Rabbi David Small, the new leader of Barnard's Crossing's Jewish community, can't even enjoy his Sabbath without things getting stirred up in a most unorthodox manner: It seems a young nanny has been found strangled, less than a hundred yards from the Temple's parking lot – and all the evidence points to the Rabbi.
Saturday brings Yom Kippur to Barnard's Crossing and Rabbi Small is preparing as usual. But his prayers and fasting are interrupted when a member of his congregation is found dead in his car. The police call it accidental. The insurance company calls it suicide. Only Rabbi Small's pregnant wife, Miriam, thinks it's murder. Now it's up to him to prove her right…***“Harry Kemelman has come through as a winner again… A good tale well told.” – The New York Times“Another Sholem Aleichem… An excellent storyteller… Here is detective work at its best.” – Detroit Press“Detailed with humor and intelligence. Top quality!” – Bestsellers“Wise and witty.” – Saturday Review