ABOUT CHANUKAH GUILT
Rabbi Aviva Cohen is a 50-something, twice-divorced rabbi living a rather uneventful life in South Jersey. True, she has a family that is rather unconventional. And her first ex-husband is moving to her town. But her life takes a truly interesting – and sinister – turn when she agrees to officiate at the funeral of an unpopular land developer. She doesn’t expect to be told by two different people that he had been murdered. Nor does she expect that the first funeral will result in a suicide. Her search for the story behind the suicide (or was it murder?) will lead her to discover the truism “appearances can be deceiving” is accurate, while putting her life in jeopardy.
Rabbi Aviva Cohen Mysteries 
Bob Sanchez said,
December 10, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Sounds like fun! I hope you sell tons of copies.
Bob
ileneschneider said,
December 11, 2009 at 2:24 am
As we say, “From your mouth to God’s ears!”
Other Lisa said,
December 11, 2009 at 3:17 am
Cool website! Simple but elegant.
ileneschneider said,
December 14, 2009 at 4:25 am
Thanks. Unfortunately, I’m finding it a great way to procrastinate!
Radine Trees Nehring said,
December 11, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I was fortunate enough to read about this novel on Mystery Lovers Corner (recommended: http://www.mysteryloverscorner.com) and to win a copy in a contest there. Will I buy the second novel and any following? You betcha!
I am somewhat familiar with Judaism, thanks to the kind and patient answers to my questions by a former editor and other Jewish friends, so I slipped very comfortably into this story and into Rabbi Cohen’s life. I do admit that she is more…uh…somewhat…uh…well, DIFFERENT than Rabbis I have known and, frankly, gave me the giggles several times. (Geraldine Granger, the C of E Vicar of Dibley, as a role model???) But, a knowledge of Judaism is not necessary for full enjoyment of this story, which is intriguing, puzzling, and, at times, scary.
I grieved along with Aviva Cohen over the death of a teen after a conselling session (maybe) gone wrong, and urged her on as she searched for answers. If a mystery can be fun and gripping and sad at the same time, this is an example of that. I enjoyed moving comfortably among the characters and had that wonderful “fly on the wall” feeling while I was peeking into their lives. ONWARD, Rabbi Aviva Cohen–and, of course, Write on, Rabbi Ilene Schneider!
Radine
ileneschneider said,
December 14, 2009 at 4:24 am
Thank you for your kind words, Radine!