The Bethlehem Murders: An Omar Yussef Novel

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'A superb and intelligent detective story.' Mail on SundayOmar Yussef has taught history to the children of Bethlehem for as long as anyone can remember. When a favourite former pupil. George Saba, is arrested over a murder, Omar is convinced that he has been framed. With George facing imminent execution, Omar sets out to prove his innocence.As Omar 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 terrorized. 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.'Morse, Rebus . . . and now Yussef . . . The Bethlehem Murders is exciting and completely believable.' Observer'Meet the next big sleuth in crime fiction . . . A genuine gripper.' Independent'A dazzling debut novel . . . Rees takes the reader on a gripping journey into the depths of Palestinian society.' Economist

Reviews

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 *

Author Bio

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.