Description: "Wishnia plays interestingly with role-reversal: A young Christian woman converts to Judaism, while a young Jew must disguise himself as a Christian to infiltrate a cadre plotting to destroy the ghetto during a week holy to both Jews and Christians....Works nicely on at least three levels: as history, mystery and theology." - Kirkus Reviews "Powerful . . . A densely philosophical yet surprisingly witty historical mystery." - Booklist "Well-developed characters and detailed portrayals of life at the time help make this historical crime thriller a gripping page-turner." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Think Sherlock Holmes with a dash of Woody Allen. Philip Roth and Stephen King. Mystery plus comedy. Detective novel meets Yiddish folk tale. Then add a little history and you have Kenneth Wishnia's The Fifth Servant, a smart funny page turner that I hated to see end." - The Jewish Journal "In his fiercely intelligent and entrancing novel, The Fifth Servant, Kenneth Wishnia gives us a sixteenth-century Prague that is rich, labyrinthine, and utterly compelling. Drawn in first by its soft wit, we soon find ourselves swept into a tale both intricate and haunting, its twists and turns carrying us breathlessly to the very last page." - Megan Abbott, Edgar Award-winning author of Bury Me Deep and Queenpin "a compelling mystery" - Albuquerque Journal on THE FIFTH SERVANT "In another's hands, the resulting novel might end up grim and pedantic, but Wishnia manages to turn the story into something Dickensian in its comic turns, richly drawn cast of characters, and plot twists." - Historical Novels Review on THE FIFTH SERVANT "Whatever you are currently reading, I promise you it is not nearly as intelligent, witty, compelling or entertaining as The Fifth Servant by Kenneth Wishnia....Wishnia makes history come alive." - David Liss, author of The Devil's Company and The Whiskey Rebels "The characters are distinct and thoughtfully created. The mystery and how it is unraveled make a compelling story." - Contra Costa Times on THE FIFTH SERVANT " The Fifth Servant offers a unique blend of mystery and Talmud set against an intriguing historical background." - Linda Barnes, author of Lie Down with the Devil " The Fifth Servant proves that academia, wit, and compelling mystery may all be found in one book. And what a suspenseful, enthralling story this is--accessible and hugely entertaining, it is an astonishing novel." - Ken Bruen, author of Sanctuary "The richness of the setting of The Fifth Servant is matched by the complexity and appeal of its characters. With apparent ease Kenneth Wishnia makes solid and real the sounds, sights, and smells of a vanished and legendary time." - S.J. Rozan, Edgar Award-winning author of The Shanghai Moon "This fast-paced historical from Edgar nominee Wishnia (23 Shades of Black ) combines scholarly historical details that bring the 16th century alive with believable characters and a compelling mystery. Highly recommended for mystery lovers and fans of historical fiction. " - Library Journal on THE FIFTH SERVANT A brilliantly imagined, beautifully written combination of scrupulously researched historical novel and riveting suspense thriller [with] a uniquely unforgettable protagonist. A richly atmospheric tale of religion, mystery, and intrigue." - I Love a Mystery " The Fifth Servant suceeds at its goal: to keep you turning pages, and, when you're finished, wanting more." - Forward

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