Sacred and Profane is one of those infrequent books with a perfect title. The title tells you exactly what the book is about; even better, it is lifted out of a dialogue in which this concept is emphasized.Titles are tricky. I've always liked the process of coming up with titles. Sometimes, it's like pulling hen's teeth and makes one want to scream. Even so, I was astonished and horrified to learn that publishers -- not authors -- choose or have the final say on book titles. Giving feedback I understand; making the decision, no way. So I wonder who came up with this title? Was it one of those instances where the author's choice stood? Or did the publisher's marketing department have a moment of genius? Either way, it makes the book.The book itself continues the story of the relationship between Peter Decker, a cop with bad habits and an angry heart, and Rina Lazarus, an orthodox Jewish woman. I had read this book before, a long time ago, but though I couldn't remember how the mystery part of it unfolded, it really didn't matter, for the main plot is the conflict between Decker and Lazarus and within Decker himself. Sacred and Profane also explores some of the tenets of orthodox Judaism within the parameters of the two conflicts so that it is part of the story, not extraneous or preachy. The mystery itself is standard hard-boiled police stuff. And in the end, I kind of lost track of who did what and who was responsible for what. Faye Kellerman didn't do a wrap-up like some other mystery authors do...for the mystery anyway. She did for the relationship.Sacred and Profane is part of a series that must be read in order as the relationship between Decker and Lazarus grows and regresses so much within each book that you'd be lost if you read one out of order. It is worth it though to start from the beginning and not let the fact you have to read the books in order put you off.
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.
What do You think about Sacred And Profane (1999)?
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.I liked this book a lot more than I expected. I read the first book in the series when I was reading a lot of mysteries/crime fiction. Lately I have not been reading those types of books. This book made me remember why I used to read and enjoy this genre.The Jewish aspect did not bother me like it did other readers. I found it interesting, I know very little about Jewish Orthodoxy and liked learning more.I liked the mystery and watching it unfold. I liked meeting all the characters involved that helped Peter with his investigation. I felt bad for Peter having to deal(sometimes not well) with the evilness of people for his job but he is good at it.I honestly don't feel at this point in the series that Peter and Rina are a very good couple and I found myself getting annoyed with the relationship parts of the book.I will be reading the next book in the series.
—Ashley
Definitely one of my favorite novels in a set of very ,very, good procedural mysteries with Peter Decker and Rinna Lazarus as main characters. Peter Decker is a hard boiled cop/detective with a heart of gold who is seriously involved with a much younger devoutly religious woman named Rinna. While taking what he hopes to be his step sons camping, the oldest boy and he discover the charred remains of two female victims of pornographic sex ring.The psychological consequences of this discovery and the proceeding case has Peter strongly questioning his religious faith and his relationship with Rinna, who thinks of Peter as basheert. The story that follows is a gritty but thought provoking tale of the existence of good in a world of evil. I received this novel as part of the Goodreads giveaway program in exchange for an honest review, which I have had no trouble writing. I recommend this book highly to those who wish to know more about the Jewish religious culture,and those who like procedural detective/cop type novels. The subject matter while brutal is handled without being overly graphic or sensation seeking. This might be the only drawback to some readers with hyper-awareness to these type of situations. Still all in all, this is a novel well worth your time and despite any possible issue you might have with a subject matter.
—Betsy
The idea of a Jewish detective that doubts about his religion is an interesting one, especially if his girlfriend is an orthodox young and very pretty girl that will not have him unless he believes anew and converts whole heartedly in Judaism again. The cop has other distractions that keep his feet on the ground, like a horrid murder of a teenage girl who has a goody goody two shoes record. Somehow the clues take him into the underworld of sadomasochism and porn movies. The story felt a bit too contrived and predictable, the only redemption it could have had was to explain to us goys a bit more about the many Jewish words and the mystifying meanings of them and their life styles, but unfortunately the writer did not deign an explanation fit for us. Too bad... (374 pgs)
—Saskia Marijke Niehorster-Cook
