The Ritual Bath

The First Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Novel

By: Faye Kellerman

Narrated by: Mitchell Greenberg

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Detective Peter Decker of the LAPD is stunned when he gets the report. Someone has shattered the sanctuary of a remote yeshiva community in the California hills with an unimaginable crime. One of the women was brutally raped as she returned from the mikvah, the bathhouse where the cleansing ritual is performed.

The crime was called in by Rina Lazarus, and Decker is relieved to discover that she is a calm and intelligent witness. She is also the only one in the sheltered community willing to speak of this unspeakable violation. As Rina tries to steer Decker through the maze of religious laws, the two grow closer. But before they get to the bottom of this horrendous crime, revelations come to light that are so shocking that they threaten to come between the hard-nosed cop and the deeply religious woman with whom he has become irrevocably linked.

©1986 Faye Kellerman (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Phenomenal!" ( Murder Inc.)
A Master of Mystery" ( Cleveland Plain Dealer)

interesting story

I enjoyed this story there were some interesting twists and I learned a great deal about Jewish rituals.

Love, Affection and Loyalty are Challenged

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The Ritual Bath is a novel that is exceptionally well thought our and researched. You learn about the life of Rina inside the Jewish Torah Community which Peter Decker must understand in order to solve this mystery. You want the evil doer to be caught and justice to be dispensed. The romance between Peter and Rina is growing and a rapist is close to Rina, but unknown. Can Peter figure out who is threatening Rina before it is too late?

Great book

Excellent narrative by Mitchell Greenberg who obviously speaks/knows Hebrew well enough to pronounce words correctly. Lots of accurate information about Jewish lifestyle for those not familiar with it, especially the Orthodox.

Esquisite Excellence

The first time I read this book, I was hooked. I am an Orthodox Jew, so I was intrigued by the story's possibilities. I read this book straight through and then immediately bought the next one in the series.

Mitch Greenberg's narration is simply superb. I do agree that some of the Yiddish/Hebrew words would have been unknown to outsiders, or those who are not Jewish, and should have been explained, but most are understandable depending on context.

The only thing I would like to add is based on another review. A reviewer pointed out that Shmuli was something parents called their children. This is incorrect. It is the name Samuel, not a pet name in general.

unusual mystery

I didn't love it but for reasons unknown, I stuck with it. Narrator, engaging.

Very informative about Jewish customs

Wonderful writing. It seemed like you were there.
Faye Kellerman is a great story teller.

Good First Book

This was my first Faye Kellerman book and the first that she published. It was a good story with a deep insight into the Jewish world. I thought the story line was wrapped up too quickly at the end and the relationship between the two main characters was too rushed. But I enjoyed it and plan to continue this series.

The Ritual Bath

Not one of her best books but that may be due to listening rather than reading it.

enjoyable - more romance than crime

I found this an enjoyable listen. I would say the story is- more romance than crime but not insipid romance.

Brought me home!

I found this book on a sale list for "first in series". I'm so glad that I did because it brought me home. The voices, the characters, the story and all the things that I missed from my youth.

Thank you