Introduction
| Since October 7, I’ve noticed an increased interest on my own part in weaving Jewish content into my books. Most of my protagonists are Jewish, though often in a cultural way. I’ve divided the books into three categories—a humorous look at Jewish family life; the mysteries in the Golden Retriever series with explicit Jewish content; and the adventures of Aidan Greene, a Jewish bodyguard who works with his husband to protect clients, often with Jewish backgrounds. |
Invasion of the Blatnicks
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This was my MFA thesis, a portrayal of contemporary Jewish family dynamics with a background of the comic elements of shopping mall construction. Steve Berman is a recently unemployed MBA who joins the humorously dysfunctional staff of a developer building a mall at the edge of the Everglades. (All resemblance to my own experience, as well as Sawgrass Mills, is purely intentional.) A mix of traditional Jewish humor and slapstick comedy, this is a laugh-out-loud look at contemporary Jewish life. And it’s also a rebuttal against the idea I’ve come up against many times, that all Jews are smart. The Blatnicks certainly aren’t. |
Steve Levitan
| Meet Steve Levitan, the heart and soul of the Golden Retriever Mysteries. Born into a traditional Jewish family, Steve's cultural heritage shapes not only his worldview but also the distinctive voice of these beloved mysteries. Through his casual use of Yiddish expressions like "oy gevalt" and "meshuggeneh," and occasional Hebrew phrases, Steve shares glimpses of Jewish culture with readers, making these linguistic touches both authentic character development and gentle cultural education. Steve's approach to solving crimes reflects the profound Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam—the spiritual obligation to heal and repair the world. When Steve and his faithful golden retriever companion pursue justice, they're engaging in this sacred responsibility. By bringing wrongdoers to account, Steve fulfills this deeply rooted Jewish value that emphasizes each person's role in creating a more just and compassionate world. As you follow Steve through his adventures, you'll discover how his Jewish upbringing informs his sense of humor, his moral compass, and his determination to set things right. Through Steve, readers experience not just engaging mysteries, but also the rich cultural perspectives that make his character so relatable and his quest for justice so meaningful. I gave him my own middle name and my grandmother’s maiden name to strengthen my connection to him. The golden retriever books fall into the sub-genre of cozy mysteries, so all violence, sex, and bad language occur off the page. Suitable for readers of any age. |
Dog Have Mercy
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In the sixth golden retriever mystery, Dog Have Mercy, Hanukkah approaches and reformed hacker Steve Levitan tries to help a fellow ex-con now working at the vet's office in Stewart's Crossing. His curiosity, and the crime-solving instincts of his golden retriever, Rochester, kick in when liquid potassium ampoules are stolen from the vet and Steve's new friend is a suspect. Is this theft connected to a drug-running operation in North Philly? Or to a recent spate of deaths at the local nursing home? And can Steve continue to resist his computer-hacking impulses or will his desire to help others continue to lead him into trouble? As the Festival of Lights brightens the winter darkness, Steve uncovers a chilling pattern of deaths among the elderly that coincides with the holiday season. The narrative weaves traditional Hanukkah elements—menorah lighting, dreidel games, and family gatherings—into the investigation, creating a stark contrast between the season's celebration of light and miracle with the shadow of death. This compelling mystery explores themes of justice and compassion that resonate deeply with both the Hanukkah story and contemporary Jewish values. |
Dog is in the Details
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Steve joins a Torah study group at the synagogue he attended as a child, and when the rabbi’s brother is murdered he and Rochester are on the case. Their investigation links back to a dark time in the history of Trenton, New Jersey, Steve’s hometown, including a death that covers up something even more tragic. Through its synagogue setting, the narrative explores themes of Jewish community bonds, the role of sacred space in Jewish life, and the intersection of tradition and modernity in contemporary Jewish practice. |
Blessing of the Dogs
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Steve and his girlfriend Lili are about to be married. Lili comes from a large family of Eastern European Jews who were scattered through the Caribbean in the time before World War II, when many Jews seeking to emigrate were denied admission to the United States. Lili’s rich family traditions join with Steve’s as readers are immersed in the rich traditions of Jewish marriage ceremonies. Through its wedding setting, the book highlights the beautiful blend of joy, spirituality, and community that characterizes Jewish lifecycle events, while offering a window into how these ancient traditions continue to resonate in contemporary Jewish life. And of course there’s a murder! Their caterer is suspected, and Steve and Rochester must prove her innocence so that the wedding celebration can occur. |
Dog Grant Me
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Lili’s friend Yesenia Ubeda Goldstein is another Juban, and as a food anthropologist she studies the cultural significance of cuisine in the Caribbean, with an emphasis on the diversity of Jewish culinary traditions from different regions and the importance of food in holiday celebrations. When Yesenia comes to the conference center Steve runs for Eastern College to offer a four-week class, murder follows. Don’t read this one on an empty stomach! |
Aidan Greene
| Aidan starts out a lot like me at one point in my life—a Jewish college instructor in his thirties looking for something to challenge him. He finds it in bodyguard Liam McCullough, and they fall in love on a wild ride through the Sahara in the first book in the series, Three Wrong Turns in the Desert. The books can be read as individual stand-alones, though readers should be ready for mild sexual activity between Aidan and Liam. |
The Noblest Vengeance
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One of Aidan’s cousins has family in Turkey, and they are in danger because of knowledge they have uncovered. This mystery weaves in the fascinating historical context of a lost Torah scroll, connecting readers to the sacred Jewish tradition of preserving religious texts. Aidan learns about Sephardic culture, as I did while researching the book, and aids in recovering a lost scroll of the book of Esther. |
The Graveyard of God's Name
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This powerful narrative incorporates the idea of the genizah, a repository or storage area in a synagogue or cemetery where worn-out Hebrew-language books and papers containing God's name are stored before they receive a proper burial. According to Jewish tradition, sacred texts containing the name of God cannot be simply thrown away or destroyed. Instead, they must be treated with respect and ultimately buried in a cemetery. The most famous example is the Cairo Genizah, discovered in the late 19th century, which contained nearly 300,000 Jewish manuscript fragments dating from the 9th to 19th centuries. This (fictional) genizah is near the El Ghriba synagogue on the island of Djerba, off the Tunisian coast. It's one of the oldest and most important Jewish religious sites in North Africa and is believed to be over 2,500 years old, with some traditions claiming it contains stone from the destroyed First Temple of Jerusalem. The current building dates primarily from the 19th century, though parts are much older. The synagogue is a major pilgrimage site, especially during the annual Lag B'Omer festival when Jewish pilgrims from around the world visit. It's particularly significant because it represents one of the oldest continuous Jewish communities in the diaspora. This thrilling mystery centers around a Torah scholar who discovers an ancient scroll and suddenly finds himself in danger. He calls on bodyguards Aidan Greene and Liam McCullough to protect him as he translates this scroll and unveils the dramatic meaning behind its words. |
The Designer of His Own Fortune
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When Liam's cousin's husband is murdered, this compelling mystery plunges Liam into a reconciliation with his family history while introducing Aidan to the rich world of Persian Jewish culture. Through genuine interactions with the community, readers discover distinctive Persian Jewish customs, celebrations, and family traditions. The investigation navigates the complexities of this unique diaspora community, offering authentic insights into Persian Jewish history, religious practices, and cultural identity. As Aidan and Liam work to solve the murder, the narrative respectfully portrays the community's resilience and cultural heritage, making the Persian Jewish experience an integral part of this gripping mystery. |
