Wild Irish Yenta
Do murderers, stock manipulators, and kidnappers stalk Temple Israel in Rockville, Maryland? When the body of custodian Roberto Gomez is found in Temple Israel's parking lot, Patricia Weiss, nee Reilly, exchanges her suburban-mom sneakers for gumshoes to investigate the hit-and-run.
A wry look at interfaith marriage, suburban cliques, and the politics of religious institutions.
An ardent new convert from Catholicism to Judaism, Patricia is grappling with her outsider status at an upscale Reform congregation. While trying to integrate herself more into the community in order to please her Jewish doctor husband and his demanding mother, the Temple’s custodian is found dead in the parking lot. Inspired by her detective dad, Patricia is compelled to find out who-dun-it and why.
Before she progresses with her investigation, or delves further into the problems with her marriage, she is plunged deeper into the Temple’s troubles. Her mentor, Rabbi Deborah, disappears after delivering a controversial sermon in support of interfaith marriage which sparks protests outside the temple and controversy amongst its members inside the temple.
Against her husband’s wishes, and with a toddler and friend in tow, Patricia creates the Yenta Patrol to unravel the mysteries, learning more about the synagogue and each of its members along the way.
Praise for Wild Irish Yenta
Susan Coll
author, Bookish People
“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.”
“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.”
Michelle Brafman
author, Swimming with Ghosts
Joyce Sanderly's Debut Novel
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.
