Rating: 
Summary: A different sort of mystery
Review: I read this book knowing nothing about the background (this is the 1st in an eleven book series) and found it an easy, enjoyable, different read. The scene is something I'm completely unfamiliar with (A yeshiva community) so it was interesting to read about the rituals, their importance, and the people's commitment to their beliefs. The crime and the mystery ranked right up there with other good mystery novels. The main characters, Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus are interesting, but not riveting. The character development seems a bit slow, although they are both likeable and interesting. Once I knew there would be several sequels, it seemed to make more sense---no rush in explaining these people, there will be time for that later. Their attraction to each other was obvious, and the mini-mystery-within-the-mystery is how will Rina reconcile her religious beliefs with her attraction to this guy? Fortunately for us, Kellerman does not stray from the crime and into a world of romance. An engaging read that most mystery lovers will enjoy.
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Summary: Loved this Book! I read it in one day!
Review: I received another book by Faye Kellerman (Justice) and I thought I should read the first ones before I read that one. I loved this book! I hope the rest are a great as the first.
Rating:
Summary: Once you start you can't stop reading this series!
Review: I recently discovered Faye Kellerman's entertaining and informative series about Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus. I began by reading 'Ritual Bath' (the first in the series) on Rosh Hashanah. It was a perfect read for the holidays and by Yom Kippur I had completed five more Decker/Lazarus novels and was on to a seventh book. I like that the characters are intelligent and have good values but are presented as human beings-flaws and all.This first book about a rape that occurs just outside the mikvah in a small orthodox community shows how the relationship between Peter and Rina begins to develop while cleverly solving the crime. It deals more with issues of religion than the rest of the series. I found this quite enlightening being a very secular jew living in a community that is becoming quite orthodox. I don't want to give away any of the story as many reviewers do so I'll just advise you to read this book. However, I'm warning you that you will not be able to stop with just one of Faye Kellerman's books.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: I recieved this book as a gift and wasn't dreadfully impressed. I figured it would be a generic "whodunit" with a few references to Orthodox Judaism thrown in. I'm so glad I was wrong! Faye Kellerman creates very likable characters, and spins an excellent story. Her books are on par with John Grisham and her husband, Jonathan Kellerman. This book and the second of the series, "Sacred and Profane" are her best. The series seems to go downhill for me after these two, but I am probably in the minortty. I say, read them and judge for yourself!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: I recieved this book as a gift and wasn't dreadfully impressed. I figured it would be a generic "whodunit" with a few references to Orthodox Judaism thrown in. I'm so glad I was wrong! Faye Kellerman creates very likable characters, and spins an excellent story. Her books are on par with John Grisham and her husband, Jonathan Kellerman. This book and the second of the series, "Sacred and Profane" are her best. The series seems to go downhill for me after these two, but I am probably in the minortty. I say, read them and judge for yourself!
Rating:
Summary: I knew I would like it from the start.
Review: I went into the public libarry and was looking through the "New Arrivals" shelves when I happened to stumble upon "THe Forgotten" by Faye Kellerman. I read the description on the book jacket and decided it would be a good read. I plopped down my library card and took this new find home. I was enthralled by the first three chapters. There was excellent characterization and dialogue. But I stopped reading the book after chapter 3. The reason...I meet these wonderful people, Peter and Rina. I wanted to know more about them. I wanted to know how they met and how they fell in love. And to learn the answer to these quesitons I read the Other Books By section in saw that The Ritual Bath was the first book in the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series. I immediately returned to the library...no luck...no copy on the shelves. So I beat a path to my local book store and purchased my own copy. I DEVOURED it! The book is wonderful. It is full of wonderful characters and great dialog. Start with this book and then read the whole series! Happy reading!
Rating:
Summary: I knew I would like it from the start.
Review: I went into the public libarry and was looking through the "New Arrivals" shelves when I happened to stumble upon "THe Forgotten" by Faye Kellerman. I read the description on the book jacket and decided it would be a good read. I plopped down my library card and took this new find home. I was enthralled by the first three chapters. There was excellent characterization and dialogue. But I stopped reading the book after chapter 3. The reason...I meet these wonderful people, Peter and Rina. I wanted to know more about them. I wanted to know how they met and how they fell in love. And to learn the answer to these quesitons I read the Other Books By section in saw that The Ritual Bath was the first book in the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series. I immediately returned to the library...no luck...no copy on the shelves. So I beat a path to my local book store and purchased my own copy. I DEVOURED it! The book is wonderful. It is full of wonderful characters and great dialog. Start with this book and then read the whole series! Happy reading!
Rating:
Summary: Captivating Mystery of Jewish Life from a Goy perspective
Review: I've read 3 of the Decker/Lazarus series. Hint #1: they should be read in the proper order (something I haven't done). This is the book, however, that makes me want to read on! I can understand why this was chosen to be a TV movie - it has all the right ingredients. What I've found fascinating is the voyeuristic peek into a culture that I knew very little about. As a non-religious person, I found myself with a deep respect for the Jewish community rather than wondering why anyone would be crazy enough to follow so many complex rules. Kellerman's writing shows strong character development (especially the deliberately slow flirtation between the two main characters) and good dialogue, resulting in the reader bonding with the characters. The plot, however, was rather quickly resolved (particularly the Foothills rapist), yet a wide variety of suspects kept the book interesting. The book was obviously planned as the first in a series, so it's expected that character development should prevail. With the other two books I've read, again, the Jewish culture and strength of family provide an interesting read. I also recommend Sanctuary, which discusses another topic I knew little about - diamond retailing.
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Summary: Superb detective story with fascinating characters
Review: If you enjoy stories about people rather than just 'what happens' then you'll love these books where the characters just keeping better and better. The crime stories are, in their own right, superb but not the real focus. Faye Kellerman is her husband's superior as an author in every aspect.
Rating: 
Summary: Kind of a slow start to a series.
Review: In this first in the series, Peter Decker is called to handle the rape of a woman inside a Jewish complex. Although I enjoyed the informative part of the book which dealt with the mikvah and the other rituals of the Orthodox Jews, the character of Peter Decker seemed one-dimensional and wooden. The attraction between Peter (and outsider) and Rina is an interesting twist when you condsider that Peter was given up for adoption and raised in a Baptist family although his birth mother is Jewish. However, Peter's and Rina's growing attraction for each other creates an interesting storyline, and hopefully the author will be able to develop this character (Decker) into someone who isn't quite so one-dimensional.
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