Rating: 
Summary: Characters with surprising depth; intriguing plot
Review: After reading one Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus novel almost by accident, I was immediately hooked on this series. Peter, Rina, and their family and colleagues are characters of depth, endearingly human, honest, and appealing. Every novel in this series is a winner, and I especially liked Day of Atonement. Not only is it an engrossing, gritty, edge-of-the-seat detective novel, it is also a heartfelt story of complex emotional relationships. The setting within the Orthodox Jewish community--still an ongoing mystery to semi-outsider, LAPD detective Peter Decker--seems to the reader much as it does to him: a fascinating, perplexing, comforting, challenging world. This reader--coincidentally the parent of an adult adopted son--was intrigued and deeply touched by the subplot of Peter's struggle to deal emotionally with his own adoption. It is rare to find as compelling a storyteller as Faye Kellerman!
Rating:
Summary: An unusual honeymoon!
Review: Detective Peter Decker and Orthodox Jewish Rina Lazarus have finally tied the knot in this book, but their honeymoon leaves a lot to be desired. They are spending it in Brooklyn with Rina's in-laws. Peter understandably feels uncomfortable in this situation and he is not yet accustomed to all of the Orthodox Jewish customs, despite his months of study. Two plots wind through the book, namely the disappearance of one of his wife's troubled nephew and Peter's discovery of a person from his past.
These subplots wind neatly around one another and, as usual the reader is treated to lots of interesting background about Orthodox Jewish custom. Rina and Peter go through some difficult moments as she wants to help in the investigation and Peter does not want her put in danger. All in all, this is a satisfying read and it makes me look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: An unusual honeymoon!
Review: Detective Peter Decker and Orthodox Jewish Rina Lazarus have finally tied the knot in this book, but their honeymoon leaves a lot to be desired. They are spending it in Brooklyn with Rina's in-laws. Peter understandably feels uncomfortable in this situation and he is not yet accustomed to all of the Orthodox Jewish customs, despite his months of study. Two plots wind through the book, namely the disappearance of one of his wife's troubled nephew and Peter's discovery of a person from his past.
These subplots wind neatly around one another and, as usual the reader is treated to lots of interesting background about Orthodox Jewish custom. Rina and Peter go through some difficult moments as she wants to help in the investigation and Peter does not want her put in danger. All in all, this is a satisfying read and it makes me look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Stayed up all night, could not put any of her books down
Review: Faye Kellerman has the ability to involve the reader from page one. Her entire series of Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus books are spellbinders. She follows the relationship between Peter and Rina from when they first met in Ritual Bath through to Prayers for the Dead. She weaves her books beautifully around the life of orthodox Jews and those who are both less religous and those who are not Jewish. You watch the characters grow from the first word to the last. I always end her books wanting to read another
Rating:
Summary: I Love This Author
Review: I had been a long-time fan of Jonathan Kellerman before I discovered his wonderful and talented wife, Faye. I read all of her books in order and what a treat. Peter & Rita are just wonderful. The suspense & mystery are there, as well as the terrific character development.I have read Ms. Kellerman's books from start to present and I cannot begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed not only the storyline, but the developement of her characters. Ms. Kellerman also introduced me to a marvelously different culture. The way in which her characters evolve is wonderful. I can only hope for more to come from Ms. Kellerman. Bravo!!, not only for your latest contribution, but also for your continuity. I truly enjoy the fact that you do not seem to tire of your continuing characters, but rather enrich them and continue to make them elvolving. Ms. Kellerman; thank you, thank you, thank you.
Rating: 
Summary: Suspenseful
Review: I have never read any of Faye Kellerman's books ~~ and this one is a gift to me from my grandmother. I love suspenseful novels and mysteries ~~ and this is my first introduction to Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus. It is a fun read ~~ fast too. Some of the descriptions I had to skim over since I am not a fan of detailed murder scenes ~~ but other than that, it's a fun book to read, especially when it's cool outside and there isn't much you can do around the house (or need an excuse to laze around and read a book in front of the fireplace!).
Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus are in Brooklyn ~~ in the Orthodox Jewish ghetto, celebrating their honeymoon, when one of the boys vanished abruptly from this closely-knit religious community. Peter is then set on an adventure finding this kid before it's too late. The runaway is not traveling alone ~~ a killer has taken him under his wings and blood, mayhem and terror are on the way. Peter knew that he was racing against time in saving this kid as well as other innocent lives.
It is a fast-paced novel ~~ one that kept me on the edge of my seat reading. It is my first introduction to Kellerman and if I see any of her other books, I will now pick them up since I can count on a good read!
10-3-04
Rating:
Summary: My favorite of the series
Review: In this series, Faye Kellerman gives us exciting stories, likable protagonists in Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, and an interesting picture of Orthodox Jewish life. The only thing that mars the series is the ugly language employed whenever Decker gets together with his LAPD colleagues. I guess this is in there because it's "realistic," but I for one don't need such realism in my recreational reading. (I've found it's possible to skim over most of this dialogue without losing track of the story.) "Day of Atonement" is my favorite of the series so far. Not only is it a compelling story involving the search for a teenage boy who runs away from his Orthodox community in New York; much of the action takes place away from Los Angeles and thus we are largely spared the unpleasant conversations of the cops.
Rating:
Summary: Very Shocking and Full of Suspense
Review: It is 10:00 pm on a Sunday eveing and I have just finished the last page of "Day of Atonement." I finished the book with a large smile on my face and I said to my wife, "Don't you just love it when you come to the end of an excellent book." The book was extremely exciting...quite a page turner. We join Peter and Rina in Brooklyn while they are celebrating their honeymoon. They are visiting Rina's ex-in-laws during the holidays of Rosh HaShanah. During the holidays a young man turns up missing and Decker starts the trial to find him. Unfortunatley, the young man, Noam, has crossed paths with a psychopath who gets immense joys from gutting live fish. Will Decker rescue him in time? The book is well worth the time spent reading it...you will come away from it with a smile on your face as well. PLUS, get some tissues for the last chapter...it is joyously sad.
Rating:
Summary: Very Shocking and Full of Suspense
Review: It is 10:00 pm on a Sunday eveing and I have just finished the last page of "Day of Atonement." I finished the book with a large smile on my face and I said to my wife, "Don't you just love it when you come to the end of an excellent book." The book was extremely exciting...quite a page turner. We join Peter and Rina in Brooklyn while they are celebrating their honeymoon. They are visiting Rina's ex-in-laws during the holidays of Rosh HaShanah. During the holidays a young man turns up missing and Decker starts the trial to find him. Unfortunatley, the young man, Noam, has crossed paths with a psychopath who gets immense joys from gutting live fish. Will Decker rescue him in time? The book is well worth the time spent reading it...you will come away from it with a smile on your face as well. PLUS, get some tissues for the last chapter...it is joyously sad.
Rating:
Summary: Best in the series to date!
Review: The forth book in Fay Kellerman's Decker/Lazarus series, "Day of Atonement," takes them to Brooklyn, New York on their honeymoon. "Not the honeymoon Decker had imagined." It's not he best of all situations. He's staying in the crowded home of the parents of Rina's late husband. It's Rosh Hashanah which makes the situation more difficult. The spirit and holiness of the holidays is shattered when Noam, Rina's cousin, runs away. Runaways is one of Decker's specialties but although he is clad in a yarmulke he is still the stranger in the Orthodox community of Crown Heights, Brooklyn The search for the teenager links him to a psychopath and trail which leads him back to Los Angles and murder. "Day of Atonement," is the best of the series to date.
| 
