A Decker/Lazarus Novel (Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Series Book 17)

Peter Decker is asked to investigate a fifteen year old murder that is now a cold case, that of a very popular guidance counsellor from a Los Angeles school who was found in the trunk of his Mercedes shot in the back of the head execution style. Interest in the case has been raised because someone else has been murdered in the same fashion and found in the trunk of their Mercedes.

Like all of Faye Kellerman's novels, this is an enjoyable page-turner but ultimately forgetable book. Not her best work.

I found this mystery to be rather predictable. I was always a step ahead of Decker and his detectives. As for the charming part of the series -- the relationship between Rina and Peter and their Orthodox lifestyle -- there was hardly any of it in Mercedes Coffin. As a mystery and as a window into a unique culture, the book fails on both counts, which doesn't leave much to enjoy.

This is the first Faye Kellerman book I simply could not finish. After a promising start, it became very confusing with all the extra characters that were simply referred to by their first names or last names, without the "hints" that most authors give. I only had a little more to read, but I lost interest so much I just returned it to the library. Don't waste your money on this boring book.

I really don't like reading Faye Kellerman, but will do it if I am hard up for something to read, which is what happened this time.

I think the reason I don't like her books is because reading Faye Kellerman is kind of like being at Jesus Camp for Judaism, by force. It isn't that I have anything against Judaism, it's just that I don't like being proselytized to or having religion constantly shoved in my face. And that is what Kellerman does, with her constant references to Orthodox Judaism, the family values, the good woman slaving in the kitchen and sacrificing for her children, etc. It reminds me of accidentally picking up one of those Christian fiction books and finding myself in the midst of some characters who talk about nothing except how they're postponing sex until marriage, how they can be born again by giving their souls to Jesus, what they're wearing to the Purity Ball, etc.

I wish Kellerman would just tell her stories and stop trying to be the Tim LaHaye of Judaism.

I was quite disappointed with this book - especially the ending. There were too many characters to keep track of, too many rambling discussions of what might be going on in the case blah, blah blah, and a final wrap-up that is accomplished via a discussion between characters. It was as though time ran out to get this to the publisher.

The story itself was actually fairly engaging but it got bogged down by too many words and too much thinking out loud with Decker and his fellow investigators. Peter and Rina came across as a bit tired and I found myself skimming much of the middle chapters. Loyal Kellerman aficiandos may find it more appealing than a first time reader of the series.

This was my first Faye Kellerman book to read. It will not be my last.

the author did an excellent job of writing this police procedural story. she took the reader through a cold case with precision.

I will be reading more o her books in the future.

As others have said, there are too many characters in this book. Each one is referred to by first name, last name, and often a nickname - sometimes in the same paragraph. There's a Rudy and a Ryan, Melinda and a Marilyn, not to mention Cal and Cal J (a red herring that went nowhere), and so many times I said to myself "Who's Mudd again?" I love the series, but the last two books have gone downhill.

I agree with many of the previous comments. I read the first 3 books of the series and remember enjoying them. I was pleased to notice this one at the library and was looking forward to a few hours with the appealing Decker family. I was not bored until the middle of the book, but then I kept waiting for something interesting to happen. Nothing happened. I skipped to the end of the book and read the denouement. It was anticlimactic and I was glad that I hadn't bought this book. Even as a library read, I can't recommend it.

I have loved all of the Faye Kellerman books--except this one. The characters were flat and the plot even flatter. It's as if she had to put this one out in a hurry. It took me 8 days to read it--I kept waiting for the plot to get interesting--it never did.

I enjoy mysteries and cop dramas, which this was, however the book had typos in it right and left. There were numerous scenes that appeared to attempt to flesh out the story line but seemed particularly useless in driving the plot. The conclusion was entirely unsatisfying. The denouement was boring and lackluster. Take my 2 cents and spend it wisely.

Wealthy computer guru Genoa Greeves reads in the paper that someone murdered music producer Primo Ekerling. The description is what shakes Genoa. Someone executed Ekerling with three bullets to the head before leaving him in the trunk of his car. Fifteen years ago when Genoa was a high school geek her favorite teacher, Dr. Ben Little was murdered in the same manner; his case was never solved but the influential Genoa feels strongly she can "bribe" LAPD with opening he cold case with a seven digit "donation".

That type of money is taken seriously so the brass assigns Lieutenant Peter Decker to investigate the homicide of the history teacher as well as the current homicide to see if there is a link. After a review of the official police file, Decker and his associates, police detectives Marge Dunn and Scott Oliver, arrange to interview the cops on the older case. However, to their shock one detective still on the force commits suicide. They struggle to solve either murder, especially the one fifteen years old as memories have faded.

This is an engaging police procedural as the investigation into the two similar murders is fun to follow especially the nebulous older case. The scenes in which Decker spends with his Orthodox Jewish wife Rina and their children are fun to follow as they bring him needed respites from the difficult cases; though those interludes do not go as deep into her beliefs and their efforts to find common ground as earlier tales did. Still the whodunit is well written and exciting to follow team Decker investigate.

Harriet Klausner

Faye Kellerman's detective Peter Decker seems more like a woman with every new book. A likable and competent woman.

The male/female contrast that we saw in the earlier novels is lacking. Rina's presence in this book is slight, and it's okay because we don't have any need to balance Peter. He has gone over to our side.