When her nemesis launches a campaign to change Temple Rita and institute a new spiritual leader, rabbi's wife Ruby watches with growing concern as a planned reunion stirs memories best left forgotten, a situation that escalates into a murder. 12,500 first printing. As her late husband the rabbi would surely have wanted, Ruby Rothman continues to smooth ruffled feathers among the congregants of Temple Rita--and solve the odd mysteries that seem to follow the flock. This time, a platter of chopped liver (molded into the shape of the state of Texas!) has disappeared from the buffet table at the Temple Rita reunion, and a dead body has taken its place. Intrepid Ruby must sort things out, aided (or driven to distraction) by her usual cast mates: the temple's well-meaning if wimpy rabbi; Lieutenant Paul Lundy, who has more than mystery on his mind when he looks at Ruby; and bossy, tactless Essie Sue Margolis, up to her eyeballs in trouble this time as her husband's fingerprints are all over the murder weapon. This series continues to get its punch from Ruby's down-to-earth attitude and from the interactions of the secondary characters, who, for all their quirky outrageousness, play a crucial part in Ruby's life. Stephanie Zvirin Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved