Wednesday the Rabbi Got Wet

Written by Harry Kemelman

Narrated by George Guidall

One of the world's most unusual sleuths, Rabbi David Small captivates mystery fans with his chutzpah and unparalleled logic. When he investigates some non-kosher behavior by his congregation, he finds himself in water way over his head. While a destructive hurricane pummels Barnard's Crossing, an elderly temple member dies suddenly after taking his newly-prescribed antibiotic. Soon one member of the Jewish community after another falls under suspicion for drug tampering. With rumors flying, Rabbi Small struggles to uncover what really happened, before the temple crumbles from within. In Wednesday the Rabbi Got Wet, popular author Harry Kemelman skillfully blends fascinating Jewish tradition and a well-crafted plot. Narrator George Guidall brings out all the wit and wisdom of this best-selling mystery with his expert ability to capture the distinct personalities of each of the characters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781470338176

Harry Kemelman

Harry Kemelman (1908–1996) was best known for his popular rabbinical mystery series featuring the amateur sleuth Rabbi David Small. Kemelman wrote twelve novels in the series, the first of which, Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. This book was also adapted as an NBC made-for-TV movie, and the Rabbi Small Mysteries were the inspiration for the NBC television show Lanigan’s Rabbi. Kemelman’s novels garnered praise for their unique combination of mystery and Judaism, and with Rabbi Small, the author created a protagonist who played a part-time detective with wit and charm. Kemelman also wrote a series of short stories about Nicky Welt, a college professor who used logic to solve crimes, which were published in a collection entitled The Nine Mile Walk. Aside from being an award-winning novelist, Kemelman, originally from Boston, was also an English professor.

Reviews for Wednesday the Rabbi Got Wet

[bonniejune · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The actual mystery was good. I feel like I'm getting an inside view of my parents' generation and a Jewish community.

[leslie398 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The mystery plot of this 6th book in the series was better than the previous book (although I still figured it out fairly early). I was interested in the mystical Judaism that Hasidic Jews believe in, especially in the setting of the early 1970s when many 'hippies' were investigating a number of different mystical beliefs. The way that various characters of differing ages reacted to this movement gave a range of perspectives, to me all the more interesting today when I can imagine myself in different roles in different times of my life!

[ameise1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even in the sixth case, Rabbi Small disagrees with his community. The new president of the synagogue wants to introduce more meditation - back to the original. He is convinced that this requires a place outside the synagogue - a so-called cloister. To buy land, the community would have to sell land elsewhere. That's just right for a speculator. He 'goes over dead bodies' and is not ready to let a pharmacist extend the contract for its business by the community. But fortunately, there is Rabbi Small, who with the help of the Talmud and his friend the police chief, convicted of the culprit.

[bonniejune54 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The actual mystery was good. I feel like I'm getting an inside view of my parents' generation and a Jewish community.

[bnielsen_30 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Rabbineren David Small løser en sag med nogle piller, der er blevet forbyttede og koster en gammel mand livet pgra en allergisk reaktion. Formanden for synagogen Chester Kaplan har planer for et refugium og den plan virker splittende på menigheden.Nydelig skildring af et lille samfund

[mrslee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Set in the late 1970's, I find this mystery to be a fun little time capsule. The rabbi must not only solve the mystery of how a very sick old man died and why; he must also shepherd his flock. A very contrary flock at that. I enjoy the many layers of this story. The mystery was not unsolvable, but the why of it was a puzzler.