Murder Is No Mitzvah: Short Mysteries about Jewish Occasions

by Abigail Browning (Editor)

A collection of mystery short stories, all published initially in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine , and all dealing with Jewish holidays or other days of celebration. Along with the official holidays, like Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) Rosh Hashonah (the Jewish New Year), and more, as well as the private occasions like Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, and funerals. Being chosen for Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine is a recommendation in itself; in this book, along with the mysteries, the reader can enjoy a glimpse of the culture of Jewish life in America.

Genres: Mystery, Jewish

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 2004

Reviews

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful collection of short stories in which murders are set and focused on the various Jewish holidays. You'll get a lovely glimpse into the culture, some of the colorful (but not profane) vocabulary associated with Jewish Americans particularly, and you'll get truly excellent mystery stories. My very favorite is Doug Allyn's "Christmas Mitzvah:," but I'm highly biased in favor of anything Doug Allyn writes. If you have a personal tradition of reading Christmas-related books between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day as do I, why not include the Jewish holidays in your holiday reading schedule this year and give this book a go. I was captivated by nearly every story, and none of them were so awful that I skipped them. It's a short read, and if mysteries set during holiday times are your thing, then so will this book be your thing.