An Old Man's Game

In Andy Weinberger’s mystery novel An Old Man’s Game, semi-retired private investigator Amos Parisman is pulled back into action when Rabbi Ezra Diehl—a polarizing, highly controversial religious figure—suddenly drops dead over a bowl of matzo ball soup at the famous Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles. Hired by the synagogue's board to discreetly determine whether the death was a tragic accident or murder, Parisman quickly discovers that the charismatic rabbi’s unorthodox behavior and vocal opinions had alienated many. As Parisman navigates the bustling corridors of L.A.'s Jewish community, what initially appears to be a straightforward inquiry unravels into a complex web of deceit, hidden motives, and escalating danger, threatening to expose deep-seated rifts within the congregation.

Richly steeped in Jewish culture and identity, the novel frames its hardboiled PI narrative around the distinct concept of Yiddishkeit. Amos Parisman functions as a contemplative, secular Jewish detective—part classic hard-boiled sleuth, part wry observer—whose investigative style relies on patience, empathy, and a keen understanding of communal dynamics rather than raw force. Through its lively cast of synagogue members, rabbis, and local residents, Weinberger weaves Yiddish expressions and satire alongside meaningful engagements with Jewish themes, exploring the complexities of modern Jewish identity, Zionism, anti-Semitism, faith, and the multi-generational friction within contemporary urban Jewish life.

"Delightful ... Mr. Weinberger writes as his hero detects, at a measured and thoughtful pace. Most of the book's violence takes place offstage, leaving the detective to ponder and ruminate in contemplative fashion. And Amos himself proves pleasant company: a gruff mensch whose avowed atheism is balanced by a humanism that sees him tenderly caring at home for his dementia-prone wife. 'Everybody matters, ' he says at one point, and as we follow his quest to find out what happened to Rabbi Ezra, we know he means it.” —Tom Nolan, Wall Street Journal

"Pure entertainment ... As characters go, Parisman is as no-nonsense as Philip Marlowe or Sam Spade, but unlike those classic detectives, there's a bit more heart and nuance to our central character." —San Francisco Chronicle

"Andy Weinberger has done something extraordinary with his first novel: he's written a truly great detective novel that is fresh and original, but already feels like it's a classic. In the tradition of Walter Mosley, Raymond Chandler, and Sue Grafton, semi-retired private eye Amos Parisman roams LA's seedy and not-so-seedy neighborhoods in pursuit of justice. I don't want another Amos Parisman novel-I want a dozen more!" —Amy Stewart, bestselling author of the Kopp Sisters series, including Girl Waits with Gun.

"I loved An Old Man's Game. Amos Parisman must return!" —Cara Black, author of Murder on the Quai and the other Aimée Leduc mysteries.

"As with most good detective stories, the real pleasure here is in watching the gumshoe at work... This is sheer fun." —Booklist

"It's true that An Old Man's Game is not Dostoevsky. But it might be called a "poor man's version" of the classic Russian novelist. Parisman is a kind of "Paris Man" in the sense that he is urbane, witty, and charming in a Jewish, tough-guy L.A. way.... An Old Man's Game doesn't just offer light entertainment, though there is plenty of that. It also offers plenty of stick-to-your-ribs food for thought on Israel, anti-Semitism, Zionism, Jews, and Palestinians." —New York Journal of Books

"Andy Weinberger's An Old Man's Game is a reader's delight. Bringing an old Jewish detective in LA, who doesn't believe in God, out of retirement to investigate the potential murder of a charismatic rabbi is just the start of this funny, charming, moving, and engaging debut mystery. Add him to Michael Connelly, Walter Mosley, and Joe Ide, writers who embrace the underrepresented people of LA, articulate the distortions of power, and cast a light on the darknesses we humans carry within us." —John Evans, owner, Diesel Bookstore.

"If Isaac Singer wrote an L.A. gumshoe novel, it would be in lively conversation with An Old Man's Game, the first of what I hope is a series of Amos Parisman mysteries by the immensely talented Andy Weinberger. The writing here, to quote Sam Shepard, is 'full of crazy and comical pathos, ' and the story itself brings the L.A. Jewish community fabulously and vividly alive. This is a ribald private-eye tale full of genius and originality." —Howard Norman, Whiting-award-winning author of My Darling Detective and the upcoming The Ghost Clause

"While the mystery is intriguing, the thoughtful, retired Jewish PI is the draw for this debut mystery. As he and his wife age, he deals with her onset of dementia with love and patience, that patience being a part of his nature as an inquisitive PI." —Library Journal

"Andy Weinberger has created an absolutely charming private investigator that readers will follow from book to book. L.A.'s Fairfax District-get ready for your close-up!" —Naomi Hirahara, author of the Edgar Award-winning Mas Arai mystery series