Harry Kemelman
Harry Kemelman has published 13 books across 2 series. The recommended reading order starts with The Nine Mile Walk (1967).
Harry Kemelman was an American author of mystery novels and short fiction. He began his writing career after World War II, following a period of service as a wage administrator for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps and the War Assets Administration. His first published work, the short story "The Nine Mile Walk," appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in 1947. The story and subsequent tales of a similar nature were later collected under the same title. Kemelman's first novel, Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, was published in 1964. This book introduced the character of Rabbi David Small and earned Kemelman the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. He continued to write about Rabbi Small in a series of novels that explored both mystery and theological themes, establishing him as a notable voice in the genre.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Short Story Collections
- TagsmysteryDescriptionThe rain lashed down, blurring the edges of the rainforest. Inside, a body lay still, a silent testament to a crime committed in the heart of the jungle. Detective Nicholas Branca steps into a world of shadows and secrets, where every rustle of leaves could hide a killer. In a place where the natural world holds its own deadly rules, Branca must unravel a mystery as tangled and unforgiving as the rainforest itself. Each story in this collection presents a new puzzle, a new test of intellect and observation, demanding that the reader walk that extra mile to uncover the truth.Publication dateJune 1, 1967Amazon rating4.2/5LanguageEnglishPublisherPutnam Pub Group
Order of The Rabbi Small Mysteries Books
- TagsmysterysuspensethrillerDescriptionRain lashed against the windows of Bernard's Crossing on Sunday, a day Rabbi David Small had planned to spend in quiet contemplation. Instead, he uncovers a Passover plot that threatens not only his holiday seder but his standing in the community. As if that weren't enough, rumors surface of a temple board member pushing drugs, with a group of teenagers seemingly accessories to murder. With time running out and no Higher Source to appeal to, the rabbi must confront a conspiracy that reaches further than anyone imagined.Publication dateJanuary 1, 1969Amazon rating4.3/5Print length234LanguageEnglishPublisherPutnam Books
- TagsmysteryDescriptionThe bomb goes off in the dean's office, and suddenly, no one at Windemere Christian College is above suspicion. Rabbi David Small, usually occupied with matters of faith and community, finds himself enmeshed in the murder of a fellow teacher. As this unorthodox detective delves into the faculty's secrets, he discovers that not everything at the college is kosher. Small must unravel the truth before another life is lost.Publication dateAugust 12, 1981Amazon rating4.4/5Print length272LanguageEnglishPublisherFawcett
- TagsmysterycrimeDescriptionA girl appears, unannounced, at Rabbi Small's cabin door. She wants to be converted to Judaism. It is vital to her forthcoming marriage. And so begins Rabbi Small's investigation into the magic, the mysticism, the truths, and the fables of the world's oldest religion. His vacation is over. The investigation has begun.Publication dateJune 12, 1982Amazon rating4.3/5Print length256LanguageEnglishPublisherFawcett
- TagsmysteryDescriptionRabbi Small faces his most challenging case yet. A hit-and-run death is no accident, and the rabbi finds himself up against corruption in politics. He'll need every ounce of his persistence, perspicacity, and chutzpah to uncover the truth behind the crime. The stakes are high, and the forces aligned against him are powerful. Can he navigate the treacherous landscape of deceit and danger to bring justice to light?Publication dateJanuary 1, 1985Amazon rating4.2/5Print length264LanguageEnglishPublisherWilliam Morrow & Co
- TagsmysterycrimeDescriptionRabbi David Small, the new leader of Barnard's Crossing's Jewish community, can't even enjoy his Sabbath without things getting stirred up. A young nanny is found strangled less than a hundred yards from the Temple's parking lot, and all the evidence points to the Rabbi. His investigation, however, turns up heaps of evidence pointing to the killer's being him. This 1964 mystery launched the series and snagged an Edgar for best first novel.Publication dateOctober 12, 1986Amazon rating4.2/5Print length198LanguageEnglishPublisherFawcett
- TagsmysteryDescriptionIf the murder victim had not been a notorious anti-Semite, Rabbi Small might never have become involved. But when several members of his congregation became suspects in the crime, the rabbi was forced to match wits with the killer. The investigation uncovers a complex web of motives and secrets, drawing Rabbi Small deeper into a dangerous game of deduction where the stakes are higher than anyone imagined. Can he expose the truth before the killer strikes again?Publication dateJuly 12, 1986Amazon rating4.4/5Print length316LanguageEnglishPublisherFawcett
- TagsmysteryDescriptionDuring the worst hurricane Barnard's Crossing has seen in years, a member of Rabbi Small's congregation dies under mysterious circumstances. The investigation points to a troubled but likable young man, and Rabbi Small finds himself compelled to intervene. He is soon drenching himself in a decidedly non-kosher mystery, one involving prescription drugs, real estate shenanigans, and the chilling possibility of pre-meditated murder.Publication dateDecember 12, 1986Amazon rating4.4/5Print length288LanguageEnglishPublisherFawcett
- TagsmysterycrimeDescriptionThe holiest day of the Jewish year arrives in Barnard's Crossing. Yom Kippur, a day of atonement and fasting, finds Rabbi David Small preparing for observance. But the solemnity of the occasion is shattered when a member of his congregation is discovered dead in his automobile. The local police are quick to rule the death an accident, while the insurance company asserts it was suicide. Only the Rabbi's wife, Miriam, believes the truth lies elsewhere: murder. Now, with the community observing the day of prayer, Rabbi Small must set aside his fasting and engage his sharp intellect. He must unravel a mystery that the authorities have overlooked, driven by his wife's intuition and his own commitment to justice. It is up to him to prove that the man's death was no accident or self-inflicted tragedy, but a deliberate act. This is a mystery full of wit and wisdom, where persistence and chutzpah are the tools of an unusual sleuth. Rabbi Small must bring his unparalleled logic to bear on a case that challenges the official findings and seeks the true cause of a congregant's demise.Publication dateDecember 12, 1988Amazon rating4.3/5Print length574LanguageEnglishPublisherCrown
- Tags---DescriptionRabbi David Small has found his ideal position as Professor of Judaic Studies at Windermere College, a post that allows him to focus on his passion for Judaism. His days are spent on campus, available for any student seeking to explore the faith. This quiet academic life is disrupted when Professor Kent, an elderly English professor, vanishes during a snowy Thanksgiving weekend only to be discovered dead in a snowdrift. The circumstances suggest a heart attack, but Rabbi Small is unconvinced. He suspects that a man as self-absorbed as Professor Kent must have accumulated enemies, and that the professor's demise was no accident. As the rabbi delves into the case, he uncovers the resentments and grudges harbored by those around the deceased. With a killer potentially lurking among his new colleagues, Rabbi Small must navigate a complex web of human motivations to uncover the truth behind Professor Kent's death, a truth that the initial assumption of natural causes conveniently overlooks.Publication dateJanuary 1, 1997Amazon rating4.2/5Print length263LanguageEnglishPublisherFawcett Books
- TagsmysteryDescriptionRabbi David Small, a man who sees the third side of every question, seeks solace on a private exodus to Israel. He yearns for a quiet escape, to simply soak in the local atmosphere, engage with children, and attend synagogue—or perhaps not, if the mood dictates. But wherever Rabbi Small travels, trouble follows, and Israel is no exception. Before long, he is embroiled in an international incident, confronting the Wall on a Monday that becomes unforgettable.Publication dateNovember 1, 2002Amazon rating4.3/5Print length288LanguageEnglishPublisheriBooks
- TagsmysteryDescriptionRabbi Small and Police Chief Lannigan are drawn into a baffling case. A local college professor, known for his relentless ambition, is found at the scene of a drunk-driving accident that suggests something far more sinister. As the investigation unfolds, the lines between accident and intentional act blur, forcing Small and Lannigan to confront a crime that looks like murder, but might be something else entirely. The professor's own drive for success becomes a key element in unraveling the truth behind the incident.Publication dateDecember 31, 2010Amazon rating4.3/5Print length288LanguageEnglishPublisherUNKNO
- TagsmysteryDescriptionRabbi David Small travels to the Holy Land for a bar mitzvah, only to find himself at the center of a deadly conflict. When an innocent American is murdered, the rabbi's investigation uncovers an international conspiracy fueled by religious radicals and an arms-smuggling scheme. Anyone could be a suspect, from a liberal professor to a young fundamentalist. Relying on his Talmudic logic and daring chutzpah, Rabbi Small must untangle the mystery and prevent an even more deadly attack before it's too late.Publication dateAugust 4, 2015Amazon rating4.2/5Print length254LanguageEnglishPublisherOpen Road Media Mystery & Thriller
Frequently Asked Questions about Harry Kemelman
Harry Kemelman wrote two distinct series. The Rabbi Small Mysteries are best read in publication order, beginning with Friday the Rabbi Slept Late. The short story collection, The Nine Mile Walk, which includes his first published story, can be read at any point. It collects early tales that predate the Rabbi Small novels and offers a glimpse into the development of his storytelling.
A good starting point for Harry Kemelman's work is Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, published in 1964. This novel introduces Rabbi David Small, a central character in many of his subsequent books. It also won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, signaling its quality. Reading this book will allow you to follow the development of Rabbi Small and his intellectual and spiritual explorations within the mystery format.
While not strictly required, reading The Rabbi Small Mysteries in publication order is recommended to fully appreciate the character development and the evolving relationships within the series. The first book, Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, introduces Rabbi David Small and his community. Subsequent novels build upon these foundations, and following the order provides a more cohesive narrative experience.
Harry Kemelman primarily wrote series. His most well-known works are part of The Rabbi Small Mysteries, featuring Rabbi David Small. He also published a collection of short stories titled The Nine Mile Walk, which contains earlier tales that explore similar themes and character archetypes before the introduction of Rabbi Small.
Harry Kemelman wrote a total of 13 books in The Rabbi Small Mysteries series. In addition to these novels, he also published one collection of short stories, The Nine Mile Walk. This brings his total published books to 14.
The first book Harry Kemelman wrote was the short story "The Nine Mile Walk," published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in 1947. His first novel, Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, which introduced Rabbi David Small, was published much later in 1964.
Harry Kemelman's last published book was Shadow of a Prophet, released in 1994. This novel is part of The Rabbi Small Mysteries series. Following this, he did not publish any further books.
Harry Kemelman wrote mystery novels and short fiction. His work often blended elements of detective fiction with theological and philosophical discussions, particularly within The Rabbi Small Mysteries series.
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We verified the reading order for Harry Kemelman's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: July 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Harry Kemelman Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/harry-kemelman