Wednesday the Rabbi Got Wet

A Rabbi Small Mystery, Book 6

By: Harry Kemelman

Narrated by: George Guidall

A pharmaceutical mishap draws the rabbi into a murder investigation in this New York Times bestseller: “An endearing character … a devious plot” (San Diego Union-Tribune).

New Age thinking has come to Barnard’s Crossing, Massachusetts. The recently elected president of Rabbi David Small’s synagogue is intent on using temple money to build a meditation retreat. The congregation is practicing yoga, buying crystals, and reciting chants. When a troubled young man returns to the town after spending time in a controversial Hasidic cult, the rabbi expects him to be another New Ager. But things take a grisly turn away from new-fangled mantras of peace and love when something terribly old fashioned happens: murder.

An elderly patient dies after being given the wrong medication by the local pharmacist, who coincidentally is also the Hasidic man’s father. When the dead man’s family suggests the mix-up was intentional, both the druggist and his son become suspects and it’s up to Rabbi Small to investigate by drawing on some Old Testament wisdom in a village of New Age fads.

©1976 Harry Kemelman (P)1998 Recorded Books

Best one yet

I love Harry Kemelman’s books. And George Guidall’s narration is excellent. This one, however, is the best one yet.

Kemelman's wonderful series--brilliantly narrated!

This is one of the delightful series written in the '70's by Harry Kemelman that focuses on David Small, the rabbi of a conservative congregation in Barnard's Crossing, Massachusetts. Sometimes I hesitate before getting old books--but because I read all these in paper form "back in the day," I could recall how interesting they were.

In this book, Hurricane Betsy is in the background while one of the temple congregants is very ill, a pharmacist and his son have previously had a bitter dispute--leading to the son leaving home, and there are people who want to do some interesting real estate deals. All of these components are parts of the intrigue that arises out of what appears at first to be a patient taking medications for a treatable infection--and leads to murder. Several people are suspect, one in particular that Rabbi Small wants to help (as only he can do, using his particular knowledge of Talmudic law).

This series has a very good mix of personal and logical--with development of characters like Rabbi Small and his wife and son and the local chief of police as on-going characters. There tend to be different townspeople and temple congregants and boards of directors featured. But one thing that never changes is that the books are a wonderful combination of good story, intriguing mysteries, and fascinating look into the Jewish culture. I have always loved them--but finding that the incomparable George Guidall is narrating them brings them fresh life. Highly recommend!

Another great Rabbi book

I enjoy every book in the series. They are all very well written with interesting characters. Everyone should read them.

Always enjoyable

I really love how much information is slipped in about the Jewish religion. It is an integral part of the way this author writes and it is brilliantly done. The narrator is marvelous and I look forward to listening to the next book. I know I will be sorry to reach the last one but imagine listening to them again after I reach that point.

love Rabbi Small

another entertaining Rabbi Small mystery. I am delighted by the way he weaves in the information about Judaism Informative and entertaining