HOLD THE CREAM CHEESE, KILL THE LOX

Holy mackerel—not to mention the sturgeon. Essie Sue Margolis is planning the Bar Mitzvah of her cousin Rae Bitman’s twins, Larry and Lester. And even in Eternal, Texas, no simcha would be complete without a lavish spread, provided at the deepest discount possible. Which is why Essie Sue is waiting at The Hot Bagel to interview lox maven Herman Guenther in hopes that he’ll provide fish fantasies at a price that will satisfy even her cost-conscious heart. After all, didn’t she help publicize his wares on the Internet? But when Herman doesn’t show, Hot Bagel owner Ruby Rothman (Don’t Cry for Me, Hot Pastrami, 2001, etc.) gets curious and rushes over to Herman’s house, only to find him on the porch with a lox knife in his back. Now Ruby’s plate is full. Not only does she have Herman’s murder to poke into, but Essie Sue insists on parking rambunctious Lester and Larry at Ruby’s while they take Bar Mitzvah lessons from Temple Rita’s inept rabbi, Kevin Kapstein. And Ruby’s maiden post-widowhood venture into dating—a shipboard romance with reporter Ed Levenger—has yet to find its land legs, as work commitments cause Ed to break date after date. A trip to Alaska with her best friend Nan provides a soothing respite before a return to the fray for relentless Ruby, who’s determined to ice Herman’s killer.

Too bad Kahn’s expanding titles aren’t matched by increased complexity of plot. Better as a travelogue than a puzzler.