Grave Endings

This was the first book by Rochelle Krich I have read - I picked it up in the library on an impulse. Not only was it a good mystery, but it also provided a fascinating look into the world of Orthodox Judaism. Molly Blume is a few weeks away from marrying "her rabbi" when she learns that a man recently found dead in his apartment (Randy Creeley) from an apparent drug overdose had in his possession a locket that she had given to her best friend Aggie - who was murdered 6 years before. The police believe that Randy was responsible for her murder. Molly sets out to find the truth, while juggling preparations for her wedding and jobs both writing crime columns for local newspapers as well as true crime novels under a pseudonym. She soon uncovers disturbing inconsistencies. Was Randy murdered? Did Randy kill Aggie, or was someone else responsible? As she investigates further, someone starts to stalk her . . . There are a lot of twists and turns to get to the final denoument. This novel wasn't an edge-of-your-seat thriller, although it had its moments, but it was certainly a very enjoyable mystery. I also very much enjoyed all the tidbits thrown in about Molly Blume and her family's life and lifestyle as Orthodox Jews. Molly's struggles to compromise her independent nature to her desire to live by her religion's ideals - as well as to make accomodations as the future wife of a rabbi - made for fascinating character development. This is not the first in the series, as became fairly obvious early in the book, and I am definitely going to seek out the rest of them.

I agree with all the glowing things the other reviewers have written about Grave Endings. Krich hooked me in the first chapter and had me staying up way past my bedtime to finish this book. Her details about Los Angeles and Orthodox Jewish tradition are fascinating to read. This is a very well written, moving book. I loved it! Highly recommend.

"Grave Endings" is a mesmerizing, suspenseful page-turner, with many tantalizing twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing and guessing and guessing...But more than the actual mystery itself, what affected me profoundly was the moving story of Molly's steadfast devotion to her dead friend's memory, a devotion that transcends the grave and catalyzes the events that unfold in the book. The pain of losing one's dear friend is so palpable in fact throughout the book, and so genuine, that one wonders if Krich ever lost a close friend herself. Whether she did or not is really irrelevant; what matters is that the feeling of loss and pain is authentically portrayed, so much so that you can't help but feel moved to tears. The mixture of pathos and joy that permeates the book as Molly moves towards her wedding day while at the same time continuing to track down her friend's murderer feels very authentic. Krich's portrait of the Orthodox Jewish community is lovingly and authentically rendered, and those unfamiliar with but interested in this community will find the book a fascinating and reliable guide into a very different world. KUDOS!

I don't think that I can state it any more succinctly: don't miss Rochelle Krich, particularly her Molly Blume series. GRAVE ENDINGS, Krich's latest novel, is the third of the Blume books, and one that begins with the unresolved question of who murdered Aggie Lasher, Blume's best friend. Lasher's stabbing death has been unsolved for six years, and at the beginning of GRAVE ENDINGS it appears that the LAPD, Lasher's family, and Blume may finally have the answer to the question of who so abruptly ended Lasher's life. But naturally things are not quite so simple. GRAVE ENDINGS commences with Blume being notified of the apparent death by drug overdose of Randy Creeley. Death by O.D. is not unusual in Los Angeles, and Creeley apparently had been dealing with his addiction for years with only mixed success. What is noteworthy about Creeley's demise, however, is that at the time of his death he had in his possession a locket that was a present from Blume to Lasher, a special memento that Blume had obtained at Rachel's Tomb in Israel. It appears that the unsolved homicide is now a closed case. Ordinarily this would be considered welcome news, given that it comes on the eve of Blume's marriage to Zack, an orthodox Rabbi and her one-time high school sweetheart. Blume, however, is troubled by a number of aspects to the matter, not the least of which is how Creeley came to murder Lasher and why he kept the locket. As Blume begins to investigate Creeley's life, she is shocked to discover that Creeley had worked with Lasher at Rachel's Tent, a shelter for women in abusive relationships, and that Creeley and Lasher might have been romantically involved. The latter is particularly upsetting to Blume, given that she and Lasher were best friends who shared everything. But Lasher had never mentioned Creeley to Blume. As Blume begins to investigate Creeley's past more closely, she begins to encounter resistance on all sides and finds that her inquiries are placing her in danger, even though Creeley, who supposedly murdered Lasher, is dead. Krich once again demonstrates that she is a master at presenting an intricately plotted mystery against the background of the Los Angeles orthodox Jewish community and culture. No matter what the degree of your familiarity may be with Jewish customs and practices, you cannot walk away from this book without learning something new. Krich's presentation adds to, rather than detracts from, her narrative. Her knowledge of Los Angeles, and her ability to utilize it as a plot element, is reminiscent of Michael Connelly's novels. GRAVE ENDINGS should ultimately find an audience beyond the boundaries of those who troll the mystery aisles. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Molly Blume writes true crime books and works as a free lance journalist. Six years ago someone murdered her best friend Aggie; Molly mourned her loss, but hounded police even when they filed the homicide as a cold case. Sixteen days before her wedding to Zach, Detective Andy Connors asks her to identify a locket that he thinks belonged to Aggie. Molly confirms that it was Aggie's locket because of the red thread inside and a personalized inscription in Hebrew outside. The jewelry was found in the apartment of Randy Creely, whom police believe died from an overdose and probably killed Aggie. Molly has doubts as she ponders why he kept the locket, sent letters asking people he abused to forgive him, and regularly attended Narcotics Anonymous. Randy's sister is contacted by a person who insists her brother was to send him a package that never came. He trashes her apartment and warns her that if she tells anyone, he will insure that is the last thing she ever does. Molly becomes convinced that Randy never killed anyone and was murdered. If she tracks down the thug who harassed Randy's sister she feels she can learn the truth. The added fun of this fine amateur sleuth tale is Molly conducting an investigation while also preparing for her Orthodox Jewish wedding ceremony. The mystery is a puzzler because Randy was not a nice person (understated) and is easy to see him as a killer just like the police do; Molly digs beyond the obvious seeking the truth. Between the insight into her religious beliefs and her inquiries, readers will send accolades to author Rochelle Krich for a fine tale. Harriet Klausner