Бургаската афера

by Ellis Shuman, Елис Шуман, Пламен Кирилов (Translator)

На 18 юли 2012 г. атентатор взривява автобус, пълен с израелски граждани, на летището в Бургас. Българските и израелски тайни служби започват съвместно разследване, което продължава и до днес. Подозренията падат върху ливанската шиитска организация Хизбула, но нейната вина все още не е доказана.Израелският писател Елис Шуман е посветил на атентата и последвалото разследване своя втори роман „Бургаската афера”. В него действието се развива малко след терористичния акт. Служителят на ДАНС Бойко Станчев и агентът на Мосад Аяла Навон тръгват по следата на предполагаемите поръчители на атентата. Разследването им обаче е възпрепятствано, защото от миналото на Бойко изскача друг, също толкова опасен враг. Мафиот, държащ трафика на женска плът по Черноморието, се опитва да си отмъсти на агента на ДАНС, че го е вкарал зад решетките.

Започва преследване, чиято кулминация е опит за терористичен атентат в сърцето на София. Авторът Елис Шуман преплита реални факти от разследването с няколко измислени сюжетни линии, за да предложи на читатели един напрегнат и интригуващ трилър, в който участват български гангстери, арабски терористи, подкупни ченгета и смели агенти на тайните служби.Елис Шуман е роден в САЩ, но работи в Израел. От 2009 до 2010 г. той живее в България и толкова се впечатлява от страната, че това е втората негова книга, посветена на нея, след като през 2013 г. той издаде романа „Долината на траките”.

312 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2016

About the author

Ellis Shuman is an American-born Israeli author, travel writer, and book reviewer. His writing has appeared in The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, and The Huffington Post. His short fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and has appeared in Isele Magazine, Vagabond, The Write Launch, Esoterica, Jewish Literary Journal, San Antonio Review, and other literary publications. He is the author of The Virtual Kibbutz, Valley of Thracians, The Burgas Affair, and Rakiya – Stories of Bulgaria.

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com

I remember a book where the protagonists briefly travelled through Bulgaria but apart from that, I think this is the first that I have read which was set in that region. The history and physical descriptions of the Standzha area were particularly interesting.

The book starts well. The initial incident drew me in and I enjoyed the early investigation, particularly the relationship and different views of the Israeli and Bulgarian investigators. At the time of reading I did not know that this section was based on true events but it seemed credible.

As the fictional storyline developed I found my interest waning. The action became slower and less believable. For two days my Grandson’s Usborne Book of the First World War held a greater attraction. I can see how the pairing of Boyko and Ayala could have produced an interesting mix but in reality would they work so close together whilst being isolated from the rest of their respective teams?

I am afraid that the romance left me cold; other that wanting to tell Ayala to get a dose of common sense and to walk away.

Bearing in mind that this story was based on a real, horrific and still unsolved crime I cannot help but wonder how the fictional part of The Burgas Affair will be viewed by the friends and relatives of the victims or indeed by many Bulgarians.

The action accelerated towards the end of the book but I was still not convinced as to how authentic it was. Also, Ellis Shuman may consider that he wrote a twist into the storyline but if that was his intention he needed to use more subtlety.

I appreciated this glimpse of Bulgaria but as a novel The Burgas Affair did not really excite me. I have awarded just three stars.

[Петър Стойков · Rating 2 out of 5]

Трилър, базиран на реалните събития около терористичния атентат над автобус с израелски граждани в Бургас преди няколко години.

Информацията около самия атентат и полицейската работа около него е малко, очевидно авторът няма някакви особени познания в тази насока. Завръзката се води от един от българските ДАНС-аджии, който е поставен в партньорство с млада и секси израелска полицайка, като част от международния екип за разследване на експлозията.

Горното звучи добре, но основната част от текста ни занимава с тежкото минало на българския полицай, а действията му като разследващ полицай и в чисто човешки план са толкова нелепи, че цялата книга става абсолютно безинтересна.

[Елис Емин · Rating 1 out of 5]

От доста време не бях чела толкова зле написана книга. Изсмукани от пръстите диалози, глупави сравнения, лош подбор на синоними. От втората половина нататък четях на диагонал и прескачах абзаци и пак беше голяма мъка.

[Stoyan Vitekov · Rating 1 out of 5]

Една от най-безсмислените книги, които съм чел. Даже нямам желание и отрицателно ревю да напиша.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa I felt as clueless as the woman who was just opening her eyes and discovering her situation at the same time as me. Laid on the ground, wires kriss crossing round her body and a sudden realisation that she shouldn’t move. would they circle a woman with She didn’t speak their language, they thought she was another suicide bomber. Then the story moves back in time. I don’t really know whether to say the story begins on 18th July 2012 or ends there. For 5 Israelis and a Bulgarian bus driver they would never go anywhere again. The bombing of a bus in the Bulgarian Airport was a true event, the author Ellis Shuman has gone on to write a fictitious story round the investigation afterwards.

It was never going to be an easy operation, the Bulgarian Police force having to share information with the Israeli terrorist investigation team. Both sides having very different theories about who could be responsible for the bombing, local knowledge of the area and the ultimately who should do what. Paired together were Detective Boyko Stanchev of the Bulgarian police task force and Ayala Navon, a young Israeli intelligence analyst on her first overseas assignment. It just felt like from the beginning that sparks would fly. Ayala was use to being seen as an equal in the job she did while Boyko saw her purely as a woman and very much of the weaker sex.

The story is as much about the relationship that developes between them as it is about finding the bombers before there were more deaths. Boyko had his own dodgy past to deal with which was slowly coming to light throughout the story. There are times that the story drops back to fill in how events went down. I really didn’t like Boyko to start with but he did grow on me. Anya feels she has a lot to prove about herself and how she is seen by other members of both these teams.

There was plenty of action throughout the book, both surrounding the bombing and Boyko’s past. It is very much a tension builder with spikes of adrenaline fuelled scenes to allow you to take a break before the next one, if you need to. They were a couple that I would want on my side. I really enjoyed this book, though it is sad that in real life the case was never solved. If you continue reading after this story ends the author goes on to fill in facts about the real bombing.

[Chitra Iyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been sighting this book on social media since long and had to remind myself not to jump at it before completing my prior assignments. The Burgas Affair by Ellis Shuman is a thriller that has rave reviews coming from everywhere and when I finally got down to reading it, I just couldn’t stop!

Detective Boyko Stanchev works for the Bulgarian Intelligence and when a bomb goes of right outside the Burgas airport, he is called upon to join the investigation. Since there were Israeli passengers on the bus where the bomb went off, a team of investigators from Tel Aviv join in. Ayala Navon, an Israeli analyst, is paired with Boyko to solve the bombing that looks like a terrorist attack. As they begin the investigation, they are repeatedly attacked by unknown people. Confused but determined, Ayala and Boyko race against time and perils and it seems Boyko’s past is finally catching up with him, but will it take Ayala down along?

I have so many things to say about the book, I don’t know where to begin! Let me first say that I thoroughly enjoyed it! The prologue was intriguing enough for me to get started. Everything from the setting to the characters to the plot, was all weaved perfectly to create a story that has a lasting impression. I’ve never had a fascination for Bulgaria but it was so beautifully described in the story that now I want to visit it! The plot is fast paced and intriguing at the same time, perfect for a thriller.

The characterization of Ayala and Boyko is so well done. I always like it when in the midst of crimes and chases, there is a bit of romance thrown in and The Burgas Affair is one such book. The author was very clear what he wanted to put down and it was a pleasure to experience a different country and a captivating story through his words.

All in all, an absorbing book that is complete with romance and a nail biting climax!

Definitely recommended!


*** This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. ***

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I absolutely LOVED this book!

It is a fast paced, well planned and thought out thriller that kept me gripped through to the end. Lots of twists and turns for me and I loved the ending.

The characters in the book are great and they work so well together that it really carries the story and builds up the suspense and thrills so well.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I can highly recommend it I thoroughly enjoyed it and have given the book 5 stars - excellent!!

[Terri Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not that familiar with the world where this story takes place. However, I felt like the author did a great job developing the plot so I totally felt like I was there. The interplay between the characters felt realistic and added tension to an already tense story. I can't say there was any part of the story that lagged or bored me. It certainly kept me turning the pages and ignoring the distractions of my everyday life.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great thriller! This book is based on terror attack in Bulgaria. I was on the edge of my seat and wanted to keep reading this book. I enjoyed the characters in this story and I felt my heart pounding with all the action in this book. It felt also like a great movie to me. The world building was great and the author did a great job of pulling me into the book. *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*

[Darque Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Burgas Affair is hard hitting, and heart pounding! It will have you on the edge of your seat! For those who enjoy gripping, crime thrillers, look no further! Best of all...This one is based off of real events!

I found this one to be astonishingly exciting! It was fast paced and captivating! Shuman did an incredible job with creating a believable plot, and a side story within! He used a vast amount of description and made me feel like I was in the heart of Bulgaria, chasing after a group of terrorists! This story was definitely plot driven, but it had a nice amount of world building and character development!

Shuman made sure we knew exactly what kind of people Ayala and Boyko were. Boyko had an incredibly shady past. He made plenty of mistakes in his marriage and career. Ayala grew up highly motivated in to the line of work she was in, prompted by fear and tragedy.

I really enjoyed Shuman's writing style. He was able to bring the plot, and setting to life with stunning imagery. The characters were brought to life, despite this being a plot driven story.  And, being a plot driven story is definitely not a negative thing here! The plot was exciting, terrifying, and striking! It was full of tension, betrayal, and terror!

The story had a nice mix of past and present. It wasn't forced or awkward. Everything flowed nicely, and the outcome was a thrilling, action packed, drama that gripped me from beginning to end! 

Thank you to the author for providing me with this free e-book in exchange for my honest opinion!

[Charles Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

On July 12, 2012, a bomb set off in a bus at Burgas Airport in Bulgaria killed five Israelis and their Bulgarian bus driver, setting in motion a joint Israeli-Bulgarian investigation to find those responsible.
The Burgas Affair by Ellis Shuman is a fictionalized account of this horrific, real-life event. Boyko Stanchev, an investigator with Bulgarian state security, is paired with Ayala Navon, an Israeli intelligence analyst on her first field assignment. As they follow lead after lead, trying to determine if those responsible for the bombing had local support, they are haunted by ghosts from Boyko’s past, a master criminal Boyko helped put in prison seeks revenge, and Ayala has to deal with memories of her own family’s tragedy.
A masterfully written fictional account that weaves personal tragedy into the intricacies of international police cooperation in a way that will grab and hold the reader’s attention throughout. I received a free copy of this book.
I give this one five stars.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This ARC was received in exchange for an honest review*

This story takes place at the time of the July 2012 bomb that was set off in a bus at the Burgas Airport in Bulgaria where five Israelis and the bus driver were killed.
We see here Investigator with the Bulgarian State Security Boyko Stanchev who is teamed up with Israeli intelligence analyst Ayala Navon, while trying to find who the bomber is they both have to deal with past issues as well, as there growing attraction to each other.
There was a lot of suspense and action in this and secrets come out that could threaten their future together, although the bombing was never solved, Ellis Shuman gives a good outlook at it in all forms.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

It nice to read a book from a different part of the world that I have pretty much zero knowledge of. You learn quite a bit of history and their culture, which was interesting to learn. Interesting as well that even in another part of the world, the way the police and investigates work is very much the same worldwide.

You had the main investigate and then you saw the past of the two main characters. What events that led them to become who they are now today in the story. It was nice to see, also gave you more layers to the characters, making them more understandable in a way.

[E.L. Lindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Burgas Affair by Ellis Shuman is a novel based on the 2012 bombing of a bus at Burgas airport which resulted in the deaths of 5 Israelis and 1 Bulgarian. The case was never categorically solved and Shuman uses this lack of certainty to create his own version of the event and the ensuing investigation.

The novel is set in both Bulgaria and Israel and, for me, one of the great strengths of the story is the way Shuman brings these places alive for the reader. In particular, Bulgaria is presented as a richly vibrant country with a varied landscape that includes The Black Sea, city life, rural villages and almost primal forest areas. Shuman uses a long train journey to great effect in order to showcase the diversity of people, ranging from urbanites to peasants and Gypsies. There are also constant reminders of Bulgaria’s Communist past.

Shuman uses 3rd person narrative to tell his story and one of his main characters is Detective Boyko Stanchev, a complicated individual who finds himself partnered with Ayala Navon, an analyst with the Israeli intelligence team who have been sent to seek justice for their dead countrymen. Immediately the reader is introduced to a clash of cultures as the Bulgarian team adopt an old-fashioned style of policing with little sense of urgency while the Israelis are a high-tech force used to dealing with bombs and terrorism.

The idea of how the past impinges on the present is a major theme in Shuman’s novel as there are constant reminders both in the physical landscape and the plot. The narrative shifts from 2012 to 2001 when Boyko’s past begins to catch up with him. We see him as an ambitious young policeman with a determination to get on at any cost. His ambition drives him to commit an immoral and illegal act and this eventually returns to haunt him. Thus his past collides with the bombing investigation causing lots of dramatic diversions within the storyline and putting not only his own life but also Ayala’s in jeopardy.

Likewise with Ayala, her arrival in Bulgaria is personally significant because her father was born there and she feels it is part of her heritage. Initially, Ayala seems quite cold and distant but using flashbacks Shuman shows us how she has been shaped by her past. The novel conveys the horror of what it must be like to live in a war zone where bombs are the norm, especially for a child. Ayala is anxious and as a teenager developed an obsession with suicide bombers, a subject that ironically will impact on her family greatly. Ayala is driven by her past to find those guilty for the bombing and her intensity is the perfect foil for the more unprofessional Boyko.

Shuman does a great job of creating a very unsympathetic character in Boyko. He lives an empty life in a one roomed apartment, drinking and sleeping with prostitutes. He describes himself as a “virile Bulgarian man,” but seemed to me more of a misogynist. He describes his ex-wife in the most negative of terms – “the dowdy wife” – and seems to have no self-awareness at all. He’s surprised to find himself attracted to Ayala, “the female interloper,” and her coolness towards him seems to intensify his feelings. I found myself willing Ayala not to succumb to his less than appealing charms.

The Burgas Affair is a very readable novel; Shuman is clearly a talented writer and engages the reader early on, conveying the horror and mystery surrounding the bombing. He weaves a complex story all the while exerting complete control over it. Boyko’s past and the investigation dance around each other until they collide in an explosive finale. There is crime, thrills, a hint of romance and corruption to keep the reader enthralled.

If you enjoy a story with lots going on then you’ll like this one. The action is relentless, spilling across Bulgaria and Israel to great effect.

[Amellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
В българския език думата "афера" обикновено се употребява със значението "нечиста, съмнителна, непочтена проява с широк обществен отзвук", но би могла да означава и "любовна авантюра". Анотацията на гърба на романа ни насочва към успешната комбинация от двете значения в настоящата творба. Атентатът в Бургас, избран за отправна точка и основен център на историята, все още поддържа ярък спомен за ужаса, че никой не е неуязвим пред тероризма, дори нашата малка страна. Авторът Елис Шуман повдига въпроса за жестокостта и несправедливостта на терористичните атентати чрез образите на израелските герои и особено чрез личната история на агент Аяла Навон, изпратена в България като част от екипа, който трябва да разследва престъплението на летището.
През по-голямата част от сюжета обаче, разследването изобщо не се случва, но за сметка на това израелската агентка обикаля България със своя български колега Бойко и слуша разни истории. Според характерната за жанра схема те са двойката, чиято любовна афера така и не успява да измести от фокуса на внимание криминално-политическата.
Първите страници грабват вниманието със своята необяснимост, но след това, в ретроспективно представените обстоятелства довели до тази първа картина, читателският интерес е привлечен от множество други въпроси, повечето от които получават своите отговори. На моменти действието и появата на някои от героите (най-вече чичо Янив, който идва като Бог от машината, когато е потребен) ми се струваше прекалено схематично и предвидимо, но аз все пак не съм най-върлият почитател на този жанр. В крайна сметка, независимо от типизирането си, романът предлага темите за размисъл, с които провокира и първоначалното ми любопитство, а именно: Правим ли достатъчно, за да се борим с тероризма и насилието ли е единственият начин за това? Също така е интересно да се чете как един чужденец като Шуман вижда България. От една страна са споменати неизменните природни и културни забележителности, но по-съществено е присъствието на корупция във всички нива и безпроблемното проникване на престъпния свят в редиците на полицията ни. Авторът доста акуратно е уловил парадоксалната ни действителност и абсурдите, които се срещат в системата ни.
Женските образи в този тип романи обикновено се ограничават до супер агентката, достойна за супер героя, който "беше женкар, логично" (155). Бившата съпруга Галина обаче е обрисувана в по-черни краски дори от терористите. Не че това има значение за сюжета, просто ми прави неприятно впечатление и го споделям.
Началникът на бургаската полиция Жеков, от друга страна, прекалено дълго е воден за носа, а после също така крайно невероятно "прозира" измамата. Творбата обаче не е лишена от съспенс и неочаквани обрати, които според мен я правят page-turner.
Мога да обобщя, че романът "Бургаската афера" е приятен трилър, написан увлекателно и предполагам, че ще се хареса на почитателите на жанра. Това е един интересен поглед чрез художествената литература към събитие, което всички ние като българи ще помним.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bomb has gone off at the Burgas Airport. Bulgarian detective Boyko Stanchev is assigned the case with an Israeli data analysis, Ayala Navon. Of course both of them clash with their different backgrounds and their different styles. But the more that they are around each other, the more the find an attraction to each other. They also start sharing more about their background. But that history is not as far away from them as they think. Both of their pasts will show its ugly had before this case is over.

On July 18, 2012, a bomb is detonated on a tourist bus at the Burgas Airport. This is a fictionalized story based on this bombing. Even though the real bombing have never been solved, I really enjoyed where this book went.

Boyko has a past with a local crime syndicate and he worries one day that it will arise and cause him problems. Ayala is more of an outsider and her use of intelligence clashes with Boyko’s classic detective skills. But the more they are around each other the more they find themselves attracted to each other. I loved this interaction. It breaths life in a horrible event.

I loved the descriptions of the local area. I felt right there and would love to take a trip to Bulgaria. This book is beautifully written, easily draws you in, and leaves you rushing to see how it ends. I really enjoyed this book and recommend you check it out.

I received The Burgas Affair from the author for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

[Mari LivTollefsonCarlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

On July 18, 2012, a deadly explosive planted on a tourist bus at Burgas Airport killed five Israelis and their Bulgarian bus driver. In Ellis Shuman’s fictional account of this actual tragedy, Ayala, an Israeli data analyst and Boyko, a Bulgarian detective, pair up in a multinational investigation of the attack. While Ayala and her Israeli colleagues suspect Hezbollah, Boyko’s team isn’t so sure. Ayala and Boyko travel all over Bulgaria tracking leads and learning to enjoy each other’s company much more than they thought they would at first. As their trust grows, they divulge their darkest secrets to one another. These secrets turn out to be more than just skeletons in the closet, rather, present day threats.
Beginning with an enigmatic prologue featuring an unnamed woman strapped into a ticking bomb-jacket, each scene is packed with suspense. Layers of intrigue build to a fever pitch when Ayala and Boyko meet their nemeses - and confront each other. When he isn’t describing terrorism and crime, Shuman fills out the story with lush and complex Bulgarian and Israeli scenery and culture. In real life, the case has never been solved. I’ll leave it to you readers to discover how Shuman handles the ending. Given his penchant for dramatic tension, don’t expect a predictable conclusion.

[Rekha Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Burgas Affair is a fictional account of the police investigation that took place after the real life bombing of an Israeli tourist bus in the Belgian city of Burgas. The story centres around two police officers. Boyko is a prickly officer who has been brought in from another unit to work with old colleagues and finds himself partnered with the Israeli Ayala. For her part, Ayala is aloof and mistrustful of Boyko and the other Bulgarians.

The Burgas Affair houses a well structured story. The dialogue was at times a little stilted. I also felt that a lot was spelled out for the reader and the narrator's voice comes through a lot to describe the backstory, it would have been nice to come to some of this information in a more natural way such as through naturally flowing dialogue. However the stars of the show were  undoubtedly Boyko and Alaya themselves. Shuman had clearly given a lot of thought  to both these characters histories and the baggage that they would bring to this particular case. Boyko and Alaya effected and in turn were affected by the case and were both intriguing characters from the start. Shuman also possesses a talent for description. One of the nice things about this novel was that you saw Bulgaria through his eyes. Kind of like a city break, but much cheaper!

Towards the end of the book I was turning pages at a feverish page to see how our guy was going to get out of his predicament. Whether he does or doesn't escape I'll leave for you to discover yourself, but the story races on to the finale without a conclusive ending, which either paves the way for a sequel or is intended to portray the real-life outcomes of many crimes. I do actually like endings that don't sew everything up into neat little pockets. Life isn't like that and I like the books I read to reflect that too.

Having not read much crime before and whilst I thought the narrative could have been improved, the plot and central characters of The Burgas Affair kept me reading. I'm very glad to have had Shuman introduce me to crime fiction and I'll definitely be returning to the genre to see what else is out there.

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts off with a brutal terrorist attack, which is based on a real terrorist attack that took place in July of 2012 at Burgas Airport. A bomb was placed and detonated on a bus, and the blast subsequently killed five Israelis and the Bulgarian bus driver. No one was ever held accountable for the attack or the deaths, which is unfortunately a tragic reality when it comes to terrorist attacks and also crimes in general. This means the loved ones who are left behind never get any closure let alone any kind of justice.

One of Shuman’s strengths and indeed I would consider it a talent, is the way he describes the surroundings. The way he can evoke vivid imagery in the mind’s eye of the reader. The reader sees and experiences Bulgaria through his words and emotional connection. It made me want to wander the streets and take in the history and architecture. Not every author can evoke that kind of response.

In a way I think Shuman has actually described the way the authorities may have gone about their investigation. The difficulty of cooperating with foreign agencies, whilst being burdened by the rules and bureaucracy of the country the attack happened in, and simultaneously trying to find justice for the victims.

Regardless of all of those obstacles Boyko and Ayala are drawn to each other, perhaps because of the differences between them. At times it felt as if the budding romance was distracting from the criminal investigation, however it did open up avenues for further collaborations between the two of them.

Shuman reels the reader in with a stunning and equally shocking first chapter. It is deceptively happy until the innocence is shattered within moments. Although I think there needs to be a better balance between the descriptive scenes and the dialogues, in a sense that the latter is sometimes a little disjointed, I think this unusual duo could make another appearance. Hopefully we will be reading more by Shuman in the future.
*I received a copy courtesy of the author*

[Paul Shotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Ellis Shuman I have lived for many years in Israel. He spent 2 years in Bulgaria and I have worked with Bulgarians for over 10 years including a number of short visits to Sofia.
The action of this book moves between Israel and Bulgaria and it all feels authentic. At one level the plot is about the workings of the Israeli security services and the Bulgarian police and the tensions between them, and within that there are the personal relationships formed between the two main characters - the Israeli intelligence analyst and the Bulgarian detective.
The pace is fast - altogether a great read!

[Robert Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliis Shuman takes the fish-out-of water scenario and cleverly avoids the clichés as he weaves a story about a terrorist outrage in Bulgaria and places Boyko Stanchev a jaded Bulgarian detective with Ayala Navon, an Israeli analyst.

Shuman paces the story tightly while immersing the reader into the history of Bulgaria and his love for both countries shines through. A great thriller that keeps the reader on the edge and cleverly side-steps a tired old formula. One for fans of Lee Child and James Patterson

[Nadya Mikhayilova · Rating 3 out of 5]

За булеварден трилър — ста'а…

[Lauren Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in the United States, terrorism has affected our lives in the past, but some of us may never know the fear that other countries face from a constant barrage of attacks. There is a sense of foreboding that always comes with looking over your shoulder and wondering who or where the next attack will be. Will it be you? Will it be the building that you happen to be in at the exact moment of an attack? Will it be your loved ones? Suicide bombers have always been difficult to understand, but Shuman really gets into the emotional side of those who are affected. The Burgas Affair, while being a work of fiction, is based on a true historical event. What has happened cannot be changed, but we are always evolving around the horrors that befall ours and surrounding countries.

The Bulgarian Police Force is called in when a bus full of Israeli passengers goes up in flames. What at first appears to be the work of a suicide bomber, acting on orders from a terrorist organization against Israel, quickly turns into a manhunt for the bomber's assailants and any link to Hezbollah. Israeli units are ushered in to work with the Bulgarians and together, Boyko and Ayala are paired among others to investigate. At first, Boyko is against the notion of this being the work of Hezbollah, so they end up going on a wild goose chase--but trouble ends up finding them no matter where they go. After bullets rain down on them in their hotel room, Boyko is forced to inform Ayala of the danger that she is in with him being her partner due to past transgressions that may or may not be linked to the current case. With little faith that the case will be solved, every day seeming to drive them further away, Boyko and Ayala must remain vigilant and learn to trust each other if they expect to get out of this one alive.

Shuman brings two characters with differing backgrounds into a crime investigation for a common goal, to solve the case and keep the civility among their people. His characters are exceptional, with many faults and likable qualities as well. The pace is steady and the story is action-packed, making it easy to get wrapped up in. While there are a few grammatical errors here and there, this should not hinder enjoyment of the novel at all. The author does inform the reader that the characters are purely fiction; however, the story is based on a true event. Terrorism is an ever evolving threat to many countries and the information conveyed in this story is quite credible. Readers will achieve a clear understanding of the strength that many have in the face of fear and we will say that it is a story worth reading. For any who tend to lean toward thrillers and crime, this one may be of interest to you.

A paperback was provided to Turning Another Page by the author and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a four-star rating for The Burgas Affair by Ellis Shuman.

[Vigilant Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title – The Burgas Affair
Author – Ellis Shuman
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Terrorism
328 Amazon Pages
Rating 3 stars out of 5 Posted 2/23/2018
No. 08 - 2018

My Impressions: Betrayal, he's hard headed, she's weak and wimpy.

Main Characters:
Det. Boyko Stanchev – Bulgaria State Agency for National Security. A chain smoking drunk.
Ayala Navon – Israeli analyst with Mossad.
Commander Ivan Zhekov – Burgas District Police
Det. Kamen Petrov – Burgas police department.


The story is built around an actual terrorist attack at the Burgas, Bulgaria, airport. A bomb exploded killing six people.
Hard-headed Detective Boyko Stanchev was assigned to partner with a Mossad analyst to investigate the attack on a bus hired to transport a group of Israeli citizens.
A portion of Boyko's past baggage caught up with him and exposed him and Ayala to attacks by Bulgarian criminals.
During their time spent together, Boyko and Ayala developed romantic feeling for each other, but she controlled her emotions and wouldn't have sex with him. They were in love, but in the end they simply parted with no mention of seeing each other again.

I found it hard to accept Mossad would send a desk-bound analyst on a field assignment to gather important clues about the perpetrators of the crime. Why would someone untrained and inept be utilized? She wasn't even allowed to carry a handgun. Her character was so weak she merely followed Boyko's lead and wouldn't stand up to him and make him listen to her ideas.
Passages in the final action scene were contradictory as to who shot first to instigate the fight that wasn't supposed to happen. The contrived fire was too conveniently in Boyko's favor.
When Boyko was severely beaten and lay in the middle of a burning inferno, Ayala ran to him and asked, "Are you all right?" Duh!

The editing is good, but proofreading needs professional attention. Several sentences are out of place and make no sense. In one section lines are repeated almost verbatim.
Sentence structure is good, and character development for the two main characters is good to overdone.
Details of the plot are weak.
The writing style is wordy with some dialog and internal thoughts overly melodramatic and cartoonish.
Character's internal thoughts are given as narrative.

The story is interesting, but I can't recommend it strongly.

This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE BURGAS AFFAIR by Ellis Shuman is full of suspense and intrigue. The author Juxtaposes two sets of characters against each other as a terrible danger approaches them. The reader starts off rooting for the good guys to make it through the minefield of danger they are about to encounter. This is an excellent way to begin a novel. The reader is drawn in, the danger is exposed, and the mystery intensifies.

However, because of a terrible unexpected calamity, these characters fade within the first chapter, a disappointment that cuts into the reading. Afterwards, two investigators brought together to sort through the calamity are made known to the reader by their differing cultures and countries, shown by their contrasting pasts. Going into the past too often, risks bogging down a book and distracting the reader.

However, the plot(s) in this book are rich: searching for terrorists, sex-traffickers, drug dealers, arriving at bungled police set-ups, and chasing down a nasty, blood-thirsty, bird-killing Hunter that keeps the main character on edge. This is an action-packed book, one that adroitly describes the gut-wrenching reality of living with the threat of terrorism and the very real possibility of loss of family members from bombs. This book is all about intrigue and action, packed into an artistic tapestry of limitless imagination and daring escapades.

[J C Steel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boyko Stanchev, previously of the Burgas Police Department and now an agent with the State Agency for National Security, is drinking too much, smoking too much, and on the verge of running what's left of his career into the ground. When an attack blows up a tourist bus full of Israeli tourists outside Burgas airport, he's forced to confront his past, his choices, and not least, the female Israeli agent assigned as his investigative partner.

The Burgas Affair offers a fascinating close-up of Balkan and Israeli politics, and the setting, largely in Bulgaria, was vividly evoked. From my perspective, the settings and the backdrop to the story were the strongest facets of the read, although the character of Stanchev is skillfully written and dislikeable to a degree that merits applause. The underlying plot structure of the book is well-constructed and full of surprises. I did feel that the relative level of emphasis given to the romance detracted from the level of attention that the mystery itself deserved; tying all the stray elements of the attack and its circumstances together into a convincing storyline struck me as the more interesting part of the book. Certainly an enjoyable read for any readers of political thrillers.

Reviewed for By Rite of Word.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellis has used real life events of the bombing of a bus at Burgas Airport in Bulgaria as the basis of his story. He has used his unique knowledge and experiences to add extra dimensions to his story.

This story begins with the bombing, it is hard to read but, as I mentioned it is based on truth. The bus has Israeli passengers at the Burgas airport. Ellis has not glorified the event. A Bulgarian-Israeli joint investigation is organised, this is where we meet our Bulgarian detective Boyko, “this is what everyone calls him”, and also Israeli translator Ayala. From the outset I loved Boyko’s as a character, he is a chauvinistic arse, but also has a little bit of lovable roguishness about him, and as the story progresses things about him change, his mask slips and we see a slightly different side to him. But his past is about to rear its ugly head, secrets never stay secrets forever. Ayala has her own story, and her story is one I imagine is unfortunately quite a common one for many. Working together means working on building up a measure of trust and understanding between the two of them.

The story of the investigation techniques and differences in how things are done was interesting, as well as the attitudes between the two nationalities as they are part of a joint investigating team. Adding into that both Boyko and Ayala back stories and blending the past and present was done very well. There was a good amount of Bulgarian and also Israeli extras included, words, food and also the odd custom and tradition. This was part of the Boyko and Ayala storyline, so fitted in well as they learnt about each other.

Overall a book that starts very dramatically, that then twists and turns its way through several themes. It was a very insightful read with good attention to details, and a lot of little added extras that the author has used to create a dramatic, exciting edge of the seat read. A real page turner from start to finish and one I would definitely recommend. Ideal for readers of crime, thriller with good amount of action, adventure. I also want to mention how after reading this book, that the cover is a perfect accompaniment.

[Brianna Remus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original review posted on briannasbookreview.weebly.com

Review: From the moment I started reading The Burgas Affair I knew I was in for a thrilling ride as this novel is incredibly fast paced and will have you flipping the pages faster than you can read them. One aspect of this book I really enjoyed is how it is based on real events and I think Ellis did a great job at providing justice to those events through his writing. Ellis's writing style is descriptive of both characters and scenes, which I found helpful in creating depth to the plot lines. Although this novel is jam packed with action from beginning to end, the vivid details helped to ground the drama and launch the reader's imagination to see exactly what Ellis was portraying. Additionally, the character growth and development was astounding and elegantly conveyed through the use of past and present tensed scenes. When Ellis created the shifts in time, I did not become confused about what was happening since the transitions were well placed and executed. Overall, this well-written novel took me for a a thrilling ride that I was sad to disembark. I recommend this to anyone looking for a fast paced, action packed, detailed description of a plot based on true events. You will not be disappointed!

[Khaled Talib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, suspense, and thriller are lumped into The Burgas Affair -- a fictional account of the aftermath of a real terrorist attack that took place in 2012 in Bulgaria.
We accompany a Bulgarian detective and a female Israeli intelligence data analyst temporarily seconded to Bulgaria during a joint investigation after a bomb explodes and kills a number of Israeli tourists on a bus at the Bulgarian airport.
The Burgas Affair is written from two different Points of View: Detective Boyko Stanchev of the Bulgarian police task force is seen as a phlegmatic, scruffy, and inept individual while Ayala Navon is a disciplined and focused personality who becomes impatient with the pace of the investigation, especially when Boyko crosses the line of professional boundaries.
Despite initial hiccups and lugged by a troubled past, they both develop a growing attachment and affection as they try to bring the culprits to justice.
The novel ends on a note of bittersweet hopefulness.

[Ari Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Burgas Affair is a thrilling story of suspense and mystery that begins with the historic event of a bomb going off in a bus, killing seven. Immediately, I was launched into an epic investigation to uncover to the motive and responsible individual(s) behind the tragedy and the book didn't fail to put me through the ringer.

Fast paced and set in a vividly illustrated Bulgaria, The Burgas Affair was worth the read. You can check out my full review at https://ravenousforreads.com/the-burg...

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review