Whodunits and Thrillers: Jews Love Mysteries
Why are we so fascinated by complex, plot-driven detective fiction? Is there a particular connection between Jews and crime fiction? Some suggest our history of one individual fighting for the underdog, or being a stranger in a strange land has exposed us to the dark side of society. We see the detective as the hero or heroine using intelligence to outwit the perpetrator and right the wrong. We will read whodunits and thrillers this season. Our detectives are all Jewish, some religious, some secular. But in all four novels, being Jewish colors how they approach solving the crime and how the world perceives them. I invite all to join the Books of Jewish Interest (BJI). Participants are expected to read the book listed for th
In our 2023 season, these books will keep you guessing who committed the crime until the last moment. And I thank you for all of your suggestions. Each book I read made it difficult for me to pick only four! The Bethlehem Public Library (2245 Main Street, Bethlehem) hosts the BJI again this year in person and on Zoom at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday afternoons on July 12 and 26, August 9 and 23. The library has conference call capability. It is also handicapped accessible and has plenty of parking spaces.
Books Selected for the 2023 Season
The Ritual Bath, Faye Kellerman, July 12 with Moderator Nancy Fages
Detective Peter Decker of the LAPD is stunned when he gets the report that someone has shattered the sanctuary of a remote yeshiva community in the California hills with an unimaginable crime: one of the women was brutally raped as she returned from the mikvah, the bathhouse where the cleansing ritual is performed. The crime was called in by Rina Lazarus, and Decker is relieved to discover that she is a calm and intelligent witness. She is also the only one in the sheltered community willing to speak of this unspeakable violation. As Rina tries to steer Decker through the maze of religious laws, the two grow closer. But before they get to the bottom of the horrendous crime, revelations come to light that are so shocking that they threaten to come between the hard-nosed cop and the deeply religious woman with whom he has become irrevocably linked. (Goodreads review)
A Conspiracy of Paper, A Novel by David Liss, July 26, with Moderator Jacki Katzman
As the novel opens, Weaver, the narrator, is in the first stages of a new career. Having been forced from the prizefighting ring by a broken leg, he is setting himself up ''as protector, guardian, bailiff, constable-for-hire and thief taker.'' This last, a cross between a private detective and a vigilante, is a particularly lucrative job since London has yet to have any sort of municipal police force and, at least according to Weaver's estimation, is unlikely to have one any time soon. So well-to-do crime victims, if they wish to recover stolen property or punish an assailant, are forced to do it on their own by hiring a thief-taker to mete out private justice. Jews in 18th-century England were in a precarious position: outcasts from proper society, fearful of expulsion from the country, easy scapegoats for almost anything. Weaver, the son of Samuel Lienzo, a Jewish ''stockjobber,'' or broker, who died when run down by a drunken coachman, has changed his name -- not to deny his heritage (he fought as ''the Lion of Judah''), but to reject his father and the insecurities of his father's world. Now, suddenly, he has a professional reason to revisit that world. (James Polk, NYT Books, 2/20/2000)
Download a reader’s guide for our in-person and Zoom discussion
A SPECIAL ZOOM-ONLY MAKE-UP SESSION WILL BE HOSTED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, AT 4:00 PM EASTERN. ATTENDEES MAY USE THEIR PERSONAL REGISTRATION LINKS OR REGISTER HERE.
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, Harry Kemelman, August 9, with Moderator Susan Gellert
First in the New York Times’ bestselling series and winner of the Edgar Award: A new rabbi in a small New England town investigates the murder of a nanny. David Small is the new rabbi in the small Massachusetts town of Barnard’s Crossing. Although he’d rather spend his days engaged in Torah study and theological debate, the daily chores of synagogue life are allconsuming—that is, until the day a nanny’s body is found on the rain-soaked asphalt of the temple’s parking lot. When the young woman’s purse is discovered in Rabbi Small’s car, he will have to use his scholarly skills and Talmudic wisdom—and collaborate with the Irish-Catholic police chief—to exonerate himself and find the real killer. Blending this unorthodox sleuth’s quick intellect with thrilling action, Friday the Rabbi Slept Late is the exciting first installment of the beloved bestselling mystery series that offers a Jewish twist on the clerical mystery, a delightful discovery for fans of Father Brown and Father Dowling or for readers of Faye Kellerman’s suspense novels set in the Orthodox community. (Amazon review)
The Kill Artist, Daniel Silva, August 28, with Moderator Elliot Wessler
The Mideast peace process is on, and a breakaway Palestinian cell wants to sabotage it. Out of retirement comes the legendary Israeli assassin Gabriel Allon. He must recruit his onetime lover, a French supermodel cum spy, for a plot against the terrorist who, ten years earlier, planted a bomb in the car of Allon’s wife and son. The author pulls off the delicate operation of making no political statement whatsoever: this is congenial, undemanding genre fiction, in which even the good guys are bad, and the moral quandaries can't compete with the almost sexual thrill of very dangerous missions executed very well. Silva may never get around to plumbing his characters' souls, but he's having such a good time that we're content just to watch him play. (The New Yorker, February 19, 2001)
All books are available at Amazon and Abe’s Books https://www.abebooks.com and are also available at the Bethlehem Public Library. Friday the Rabbi Slept Late is free on Kindle through Amazon. Meetings are open to everyone interested in participating in a reading group. The actual dates for each book will depend on volunteer and author availability.
Please contact Gail Robinson if you want to volunteer.
ZOOM REGISTRATION - REGISTER ONCE FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES - HERE
Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This is a free event!!
Summer 2022 Season—Join the
Book Club on Zoom!!!
Led by Gail Robinson. Join us Wednesdays at 2pm.
Books of Jewish Interest (BJI) 2021 – Book Selection
We are starting our 2021 season. Join in a lively discussion of Jewish-themed books. This year seems particularly important to focus our readings on moral choices. The protagonist/s in these stories have a moral decision to make: should they follow their conscience and what they know is right or do they follow family traditions or in some cases, the desire for revenge? Do they tempt being ostracized and begin to mend old wounds for the sake of future generations? These books will totally captivate and provoke unease among us. Thank you for all your suggestions. Each book I read made it difficult for me to only pick four.
I invite all to join Books of Jewish Interest (BJI). Participants are expected to read the book listed for the date. Some of our newest BHC members have volunteered to lead our discussions; others are seasoned moderators for each of the four books. Like last year, the leader will present an informative summary of the book’s story or thesis and provide questions to stimulate the discussion. Virtual snacks will be served at your own home.
Our co-sponsor, Bethlehem Public Library will not be hosting BJI this year. Instead, we will use Zoom conference capability to host our meetings. Like last year, we will meet on Wednesday afternoons at 4 p.m:
July 13
July 27
August 10
August 24
Past Books of Jewish Interest Seasons
We have saved our past series logs for your knowledge base. Meetings are open to anyone and everyone interested in participating in a reading group. The actual dates for each book will depend on volunteer and Author availability. Please call (202) 744-4646 or email Gail Robinson at gailkr48@gmail.com if you have any questions.