Tuesday, February 17. 11:40 A.M. corner of Vermont Avenue and Sunset Boulevard. A robber approached the victim from behind and put a knife to his stomach.

Stabbings, even fatal ones, are not uncommon in Los Angeles. But the stabbing death of Aggie Lasher--a vibrant young woman dedicated to helping others and, it seemed, deeply loved by everyone who knew her--was especially tragic. For almost six years crime writer Molly Blume has been obsessed by the mystery of her best friend's murder:

If she had been with Aggie, would the killer have chosen another victim? Will the killer ever be caught?

When Molly's LAPD pal Detective Andy Connors shows her a locket found on the body of a dead man, suddenly the case seems solved. Molly had given that locket to Aggie. Still coiled inside it is the red-thread good-luck charm that Molly had brought back years ago from Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem, a thread with mystical powers reputed to protect its wearer.

The presumed murderer--a good-looking aspiring actor named Randy Creeley--was found dead from an overdose in his shabby Hollywood apartment. But Molly is plagued by unanswered questions. And though she should be focused on her wedding, only weeks away, she is driven to find out more--about Creeley; about his nervous sister, Trina; about his missing girlfriend, Doreen. About Aggie, who, it turns out, didn't tell her best friend everything. The more Molly discovers, the more she wonders: Was Aggie's life snuffed out so an addict could shoot up? Or has Creeley been framed? What if Aggie was deliberately murdered by someone else, someone who is ready to kill again to ensure that his motives stay buried with Aggie and Randy Creeley?

 

Reviews for Grave Endings

Publishers Weekly
"An entertaining thriller.... Krich once again expertly mixes Orthodox Jewish faith with crisp whodunit plotting."

Jewish Book World
"A suspenseful, plausible page-turner....a taut, captivating mystery tinged with elements of Judaism.... The only thing grave about Krich's Grave Endings is that it had to end at all."

Book Reporter
"I don't think I can state it any more succinctly: Don't miss Rochelle Krich, particularly her Molly Blume series....Krich is a master at presenting an intricately plotted mystery against the background of the Los Angeles Orthodox Jewish community and culture....Grave Endings should ultimately find an audience beyond the boundaries of those who troll the mysteryaisles."

Mysterious Women
"An excellent sequel to Blues in the Night and Dream House"

RT Book Club
"Molly and her family come alive on these pages, and the insights into her Jewish heritage and values are fascinating... Great writing."

Booklist
"As always, Krich mixes a good mystery with L.A. lore and a glimpse at Orthodox Jewish traditions. Her fans will enjoy Molly's latest case."

Kirkus Reviews
"Molly's your gal."

Midwest Book Review
"Between the insight into her religious beliefs and her inquiries, readers will send accolades to author Rochelle Krich for a fine tale."

Rockland Jewish Reporter
"A page-turning mystery"

Over My Dead Body
"Rochelle Krich ... may be a power to be reckoned with."

 

 

 

 

Page 164 of Grave Endings:

....something my dad talks about but the rest of the family agrees won't happen any time soon.

My father always blesses us on Friday night. He usually starts from oldest to youngest, but tonight he saved me for last and rested his large, calloused hands on my head longer than usual. His lips lingered against my forehead.

"Mazel tov, sweetie," he murmured and we hugged each other tightly. "Happy?"

"So happy."

"Bli ayin hara," my grandmother said.

My mom joined our little circle. Liora did, too. I was waiting for Joey to make a comment-he's tenderhearted but uncomfortable with sentimentality. But he didn't say anything, and when we took our seats, I saw that his hazel eyes were misty.

Noah noticed, too. "Joey's all mushy."

"Don't tease him," Liora said.

Joey's face had turned red. "I'm worried that with all the money Dad's shelling out for Molly's wedding, there won't be anything left for mine."

"You mean in twenty years when you're all grown up?" Noah said.

"A hundred bucks say I get married before you do. What's taking you so long, anyway?"

"Za nisht kayn k'nocker," Bubbie said. Don't be a big shot.

"Cool it," my dad said. He likes decorum at the Shabbos table.

"They're just joking, Steven," my mother said.

My father made kiddush over the wine and recited the blessing over Bubbie's challa. Between courses we sang zemirot and discussed the week's Torah portion and neighborhood news. Someone had become engaged, someone had given birth, someone ...