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Only the Dead Know Peace
Alberto Mansur's debut thriller offers a bracing, wide-angle portrait of the fence dividing Israel and Palestine, the most controversial border on earth. It follows a diverse cast of characters as they fight for love, belief, country, and power.
In Israel and Palestine, religious and political tensions are boiling, threatening to explode an untenable status quo. A renowned baker and his son are at odds, one turning his back on Allah, the other determined to prove himself worthy of God's love. A rich playboy shatters his life in the States and joins Israel's special forces searching for purpose and meaning. An Israeli vixen with a tragic past and a penchant for violence finds herself torn between her work for the Russian mob and the people she loves. And a charismatic Jewish leader starts a movement with the most surprising goal of all. In Only the Dead Know Peace, these characters and more touch each other's lives as they weave a tangled web of passion, violence, intrigue, and political and religious manipulation.
In Israel and Palestine, religious and political tensions are boiling, threatening to explode an untenable status quo. A renowned baker and his son are at odds, one turning his back on Allah, the other determined to prove himself worthy of God's love. A rich playboy shatters his life in the States and joins Israel's special forces searching for purpose and meaning. An Israeli vixen with a tragic past and a penchant for violence finds herself torn between her work for the Russian mob and the people she loves. And a charismatic Jewish leader starts a movement with the most surprising goal of all. In Only the Dead Know Peace, these characters and more touch each other's lives as they weave a tangled web of passion, violence, intrigue, and political and religious manipulation.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2023
8 people are currently reading
3126 people want to read
About the author
Alberto Mansur
4 books21 followersAlberto Mansur was born in Mexico City, Mexico, where he’s written for Rolling Stone and Forbes magazines. Only the Dead Know Peace is his debut novel for the English-speaking market.
His first novel, Lo que mata no es la bala, was published in Mexico and named noir book of the year.
For over twenty years he was a lawyer advising international corporations, human rights and humanitarian aid nonprofits, and clandestine services.
He currently leads the US West Coast chapter of a global humanitarian aid and disaster relief nonprofit and lives, writes, and surfs in California.
His first novel, Lo que mata no es la bala, was published in Mexico and named noir book of the year.
For over twenty years he was a lawyer advising international corporations, human rights and humanitarian aid nonprofits, and clandestine services.
He currently leads the US West Coast chapter of a global humanitarian aid and disaster relief nonprofit and lives, writes, and surfs in California.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 14, 2023
Thank you to libro.fm for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook. I am offering my honest opinion voluntarily.
I was initially nervous to start this one, since accurately portraying the differing peoples of Israel and Palestine can be difficult. However, my concerns were pushed to the side quickly, and for the duration of the story. Mansur writes beautifully and with care, painting wonderful and well-rendered characters on both sides of the fence.
The characters were easy to empathize with, both the Israeli and the Palestinian ones for the most part. We have both people who are trying to live their lives, and those who are actively working to create change in the only way they see possible, whether that is what we see as acceptable or not. I found myself especially intrigued by the family relationships between the two Palestinian characters, who are father and son with an especially difficult family dynamic, influenced by factors within the family and outside characteristics. I also appreciated the way that outside society influenced the characters decisions on both sides of the fence.
I happened to read this just after the Israel-Hamas war began, and while this may seem an odd decision, it took my mind off the events happening there. I have family and friends in the region and have spent time there, so I was able to understand a lot of the local words used in the text, but someone who isn't familiar with Hebrew or Arabic words may struggle with some of them and have to look them up to understand the meaning.
Overall, this was a fantastic story by a wonderful author that I thought did justice to both peoples of the region, and portrayed them fairly. I will definitely be on the lookout for future works by Mansur.
I was initially nervous to start this one, since accurately portraying the differing peoples of Israel and Palestine can be difficult. However, my concerns were pushed to the side quickly, and for the duration of the story. Mansur writes beautifully and with care, painting wonderful and well-rendered characters on both sides of the fence.
The characters were easy to empathize with, both the Israeli and the Palestinian ones for the most part. We have both people who are trying to live their lives, and those who are actively working to create change in the only way they see possible, whether that is what we see as acceptable or not. I found myself especially intrigued by the family relationships between the two Palestinian characters, who are father and son with an especially difficult family dynamic, influenced by factors within the family and outside characteristics. I also appreciated the way that outside society influenced the characters decisions on both sides of the fence.
I happened to read this just after the Israel-Hamas war began, and while this may seem an odd decision, it took my mind off the events happening there. I have family and friends in the region and have spent time there, so I was able to understand a lot of the local words used in the text, but someone who isn't familiar with Hebrew or Arabic words may struggle with some of them and have to look them up to understand the meaning.
Overall, this was a fantastic story by a wonderful author that I thought did justice to both peoples of the region, and portrayed them fairly. I will definitely be on the lookout for future works by Mansur.
July 12, 2023
“Only the Dead Know Peace” is a pulse-pounding thriller that combines taut, muscular prose with a panoramic view of the Israel Palestine conflict. The lives of a playboy, baker, journalist and mobster intertwine in a conflict where the stakes are larger than any of them can imagine. Mansur has done the near-impossible in this tightrope of a novel – he makes us wrestle with all notions of right and wrong, love and hate, in this world and the next.
May 29, 2023
An exotic thrill ride, dipped in the rich history and cultures of the Middle east, Alberto Mansur's Only The Dead Know Peace takes you on a journey right into the firey hot furnace between Israel and Palestine. There we find Ian Bloom, an American would-be playboy turned soldier for peace with no business being there other than his search for meaning and purpose. Caught in a mix between mobsters, corrupt politicians, undercover spies, war dogs old and new, and girlfriends who are anything but safe, Bloom struggles to stay on his chosen path (as well as stay alive), to chase down his man, and prevent the unthinkable.
As an ARC reader, I give this book an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 stars for three main reasons. First, the story and content Mansur uses to execute the story are exquisite. Second, this book reads like a seasoned author wrote it in light of its status as a debut novel. The third is, by far, the most important. But I want to talk about a conflict first.
Chapter 69 was my favorite. Not because of the scene, though. It was the writing. The poetry. Mansur described an otherwise difficult moment with beauty and grace, tending to matters of timbre, lyric and cadence not found in other parts of the book, and appropriately so, given the chapter's place and purpose in the story.
The book makes me want to learn more about the many cultures in the middle east. I almost feel guilty not knowing what some of the terms and phrases are, which leads to my only criticism. It was, ironically, almost too rich.
I felt like the meal, while exciting, was sometimes overcoated with spices, sauces, jellies, and herbs I couldn't detect and therefore use. I'm a slow reader, and slow readers get frustrated with things we don't understand rather than moving on.
As an ARC reader, I decided to look up a set of terms I wished I knew in a scene where some men were described as "playing Shesh Besh" and "puffing at their Narghile pipes." (I would not normally do this.)
Backgammon. The search turned up Turkish Backgammon for "Shesh Besh." And searching "Narghile" turned up hooka pipes. Instantly, the scene materialized in my mind, and my brain allowed itself to see the clothes, tables, tubes for the pipes, the game, headwear, beards, colored things drying or hanging up for sale. Just that tiny bit of assistance, and I was in the scene instead of struggling to understand things. Me, I know my writing is already difficult to grasp as it is, so the last thing I want is for my readers worrying about the terms or seeing what's going on. Then again, that may just be a reflection of my own ignorance, which produces a welcome conflict. Perhaps I need to get off my ass and start learning.
All told, this book teleported me away from my real settings, bottom line. That is the deal breaker for me between the four versus five stars, and reason three for giving this book its rating. That's what I look for in pleasure reading - the escape into other worlds, the trips way far away, and this one did it.
Many congratulations to the author. You have a bright future ahead
As an ARC reader, I give this book an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 stars for three main reasons. First, the story and content Mansur uses to execute the story are exquisite. Second, this book reads like a seasoned author wrote it in light of its status as a debut novel. The third is, by far, the most important. But I want to talk about a conflict first.
Chapter 69 was my favorite. Not because of the scene, though. It was the writing. The poetry. Mansur described an otherwise difficult moment with beauty and grace, tending to matters of timbre, lyric and cadence not found in other parts of the book, and appropriately so, given the chapter's place and purpose in the story.
The book makes me want to learn more about the many cultures in the middle east. I almost feel guilty not knowing what some of the terms and phrases are, which leads to my only criticism. It was, ironically, almost too rich.
I felt like the meal, while exciting, was sometimes overcoated with spices, sauces, jellies, and herbs I couldn't detect and therefore use. I'm a slow reader, and slow readers get frustrated with things we don't understand rather than moving on.
As an ARC reader, I decided to look up a set of terms I wished I knew in a scene where some men were described as "playing Shesh Besh" and "puffing at their Narghile pipes." (I would not normally do this.)
Backgammon. The search turned up Turkish Backgammon for "Shesh Besh." And searching "Narghile" turned up hooka pipes. Instantly, the scene materialized in my mind, and my brain allowed itself to see the clothes, tables, tubes for the pipes, the game, headwear, beards, colored things drying or hanging up for sale. Just that tiny bit of assistance, and I was in the scene instead of struggling to understand things. Me, I know my writing is already difficult to grasp as it is, so the last thing I want is for my readers worrying about the terms or seeing what's going on. Then again, that may just be a reflection of my own ignorance, which produces a welcome conflict. Perhaps I need to get off my ass and start learning.
All told, this book teleported me away from my real settings, bottom line. That is the deal breaker for me between the four versus five stars, and reason three for giving this book its rating. That's what I look for in pleasure reading - the escape into other worlds, the trips way far away, and this one did it.
Many congratulations to the author. You have a bright future ahead
June 28, 2023
A wonderful thriller that you won’t be able to put down. Gets you to know about both sides of the middle eastern conflict. This author is the best! And this book is amazing.
August 28, 2023
“They pretend to be who they used to be, painfully aware that they are who they are”
October 6, 2023
I absolutely loved this book.
The story building.
The multiple story lines.
The characters crossing into each others world.
The politics and religion.
This novel was stunning, gripping, just can’t put it down.
I got this as an ARC and was hesitant to read but I am so glad I did. It literally left me in shock
The story building.
The multiple story lines.
The characters crossing into each others world.
The politics and religion.
This novel was stunning, gripping, just can’t put it down.
I got this as an ARC and was hesitant to read but I am so glad I did. It literally left me in shock
October 16, 2023
This is a fast paced, history filled suspense story.
It is nice to see everyone in here with their truths, their hardships and their good.
It lets you travel into de life of modern Israelies and Palestinians. See the different cultures, places, flavors…
It is nice to see everyone in here with their truths, their hardships and their good.
It lets you travel into de life of modern Israelies and Palestinians. See the different cultures, places, flavors…
August 30, 2023
I received this book for free as a Goodreads first-reads winner.
I really enjoyed this thriller. However, I had a difficult time keeping the characters straight due to aliases and descriptive references. This caused confusion about what was occurring and who was doing what.
I really enjoyed this thriller. However, I had a difficult time keeping the characters straight due to aliases and descriptive references. This caused confusion about what was occurring and who was doing what.
August 2, 2023
This was an unexpected treat. A well written and researched thriller that looks at both sides of the Israeli/Arab situation.
Excellent, well depicted characters on both sides of the fence and a complex, exciting and original plot packed with drama and action.
This is the author's first book and he is certainly one to watch.
Highly recommended.
Excellent, well depicted characters on both sides of the fence and a complex, exciting and original plot packed with drama and action.
This is the author's first book and he is certainly one to watch.
Highly recommended.
September 4, 2023
This one fell flat for me. I will say that the narrator's voice was so deep that I had trouble understanding at times which very well could have impacted my experience with the book. I do think some will find the premise and setting of this book interesting.
Thanks to Librofm and Dreamscape Media for this complimentary audiobook. My thoughts are my own.
Thanks to Librofm and Dreamscape Media for this complimentary audiobook. My thoughts are my own.
November 17, 2023
Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I enjoy reading stories placed in different countries with different cultures than mine. After 50 pages i realizrd there'd be no way for me to comprehend what was going on in thr book without an understanding of Israel and Palestine religion and religious conflict.
December 28, 2023
Un buen thriller, que apenas roza verdad, de la profunda división generada por la frontera entre Israel y Palestina, breves pinceladas de la pobreza que prevalece en Palestina, que los obliga, por ejemplo, a buscar asistencia médica moderna en Israel y que compromete seriamente el futuro de los jóvenes; el fanatismo de ambas partes; la violencia propuesta por los líderes como única salida; la inmolación.
Al final siempre pareciera que Israel tiene un poquito más de razón, ¿la tiene?
Al final siempre pareciera que Israel tiene un poquito más de razón, ¿la tiene?
May 27, 2024
Enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews