The Bethlehem Murders
An Omar Yussef Novel
Will be published approx. on 1. February 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-84354-603-0 (ISBN)
Description
For decades, Omar Yussef has taught history to the children of Bethlehem. When a favourite former pupil, George Saba, is arrested for collaborating with the Israelis in the killing of a Palestinian guerrilla, Yussef is convinced that he has been framed. With George facing imminent execution Yussef sets out to prove his innocence.
As Yussef falls foul of his headmaster and the local police chief, time begins to run out for this teacher-turned-detective. His classroom is bombed and members of his family are threatened. But with no one else willing to stand up for the truth, it is up to Omar to act, even as bloodshed and heartbreak surround him.
As Yussef falls foul of his headmaster and the local police chief, time begins to run out for this teacher-turned-detective. His classroom is bombed and members of his family are threatened. But with no one else willing to stand up for the truth, it is up to Omar to act, even as bloodshed and heartbreak surround him.
Reviews / Votes
Meet the next big sleuth in crime fiction... Well written, with [...] a good ear for the intricacies of Palestinian daily life and conversation... A genuine gripper... You don't have to be engaged by the region to enjoy the novel. -- Donald Macintyre * Independent * A dazzling debut novel... Mr Rees takes the reader on a gripping journey into the depths of Palestinian society. * Economist * Intricate and clever... What makes this book so outstanding is its evocation of daily life in hideous circumstances, and the survival of human decency in an utterly indecent situation. -- Jessica Mann * Literary Review * This book stands out from the pack... A dark and lonely tale. * Glasgow Herald * A superb and intelligent detective story.... There are few better ways of learning history of politics than from a good spy thriller or detective story... Matt Rees's cunning, atmospheric book... passes every important test... You'll [be] carried into greater knowledge and understanding by the pleasure of reading it.***** -- Peter Hitchens * Mail on Sunday *More details
Series
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 178 mm
Width: 111 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
153 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84354-603-0 (9781843546030)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2011
Atlantic Books
€2.99
Available for download
Person
Matt Rees was born and raised in South Wales. He has covered the Middle East as a journalist for a decade, including six years as Time magazine's Jerusalem bureau chief. He is author of the non-fiction work Cain's Field: Faith, Fratricide, and Fear in the Middle East. The Bethlehem Murders is his first novel. His second Omar Yussef novel, The Saladin Murders, is published by Atlantic Books in 2008. Matt Rees's website is: www.mattbeynonrees.com.