Wild Irish Yenta
Detecting mysteries at her temple, the Wild Irish Yenta investigates a death and disappearance at her suburban temple as she is converting to Judaism to preserve family peace.
The Wild Irish Yenta takes a wry look at interfaith marriage, insular suburban cliques, and the politics or religious institutions. While poking fun at cultural stereotypes, the novel interweaves biblical stories with questions of contemporary concern with a big dose of mystery and suspense!
PRAISE
“Wild Irish Yenta lives up to its title —this keenly— observed, funny mystery features a plucky heroine who converts to Judaism and throws herself into synagogue life, only to discover a corpse in the temple parking lot. And so begins this whimsical cozy that combines an insightful look at interfaith marriage, the complexities of friendship, and the politics of religious institutions.”
-Susan Coll
author, Bookish People
“Debut novelist Sanderly has written an inventive mystery that satirizes the modern Jewish suburban experience. In Wild Irish Yenta, Philip Roth meets Agatha Christie, and the result is a page-turner that also explores the interlocking dynamics that exist within an interfaith marriage, a family, and a Maryland synagogue.”
Michelle Brafman
author, Swimming with Ghosts
A Pushcart nominated poet and lawyer, Joyce retired as a Senior Counsel from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Her poetry has been published in Another Chicago Magazine, Poetry South, PANK, Ekphrastic Review, Women’s Studies Quarterly, Sow’s Ear, Lilith, Beltway Quarterly, Comstock Review, and CALYX. She received an honorable mention in the 2019 Allen Ginsberg poetry contest, was shortlisted for the 2018 O’Donoghue Poetry Prize, and was awarded first place in Poetica’s 2016 Rosenberg competition. Her debut poetry collection, The Shomer, was selected as a finalist for the 2020 Blue Lynx Prize, was a semifinalist for the 2020 Elixir Press Anitvenom Award, and a semifinalist for the 2019 Codhill Press Poetry Award.