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Long in the Sleuth: A Tension on a Pension Cozy Mystery
Long in the Sleuth First in the “Tension on a Pension” cozy mystery series “Long in the Sleuth” combines humor, romance and suspense with a unique angle – a quirky team of seniors trying to adjust to life in a retirement home, while people are dropping dead all around them. Who killed Sam Levin with a poisoned knish? Could it be Ellie, who baked it? The yentas at the Menorah Retirement Home think that it just might be. Ellie Shapiro is a reluctant resident of the Minnie and Isaac Memorial Menorah Retirement home. Then Sam, a popular fellow resident, drops dead after eating a knish that Ellie’s baked. Other murders follow. With her fellow sleuths and Sam’s hapless teen-age grandson Noah, plus a dog, Ellie sets out to find the killer. But will the disapproval of Ellie’s hunky crush, Hal, stop the motley detection team before the killer gets her? Over the course of the book, Ellie gains confidence, a friend, a new career and maybe even the guy, as the action takes her from the Menorah kitchens to an out of control fight at a mahjong game and a revelatory visit to gambling casino, culminating in a confrontation with a crazed murderer. Ellie’s recipes included. If you loved Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, the Golden Girls and Harry Kemelman’s Rabbi Small, you won’t want to miss “Long in the Sleuth”.
- GenresCozy Mystery
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2017
17 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 11, 2017
You should be reading this cozy! Late last night I finished reading Long in the Sleuth by Carol Novis. This is the first book in what I hope will be a long running series! A tension on a Pension Mystery, I love the way that rolls off the tongue! I very much enjoyed this story. The characters are impossible not to love. Carol does a wonderful job of not only writing believable characters, but capturing the spirit of a true cozy mystery. Main character Ellie is north of the 30 something characters in most cozies but with all the gumption and panache of someone half her age. This book is funny and endearing. I learned a lot from the author about Jewish culture, history and food! Oh the food, you won't be able to read this book without longing for someone to eat! I am thrilled that the recipes are in the back! Ellie is very relatable and her unlikely friend and helpers in the story make you feel like you are part of the team. I hope you will consider picking up a copy of Long in The Sleuth, you won't be disappointed.
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June 6, 2017I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery in the retirement home. Spunky heroine, Ellie, seeks out clues to the strange murder of a resident.
January 8, 2023
A knish to die for
A wonderfully told delightful romp through a retirement home where all the residents are not so much practicing or observant Jews, but culturally Jewish in that foods, especially, that remind them of their childhoods and play a special part in their connection to each other at the home. The kvetching and gossiping do, too, although that might be more reminiscent of the age of the particular generation in this book. Doesn't seem like many Jews I've known personally, but maybe it's a family thing. I didn't grow up Jewish, and my Jewish husband didn't even know what kind of Judaism his family followed. But, having been Jewish for over half my life now, I too would like to be surrounded by typical Jewish fare, especially at the holidays, when it's no longer safe for me to be in my own home or to cook. G-d- willing, my son will take me in, but you never know. This gave a good insight into what life at a Jewish retirement center might be like, and added a lot of speculation on the causes of what occurs commonly at a retirement community. Ambulances and deaths. It shows how easy one could get away with murder in a place where death is a common occurrence. And like any good mystery, this book made these first death a spectacle, and the second one spectacular, but that's telling a little too much. The reader does dive into the belief that these were murders, although one looks to be natural and the other a tragic accident. What's next? Read and see.
A wonderfully told delightful romp through a retirement home where all the residents are not so much practicing or observant Jews, but culturally Jewish in that foods, especially, that remind them of their childhoods and play a special part in their connection to each other at the home. The kvetching and gossiping do, too, although that might be more reminiscent of the age of the particular generation in this book. Doesn't seem like many Jews I've known personally, but maybe it's a family thing. I didn't grow up Jewish, and my Jewish husband didn't even know what kind of Judaism his family followed. But, having been Jewish for over half my life now, I too would like to be surrounded by typical Jewish fare, especially at the holidays, when it's no longer safe for me to be in my own home or to cook. G-d- willing, my son will take me in, but you never know. This gave a good insight into what life at a Jewish retirement center might be like, and added a lot of speculation on the causes of what occurs commonly at a retirement community. Ambulances and deaths. It shows how easy one could get away with murder in a place where death is a common occurrence. And like any good mystery, this book made these first death a spectacle, and the second one spectacular, but that's telling a little too much. The reader does dive into the belief that these were murders, although one looks to be natural and the other a tragic accident. What's next? Read and see.
September 5, 2023
I read this cozy Jewish mystery on impulse.
Did learn a few more Yiddish expressions. This book takes place in a upscale Jewish senior citizen and assisted living residence in Minnesota, of all places. Residents are being knocked off -- or is it just the hysteria of a nosy and bored seventy-something widow?
It periodically made me laugh: not such a small thing. Books said to be humorous often don't get a laugh from me, maybe because they seen more mean-spirited than funny. Could that be the case with this book? The thought occurred, especially when the author seemed to have it in for, um, psychologists and certain health-oriented diets.
Had I laughed too soon? Or was I just being overly sensitive?
Never mind. The author made it all right in the end.
Perfect medicine for the cure of a cold.
A solid 3 1/2 stars
Did learn a few more Yiddish expressions. This book takes place in a upscale Jewish senior citizen and assisted living residence in Minnesota, of all places. Residents are being knocked off -- or is it just the hysteria of a nosy and bored seventy-something widow?
It periodically made me laugh: not such a small thing. Books said to be humorous often don't get a laugh from me, maybe because they seen more mean-spirited than funny. Could that be the case with this book? The thought occurred, especially when the author seemed to have it in for, um, psychologists and certain health-oriented diets.
Had I laughed too soon? Or was I just being overly sensitive?
Never mind. The author made it all right in the end.
Perfect medicine for the cure of a cold.
A solid 3 1/2 stars
August 28, 2017
Cute!
Nice story about an older sleuth who is a resident of the Menorah Retirement home.
The characters are well developed, and the mystery was suitably puzzling.
As might be gathered from the name of the home, most of the characters are Jewish, and eat delicious kugels and blintzes, baked by the main character. She and her new friend, investigate murders at the home as well!
I await the next installment, but in the meantime, will nosh on some of the recipes included in the book.
Enjoy!
Nice story about an older sleuth who is a resident of the Menorah Retirement home.
The characters are well developed, and the mystery was suitably puzzling.
As might be gathered from the name of the home, most of the characters are Jewish, and eat delicious kugels and blintzes, baked by the main character. She and her new friend, investigate murders at the home as well!
I await the next installment, but in the meantime, will nosh on some of the recipes included in the book.
Enjoy!
March 28, 2018
Shoylock and Ms Marplestein (aka Ellie Shapiro and Riva Mannheim) are assisted by Schultz (a terrier reminiscent of Asta), "Dr" Vahtson (aka archivist Hal) and the teenaged grandson of the first victim on several occasions. Most of the action takes place in the Menorah, a senior residence where everyone has a suite and no serious nursing care is needed (unlike the places where I once worked).
Lots of sleuthing and fun, with some delicious recipes at the end.
I found this fun cozy by accident, and am I glad I did!
Lots of sleuthing and fun, with some delicious recipes at the end.
I found this fun cozy by accident, and am I glad I did!
July 8, 2017
Definitely a fun book. The petty animosities, the dotty and malicious characters, the focus on food -- I could go on. It will all be oh so familiar to those who've become acquainted with what goes on in "Retirement Homes". The fact that the book is set in a Home whose residents are primarily Jewish adds a little extra flavor for M.O.T but does not distract from the clever plot.
And getting the recipes at the end of the book is just icing on the cake.
Enjoy!
And getting the recipes at the end of the book is just icing on the cake.
Enjoy!
March 3, 2019
Highly enjoyable
I really enjoyed this cosy mystery. I liked that the heroine was a woman of a certain age, and also that the adventure
wasn't as silly as some of the other mysteries I have read, but still left a lot of fun along the way. I loved Molly, too. I wish we could have learned more about her before she left all of us behind. Thank you, Ms Novis, I am looking forward to more of your work. 😊
I really enjoyed this cosy mystery. I liked that the heroine was a woman of a certain age, and also that the adventure
wasn't as silly as some of the other mysteries I have read, but still left a lot of fun along the way. I loved Molly, too. I wish we could have learned more about her before she left all of us behind. Thank you, Ms Novis, I am looking forward to more of your work. 😊
August 5, 2019
Murder or accidents?
This book was thoroughly enjoyable! The way each character is described you can actually picture them when they spoke or Ellie spoke about them.
It was an easy read and I was surprised at the killer's identy! I am a new fan!!!
This book was thoroughly enjoyable! The way each character is described you can actually picture them when they spoke or Ellie spoke about them.
It was an easy read and I was surprised at the killer's identy! I am a new fan!!!
March 3, 2020
Very enjoyable!
I found this book this when I joined Kindle Unlimited. I would like to read the next one in the series but I can’t find any info on it. Does anyone know if it was ever written/published?
I found this book this when I joined Kindle Unlimited. I would like to read the next one in the series but I can’t find any info on it. Does anyone know if it was ever written/published?
March 12, 2020
Fun mystery
Nice cozy mystery with interesting characters and plot twists. The setting is unusual, but well thought out. I enjoyed Ellie’s growth through the book as much as the mystery
Nice cozy mystery with interesting characters and plot twists. The setting is unusual, but well thought out. I enjoyed Ellie’s growth through the book as much as the mystery
June 6, 2017
What a lovely book! Carol has returned to an almost out of fashion genre with this "cozy" mystery.
The perfect cure for PTESD (Post Trump Election Stress Disorder).
The perfect cure for PTESD (Post Trump Election Stress Disorder).
September 2, 2017
Great read
What a great cozy I'm glad I found it this is book one and already I can't wait till the next book great story and great characters you will love
What a great cozy I'm glad I found it this is book one and already I can't wait till the next book great story and great characters you will love
July 15, 2021
I love a cozy mystery and recently, I have enjoyed the micro-genre of retirement home/geriatric mysteries. I loved the characters and particularly loved the setting in a Jewish retirement home. Fun!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews