Wayward Son

"Shadows of Sin" began when Orthodox mystery author Rochelle Krich was chilled by a verse in Deuteronomy after the Columbine High School shootings in 1999.

The passage described the "wayward and rebellious" son, who is condemned to death for crimes of theft, drunkenness and gluttony.

"But that seemed like such an extreme punishment for someone who hasn’t committed murder," says Krich, who will speak in the Los Angeles area during Jewish Book Month, which runs from Nov. 9 to Dec. 9. "Then I learned his anti-social acts have set him on a course that will lead to murder."

It’s a lesson also learned by Krich’s protagonist, LAPD Detective Jessie Drake, who’s investigating a triple homicide that may involve teenage suspects. Like all of Krich’s heroines, Jessie is Jewish — a fact Jessie unearthed in a previous novel after discovering her mother was a hidden child during the Holocaust.

In "Shadows of Sin," Jessie flirts with Orthodox Judaism and her Jewish studies teacher, Ezra, who explains the complicated criteria required to actually execute a "wayward son."

When Jessie says, "You can’t kill someone because you think he’s going to be a killer," Ezra replies, "You’re looking at the body, Jessie. The Torah is looking at the soul."

Krich, whose novel made the Los Angeles Times best-seller list, insists it’s natural for an observant Jew to pen mystery novels. "It’s a great way to explore the conflict between good and evil," says the former Yeshiva University High School English teacher, whose next book will feature a modern Orthodox heroine recently reunited with her rabbi-boyfriend.

Krich’s chaste approach to the relationship will illustrate one way she balances writing popular fiction with Orthodoxy. "I can’t see an Orthodox rabbi fooling around," she says.

Krich will speak Nov. 26 at the Westside JCC, (323) 938-2531; Nov. 28 at The Jewish Federation of the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, (626) 967-3656; and Dec. 4 at the West Valley JCC, (818) 464-3300.