Sacred and Profane

Los Angeles Police Detective Peter Decker's camping trip with his girlfriend's sons takes an unexpected turn when they discover two buried skeletons in the hills. The case pulls Decker away from his usual work in the Sex and Juvenile division, launching him into a complex investigation of two murdered young women. The investigation centers on identifying the victims - one from an affluent background and one from poverty - whose bodies were burned after being killed with the same weapon. Decker partners with forensic dentist Annie Hennon to piece together the victims' identities while navigating the dark underbelly of Hollywood. The novel explores the contrast between Decker's gritty police work and his deepening relationship with Orthodox Jewish widow Rina Lazarus. This tension between sacred and secular worlds runs throughout the narrative as Decker confronts human depravity while pursuing justice. The story examines themes of class division, religious faith, and the existence of evil in society through its portrayal of Los Angeles' extreme social contrasts.

Readers highlight the deepening relationship between Decker and Lazarus as a key strength, praising how their religious and cultural differences create natural tension in the story. The mystery plot receives positive feedback for its pacing and procedural details. Liked: - Character development, especially Rina's orthodox Jewish community - Balance of police work and personal relationships - Authentic portrayal of religious practices - More complex than the first book in the series Disliked: - Some found religious details excessive and slowed the story - Several readers note the romance overshadows the mystery - Multiple reviewers mention dated 1980s references and attitudes - Predictable ending according to frequent comments Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,100+ reviews) "The religious elements add depth rather than distract" - Common sentiment in 5-star reviews "Too much relationship drama, not enough detective work" - Recurring 3-star criticism

Still Life by Louise Penny This murder mystery follows Chief Inspector Gamache as he investigates a small town's secrets while navigating cultural and religious elements of Quebec society.

In the Woods by Tana French A Dublin detective's investigation of a child's murder connects to his own past trauma and creates a combination of psychological depth and police procedure.

The Ritual Bath by Faye Kellerman The first book in the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series introduces the partnership between a detective and an Orthodox Jewish woman during a rape investigation at a yeshiva.

A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie Scotland Yard Superintendent Duncan Kincaid solves murders while exploring British cultural traditions and social structures.

The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler investigates disappearances in an English cathedral town while the narrative delves into religious and psychological themes.

🔍 The book was published in 1987 and is the second novel in the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series, which now spans more than 25 books. 📚 Faye Kellerman originally trained as a dentist at UCLA and holds a D.D.S. degree, though she never practiced dentistry, choosing instead to pursue writing. 🤝 Faye Kellerman is married to fellow bestselling crime writer Jonathan Kellerman, making them one of the most successful literary couples in the mystery genre. 🕯️ The series is notable for being one of the first mainstream detective series to prominently feature Orthodox Jewish characters and traditions in contemporary American fiction. 🔬 The novel's focus on forensic science was ahead of its time, predating the popular CSI television franchise by more than a decade and helping establish forensics as a key element in crime fiction.