The rabbi becomes involved in murder and marijuana in the midst of even more synagogue politics. The formula is set by now but the characters are comfortable although each book introduces a new set of synagogue idiots who don't appreciate the rabbi but will learn better by book's end. Like all the other entries, however, this is very dated in its attitude about just about everything. ( )

3.5*

I thought that this 3rd book in the Rabbi Small series was more dated than the previous books, though the late 1960's suburban perspectives on marijuana and the civil rights movement was thought-provoking. I still like Rabbi Small and the police chief Hugh Lanigan. Perhaps one reason why I didn't think that this book was quite as good as the first two was the amount of time spent on the internal politics of the synagogue - my mother would have enjoyed it more than I did! ( )

amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, small-town, Jewish, Jewish-law, murder, murder-investigation, suspicion*****

I think that the publisher's blurb should be rewritten after all these years. Originally published June 1, 1969, this story is timely for 2021 just as it was then. The attitude of the Jewish and non-Jewish people of Barnard's Crossing, Massachusetts might just surprise some of the current protesters.
The story begins with synagogue politics near Passover and moves into murder and marijuana sales with local college students in the middle. The local police tend toward a nonresident, but Rabbi Small has no such agenda. Good story and particularly apt.
George Guidall is well suited as narrator. ( )

Sunny Day the Rabbi Stayed Home by Harry Kemelan
Series: Yes Rabbi Small Mysteries Book #3
Format: Hardcover
Star 2
Recommend: Yes
Would Reread: Maybe




This was a looong read……

Over all I was really disappointed in this one and had to make myself finish it.

It was boring most of the time.
The book focused mainly on temple politics for the first half.
Even after the murder things still did not pick up and the ending felt rushed.

Sunday the Rabbi Stayed home was not as good as the first two books in the series.


I hope the next one is better.

I give honest reviews and all my opinions are my own.

For more of my reviews go to Heavenly High Seas Books
https://heavenlyhighseasbooks.blogspot.com/ ( )

This mystery is a product of its time and does show its age. However, if you are willing to step back in time, then it is a good mystery with a few red herrings. I admit that those pulled me off track sometimes.

One of the things I like about this series is that the murders don't happen so fast that you wonder how the town remains populated. It has been a few years since we last visited with the rabbi; he's in his sixth year in the town. Suspicion in the murder of a young man falls upon some of the younger members of the congregation, so the rabbi gets involved. Add in drugs (marijuana, oh, the horror) and civil rights and you get a picture of the society in the late 1960s.

The author again plays fair with the audience and the mystery is solvable with the information the reader gets. While written in 1969, I think the book could appeal to readers who enjoy period mysteries or cozy mysteries. ( )