (fictional, but definitely Essex County, perhaps Marblehead where the author lived), Massachusetts · Context: This the first of 11 Rabbi Small cozy mysteries written between 1964 and 1996 (also the year the author died at age 88). · % of Amazon readers giving 5-star ratings: 47% · Combined % of Amazon readers giving either 4 OR 5-star ratings: 83% · Total all Amazon ratings this book: 3,083 Long Form Rabbi David Small, the new leader of Barnard's Crossing's Jewish community, can't even enjoy his Sabbath without things getting stirred up in a most unorthodox manner: It seems a young nanny has been found strangled, less than a hundred yards from the Temple's parking lot -- and all the evidence points to the Rabbi. Add to that the not-so-quiet rumblings of his disgruntled congregation, and you might say our inimitable hero needs a miracle from a Higher Source to save him.... ------- "A new rabbi for Barard’s Crossing has a bit of an issue. Rabbi David Small might be implicated in a mysterious murder, all this while his contract with the temple is up for renewal. A young nanny has been found strangled, with her handbag in the rabbi’s car. Using his experience from arguing with his fellow students, the young rabbi comes to several conclusions helping the police pinpoint the murderer. ... "I realize that the book was written almost 60 years ago, the society was different. The book could almost be a time capsule, especially the way husbands and wives talk to one another. "I enjoyed the logic Rabbi Small used to solve this mystery. This, of course, will never fly in real life, but if I wanted that I’d look out my window instead of settling down with a book. "The strength of this novel is the look into the cultural society of Jews in suburbia during the 1960s, and the characters' struggles with ethical, as well as religious issues throughout. "One of my favorite characters was police chief Hugh Lanigan. Here we have an open-minded police officer, who is efficient and capable. I don’t know why I was expecting a bumbling keystone cop but I’m glad I didn’t get it. "The book was enjoyable, even though it was a bit dated. I am not going to judge a 60 year old novel based on today’s standards, it’s simply a period piece for enjoyment." –An Amazon reader review ------- I have heard of this cozy series for years - an American Father Brown type of story. Looking into it during research for this list, I discovered that the setting was SE Essex County; Salem, Lynn, and Gloucester are mentioned in the book. The author lived in Marblehead. Apparently more than 7 million copies of the Rabbi Small books have been sold. Reading this book, a number of things about it have kept my interest: the puzzle, the Rabbi's character, the locale- for sure, and the elements of Jewish American life, at least for some adherents. Also, at 208 pages, a quick read! –Dick Awards for this Book § 1965 Edgar Award for Best First Novel § Finalist 1965 Gold Dagger Award [UK]