Tuesday the Rabbi Saw Red

This 1973 book is the 5th installment in the 'Rabbi Small' series that began with FRIDAY THE RABBI SLEPT LATE. Rabbi Small has been asked to take over a class at a nearby college. When he first arrives he discovers that he had conducted the marriage service of his fellow instructors (and the bride was still seething with anger at the rabbi) and that his officemate does not like Jews (or blacks, or Irish etc). After he met with his class he discovers that students have changed since he had graduated fifteen years before. At first the Rabbi was not sure if he really fit in at the college but then there was a bombing and a murder, making him feel right at home. Of course the reprecussions are felt in the congregation of Barnard's Crossing giving the Rabbi more to worry about than mere murder or arson. As always with the cozy series the murder is secondary to the workings of the Barnard's Crossing temple. Most readers will probably figure out who did it long before the Rabbi reveals all. The story here is in the politics of the temple, and the characters of the community. This book is over thirty years old and shows its age quite a bit. Younger readers will be a bit bewildered by the students dress and behaviors, and by the novelty of women administrators, while those who remember these times will possibly amused by how things have changed.

This is my 2nd Kemelman book, and I wasn't disappointed. He manages to weave in a considerable amount of information on Judaism with an intriguing mystery & quite a bit on human psychology while keeping the reader admirably entertained. He does provide enough clues to figure out the mystery--but here they are quite subtle. I finally got the murderer but not exactly how it was done. This is a very fine book in a very fine series. Probably worth a bit more than 4 stars. I plan to read the rest of the series. Enjoy!

"Tuesday the Rabbi Saw Red" is one of the best mysteries out there. It takes place mainly on a Massachusetts college campus during the Vietnam era. Kemelman opens up with pieces of information that seem irrelevant, but everything falls into place. There is a clear plot, a defined theme, and the characters are real. This book will keep you wondering "whodunit" until the end.