I don't think that I can state it any more succinctly: don't miss
Rochelle Krich, particularly her Molly Blume series. GRAVE ENDINGS,
Krich's latest novel, is the third of the Blume books, and one that
begins with the unresolved question of who murdered Aggie Lasher,
Blume's best friend. Lasher's stabbing death has been unsolved for
six years, and at the beginning of GRAVE ENDINGS it appears that
the LAPD, Lasher's family, and Blume may finally have the answer to
the question of who so abruptly ended Lasher's life. But naturally
things are not quite so simple.

GRAVE ENDINGS commences with Blume being notified of the apparent
death by drug overdose of Randy Creeley. Death by O.D. is not
unusual in Los Angeles, and Creeley apparently had been dealing
with his addiction for years with only mixed success. What is
noteworthy about Creeley's demise, however, is that at the time of
his death he had in his possession a locket that was a present from
Blume to Lasher, a special memento that Blume had obtained at
Rachel's Tomb in Israel. It appears that the unsolved homicide is
now a closed case. Ordinarily this would be considered welcome
news, given that it comes on the eve of Blume's marriage to Zack,
an orthodox Rabbi and her one-time high school sweetheart. Blume,
however, is troubled by a number of aspects to the matter, not the
least of which is how Creeley came to murder Lasher and why he kept
the locket.

As Blume begins to investigate Creeley's life, she is shocked to
discover that Creeley had worked with Lasher at Rachel's Tent, a
shelter for women in abusive relationships, and that Creeley and
Lasher might have been romantically involved. The latter is
particularly upsetting to Blume, given that she and Lasher were
best friends who shared everything. But Lasher had never mentioned
Creeley to Blume. As Blume begins to investigate Creeley's past
more closely, she begins to encounter resistance on all sides and
finds that her inquiries are placing her in danger, even though
Creeley, who supposedly murdered Lasher, is dead.

Krich once again demonstrates that she is a master at presenting an
intricately plotted mystery against the background of the Los
Angeles orthodox Jewish community and culture. No matter what the
degree of your familiarity may be with Jewish customs and
practices, you cannot walk away from this book without learning
something new. Krich's presentation adds to, rather than detracts
from, her narrative. Her knowledge of Los Angeles, and her ability
to utilize it as a plot element, is reminiscent of Michael
Connelly's novels. GRAVE ENDINGS should ultimately find an audience
beyond the boundaries of those who troll the mystery aisles.