The Wolf and the Lamb: A Jerusalem
Mystery
Frederick Ramsay
Poisoned Pen, Dec 2 2014, $24.95
ISBN 9781464203282
In 30 CE Jerusalem, Roman Emperor Tiberius’ outpost inspector
Cassia Drusus arrests the Empire’s Prefect of Judea and Overseer of the Palestine
Pontius Pilate for the murder of his adversarial rival Aurelius Decimus. Stunned Pilate is well aware of how damaging
the evidence is and that his Roman compatriots want to exile him back home
where he will face certain death. Thus
he turns to honorable Sanhedrin Chief Rabban Gamaliel, who has solved several
mysteries lately (see The Eighth Veil and
Holy Smoke), to prove his innocence in spite of being caught with blood on him while
next to the corpse in which his dagger protruded from the victim’s heart.
Ironically Rabban Gamaliel believes the greatest threat to the
Jewish people comes from the despicable Pilate.
Aware of the condemnation and most likely assassination attempts he will
receive from his people (especially the deadly Dagger Men) if they learn of his
task, Rabban Gamaliel agrees to investigate.
With assists from his physician friend
Loukas and Pilate’s “messenger” Marius, Rabban Gamaliel begins his
dangerous inquiry. Meanwhile as Jews
celebrate Passover, High Priest of the Temple Caiaphas arrests the Galilean
upstart Yeshua ben Joseph abetted by Pilate’s clever sacrifice rule to keep
Rabban Gamaliel from presiding over a trial.
The third Jerusalem Mystery is a fantastic
entry in what is one of the best ancient times’ investigative series. Though the first century Holy Land inquiry is
excellent, the historical background hooks the audience. Spellbinding are reasonable explanations as
to why Pilate and Caiaphas feared Yeshua so much that these natural enemies collaborated
to eliminate him while disregarding Gamaliel’s warning they will
regret their decision once they understand the outcome.
Harriet Klausner
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