Rating: 
Summary: TOPNOTCH THRILLER WITH A HEART
Review:
Even as the daughter of concentration camp victims Rina Decker was ill prepared to see the horrific desecration of her beloved storefront shul. All the walls had been painted with diabolic epithets, countless ways of killing Jews, eggs and ketchup clouded the plaster. Perhaps most unnerving of all were the ripped holy books peppered with ghastly photos of the dead and dying incarcerated by the Nazis.
The police called Rina because she was the "synagogue's unofficial caretaker - the buck-stops-here person who called the contractors when a pipe burst...." So abhorrent was the sight that Rina felt herself becoming dizzy, and leaned against a wall for support.
Thus begins Faye Kellerman's 13th thriller featuring LA police Lieutenant Peter Decker and his orthodox Jewish wife, Rina. It is, as are its predecessors, an exciting read serving to cement Ms. Kellerman's status as one of today's top crime writers.
This act of vandalism hits close to home and heart for Peter, and a suspect is soon found. It is Ernesto Golding, a 17-year-old son of privilege in gold-plated LA. He's haunted by suspicions about his Polish grandfather who fled to Argentina after Hitler's regime fell.
A deal is cut - Ernesto is sent to counseling with two psychologists who are known for their care of wayward rich teens. The boy will spend the summer at their nature camp in the mountains.
This is too pat an answer for the intuitive police sleuth whose hunch is proved on target some months later when Ernesto and his therapist are found murdered. Before long Rina and Peter find themselves probing for answer's among overly protective, vainglorious parents and I-can-do-anything-I-want youth. But, the road to the truth could also lead to Jacob, their handsome, intelligent son.
Faye Kellerman has once again fashioned an intelligent, fast-moving drama. "The Forgotten" is electrifying, a topnotch thriller with heart.
Rating: 
Summary: FORGOTTEN HOW GOOD FAYE K. IS? READ THIS!!!
Review: A terrifically page-turning thriller that sees Pete Decker and Nina fighting against an unspeakable evil. It's books like this that have made Faye Kellerman the equal of her esteemed husband.FOR ME, THE BEST THRILLER OF THE YEAR - ...
Rating:
Summary: I thought this was a good one..
Review: After finding that her last couple of books were not so good, I enjoyed this very much. I finished it in a day and a half.
Rating:
Summary: Bring on the next one
Review: Another satisfying addition to the series.
Rating:
Summary: Faye Kellerman's Best Yet
Review: As a mystery writer with my debut novel in its initial release, I firmly believe Faye Kellerman's THE FORGOTTEN is her best mystery yet. The novel deals with Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus investigating a complicated series of crimes. There are no easy answers here. Computer fraud may be involved. Adolescent angst may play a part. The aftermath of the Holocaust could be another contributing factor. Most importantly, her series characters continue developing as if they are actual people, and THE FORGOTTEN is a most fulfilling read.
Rating:
Summary: Decker learns more about Rina !
Review: Decker has to explore even more of the roots of his adopted family than ever before to understand the world of teenage and young adult thought that dominates the plot of the novel. He and Rina draw even closer together in several fascinating ways. This was a great read, particularly in the last 1/3. I was upset about losing my connection to the characters when the story ended.
Rating:
Summary: ELECTRIFYING - A TOPNOTCH THRILLER!
Review: Even as the daughter of concentration camp victims Rina Decker was ill prepared to see the horrific desecration of her beloved storefront shul. All the walls had been painted with diabolic epithets, countless ways of killing Jews, eggs and ketchup clouded the plaster. Perhaps most unnerving of all were the ripped holy books peppered with ghastly photos of the dead and dying incarcerated by the Nazis. The police called Rina because she was the "synagogue's unofficial caretaker - the buck-stops-here person who called the contractors when a pipe burst...." So abhorrent was the sight that Rina felt herself becoming dizzy, and leaned against a wall for support. Thus begins Faye Kellerman's 13th thriller featuring LA police Lieutenant Peter Decker and his orthodox Jewish wife, Rina. It is, as are its predecessors, an exciting read serving to cement Ms. Kellerman's status as one of today's top crime writers. This act of vandalism hits close to home and heart for Peter, and a suspect is soon found. It is Ernesto Golding, a 17-year-old son of privilege in gold-plated LA. He's haunted by suspicions about his Polish grandfather who fled to Argentina after Hitler's regime fell. A deal is cut - Ernesto is sent to counseling with two psychologists who are known for their care of wayward rich teens. The boy will spend the summer at their nature camp in the mountains. This is too pat an answer for the intuitive police sleuth whose hunch is proved on target some months later when Ernesto and his therapist are found murdered. Before long Rina and Peter find themselves probing for answer's among overly protective, vainglorious parents and I-can-do-anything-I-want youth. But, the road to the truth could also lead to Jacob, their handsome, intelligent son. Faye Kellerman has once again fashioned an intelligent, fast-moving drama. "The Forgotten" is electrifying, a topnotch thriller with heart.
Rating: 
Summary: GOOD PLOT BUT...
Review: Faye Kellerman has written some novels with great plots and interesting characters. As a rule I generally enjoy the Peter Deker/Rena Lazarus novels for the intriguing plots and suspense. However, one major problem I have with many of the author's books, and particularly this one, is her continued references and terminology surrounding Orthodox Judaism. While I greatly respect each individual's faith, for one who is not of that particular faith, the religious references have no meaning, are not easily understood, nor are the references explained. In many of Kellerman's books the religious references add absolutely nothing to the story or plot...so why include them at all? While I agree that religion, whatever faith one follows, is important in its time and place, the author should remember that if she is hoping to target a wide group of readers from around the globe, not everyone is of the author's faith. I found this book to be too abundant in unexplained religious terminology to hold my interest, regardless of the well-written plot and strong characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Too many plot lines, not enough substance..
Review: Faye Kellerman is a marvelous writer, and I haven't given up on the Lazarus series. This, the 13th book, showed a lot more promise than the 12th book, "Stalker". It was interesting to see where time has taken the relationship between Peter and Rina, but even better to watch Kellerman weave the complex relationship between son Jacob and his parents into the novel. The premise, senseless vandalism and violence at the Deckers' temple, is a strong one. One of the perpetrators, Ernesto Golding, an affluent young man with strong signs of adolescent OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) is caught, but does not give up his partners. This is where Kellerman departs from the firm foundation of the novel and stretches needlessly into several murders, sexual obsession and fraudulent SAT preparation. Had she stayed with the story of Ernesto and explored his relationship with his ancestors, parents and brother; perhaps had him struggle with other crimes based on his obsessions, we might have had a fine book. Instead, she introduces the character of Ruby, and the story and plotline go downhill from there. The assignation of Ruby and Jake is truly a ridiculous plot contrivance. Unlike other readers, the unraveling of the Judaic customs and beliefs that accompanies every Lazarus story, for me, is a welcome counterpoint to the police line. The learnings and fabric this setting gives to the series helps it stand apart from all the others. Three stars based on an interesting plot setting and Kellerman's writing style...but no more. I've recently given up reading Jonathan Kellerman, because recent entries in his Alex Delaware psychologist series have been pale shadows of his former work. Hopefully, that will not be the case with Faye's Lazarus series; it appears the author simply has to put in as much effort and creativity in the conclusions of her books as she does in the premise.
Rating:
Summary: Too many plot lines, not enough substance..
Review: Faye Kellerman is a marvelous writer, and I haven't given up on the Lazarus series. This, the 13th book, showed a lot more promise than the 12th book, "Stalker". It was interesting to see where time has taken the relationship between Peter and Rina, but even better to watch Kellerman weave the complex relationship between son Jacob and his parents into the novel. The premise, senseless vandalism and violence at the Deckers' temple, is a strong one. One of the perpetrators, Ernesto Golding, an affluent young man with strong signs of adolescent OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) is caught, but does not give up his partners. This is where Kellerman departs from the firm foundation of the novel and stretches needlessly into several murders, sexual obsession and fraudulent SAT preparation. Had she stayed with the story of Ernesto and explored his relationship with his ancestors, parents and brother; perhaps had him struggle with other crimes based on his obsessions, we might have had a fine book. Instead, she introduces the character of Ruby, and the story and plotline go downhill from there. The assignation of Ruby and Jake is truly a ridiculous plot contrivance. Unlike other readers, the unraveling of the Judaic customs and beliefs that accompanies every Lazarus story, for me, is a welcome counterpoint to the police line. The learnings and fabric this setting gives to the series helps it stand apart from all the others. Three stars based on an interesting plot setting and Kellerman's writing style...but no more. I've recently given up reading Jonathan Kellerman, because recent entries in his Alex Delaware psychologist series have been pale shadows of his former work. Hopefully, that will not be the case with Faye's Lazarus series; it appears the author simply has to put in as much effort and creativity in the conclusions of her books as she does in the premise.
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