For Whom the Shofar Blows

Something isn’t kosher in Burbank. First, huge sums appear, then vanish from a little-used congregational bank account. Next, a body turns up in an unsold cemetery plot. And then the congregation’s beloved secretary is brutally murdered. Enter Rabbi Ben, roving troubleshooter, master of Taekwondo and Talmud, an M.I.T. computer whiz who seemingly walks through wallsâ€"and a man with his own bag of secrets. The High Holidays are just around the cornerâ€"so what could possibly go wrong? Ben’s investigation leads him to a decrepit cemetery, an opaquely mysterious private bank, a shofar-blowing, part-Korean cabinet-maker, a ruthless gang-banger, and the ultimate in money laundering techniques. Along the way this heroic-but-very human character survives a hit-and-run murder attempt, defuses a bomb in his living room and wriggles out of his intended early grave. This terrific, twisting plot and compelling, finely-drawn characters are accessible to every reader. You don’t have to be Jewish to be enthralled by Rabbi Ben’s audacity, inventiveness and courage.