The Bethlehem Murders: A Novel (Omar Yussef Mystery Series) by Matt Rees(link is external) - Atlantic Books (2007), Hardcover
tags: Crime [Our New Books - LibraryThing(link is external)]
I started this book for the second time last night. Nothing at all should be read into "second time" - the first time I was minding a market stall and there was so much activity around me I had trouble concentrating and there's some intricate naming conventions for the excellent cast of characters that meant I really needed to have my mind on the job in the early couple of chapters. Once you're through that - well I'm sailing through this one.
Searching my albeit shakey memory these days I can't remember reading another book with a Palestinian viewpoint so this is utterly fascinating. And I just love a scruffy, slightly erratic central character - and I suspect that Omar Yussef is going to fall into that category.
Anyway, this is a book for review - so more on it to follow.
For decades, Omar Yussef has been a teacher of 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 execution Yussef sets out to prove his innocence.