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 all-consuming–that is, until the day … all-consuming–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 readers of Faye Kellerman’s suspense novels set in the Orthodox community.
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law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, family-dynamics, friendship, Jewish, Jewish-law, prejudice, small-town, amateur-sleuth*****
Came back to read the first in series because I wanted to know how the Rabbi got to be friends with the police chief. This one comes near the end of Rabbi Small’s firs and possibly last year in the town. There is contention within the politics of the congregation and things get muddier when a young woman is killed and Rabbi Small seems to be implicated. Great story with lessons for all sleuths.
George Guidell is the calm narrator with a wry sense of humor.
I first read this over 40 years ago and have reread many times. It’s a time capsule now (a growing suburb of Boston over the decades); but I still enjoy it very much.
I enjoyed reading some of the books in this series. I think this one may be the most enjoyable. Sometimes when the books touch on things that were “hot topics” of thei times (student protests, marijuana smoking teens) the Rabbi doesn’t always come across as the most progressive guy. And I was hoping his wife would become more integral to the books… But overall, enjoyable. Love learning more about Judaism! That makes it worth reading!
Great introduction to a great series! Warning: It’s addictive! Had to get the rest of the “Rabbi Small” series and read them!
I liked the storyline in this book, but most of all, I learned quite a few tidbits about the Jewish religion and tradition. I loved that. It was not the tye of thing I expected in this book. I recommend it.
Slow at the beginning, got better and better until I couldn’t wait to finish it. Recommend, not a great book, but interesting for a mystery involving a rabbi.
Classic
Actually, wonderful character. Rabbi Small is unique, funny, thoughtful, givig insight to rabbinical thought, moody. I worked in the church for 40 years and his troubles with parishioners sound all too familiar, and his joy in being with these same people is too. Well worth the read.
I read this series years ago! I loved ever one of them. They were quirky and even informative. The Rabbi and his wife were great. He used the logic he learned in School to solve the crimes. The closest books like those for reading pleasure iare probably cozy mysteries.
Great entertainment. I’ll keep reading this series to see if the police chief becomes a Talmud student of the Rabbi. What a pair!!!!
Good mystery with entertaining characters.
I first read this book when it first was issued as a paper back. I’m from the area so it’s like reading about home and t seems as if I know some of the characters Not a great read but a good mystery and a lot of fun.
This is an old fashioned (book was written in the 1960’s), enjoyable murder mystery with a learning element as it gives information about Judaism as well. I had fun reading the novel, it is short, has likable characters, and the mystery was entertaining.
Very interesting characters and plot developments
great read
The Rabbi is a suspect! While dealing with the challenges of a small town where opinions, mostly disapproving, are quickly formed from the wealth of fast spreading gossip, the Rabbi needs to solve the murder in order to clear himself. The book mingles together the day to day demands and expectations of the village Rabbi and the Rabbi’s concern that his livelihood is based on the mood of the locals, with mucking through gossip to find facts. Even though realistic, there is some rough language.