Title Wild Irish Yenta
Author Joyce Sanderly
Genre Women’s Fiction with a bit of mystery, romance, humor and spiritual themes woven in
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb
Set against a backdrop of a suburban Maryland synagogue, Wild Irish Yenta dishes on interfaith marriage, misbehaving clergy, Biblical myth, and the beauty of religious traditions. 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. An ardent new convert to Judaism, Patricia is grappling with her outsider status at the upscale Reform congregation. For Roberto, the stakes had been much higher. He was struggling to be adopted by a new country and learn a new language. Inspired by her detective dad, Patricia is compelled to find out who-dun-it and why.
This novel takes a wry look at marriage, insular suburban cliques, and the politics of religious institutions. While poking fun at cultural stereotypes, the novel interweaves biblical stories with questions of contemporary concern. Can a nice Catholic girl find happiness with a Jewish cardiologist even if she converts? Can Patricia’s yenta patrol detect a connection between a custodian’s death and other troubling happenings at the Temple?
“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 of Swimming With Ghosts.
“This keenly observed, funny mystery … combines an insightful look at interfaith marriage, the complexities of friendship, and the politics of religious institutions.” – Susan Coll, author of Bookish People
Excerpt
Patricia owed it to Roberto to try to figure out exactly what happened the night he died. She felt a kinship with him. Like her, he had been an outsider trying to fit in. While she was trying to gain acceptance into the Jewish faith, the temple, and her husband’s family, for Roberto the stakes had been much higher. He was struggling to be adopted by a new country, learn a language, and hold down a job to support his family. He’d described to her how he left his home and many of his relatives in El Salvador, because of gang violence perpetrated against innocent people. He’d worried the M-13 gang would try to recruit his son to sell drugs. Anyone refusing or complaining to the police could be subject to retaliation.
Patricia’s paternal grandfather had told her how he emigrated from Ireland in the middle of an economic panic that devastated the family farm. He fought for a longshoreman’s job and a decent place to live in Boston. Neither of Patricia’s parents had earned college degrees, and Patricia could see she had taken a leap upon arriving on the shores of Potomac Pines. Roberto had a much higher bar to clear but he was on his way, improving his English fluency and learning computer skills.
The blare of her cellphone’s Real Detective ringtone made her jump. It was Michael.
“Just checking in. I was worried—that hit and run—your friend Roberto’s death. What a waste. Did you park close to the entrance?”
“I’m fine. I’m about to leave.”
“Good. Please, use the phone flashlight to get to the car? You can never be too careful. Danny and I are hoping for good night kisses.”
Patricia smiled at the plaintive note in Michael’s voice. “Be there in ten minutes.”
Home in time for bed check and kisses—what more could she desire? Nice to feel her presence was missed. Coming from a big family, that had not frequently been the case. She appreciated Michael’s concern, but his protectiveness could be overbearing. Like having her own personal Jewish mother.
On the other hand, their contrasting backgrounds might be what contributed to that mysterious je ne sais quoi— her high school French was pathetic—the irresistible magnetism that attracted her to him physically and intellectually. She was drawn in by his deep eyes, abundant curls, forthright opinions, intellectual prowess. And considering prowess, when it came to sex, his caring and tenderness were great assets. No denying that appeal. The old myth about relationships being based on having lots in common was dubious. More important, they were able to relate to each other and navigate life together. Admittedly they did need to work on their problem-solving abilities.
Plus Michael was a good provider. His cardiology practice gave her the freedom not to work, at least for a few years. But was nursemaid the only role she wanted? She sighed. She would have to consider what choices lay ahead, especially with Danny in preschool and then next year all-day kindergarten. But tonight she was tired. She couldn’t wait to hug and kiss her warm boys before they fell asleep.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
Available at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Irish-Yenta-Joyce-Sanderly-ebook/dp/B0CVXW6H8K
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/book/9781509250936
Author Biography
Joyce Sanderly is a Pushcart-nominated poet and an attorney. She retired as a Senior Counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Her poetry (written under Ellen Sazzman) has been published in numerous journals, and her poetry collection, The Shomer, was selected as a finalist for the Blue Lynx Prize, a semifinalist for the Elixir Press Antivenom Award and the Codhill Press Poetry Award. She has lived in Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland for the last forty years where she raised her family and practiced law for the federal government. Wild Irish Yenta is her debut novel.
Social Media Links
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