Sacred and Profane

Rating:
Summary: Better than the first one.
Review: Although this book was better than the first one in the series, it still leaves a lot to be desired. In this book, Peter is camping with Rina's two boys when one of the boys comes across two skeletons out in the woods. This leads Peter on a journey into the world of prostitution and pornography in order to find out the identity of the two bodies and the motive behind their murders. The actual mystery part of the book is good, but the developing storyline between Peter and Rina is still quite flat. Although, in the book, their relationship is progressing forward (sometimes very slowly), and Peter is working toward converting to the Jewish faith, I don't think the author does a particularly good job of conveying the feelings that these two supposedly have for each other. This series has a lot of potential, but so far these first two books have left me disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Better than the first one.
Review: Although this book was better than the first one in the series, it still leaves a lot to be desired. In this book, Peter is camping with Rina's two boys when one of the boys comes across two skeletons out in the woods. This leads Peter on a journey into the world of prostitution and pornography in order to find out the identity of the two bodies and the motive behind their murders. The actual mystery part of the book is good, but the developing storyline between Peter and Rina is still quite flat. Although, in the book, their relationship is progressing forward (sometimes very slowly), and Peter is working toward converting to the Jewish faith, I don't think the author does a particularly good job of conveying the feelings that these two supposedly have for each other. This series has a lot of potential, but so far these first two books have left me disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't give this one enough stars
Review: Excellent! Second book in series. Peter is studying the Jewish faith with a rabi because Reni will not consider a relationship with him unless he is a practicing Jew. He takes her two sons on a camping trip and one of the boys discovers two skeletons. They find out one of the skeletons is a teenage girl who has disappeared. Peter's search for the killer takes him into the porn world and he finds it hard to balance his work with his religious studies. Very good. One day read. Since I gave Ritual Bath 5 stars, I wanted to give this one 6 because it is better.

Rating:
Summary: Truly a Mixture of Sacred and Profane
Review: Much grittier than the first novel in the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series, this novel addresses personal depravity and personal spirituality, both of which actively concern the murders at the center of the novel, and the relationship between Decker and Lazarus. Taking place months after the events in 'The Ritual Bath', the opening of the novel finds Decker camping with Lazarus' two boys, one of whom stumbles upon two dead bodies. Reluctantly, Decker takes on the case, and what follows is depressing for him and for the reader: teenage prostitution, snuff films, and pyromania, just to name some of the elements. These subjects take a toll on Decker, and threaten both his relationship with Lazarus and his embrace of Judaism. As in the first novel, the characters are well-drawn and realistic; you feel for Decker and Lazarus, especially when Decker becomes self-destructive, hurting everyone around him. The multi-layered plot is much more complex and satisfying than 'The Ritual Bath', although the ending will not please romance fans. You'll be left wanting more...which is presumably where the next book will take you.

Rating:
Summary: BECOMING A YIDISH DICTIONARY
Review: or a "Learn Yidish without a teacher "
She's very good...Suspenseful, witty, but little by little she is introducing more and more Yidih or Jewish words, phrases... So much, that it becomes burdensome...
Her characters are very well setted without having to mingle so many foreign words.
When we buy Mistery books..we wish to get Mistery, not a Language learning book.
I have read all her books, but if this goes on, I will stop.
I know this will not ruin Kellerman, and nothing as far from that in my intention...This is just a warning voice... Please, Faye: Keep the Yidish minimal

Rating:
Summary: Great Mystery
Review: Peters and Rina's relationship continues to evolve as Peter is transferred back to homicide after he finds the bodies of two girls while camping with Rina's children. Very dark and disturbing, the book deals with underground fantasy/fetish porn in which money can get you anything you want, including murder. The story is very well written and suspenseful until the very end, and the relationship between Peter and Rina is successfully woven into the mystery without being distracting.

Rating:
Summary: Great Mystery
Review: Peters and Rina's relationship continues to evolve as Peter is transferred back to homicide after he finds the bodies of two girls while camping with Rina's children. Very dark and disturbing, the book deals with underground fantasy/fetish porn in which money can get you anything you want, including murder. The story is very well written and suspenseful until the very end, and the relationship between Peter and Rina is successfully woven into the mystery without being distracting.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing mystery
Review: Sacred and Profane is the second in the Rina Lazarus/Peter Decker Mystery Series. In this installment Peter is camping with Rina's sons when they discover human remains which have been burned. Peter begins an investigation to determine the identity of the remains and ends up in the profane world of porno film-makers. The word "sacred" in the title refers to Peter's study of Judaism which Rina requires of him if their relationship is to progress to marriage. Peter begins to chafe at the restrictions of Rina's Orthodox faith, which leads to a crisis in their relationship. Kellerman, as always, does a skillful job of weaving a murder mystery into the background of Peter and Rina's private life. This talented writer can always be depended on to provide a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing mystery
Review: Sacred and Profane is the second in the Rina Lazarus/Peter Decker Mystery Series. In this installment Peter is camping with Rina's sons when they discover human remains which have been burned. Peter begins an investigation to determine the identity of the remains and ends up in the profane world of porno film-makers. The word "sacred" in the title refers to Peter's study of Judaism which Rina requires of him if their relationship is to progress to marriage. Peter begins to chafe at the restrictions of Rina's Orthodox faith, which leads to a crisis in their relationship. Kellerman, as always, does a skillful job of weaving a murder mystery into the background of Peter and Rina's private life. This talented writer can always be depended on to provide a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Could have used a bit more Rina...
Review: Since I am the proud owner of all of Kellerman's Decker/Lazarus mysteries (up to Jupiter's Bones), it should be my duty to comment on each one of them. For #2, I think that Rina could have played a more signifacant role in the case. It seems that Decker had to handle all of this on his own, yet it was Rina's sons who oprned the case. However, the real good parts included the reality of sex cults that sem to harbor people who are too young for the adult-oriented lifestyles. I haven't seen people like these where I live, but I'll bet L.A. is full of them! I have yet to pull Milk and Honey out of my stash, but once I've read it, amazon will be hearing from me again!