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Rebecca Schwartz #1-3
Rebecca Schwartz Mysteries 1-3
DEATH TURNS A TRICK
A rollicking tale of murder, romance, and bordellos…
Rebecca Schwartz, nice Jewish lawyer with a few too many fantasies, is happily playing the piano in a whorehouse when she suddenly finds herself assigned to make sure a near-naked state senator escapes a police raid. That dirty job done, a lovely evening turns even more delightful when she’s picked up by the cops and spends the next two hours at the Hall of Justice. Could this day get any worse? Of Course! Guess who arrives home to find a dead hooker on her living room floor? Fans of Janet Evanovich, Joan Hess, and Elizabeth Peters will get a kick out of this one.
THE SOURDOUGH WARS
TO YOU, IT’S JUST A FROZEN LUMP OF DOUGH; BUT TO SOME, IT’S LIFE AND DEATH…
Especially to handsome Peter Martinelli, who wants to auction off the fabled sourdough starter from his family’s famous bakery. But who’d buy a frozen hunk of flour and water? Only, it turns out, every bakery in San Francisco, a national food conglomerate, and an upstart ringer with a mysterious backer.
Someone would even kill for it. And does.
A tasty treat of a San Francisco mystery. A crisp, tangy story you’re sure to get a rise out of. You won’t find it a bit crumb-y.
TOURIST TRAP
Fear stalks the streets! reports the San Francisco Chronicle. It also stalks these pages, and so do a lot of laughs.
You just know the Easter sunrise service is going to be a bummer when the San Francisco fog lifts to reveal a body nailed to a landmark cross. Next: mass shellfish poisoning at Pier 39. A very different kind of serial killer is operating here—one who seems to have a grudge against the whole city.
And this is a very different kind of serial killer tale—a funny one. Well, actually, what serial killer’s funny? But lawyer sleuth Rebecca Schwartz is warm and witty, never takes herself too seriously, and on one occasion offers closing testimony with green hair.
A rollicking tale of murder, romance, and bordellos…
Rebecca Schwartz, nice Jewish lawyer with a few too many fantasies, is happily playing the piano in a whorehouse when she suddenly finds herself assigned to make sure a near-naked state senator escapes a police raid. That dirty job done, a lovely evening turns even more delightful when she’s picked up by the cops and spends the next two hours at the Hall of Justice. Could this day get any worse? Of Course! Guess who arrives home to find a dead hooker on her living room floor? Fans of Janet Evanovich, Joan Hess, and Elizabeth Peters will get a kick out of this one.
THE SOURDOUGH WARS
TO YOU, IT’S JUST A FROZEN LUMP OF DOUGH; BUT TO SOME, IT’S LIFE AND DEATH…
Especially to handsome Peter Martinelli, who wants to auction off the fabled sourdough starter from his family’s famous bakery. But who’d buy a frozen hunk of flour and water? Only, it turns out, every bakery in San Francisco, a national food conglomerate, and an upstart ringer with a mysterious backer.
Someone would even kill for it. And does.
A tasty treat of a San Francisco mystery. A crisp, tangy story you’re sure to get a rise out of. You won’t find it a bit crumb-y.
TOURIST TRAP
Fear stalks the streets! reports the San Francisco Chronicle. It also stalks these pages, and so do a lot of laughs.
You just know the Easter sunrise service is going to be a bummer when the San Francisco fog lifts to reveal a body nailed to a landmark cross. Next: mass shellfish poisoning at Pier 39. A very different kind of serial killer is operating here—one who seems to have a grudge against the whole city.
And this is a very different kind of serial killer tale—a funny one. Well, actually, what serial killer’s funny? But lawyer sleuth Rebecca Schwartz is warm and witty, never takes herself too seriously, and on one occasion offers closing testimony with green hair.
512 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2015
869 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Julie Smith
263 books404 followersAuthor of 20 mystery novels and a YA paranormal adventure called BAD GIRL SCHOOL (formerly CURSEBUSTERS!). Nine of the mysteries are about a female New Orleans cop Skip Langdon, five about a San Francisco lawyer named Rebecca Schwartz,two about a struggling mystery writer named Paul Mcdonald (whose fate no one should suffer) and four teaming up Talba Wallis, a private eye with many names, a poetic license, and a smoking computer, with veteran P.I. Eddie Valentino.
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 8, 2020
First thoughts: the stories are just not quite believable and on the whole somewhat stilted and a bit dated feeling. The third one was the best story of the three. The writing quality leaves it all feeling sort of hollow, rather than a solid piece. Characters are active, but not well-developed. Rebecca is something of a wanna-be, but I'm not sure what she wants to be.
Want to read
November 7, 2019TheFussyLibrarian
September 10, 2017
This is a compilation of the first three Rebecca Schwartz mysteries, and they're pretty entertaining. Rebecca is a lawyer in San Francisco and in the course of these three books she picks up a newspaper reporter boyfriend who keeps forgetting her while chasing a story. She also has a southern belle legal partner, a mother who worries about her constantly, and a trial lawyer star for a father. Her sister is shacked up with her annoying want-to-be actor secretary, and she has an adversarial relationship with the pair of cops she keeps running into in the course of discovering bodies. And that's just the background to the action. I enjoyed the three mysteries, and would have gone on to the next one if I hadn't already read it.
September 11, 2019
Three Mystery Cozies
I have read other works by this author and since they were captivating, I thought I would give this series a try. This collection introduces Rebecca Schwartz, attorney. She follows in the footsteps of her father. It appears she was reared in the stereotypical Jewish family. Consequently she struggles with those principles and adapting to current trends and ideologies. I love the characters. They were witty, endearing,and relatable. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
I have read other works by this author and since they were captivating, I thought I would give this series a try. This collection introduces Rebecca Schwartz, attorney. She follows in the footsteps of her father. It appears she was reared in the stereotypical Jewish family. Consequently she struggles with those principles and adapting to current trends and ideologies. I love the characters. They were witty, endearing,and relatable. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
September 25, 2020
Rebecca Schwartz, family, and friends take the law and food on a murder romp around San Francisco
Rebecca Schwartz is the center of the three stories. A not as young as she would like to be fighting the image of the jewish princess,just becoming successful lawyer in San Francisco. She is the center of a lage cast of on going characters and new added in for each story. Each stand alone and each a great story well written and adventurous with murders and loose women Bad men good men and family
Rebecca Schwartz is the center of the three stories. A not as young as she would like to be fighting the image of the jewish princess,just becoming successful lawyer in San Francisco. She is the center of a lage cast of on going characters and new added in for each story. Each stand alone and each a great story well written and adventurous with murders and loose women Bad men good men and family
November 18, 2019
"An acquired taste"
You're never in doubt about the main character's background or the setting. If you didn't realise this was written almost forty years ago then you weren't paying attention. I wish I'd only downloaded one book at a time. The main character irritated me too much to enjoy a triple treat and there were annoying typos. I guess you need to be a fan of this style of cozy mystery genre.
You're never in doubt about the main character's background or the setting. If you didn't realise this was written almost forty years ago then you weren't paying attention. I wish I'd only downloaded one book at a time. The main character irritated me too much to enjoy a triple treat and there were annoying typos. I guess you need to be a fan of this style of cozy mystery genre.
February 17, 2020
Not Everything Comes Up Roses
Rebecca Schwartz has always lived her life on the up and up of acceptable society. Always been the dutiful daughter and lawyer. Following in her father's footsteps. She has befriended some people who walk a very questionable path and are teaching her about life on the wild side. As a result, she must figure out a murder and finds she loves the thrill of the puzzle~
Rebecca Schwartz has always lived her life on the up and up of acceptable society. Always been the dutiful daughter and lawyer. Following in her father's footsteps. She has befriended some people who walk a very questionable path and are teaching her about life on the wild side. As a result, she must figure out a murder and finds she loves the thrill of the puzzle~
July 26, 2019
Gotta love Ms Smith
I always love reading her books. Her stories are believable, but hopefully never close to a reality. Characters are well developed and never too many to keep track of. Well laid out plots that don’t give up the ending too soon. Recommend her to anyone who wants intrigue with light romance on the side.
I always love reading her books. Her stories are believable, but hopefully never close to a reality. Characters are well developed and never too many to keep track of. Well laid out plots that don’t give up the ending too soon. Recommend her to anyone who wants intrigue with light romance on the side.
July 7, 2020
Good Three Books
I have never heard of Rebecca Schwartz before I saw the offer for this trilogy. They are older stories written in the 1980's. They are "quaint" because there are no cell phones, the mores are of the period and women's lib is a new idea.
Three basically good stories with likable characters and enough action to keep leaves turning.
I have never heard of Rebecca Schwartz before I saw the offer for this trilogy. They are older stories written in the 1980's. They are "quaint" because there are no cell phones, the mores are of the period and women's lib is a new idea.
Three basically good stories with likable characters and enough action to keep leaves turning.
September 19, 2020
I got bored and couldn't get through the first book. Too much dialog getting no where.
Thought I'd try this collection but just couldn't wade through it. Ok, got it she's a Jewish lawyer...why is this referred to over and over? Took way too long to get anywhere and I got tired trying.
Thought I'd try this collection but just couldn't wade through it. Ok, got it she's a Jewish lawyer...why is this referred to over and over? Took way too long to get anywhere and I got tired trying.
April 30, 2020
Well Done! Bravo!
The characters are in-depth, well-defined and I liked all the good guys! Loved the 3rd story the best! I love a good, complex, page turner! Can't wait to read .more by this author!
The characters are in-depth, well-defined and I liked all the good guys! Loved the 3rd story the best! I love a good, complex, page turner! Can't wait to read .more by this author!
May 13, 2020
I won't be finishing this book. The author seems to have a limited vocabulary and resorts to using inappropriate language. As a Christian I find that offensive and do not wish to feed that into my brain. The story did catch my interest and I am sorry not to track it to the end.
August 10, 2020
Great Read
These first 3 books in the Rebecca Swartz series were terrific. A rocking good mystery but full of humor. I’m definitely going to read this series and probably some of her other series as well.
These first 3 books in the Rebecca Swartz series were terrific. A rocking good mystery but full of humor. I’m definitely going to read this series and probably some of her other series as well.
July 11, 2021
Rebecca
I just finished the first three books of the Rebecca Schwartz series by Julie Smith. I had read some of her other series but this one was very different and I liked it a lot. Would recommend that you read these books.
I just finished the first three books of the Rebecca Schwartz series by Julie Smith. I had read some of her other series but this one was very different and I liked it a lot. Would recommend that you read these books.
November 30, 2017
Enjoyable
I enjoy mysteries. I do find it a little difficult to read derogatory remarks about minority’s but the twists at the end of the stories make me read to the very end.
I enjoy mysteries. I do find it a little difficult to read derogatory remarks about minority’s but the twists at the end of the stories make me read to the very end.
February 27, 2019
Good read.
I love Julie Smith's Rebekka Schwartz series. Can't put one down until it's finished. My only problem is her occasional use of fowl language.
I love Julie Smith's Rebekka Schwartz series. Can't put one down until it's finished. My only problem is her occasional use of fowl language.
July 1, 2019
Really cute!
September 3, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed!!
September 18, 2019
Good ideas
Really different, nice change of pace. Quick read. Will definitely read rest of series. And follow this author. Very cute. I enjoy books about strong women
Really different, nice change of pace. Quick read. Will definitely read rest of series. And follow this author. Very cute. I enjoy books about strong women
April 2, 2020
Very disappointed. I gave it ** only because I really like this Author.
May 6, 2020
😁😁loved
😄😄😄loved. Great series can't wait to read the rest of books to see what Rebecca and Rob do next. Wow
😄😄😄loved. Great series can't wait to read the rest of books to see what Rebecca and Rob do next. Wow
May 7, 2020
Great
Great characters and story. Adventure until the end. Lawyers sometimes have a lot of fun. Ready to start the next set
Great characters and story. Adventure until the end. Lawyers sometimes have a lot of fun. Ready to start the next set
August 8, 2022
Julie Smith's books never disappoint.
April 13, 2024
Cozy Mystery
Funny in some places. Writing gets better with each book. Interesting stories. Interesting interaction and insights into Jewish family lives.
Funny in some places. Writing gets better with each book. Interesting stories. Interesting interaction and insights into Jewish family lives.
November 19, 2019
Three funny mysteries with smart mouthed sleuth, rebecca Schwartz. You can't just read one, they are so funny and interesting by the time you put the book done you have read all three of her stories.
Great books, great price. Buy the books and enjoy!
Great books, great price. Buy the books and enjoy!
June 20, 2022
When I first picked up the Rebecca Schwartz Mysteries box set, I was expecting a pleasant cozy mystery staring a feminist Jewish Lawyer. I was expecting to read about the foibles of a single Jewish princess who struggled to juggle her life, her career, and her overbearing mother. While there was some of that layered into the stories, most of the narrative centered around an abusive boyfriend. Seriously?
I was so hoping to read a story about a lawyer, but instead found a diatribe of should she or shouldn't she stay with an insensitive, career-obsessed, thoughtless boyfriend. The narrative didn't so much focus on the relationship as on his antics. I thought this was supposed to be the "Rebecca Schwartz Mysteries" not the Rebecca Schwartz's boyfriend's capers. In that respect, the books were rather disappointing.
Aside from the fact that Rebecca didn't figure prominently in her own stories and the rather cliched portrayal of the relationship between Rebecca and her family/sister's boyfriend, the writing is actually quite good. When the narrative focuses on Rebecca and her trying to save a client, the author is witty, creative, and intelligent. Unfortunately, there aren't enough of those great moments in the books for me to recommend them at the highest level.
I do recommend them though. The books are a fun read and an excellent way to spend a winter afternoon.
I was so hoping to read a story about a lawyer, but instead found a diatribe of should she or shouldn't she stay with an insensitive, career-obsessed, thoughtless boyfriend. The narrative didn't so much focus on the relationship as on his antics. I thought this was supposed to be the "Rebecca Schwartz Mysteries" not the Rebecca Schwartz's boyfriend's capers. In that respect, the books were rather disappointing.
Aside from the fact that Rebecca didn't figure prominently in her own stories and the rather cliched portrayal of the relationship between Rebecca and her family/sister's boyfriend, the writing is actually quite good. When the narrative focuses on Rebecca and her trying to save a client, the author is witty, creative, and intelligent. Unfortunately, there aren't enough of those great moments in the books for me to recommend them at the highest level.
I do recommend them though. The books are a fun read and an excellent way to spend a winter afternoon.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews