The Yiddish Policemen's Union - Michael Chabon

Review by Tammy Robson

This is a good old-fashioned detective story written by award winning author Michael Chabon.

Meyer landsman is a homicide detective in the Jewish homeland of Sitka, Alaska. Amongst his numerous problems are his ex-wife becoming his new boss, his drink problem and a mountain of unsolved cases (including his sisters death) all to be solved by the end of next week. So no time to investigate the execution of his junkie neighbour in the downtown motel Meyer calls home. Well that’s what his ex-wife tells him, not that he has ever listened to her before. Teaming up with his Native American partner they trawl through the Jewish community offending and beating nearly everyone they meet to solve the case whilst avoiding suspension, the ex-wife and death.

Set against the harsh Alaskan landscape and the political climate of an impending resettlement of all the Alaskan Jews, this is an enjoyable comic detective tale with plenty of Jewish shtick thrown in. It can be a bit heavy in places, wading through lots of facts on Jewish culture but if you can persevere til the end you will find it an enjoyable read.