Hold the Cream Cheese, Kill the Lox    by Sharon Kahn Order:  USA  Can Berkley, 2003 (2002) Hardcover, Paperback     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Widowed Ruby Rothman, computer whiz and part-owner of a bagel shop, tries to make ends meet. When her husband the rabbi was killed, Ruby had to make her own way in the world. Which leaves her a little ragged around the edges, but she meets life head-on. Essie Sue, a member of Temple Rita in Eternal, Texas, is intent on making the world come to heel. Ruby kicks and screams - and does her own thing, much to Essie Sue's stupefaction. In this fourth of the rabbi's widow series, Ruby discovers a local businessman (a professional grav lox man) with a knife in his back. Since snooping comes naturally to Ruby, she uses this proclivity to discover why an old man plying his trade in Texas has ties to pre-war Germany, Denmark, Seattle, and Kodiak, Alaska. Ruby blunders, sure. But she always gets her man. In this case, maybe two. Her romantic button gets pushed once again, and all the indecisions arise, that are common to the pursuit of love. Ruby is a likable woman with a ready wit and a fearless nature. She is a model for us all, in that compassion oozes from her pores. The rabbi widow books are filled with fun, and also with good insights into the human condition. Hold the Cream Cheese, Kill the Lox is a breath of fresh air, combined with enough bon mots to make your day. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews