Sacred and Profane: A Decker/Lazarus Novel

By Faye Kellerman

Available for the first time in a Premium edition, one of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Faye Kellerman’s fan-favorite Decker/Lazurus novels.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061827891

Faye Kellerman

Faye Kellerman lives with her husband, New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman, in Los Angeles, California, and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Reviews for Sacred and Profane

[tweellow · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not her best, but was O.K.

[miyurose_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The crimes in this book are particularly heinous, which makes an interesting backdrop to Peter's struggle with his faith (or perhaps, lack of it). I was a little surprised by the turn Peter and Rina's relationship takes.

[nhnick · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not one of my favorites. While I didn't mind the story line about the contrast between horrors of his job and his religion (or attempt at religion), I found myself skimming past page after page of his religious training. And the ending just left me flat. Wouldn't read another one. Two stars only because I actually finished it rather than abandoning halfway through.

[5eva5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In the second book in the series, Decker has been lent to Homicide and is investigating a gruesome torture murder, so the dichotomy between his life as a police officer and a Torah student (and, by extension, a possible future with Rina) is coming to a head. As the title suggests, along with a really nauseating crime, the main thrust of this installment is Decker's problems with merging a "normal" police life with the somewhat secluded religious life that Rina and her boys live. I'm familiar with the Jewish terms being discussed in this book, but I wonder if most people are and, if they are not, if they will follow in the discussions on that topic. The mystery part is absolutely worth the read, especially if you like your mysteries well creepy, but an interest in the Jewish aspects of the story is needed as well.

[carolee888 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed reading Sacred and Profane by Faye Kellerman. I enjoyed the mix of Jewish religion and philosophy juxtaposed to the horrible crimes committed. Peter Lazarus, police detective was taking the sons of his orthodox Jewish girlfriend on a camping trip in a Los Angeles park. One of the boys, Sammy wanders off and finds two skeletons in the woods. He of course worries about the reactions of the two little boys. He feels responsible for whatever happens to them. Peter really wants to marry Rita. He is taking classes so that he can convert and marry Rina. Peter is having trouble learning Hebrew but there are several differences of belief and opinions that arise later in this book. He has some interesting discussions with the Rabbis. I thought that information about Orthodox Judaism added depth to this book.One of the murder victims was identified as a normal and pretty but not wild girl of sixteen. The girl reminded Peter of his own daughter from his first marriage. He made the decision to stick to the case instead of going back to Juvenile Division, his usual assignment. Peter has to go into the seamy underside of Hollywood, to uncover the tragic and obscene acts of the underworld that portrayed with short descriptions and are reflected by Peter Lazarus’ visceral reaction to them. At the same time as his investigation, his relationship with Rina encounters serious obstacles. Since I cared about this couple, I was really hoping that things would work out.I highly recommend this police mystery that is doesn’t dwell on the violence but poses important religious and philosophical issues.I received this book as a win from GoodReads but that in no way influenced my review. My thoughts are my own.

[Kathy · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Pretty horrible. The first book really respected Jewish traditions and this one stops all over them really ruining me caring at all for the characters.

[lbswiener · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sacred and Profane is a story about child pronogrophy. It is a very difficult topic and somewhat graphically described in this book. The book also dealt with Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus dealing with their love for each other. The fact that love and religious beliefs are not easy in a relationship wherein both parties have different expectations. Four stars were awarded to this book.