Shall We Not Revenge

The ominous title of Pirrone’s fine historical mystery, taken from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, suggests the bleak mood in Chicago’s Orthodox Jewish community after the devastating fire of 1872. The murder of elderly Rabbi Asher Kelmansky, whose skull was crushed by a menorah while he was praying, adds to the community’s woes. Assigned to the case is Irish Catholic homicide detective Frank Hanley, who’s still haunted by memories of the rape and murder of his girlfriend Pegeen 11 years earlier. When members of the rabbi’s congregation object to an autopsy, Hanley finds himself conflicted by customs and traditions alien to his background and professional responsibilities. To his surprise, Kelmansky’s assertive daughter, Rivka, offers to help investigate, and, in time, proves to be a valuable ally. Pirrone (No Less in Blood) has painted a complex and intriguing portrait of her native Chicago, with a mix of crime, religion, and cultural division in a time of despair. (Aug.)