Michael A. Kahn

Michael A. Kahn (born 1952, St. Louis, MO) – trial attorney in St. Louis and creator of the 12-volume Rachel Gold legal mystery series published between 1988 and 2020. The protagonist is deeply rooted in Jewish culture, integrating religious, historical, and communal elements through its central themes. 

1. Protagonist and Character Dynamics

Rachel Gold: The series lead is a Harvard-educated Jewish attorney based in St. Louis. Her identity is central to her character; for example, her romantic life often highlights different “brands” of Judaism, such as when she dates Jonathan Wolf, whose Orthodox beliefs regarding premarital sex provide both character depth and comedic tension.

Supporting Cast: Her “best buddy” and recurring collaborator is Benny Goldberg, an “obnoxious” but brilliant law professor who provides much of the series’ trademark wit and Jewish cultural humor. 

2. Jewish Cultural and Religious Themes

Yiddish Maxims: Kahn frequently uses Yiddish proverbs and philosophies to frame his narratives. A recurring motif in multiple books, including The Dead Hand and Bad Trust, is the maxim: ”Man plans, and God laughs”.

Jewish Family Dynamics: Books like Bad Trust specifically delve into the “complex dynamics” of the Jewish family, using legal trust fund disputes to explore sibling rivalry and communal ties.

Holocaust History: In Bearing Witness, a routine age discrimination case evolves into a chronicle of Nazi atrocities and the lasting impact of the Holocaust. This theme is personal for Kahn, as his wife is the daughter of Holocaust survivors. 

3. Setting and Community

St. Louis Jewish Community: The books are noted for their authentic portrayal of the St. Louis atmosphere, specifically referencing the local Jewish community and institutions.

Genre Alignment: The series is often categorized alongside other notable “Jewish mysteries,” such as those by Harry Kemelman and Faye Kellerman, due to its focus on Jewish ethics and daily life. [Google/AI]

Kahn, Michael [Rachel Gold #1], (The Canaan Legacy, aka Grave Designs) [pb, Lynx Books, 1988] 978-1558021563 - Grave Designs [mass mkt pb, Berkley, 1992] 978-0451402936

Kahn, Michael, [Rachel Gold #2], (Death Benefits) [hc, Dutton, 1992] 978-0525934561 [pb, Onyx Press, 1994] 978-0451176875

Kahn, Michael, [Rachel Gold #3], (Firm Ambitions) [hc, Dutton, 1994] 978-0525937425 [mass mkt pb, Onyx Press, 1995] 978-0451179616

Kahn, Michael, [Rachel Gold #4], (Due Diligence) [hc, Dutton, 1995] 978-0525937432 [pb, Onyx, 1996] 978-0451179708

Kahn, Michael, [Rachel Gold #5], (Sheer Gall) [hc, Dutton, 1996] 978-0525941880 [mass mkt pb, Signet, 1998] 978-0451407337

Kahn, Michael, [Rachel Gold #6], (Bearing Witness) [hc, Forge Books, 2000] 978-0312848835 [mass mkt pb, Forge Books, 2003] 978-0812579833

Kahn, Michael, [Rachel Gold #7], (Trophy Widow) [hc, Forge Books, 2002] 978-0765302182 [mass mkt pb, Forge Books, 2003] 978-0765341402

Kahn, Michael. (A Handful of Gold: Three Rachel Gold Short Stories [2012] ] B007JINIUK Available only on Kindle, according to Amazon.

Kahn, Michael, [Rachel Gold #8], (The Flinch Factor [hc, Poisoned Pen Press, 2013] 978-1464201400 [pb, Poisoned Pen Press, 2013] 978-1464201424

Kahn, Michael, [Rachel Gold #9], (Face Value) [hc, Poisoned Pen Press 2014] 978-1464202780 [pb, Poisoned Pen Press, 2014] 978-1464202803

Kahn, Michael, [Rachel Gold #10], (The Dead Hand [hc, Poisoned Pen Press, 2016] 978-1464206771 [pb, Poisoned Pen Press, 2016] 978-1464206795

Kahn, Michael, [Rachel Gold #11], (Bad Trust [pb, Poisoned Pen Press, 2020]) 978-1464212567

[Note: See also The Mourning Sexton by Michael Baron, a pseudonym used by Michael A. Kahn]