Publisher's Weekly
In Agatha-nominee Kahn's fifth wacky "kosher kozy" (after 2002's Hold the Cream Cheese, Kill the Lox) to feature Ruby, the rabbi's widow with chutzpah, Essie Sue Margolis, the terror of Temple Rita, decides it's time for a reunion fund-raiser to renovate the temple after learning that their small town of Eternal, Tex., has grown by 50 people. (Never mind that none of the 50 is Jewish.) At the opening celebratory event, an unknown man is found dead, keeled over in a platter of ice where once rested Essie Sue's chopped liver mold in the shape of the state of Texas. Aided by overly attentive police lieutenant Paul Lundy, Ruby investigates the crime while also dealing with the present man in her life, a sleeping disorder and a new pet, a feisty kitten. While the solution becomes obvious early on and the antics of Temple Rita's Rabbi Kevin strain credibility, Ruby's sense of humor and apt observations on life more than compensate. Readers will laugh their way from the opening fake sushi roll to the final recipe for chopped liver with tofu. Agent, Helen Rees. (Sept. 7) FYI: The jacket art-a yellow crime-scene ribbon draped over the platter that held the Texas-shaped chopped liver mold-perfectly captures the book's light tone. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.