Prayers for the Dead

By: Faye Kellerman

Narrated by: Mitchell Greenberg

Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

The brutal murder of Dr. Azor Sparks in an alley behind a restaurant is greeted with public outrage and a demand for swift, sure justice. But the investigation into the well-known surgeon's death is raising too many questions and providing too few answers for homicide detective Lieutenant Peter Decker.

Why, for example, would the family of a man so beloved respond to his slaying with more surprise than grief? And what linked a celebrated doctor with strict fundamentalist beliefs to a gang of outlaw bikers? But the most unsettling connection of all is the one that ties the tormented Sparks family to Peter Decker's own - and the secrets shared by a renegade Catholic priest... and Decker's wife, Rina Lazarus.

Solve another case with Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus.

©1996 Faye Kellerman (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Dated!

When you find a series you like, after a while a new installment feels like catching up with old friends. I always want to know what Peter and Rina are up to and I think I would enjoy a whole book with just a development in their story.

Having said that, I did not care for this episode. It was so incredibly dated, and I think was trying to be shocking with no substance - therefore was just salacious instead of suspenseful.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful Mystery Series

Mysteries are my favorite genre, & there are many types. You can find edgy, eerie, spy type, vampires, & even humorous, & I enjoy them all. This series by Faye Kellerman has so much to offer, but always grounded by Peter Decker & his wife, Rina. Each novel continues with the family growing up & facing new challenges. Decker with his same crew of LA detectives take you through the process of finding the "bad guy" as they each give their thought-processes to finally arrive with a satisfying conclusion to the mystery. In addition, I find the lifestyle of the Decker Jewish family very interesting & informational to a "goya" like me. This isn't a "on the edge of your seat" book, but so interesting with lots of twists & turns.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great book!

Loved it. As always, you just have to keep reading. I have didn't want to stop listening. Great reader.

Too many villains

Fascinating plot with twists and turns. Having said that, two felonious intrigues among the same small group of people are hard to swallow. The non-felonious characters are no more likeable than the felons and Decker relapses into a temper tantrum worthy of his now-three-year- old daughter. He only has the one, but a few other characters ( including the only sympathetic ones) throw a few of their own.

I am, however, whining more than need be. I still raced to the end and was anxious for more.

good addition to the series

I've seen poor reviews of books in this series from mystery fans who want more edge. This is not a John Sandford series where the crimes are so gruesome you are afraid to sleep at night. It isn't a Patricia Cornwall story that takes a thousand turns through the course of finding the perpetrator of the crime. But if you like stories that draw upon the characters to move the plot, then Ms Kellerman's series is the top of the heap. You will be provoked by their home lives and you will grow to love Peter and Rina and their family.

As far as this book -- I have read each one, in order. There was one I didn't like at all. There were a few I loved. This one is in the middle. I liked it a lot -- but it is neither the best nor the worst of the series.

Faye really gets the reader into the character's m

Religious zealots, spoilers or the closed minded stop here and don’t bother with this book.

It is NOT meant to be ABOUT religion. Religious beliefs and personal religious struggles are the back drop for the mystery/story. If you have EVER had these personal struggles with family and friends on religious issues you will understand the backdrop of the book. IT IS HUMAN! It is not meant to categorize, preach or teach. It is simply a GREAT mystery.

Faye really gets the reader into the character's minds. Here, the characters struggle with religious and moral limits. Faye always balances the professional and personal relationship aspects of the stories. This book is deep on many levels while still being a great murder mystery with warmth and humor.

I found it difficult to put the book down, and was fascinated by all of the characters, twists and turns and shocked at the ending.

The reader has that baby voice down pat. Laughed every time I heard it but the other voices were distinct and well done.

One of my Favorites!!

Love this series and Mitch is a great narrator! In this book Rina and Marge were more prominent and I liked that. The story was great too!

Boring!

It was too slow and too much just talk, talk, talk. I like action. I didn't finish reading it!

While this is fiction it does make me wonder....

What did you love best about Prayers for the Dead?

The mystery and the fact that it made me think about drug development and testing. There is a lot to think about after the book is over. Also following all the twists and turns in the plot is fun.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where it is discovered the good religious Dr is gay.

Any additional comments?

The idea that how we treat each other really can effect individuals profoundly.

Mediocre at best.

Too many characters and rather outdated. The beginning of the book mentions doctor television shows that haven't existed since I was a child. Sounds petty but that's very important to me when listening or reading a book that the author keep the information present.

I apologize to all her fans but this book, I didn't like. I downloaded another $5.00 book written by Ms. Kellerman so we'll see how this one goes.

The narrator was very good.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful