Chanukah Guilt

Book excerpt: A small-town New Jersey rabbi is compelled to investigate when a funeral leads to a suspicious death in this cozy mystery series opener. Aviva Cohen is a fifty-something, twice-divorced rabbi living an uneventful life in southern New Jersey. Although her family is unconventional, her days are otherwise routine. Services, religious education, and counseling mostly. She also officiates the occasional funeral . . . But the funeral of unpopular real estate tycoon William Phillips is very out of the ordinary. At the end of the service, two family members ask Aviva for help, saying that Phillips was murdered. Aviva dismisses their claims but is shocked when one of them is later found dead from an apparent suicide. Riddled with guilt and suspicious of the death, Aviva puts her skills as a yenta to good use. Her search for answers, unfortunately, has her crossing paths with her first ex-husband, the new chief of police. Plus, if Aviva’s not careful, the next funeral she attends might be her own . . . “Lots of fun!” —Midwest Book Review “Schneider succeeds in blending the complex life of a congregational spiritual leader with that of [a] first-rate detective, family member, confidant, friend, human being and even yenta (nosy body).” —San Diego Jewish World “Chanukah Guilt weaves Jewish culture and mystery in a delightful blend. . . . I enjoyed this cozy mystery and look forward to the next instalment by this talented author.” —Bloodstained Book Reviews “I think this character could show up in several more books and I’d be glad to see her.” —Reviewing the Evidence