Murder in the Mikveh

Rabbi Whyte expects a quiet morning when she checks the mikveh at Synagogue B'Kol Makom. Instead, she finds a white sundress floating on the water-and beneath it, the body of Rina Simonson, a bride who came to immerse before her wedding. The discovery is shocking, and the implications reach far beyond the tiled walls of the ritual bath. This is not the first time death has struck her synagogue, but this time the loss is painfully close to home.Detective Misha Tara, who previously investigated murders at SBM, returns to lead the case. Together, he and the rabbi must navigate the delicate intersection of religious ritual, communal expectations, and criminal investigation. The mikveh, a space meant for purification and renewal, has become the scene of another tragedy. An unlocked door, a signed¿out key, and a bridal party that left without noticing someone was missing raise troubling questions about what really happened that night.As the investigation unfolds, Rabbi Whyte offers insight into the rhythms of Jewish life and the inner workings of her congregation, while Misha brings sharp instincts and a growing understanding of the rituals surrounding the case. Their partnership-professional, warm, and quietly complicated-guides them through family tensions, unspoken resentments, and secrets that have been submerged for years.Murder in the Mikveh is an atmospheric, character¿driven mystery that blends crime fiction with rich cultural detail. It explores the meaning of sacred spaces, the fragility of trust, and the ways communities respond when tragedy strikes at their core. Readers are invited into a world where faith and fear intersect, and where the search for truth is as much about the living as it is about the dead.