I know I'm 40 years late reading these rabbi detective stories, but even back then there were better mysteries. Too much buildup, and very little mystery. And what an unpleasant buildup: paints a picture of Boston-area Conservative Jewish synagogues which is all infighting and very little Jewish spirit. Even the social activism is described cynically. If you're writing fiction, there could have been other, better things to emphasize. I certainly hope that it was _not_ taken as "a primer to instruct the Gentile" (Anthony Boucher, New York Times Book Review, in the book jacket reviews)! Ok, the mystery was clever, with all the clues waiting the moment the first (and only) unsavory character appears. And I admit I read to the end. Maybe others in the series were better.