OUT OF THE FRYING PAN, INTO THE CHOIR

Now that she’s dumped newshound Ed Levinger, Ruby Rothman (Which Big Giver Stole the Chopped Liver?, 2004, etc.) is just about ready to settle down with local cop Paul Lundy until murder intrudes on their budding romance.

Naturally, the widow of Temple Rita’s late rabbi can’t dodge all the fundraising schemes Essie Sue Margolis foists on the luckless congregation. So Ruby Rothman attends the Chanukah latke event even though Essie Sue has hired her podiatrist’s sister-in-law Bitsy to coordinate said event. Ruby’s eager to hear the choir performing in hopes of raising enough to underwrite their fare to Choirfest in Lake Louise. But soprano Serena Salit’s solo turns out to be her last as she keels over, dead of a heart attack. Ever-vigilant Ruby, suspecting the worst, tags along on the Canadian jaunt—even though it means sharing a room with Essie Sue—to spy on Serena’s choir chums. Irene Cohn seems to resent her company, but Bart Goldman, Serena’s ex, takes a shine to her. So does health-food nut André Korman, who even invites Ruby to one of their secret meditation sessions. Paul tries to lure her home, fearing she’ll snoop her way into danger, but Ruby’s not about to give up, even if it means confronting a killer.

As usual, Ruby, who prefers sleuthing to snuggling, spends more time with Essie Sue than with her poor sweetie.