EMET

by Roger Simon

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Stephen Gallup · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ordered this novel after reading a favorable review on pjmedia ("How Roger L. Simon's New Thriller 'EMET' Restored My Faith in Fiction").

I should begin by noting that, although this is narrated by a rabbi, contains a few phrases in Hebrew, and is set partly in Israel, I am not Jewish. I was just a bit outside my usual swim lane, but nevertheless on board with Benjamin Golub and his fellows. Like the reviewer, I am well-acquainted with Simon's online writings about American politics and society, and had faith he would take the narrative in a palatable direction.

He did. However, I would not call this a thriller. It's more like a fantasy, set in very recent history that is known by just about everyone. For example, I remember being a little surprised in 2024 When I learned of the death of Sinwar, the elusive Hamas leader and mastermind behind the October 7 terror attacks. I'd formed the impression that such people would never be brought down (rather like an earlier assumption that the Soviet Union was an ugly but unchanging fact of life). Well, this story has a rather fanciful explanation for how they finally got him, and how justice was also served to various other real and fictional bad guys.

If a Golem is what is needed to set things right these days, I say bring on the golems!

I don't know if it's the Jewish connection, but the tone of the writing here reminded me of a novel by Herman Wouk, Inside, Outside. And that's a compliment.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, though I sometimes missed points as the action was too descriptive, others may enjoy that. I had to look up words, like athwart and quotidian to name a few, not a fan of that. It was refreshing to have a conservative author for a change, but a few lines made me groan as they were gratuitous, much like I groan when liberal authors feel like they have to share their opinions which they think are fact but are not. I'd probably read another story by this author. Left a little hanging, but its a first in a series sooook

[Allen Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting, current and imaginative

Timely of the current events in the middle east. I wonder how it will age but today it's interesting.

The supernatural imagination from a Jewish perspective entertained me but it isn't going to be everyone's jam.

I understand three author didn't want to get too far off from current events but out would have been more satisfying for me in more bad guys got squashed.

Not a bad cruise read.

[Richard Kravitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book. But it didn't pan out. The book was way to political, and anti-woke, even for me. There was very little in the way of character development and it almost seemed like an inexperienced author was writing it, like a teenager or something. Roger Simon has writte a great deal of material, books, screenplays, etc. But I think he wanted to do something here, but just didn't put forth the effort. Not enough detail and just too political. Disappointing.

[Scott Entrikin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good!

A fun romp through recent events using the perspective of Jewish culture and mythology. The book had a Princess-of-Mars-like vibe with the story being told as a true account of the supernatural mixed with the historical.

[Alan Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tough going for a gentile

While entertaining, the work quickly evolves into a world alien to a gentile. The proposition that G-d continues to exert his presence in supernatural beings composed of spirit, dust, or AI keeps the reader engaged.

[Nicky Billou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roger Simon had produced a brilliant thriller with a powerful twist at the end. It’s a real page turner, one I read in a single weekend. I throughly enjoyed it!

[Buck Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very unique and timely read

Roger does a great job of conveying pro humanity and Israel messages in both a lighthearted and historically accurate way. A one-of-a-kind story.