Raisins and Almonds by Kerry Greenwood

Phryne has her eye on a young man.  He dances well, he's handsome and he has an eye for her.  Her lover is away on business so she's free and planning to fill her bed with him.  Then it appears he's being summoned away.  To her surprise, his father wants to see her, not his son...

Poisoned Pen Press and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published June 6th.

He asks Phryne to investigate a death.  A woman has been charged with the murder but she's his tenant and he knows she wouldn't have done it.  After she thinks it over and names her price, she does what he wants.  In almost no time, she's decided the woman is innocent also.  The cop doesn't want to admit it but his evidence is almost non-existent.  It's just that she was too calm about the death.

She finds herself drawn into the Jewish world.  The history of Jews involves years of persecution.  Now the various Jewish factions are splitting into their own special interest groups.  There are plans to fund guns, get back riches lost and get even for past insults.  Knowing nothing of Jewish customs, I found it interesting but a little off topic for me.  I prefer sticking to the murder investigation.

The murderer was a surprise.  It appeared that Phryne's young man was going to die along with several others before the confrontation was over but an old Rabbi suddenly appears and upsets the balance.

This one was not as satisfying to me as her past adventures but it was a good read.  Ms. Greenwood always manages to teach me some new things along the way by doing a good job of research for her story base.  Give it a try!