“Which Big Giver Stole the Chopped Liver?” is the fifth entry in the hilarious mystery series about “Ruby, the rabbi’s wife.”
Ruby, however, is now the rabbi’s widow. This explains, in part, why Ruby has two boyfriends — Ed the reporter and Paul the detective — who figure into the plot.
Ruby is a computer consultant and part owner of a restaurant, The Hot Bagel, in Eternal, Texas, a fictional suburb of Austin. She is also an amateur sleuth whose success solving mysteries has been light-heartedly demonstrated in the first four novels of the series, including “Don’t Cry For Me, Hot Pastrami” and “Hold the Cream Cheese, Kill the Lox.”
Mixing humor and murder is the unlikely feat accomplished by Sharon Kahn, a lawyer and mother of three in Austin. She has written two children’s books and was the wife of a rabbi for 31 years.
The event that provides the backdrop for the mystery is a reunion of former Temple Rita members. The event is carefully planned by Essie Sue — permanent chair of the board — as an opportunity to raise money to expand the temple. Her co-chairman and fellow honoree is Freddie Fenstermeister, grandnephew of Rita Fenstermeister, the benefactor for whom the temple is named. (Freddie and Essie Sue dislike each other immensely.)
The opening ceremony is an exclusive “LOCO Cocktail Party” (Large Outstanding Contributors Only). The big feature there is “a state of Texas chopped liver mold made with loving hands” by Essie Sue. But the chopped liver mold disappears, and in its place Temple Rita congregants find the body of an unknown murder victim. The victim’s head was bashed in with an antique pestle once used by Essie Sue’s great-grandmother to grind ingredients for the chopped liver. The pestle was to be displayed as part of a cultural heritage exhibit.
Ruby gets to work, collaborating with Paul, her detective boyfriend, as they proceed indefatigably to find the killer. Complicating matters is her relationship with Ed, the reporter who covers the case. Many characters from previous stories in the series re-appear, providing continuity for readers who are familiar with Kahn’s earlier books. This new mystery stands on its own but should stimulate interest in the first four books of the series.
Kahn has now clearly established herself as a successful writer of spirited and amusing adventures. She shows an unequivocal understanding of what goes on in a small-town synagogue. Her credible characters reveal aspects of her own experiences, lending them an air of authenticity. She is a welcome addition to the ranks of women mystery writers, bringing her own distinctive voice and unique style.
“Which Big Giver Stole the Chopped Liver?” by Sharon Kahn (293 pages, Scribner, $24).