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  • The Ritual Bath

  • The First Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Novel
  • By: Faye Kellerman
  • Narrated by: Mitchell Greenberg
  • Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (1,378 ratings)

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The Ritual Bath

By: Faye Kellerman
Narrated by: Mitchell Greenberg
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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)

What listeners say about The Ritual Bath

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

At first it was slow

But once I was hooked there was no stopping me. I hope det seeker is in more!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

interesting story

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

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

unusual mystery

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very informative about Jewish customs

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The beginning of Pete & Lina’s love story.

It’s a great story that entertains and teaches at the same time. I enjoy learning about the Jewish faith and traditions.

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  • Overall
    out of 5 stars

I loved it!

Great book!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Simply a dreadful listen ... just dreadful ...

Easily the worst audible listen in my experience ... slow, boring and juvenile. And to add to the misery, the narrator is simply awful.

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1 person found this helpful