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Rating: 
Summary: This excellent book transcends genre fiction.
Review: As a mystery fiction junkie who also happens to be a Jewish educator, this book satisfied me on many levels. The author has managed to transplant the wonderful Margo Simon into a completely foreign culture without missing a beat. Unlike Steinberg's previous books, when we were most dazzled with Margo's strength of character and her personal development, this book gives us a wonderful opportunity to see Margo as a part of a far bigger circle of life - as a daughter - a sister - a wife and stepmother - a Jew struggling with her religious identity - and of course as the premier sleuth we've come to expect. Margo ends up in the ancient Israeli city of Safed after her mother falls seriously ill. Her mother has unexpectedly left a tour group to study with a teacher of Jewish mysticism and has seemed to have found a new meaning in her life which leaves Margo both puzzled and pleased. Unfortunately, the teacher is angering the religious establishment with her teachings and her students worry constantly about her safety. Margo is initially suspicious of her mother's illness, and when Batsheva, her mother's teacher, is killed, the detective in Margo will not be stopped. Permeating the entire book is both accurate and meaningful material on the Kabbalah as well the humorous family dynamic between Margo and her sister Audrey. The combination in lesser hands wouldn't work, but Steinberg balances the two, while never losing sight of the mystery at the core of the novel. This is a book with dozens of layers - each enhancing the next - and anyone who dives into it will come away satisfied.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable on many levels
Review: I loved this book! As someone who is not very familiar with Israel or Jewish traditions I thought perhaps I would miss a lot, but the author guided the reader through with ease. I not only enjoyed the mystery, but the humor, the family dynamic, and the wealth of information. All the characters seemed very real to me, and their relationships were something one could really relate to. The grown daughters' relationship with each other, and individually with their mother, was delightful and familiar! Overall, I loved the quality of the writing, and the way the book flowed.
Rating:
Summary: Shamus Award Nominee - characters seem real
Review: My interest in a book always depends on whether I get involved in the characters or not. With this one, I really felt like I knew them. The main character has a realistic relationship with her mother and her sister (also very funny!)This kind of interesting character development is what I also like in mysteries by Julie Smith. I just heard this book was nominated for a Shamus award as Best Paperback Mystery. I like knowing that I read the book before it got famous.
Rating:
Summary: Shamus Award Nominee - characters seem real
Review: this book is bland. The writer is competant but without any true style
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