What do you think?
Rate this book
Omar Yussef Mystery #3
The Samaritan's Secret
Praise for the Omar Yussef series:
“Astonishing.”—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
“Matt Beynon Rees has taken a complex world of culture clash and suspicion and placed upon it humanity.”—David Baldacci
“Omar’s probe of a West Bank ruled by political intrigue, religious hatred, and militia thugs lets ex-Time Jerusalem bureau chief Rees make the Mideast conflict personal.”—Entertainment Weekly
“Exciting and compelling, but it is also a deeply moving story.”—David Liss
“Offers a vivid portrait of Palestinian life today.”—The Washington Post
“A beautifully written story.”—Anne Perry
“An evocative, compassionate tale.”—San Francisco Chronicle
A member of the tiny but ancient Samaritan community has been murdered. The dead man controlled hundreds of millions of dollars of government money. If the World Bank cannot locate it within the next several days, all aid money to the Palestinians will be cut off. Visiting Nablus, Omar Yussef must solve the murder and find the money, or all Palestinians will suffer.
Matt Beynon Rees was born in South Wales. He has covered the Middle East as a journalist for over a decade and was TIME magazine’s Jerusalem bureau chief from 2000 to 2006. He is the author of the nonfiction work Cain’s Field: Faith, Fratricide and Fear in the Middle East and two previous mysteries in the Omar Yussef series.
“Astonishing.”—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
“Matt Beynon Rees has taken a complex world of culture clash and suspicion and placed upon it humanity.”—David Baldacci
“Omar’s probe of a West Bank ruled by political intrigue, religious hatred, and militia thugs lets ex-Time Jerusalem bureau chief Rees make the Mideast conflict personal.”—Entertainment Weekly
“Exciting and compelling, but it is also a deeply moving story.”—David Liss
“Offers a vivid portrait of Palestinian life today.”—The Washington Post
“A beautifully written story.”—Anne Perry
“An evocative, compassionate tale.”—San Francisco Chronicle
A member of the tiny but ancient Samaritan community has been murdered. The dead man controlled hundreds of millions of dollars of government money. If the World Bank cannot locate it within the next several days, all aid money to the Palestinians will be cut off. Visiting Nablus, Omar Yussef must solve the murder and find the money, or all Palestinians will suffer.
Matt Beynon Rees was born in South Wales. He has covered the Middle East as a journalist for over a decade and was TIME magazine’s Jerusalem bureau chief from 2000 to 2006. He is the author of the nonfiction work Cain’s Field: Faith, Fratricide and Fear in the Middle East and two previous mysteries in the Omar Yussef series.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
18 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Matt Rees
42 books196 followersI'm an award-winning writer of international thrillers, mysteries, and historical fiction. I'm giving away a FREE ebook THE THRILLER CHECKLIST, a no-nonsense guide to get your thriller written. Get it here: http://bit.ly/2r2jciK.
My novels have grown out of my career as a Middle East correspondent, which took me into culture very different from my own, and my love of history, which takes me into times very different from now. But those places and times aren't so completely different. I love to examine the emotions that connect you and me to people who live in distant places or distant times.
My books have been dramatized for BBC Radio and published in 25 languages. Along the way I picked up some major awards (a Crime Writers Association Dagger in the UK and a National Jewish Book Council finalist in the US)) and some nice compliments: major authors have compared my writing with the work of Graham Greene, John Le Carre, Georges Simenon and Henning Mankell.
My novels have grown out of my career as a Middle East correspondent, which took me into culture very different from my own, and my love of history, which takes me into times very different from now. But those places and times aren't so completely different. I love to examine the emotions that connect you and me to people who live in distant places or distant times.
My books have been dramatized for BBC Radio and published in 25 languages. Along the way I picked up some major awards (a Crime Writers Association Dagger in the UK and a National Jewish Book Council finalist in the US)) and some nice compliments: major authors have compared my writing with the work of Graham Greene, John Le Carre, Georges Simenon and Henning Mankell.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 29, 2016
Matt Benyon Rees’ third installment in his Omar Yussef mysteries, THE SAMARITAN’S SECRET, attains the same level of character development, stimulating plot line, and insight into the political and social conditions that form the basis of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as his first two novels in the series. The story begins in the city of Nablus, located on the West Bank, which was captured by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War. Nablus remained under Israeli occupation until it was returned to the Palestinian Authority, which has governed it since 1995. Nablus has been a hotbed of radical Palestinian nationalism, with a strong Hamas presence which continued even after it split with the Palestinian Authority in 2006. For the Palestinians, even after it was granted autonomy it still felt like they were being occupied by the Israeli army with its numerous checkpoints that had to be navigated on a daily basis.
Omar Yussef, a fifty-seven year old, physically unfit history teacher in the Dehaisha refugee camp travels to Nablus to attend the wedding of his friend Lieutenant Sami Jaffari, a Nablus policeman when a robbery is reported at the Samaratin synagogue, a repository for the religious sect’s historical documents. The Samaritans claimed to be descendants from the biblical Israelites and remained in Nablus after many of their brethren were exiled to Babylon. While investigating the break-in, which they learn had already been solved, a murder is reported on Mount Terzim, near the Samaritan temple. It turns out that the murder victim, Ishaq was the son of Jibril Ben-Tabia, the head priest of the Samaritan people. The victim also worked for the Palestinian Authority as the unofficial advisor for the deceased “old man,” a.k.a Yasir Arafat. When in power, Arafat’s financial policy was remarkably medieval, based on the head of the Palestinian Authority doling out funds as he saw fit. It was a corrupt system that members of the younger Palestinian generation and radical elements within the community vehemently opposed, as they hoped to install modern financial institutions once Israel granted them total independence. After Arafat’s death, Ishaq went to work for Amin Kannan, one of the richest men in Arab Palestine.
Hamas politics permeate the novel. For example, a wedding was planned for fifteen couples which would allow a radical sheik to address the guests. In reality this was nothing more than a political rally to spread Hamas’ propaganda. Further, the corrupt political establishment of Nablus had far reaching tentacles and Lt. Jaffari feared if he continued his investigation into Ishaq’s murder he might be returned to Gaza, where he was once exiled. Jaffari also feared that his fiancé, Meisour would be denied the necessary papers to travel from Gaza for their wedding. With Jaffari’s reticence to follow leads it fell to Omar Yussef to figure out why Ishaq was murdered, and who was behind it.
Rees does a commendable job exploring the political and economic realities that pervade the city of Nablus and other towns under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority. The role of radical clerics, Hamas, and the Israeli army are all major factors in the everyday life of the Palestinian people, and the author integrates them throughout the novel. But for the Palestinians, the corruption endemic to the Arafat regime comes home to roost as the World Bank threatens to cut off aid unless millions of dollars that Arafat dispersed was not recovered- as the money was geared toward building hospitals, schools, and infrastructure projects. To protect the future Palestinian state, the money had to be found.
The Palestinian Authority-Hamas civil war keeps resurfacing as the story unfolds and what seems obvious at certain point’s turns out to be totally untrue. Rees is a master story teller and has an excellent feel for the plight of the Palestinian people. He has written a crime mystery, but in reality it is a window into what is truly the historical tragedy of the Palestinian people.
Omar Yussef, a fifty-seven year old, physically unfit history teacher in the Dehaisha refugee camp travels to Nablus to attend the wedding of his friend Lieutenant Sami Jaffari, a Nablus policeman when a robbery is reported at the Samaratin synagogue, a repository for the religious sect’s historical documents. The Samaritans claimed to be descendants from the biblical Israelites and remained in Nablus after many of their brethren were exiled to Babylon. While investigating the break-in, which they learn had already been solved, a murder is reported on Mount Terzim, near the Samaritan temple. It turns out that the murder victim, Ishaq was the son of Jibril Ben-Tabia, the head priest of the Samaritan people. The victim also worked for the Palestinian Authority as the unofficial advisor for the deceased “old man,” a.k.a Yasir Arafat. When in power, Arafat’s financial policy was remarkably medieval, based on the head of the Palestinian Authority doling out funds as he saw fit. It was a corrupt system that members of the younger Palestinian generation and radical elements within the community vehemently opposed, as they hoped to install modern financial institutions once Israel granted them total independence. After Arafat’s death, Ishaq went to work for Amin Kannan, one of the richest men in Arab Palestine.
Hamas politics permeate the novel. For example, a wedding was planned for fifteen couples which would allow a radical sheik to address the guests. In reality this was nothing more than a political rally to spread Hamas’ propaganda. Further, the corrupt political establishment of Nablus had far reaching tentacles and Lt. Jaffari feared if he continued his investigation into Ishaq’s murder he might be returned to Gaza, where he was once exiled. Jaffari also feared that his fiancé, Meisour would be denied the necessary papers to travel from Gaza for their wedding. With Jaffari’s reticence to follow leads it fell to Omar Yussef to figure out why Ishaq was murdered, and who was behind it.
Rees does a commendable job exploring the political and economic realities that pervade the city of Nablus and other towns under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority. The role of radical clerics, Hamas, and the Israeli army are all major factors in the everyday life of the Palestinian people, and the author integrates them throughout the novel. But for the Palestinians, the corruption endemic to the Arafat regime comes home to roost as the World Bank threatens to cut off aid unless millions of dollars that Arafat dispersed was not recovered- as the money was geared toward building hospitals, schools, and infrastructure projects. To protect the future Palestinian state, the money had to be found.
The Palestinian Authority-Hamas civil war keeps resurfacing as the story unfolds and what seems obvious at certain point’s turns out to be totally untrue. Rees is a master story teller and has an excellent feel for the plight of the Palestinian people. He has written a crime mystery, but in reality it is a window into what is truly the historical tragedy of the Palestinian people.
March 10, 2017
Intriguing and Wonderful Read
I'm a great fan of Omar Yussif (Abu Ramiz) and the whole cast of characters that Beynon Rees brings to the page along with his gritty portrayal of life under the Palestinian Authority.
This time out the mystery involve the Samaritans, a small sect of about 600 people, half of whom live in the West Bank near Nablus and half who live near Holon in Israel. They are an offshoot of Judaism maintaining a highly similar Torah scroll (the book cites 7000 differences however the actual number is about 6000). The point of differentiation was the Babylonian exile (600 BC) and the return 60 years later. Apparently they were not carried off and did not accept the Babylonian Talmud. They do not identify themselves as part of modern Judaism but it is permitted for the men to marry Jewish women. They are a fascinating subject in their own right.
Beynon Rees' writing flows easily. Aside from Omar Yussif brushing the thin hairs of his bald head a few times too often the elements of the plot weave with a constant rhythm and I was unable to put it down from start to finish. The McGuffins are huge, the primary sacred scroll of the Samaritans, a billion dollars that was hidden by Yassir Arafat (always referred to as "The President" and not by name) that the World Bank is trying to recover along with proof that the late Chairman died of AIDS. The character of Amin Kanaan seems to be loosely based on Palestinian billionaire Munib Al Masri. The Casbah of Nablus too emerges as a character and one can almost smell the qanifa and humous emerging from the alleyways. And while I noticed the various clues along the way I found the final solutions to be a bit unexpected and quite satisfying. These are things I look for in a mystery.
I can hardly wait for the next book in the series, The Fourth Assassin: An Omar Yussef Mystery due in Feb. Perhaps it will center around the upcoming wedding of Omar Yussif's son, Zuheir.
I'm a great fan of Omar Yussif (Abu Ramiz) and the whole cast of characters that Beynon Rees brings to the page along with his gritty portrayal of life under the Palestinian Authority.
This time out the mystery involve the Samaritans, a small sect of about 600 people, half of whom live in the West Bank near Nablus and half who live near Holon in Israel. They are an offshoot of Judaism maintaining a highly similar Torah scroll (the book cites 7000 differences however the actual number is about 6000). The point of differentiation was the Babylonian exile (600 BC) and the return 60 years later. Apparently they were not carried off and did not accept the Babylonian Talmud. They do not identify themselves as part of modern Judaism but it is permitted for the men to marry Jewish women. They are a fascinating subject in their own right.
Beynon Rees' writing flows easily. Aside from Omar Yussif brushing the thin hairs of his bald head a few times too often the elements of the plot weave with a constant rhythm and I was unable to put it down from start to finish. The McGuffins are huge, the primary sacred scroll of the Samaritans, a billion dollars that was hidden by Yassir Arafat (always referred to as "The President" and not by name) that the World Bank is trying to recover along with proof that the late Chairman died of AIDS. The character of Amin Kanaan seems to be loosely based on Palestinian billionaire Munib Al Masri. The Casbah of Nablus too emerges as a character and one can almost smell the qanifa and humous emerging from the alleyways. And while I noticed the various clues along the way I found the final solutions to be a bit unexpected and quite satisfying. These are things I look for in a mystery.
I can hardly wait for the next book in the series, The Fourth Assassin: An Omar Yussef Mystery due in Feb. Perhaps it will center around the upcoming wedding of Omar Yussif's son, Zuheir.
April 13, 2009
I read this book with a lot of mixed feelings to begin with. The author had set the mystery in the middle of Palestine and I was wondering just how he would portray it. I knew that the author was a middle eastern correspondent and it really didn't inspire much confidence in me. I was VERY surprised and VERY impressed by what I read.
The author described the relationship between Hamas and Fateh (the two leading Palestinian factions) very well, telling the reader exactly how they interact with each other and the flaws that are very evident in each. He also described the difference between Palestinians living in Nablus and the ones living in Ramallah which shows the level of knowledge that he has in the place he chose to set his novels.
The story itself is a marvel, it starts with the theft of a scroll and ends with the lead character Omar Yousiff saving the Palestinian state from being cut off by the world bank. The intricacies of the story have to be read to be believed and it is very well woven together.
There were two pet peeves of mine in the story but once I ignored them everything was fine. The author kept using the first two names of the lead character every time he talks about him, so its Omar Yousiff this or Omar Yousiff that, and he insists on translating the greetings verbatim instead of using the more English versions of them, which sounded weird to me. For example, good morning was morning of joy and the answer to that was morning of light and so on. On the whole they were not major things and could be lived with.
A very enjoyable story, and I will definitely be looking forward to reading the other books in the series (I ordered them from Amazon lol).
The author described the relationship between Hamas and Fateh (the two leading Palestinian factions) very well, telling the reader exactly how they interact with each other and the flaws that are very evident in each. He also described the difference between Palestinians living in Nablus and the ones living in Ramallah which shows the level of knowledge that he has in the place he chose to set his novels.
The story itself is a marvel, it starts with the theft of a scroll and ends with the lead character Omar Yousiff saving the Palestinian state from being cut off by the world bank. The intricacies of the story have to be read to be believed and it is very well woven together.
There were two pet peeves of mine in the story but once I ignored them everything was fine. The author kept using the first two names of the lead character every time he talks about him, so its Omar Yousiff this or Omar Yousiff that, and he insists on translating the greetings verbatim instead of using the more English versions of them, which sounded weird to me. For example, good morning was morning of joy and the answer to that was morning of light and so on. On the whole they were not major things and could be lived with.
A very enjoyable story, and I will definitely be looking forward to reading the other books in the series (I ordered them from Amazon lol).
January 10, 2010
If you’re looking for a mystery in a different setting and with a protagonist who doesn’t fit the usual mold, this might be it.
Omar Yussef has come to Nablus for the wedding of a policeman friend. There he finds himself involved in the investigation of the murder of a member of the ancient and dwindling Samaritan community. The victim controlled hundreds of millions of dollars of government money. If it is not located within the next several days by the World Bank, all aid to the Palestinians will be eliminated.
Threats and violence along with cultural issues arising from the victim’s alleged homosexuality impede the police investigation. But Yussef soldiers on, interrogating everyone from an arrogant religious leader to Hamas and Fateh soldiers and poor shopkeepers to a wealthy businessman who had ties to Yasser Arafat, the old president.
Omar Yussef is an aging Palestinian schoolteacher with a passion for justice. Despite his very human fears and foibles, he lets nothing deter him from finding the killer and the missing money before time runs out.
Lurking over it all is the specter of Yasser Arafat and the plight of people forced to live surrounded by never-ending violence and corruption which stifles efforts to bring peace and security.
This is the third in a series of mysteries featuring Yussef written by Rees, a former Jerusalem bureau chief for Time. His knowledge of the culture lends authenticity. I’m looking forward to reading his further adventures.
Omar Yussef has come to Nablus for the wedding of a policeman friend. There he finds himself involved in the investigation of the murder of a member of the ancient and dwindling Samaritan community. The victim controlled hundreds of millions of dollars of government money. If it is not located within the next several days by the World Bank, all aid to the Palestinians will be eliminated.
Threats and violence along with cultural issues arising from the victim’s alleged homosexuality impede the police investigation. But Yussef soldiers on, interrogating everyone from an arrogant religious leader to Hamas and Fateh soldiers and poor shopkeepers to a wealthy businessman who had ties to Yasser Arafat, the old president.
Omar Yussef is an aging Palestinian schoolteacher with a passion for justice. Despite his very human fears and foibles, he lets nothing deter him from finding the killer and the missing money before time runs out.
Lurking over it all is the specter of Yasser Arafat and the plight of people forced to live surrounded by never-ending violence and corruption which stifles efforts to bring peace and security.
This is the third in a series of mysteries featuring Yussef written by Rees, a former Jerusalem bureau chief for Time. His knowledge of the culture lends authenticity. I’m looking forward to reading his further adventures.
February 5, 2009
I'm always up for tales that educate you about a different culture without lecturing you about it. And in this day and age, an understanding of how the folk in the Middle East live their lives is quite important: they are not all "towelheads", for example.
The Samaritan's Secret is the THIRD in a series of mystery whodunnits with a retired school teacher, Omar Yussef, as its sleuth. Here, Omar Yuseef is in Nablus, Palestine, to attend a friend's wedding. A sacred scroll of the Samaritans goes missing, then reappears, but there's a body, and no one wants to delve too deeply because, among other things, there are whispers of homosexuality involved. Oh. And there are tensions between Fatah and Hamas factions within the town.
The story is interesting, if a bit laboured.
I'm definitely going to pick up Books #1 and 2, if nothing else.
The Samaritan's Secret is the THIRD in a series of mystery whodunnits with a retired school teacher, Omar Yussef, as its sleuth. Here, Omar Yuseef is in Nablus, Palestine, to attend a friend's wedding. A sacred scroll of the Samaritans goes missing, then reappears, but there's a body, and no one wants to delve too deeply because, among other things, there are whispers of homosexuality involved. Oh. And there are tensions between Fatah and Hamas factions within the town.
The story is interesting, if a bit laboured.
I'm definitely going to pick up Books #1 and 2, if nothing else.
September 20, 2009
3.75. I really like this series - love the main character and what I learn about Palestinian life from these books, even though written by a Welshman.
July 23, 2017
Omar Yussef has traveled with his family to Nablus for the wedding of his friend Sami Jaffari. Omar is a Palestinian school teacher who often helps solve crimes. When he is being show a rare, ancient manuscript by the leader of the local Samiratan community, the news comes about the murder of the leader’s son. There are complications since the murdered man worked for the Palestinian Authority and had control over vast sums of money. The three hundred million dollars is missing and the woman from the World Bank says that if it is not found within a few days, all aid will be cut off to the Palestinian organizations who need it. Much is made of the corruption of the police force and the government. When Sami is beaten and his arm broken to be sure that he does not investigate the murder too carefully, Omar takes on the responsibility of solving the crime. As someone in his late fifties, he reflects a great deal on what he sees about him and remembers how different he was in his youth. The police captain who drinks a great deal and who has many problems shared some of that youth and the man’s temper is something that Omar tries to control or excuse. One can feel the heat and the crowds in the Casbah. The narrow streets are stifling. One of the advantages about traveling around the world in books, you can get to know the people in a way that as a tourist you might not. Muslims are as varied as the people in one’s neighborhood. Omar is the type of detective with whom you feel comfortable. He is thoughtful, caring and observant about the behavior of those around him. The conflicts within and without Palestine intensify the consequences of the crime, intensifying the need for a solution. Within all the struggle, there are the moments of happiness as when Sami is finally married and Omar’s sons and granddaughter and wife join in his happiness in a world that is dangerous and unpredictable.
June 2, 2020
I wanted to like this. But I never connected with it.
Omar Yussef is a Palestinian teacher who travels to Nablus for the wedding of a friend, Sami. While there, he is drawn into the investigation of the murder of a Samaritan. The Samaritan community lies on the outside of town, up a hill. The murdered man is the son of the group leader.
Omar Yussef wants very much to find the culprit, but soon discovers that the police are less interested. In part it is this lack of interest that fuels his continuing investigation - on his own, primarily.
We get into the lives of the Samaritans, how they were established, and how life is in Nablus, with bombs every day. It's a tribute to seeing beyond the categories as well as a mystery. Yet for some reason I had difficulty attaching to anyone in it or to what they were about.
Omar Yussef is a Palestinian teacher who travels to Nablus for the wedding of a friend, Sami. While there, he is drawn into the investigation of the murder of a Samaritan. The Samaritan community lies on the outside of town, up a hill. The murdered man is the son of the group leader.
Omar Yussef wants very much to find the culprit, but soon discovers that the police are less interested. In part it is this lack of interest that fuels his continuing investigation - on his own, primarily.
We get into the lives of the Samaritans, how they were established, and how life is in Nablus, with bombs every day. It's a tribute to seeing beyond the categories as well as a mystery. Yet for some reason I had difficulty attaching to anyone in it or to what they were about.
August 4, 2020
Omar Yussef is a bumbling but admirably persistent amateur detective whenever he can sneak some time from his real job as school principal/history teacher at a refugee camp in Bethlehem run by the United Nations. The mysteries tend to be farfetched -- this time he's bent on tracking down the whereabouts of $300 million in missing funds before the World Bank cuts off further aid for Palestine -- but the sense of place keeps me coming back to this series. The Samaritan's Secret is set in the West Bank city of Nablus and the small Samaritan community on nearby Mount Jerizim, and features a Turkish bath, tunnels under the casbah, nightly gunfights between Hamas and Fatah factions, and Omar Yussef's adorable granddaughter, Nadia.
October 14, 2017
3.5/4 stars. I'm a fan of this series, and Omar Yussef is the most unlikely "detective" you're likely to meet in the pages of a book. Just like Books 1 & 2 in this series, this story is filled with double-crosses, triple-crosses, and probably even double-double crosses. Sometimes it is a little difficult to keep track of who has double-crossed whom, and why. But set against the backdrop of the Middle East, and the West Bank specifically, the reader comes away with a feeling for that part of the world. This book also sent me to the internet to learn more about Nablus and the Samaritans.
January 8, 2022
I forgot that I haven't liked previous books I've read by Rees. And this is included. The subject - Palestinian families from different areas, marriage and family rituals, of course a murder, family relationships - all of interest to me. But the story dragged and I was not engaged.
July 26, 2018
Another enjoyable adventure/mystery with Omar Yussef. It was particularly intriguing for me as I have been to Nablus and Samaria.
July 26, 2022
⭐️3.5⭐️
March 26, 2024
Not a great detective story and not really a great book--writing-wise. It was an interesting look at Palestine.
May 9, 2010
#3 Omar Yussef Sirhan mystery set in Palestine, this one in the city of Nablus where Omar and his family have come for his friend Sami's wedding. Before that happens though, Sami, a police officer, gets tangled up in an investigation regarding a murdered Samaritan--a small religious sect related to Judaism with a temple on Mt. Gerishim above the city.
When Sami is warned off the investigation by one of the powerful political sects, Omar takes up the slack and investigates with his friend Khamis Zeydan, Bethlehem's police chief (also in town for the wedding) and discover that Khamis has a personal tie to the investigation. Was the young man's death related to the recent theft of an ancient, sacred scroll or was it motivated by something personal or political.
In Palestine, it seems that politics figure heavily in every investigation and the police are often in the pay of various political sects who then direct how the investigation should go. Omar Yussef is outraged by this and wants to get at the truth--which often (and in this case also) leads to him putting himself in harm's way. Eventually they do get to the heart of the matter, with an interesting plot twist that I should have seen coming (one of those head-slapping moments, because the clues were there!) but didn't.
Another stellar entry in this series, the author puts you right in the heart of the city of Nablus and without letting on that he's doing so, gives you an interesting education into the city's history, the mingling of various religions and political parties, and the current state of affairs. I always walk away from these books feeling saddened at the way things are in the Middle East, how people must be torn in many directions in their daily lives, to live with things hanging over their heads that we in the Western world can only begin to imagine. I like Omar Yussef a lot--he's an engaging, believable character with a striped past and his own flaws but with an inherent integrity that nevertheless leaves him open to temptation at times. Very much looking forward to the next in this wonderful series.
When Sami is warned off the investigation by one of the powerful political sects, Omar takes up the slack and investigates with his friend Khamis Zeydan, Bethlehem's police chief (also in town for the wedding) and discover that Khamis has a personal tie to the investigation. Was the young man's death related to the recent theft of an ancient, sacred scroll or was it motivated by something personal or political.
In Palestine, it seems that politics figure heavily in every investigation and the police are often in the pay of various political sects who then direct how the investigation should go. Omar Yussef is outraged by this and wants to get at the truth--which often (and in this case also) leads to him putting himself in harm's way. Eventually they do get to the heart of the matter, with an interesting plot twist that I should have seen coming (one of those head-slapping moments, because the clues were there!) but didn't.
Another stellar entry in this series, the author puts you right in the heart of the city of Nablus and without letting on that he's doing so, gives you an interesting education into the city's history, the mingling of various religions and political parties, and the current state of affairs. I always walk away from these books feeling saddened at the way things are in the Middle East, how people must be torn in many directions in their daily lives, to live with things hanging over their heads that we in the Western world can only begin to imagine. I like Omar Yussef a lot--he's an engaging, believable character with a striped past and his own flaws but with an inherent integrity that nevertheless leaves him open to temptation at times. Very much looking forward to the next in this wonderful series.
May 31, 2014
This is another terrific story which brings insights into the Palestinian world through the eyes of a Bethlehem teacher, part-time detective, Omar Yussef. Matt Rees deserves all the credit and recognition for making the issues of the Middle East accessible through a crime fiction series. He takes real areas of conflict and weaves an incredible story, a contempory mystery with the protagonists who strive and fight for their part in this special land. Here a wedding brings our leading characters to Nablus on the West Bank. History seeps out of the pages and this crime appears to centre on a small Samaritan community set against the rival Palestinian political factions Hamas and Fateh. The story is about secrets with plenty of twists and unexpected turns; but it also comments on how will deal with knowledge and insights we uncover and what we chose to share with others.
The real star is the character of Omar Yussef who bestrides all conflicts with his own sense of justice and the desire to improve matters for all the peoples living in these disputed lands. I love his intregity, his loyalty and determination to seek out truth and maintain friendship before his own personal safety. This perhaps is also the weakness of the stories; his ability to avoid death while corpses mount up around him stretches the credibility at times. However, overall the novels demonstrate great respect to all involved through strong characters and believable settings. There is tension and the real dangers that reflect a reality of place and time. Despite the life-threatening antics of our elderly crime fighter no-one would wish to see the star killed off prematurely so we fans would ask that long may he continue as long as the creative and sensitive writing continues in this fashion. These books form a remarkable series and are always a pleasure to read. This book exemplifies the author's work and reflects well on this brilliant series which in terms of location has no rivals.
The real star is the character of Omar Yussef who bestrides all conflicts with his own sense of justice and the desire to improve matters for all the peoples living in these disputed lands. I love his intregity, his loyalty and determination to seek out truth and maintain friendship before his own personal safety. This perhaps is also the weakness of the stories; his ability to avoid death while corpses mount up around him stretches the credibility at times. However, overall the novels demonstrate great respect to all involved through strong characters and believable settings. There is tension and the real dangers that reflect a reality of place and time. Despite the life-threatening antics of our elderly crime fighter no-one would wish to see the star killed off prematurely so we fans would ask that long may he continue as long as the creative and sensitive writing continues in this fashion. These books form a remarkable series and are always a pleasure to read. This book exemplifies the author's work and reflects well on this brilliant series which in terms of location has no rivals.
February 29, 2012
This is the third in the Omar Yussef series of novels. Omar Yussef has come with his family from his home in Bethlehem to attend a wedding in Nablus. The groom, Sami, is a policeman and he gets Omar Yussef involved with an investigation. There has been a theft from the Samaritan synagogue in Nablus.
"'I knew you'd be intrigued, as a history teacher who's knowledgeable about all elements of Palestinian culture.......They are part of Palestinian culture aren't they?'
'The Samaritans? They've been here longer than we have Sami. They claim to be descended from some biblical Israelites who remained in this area when their brethren were exiled to Babylon. In a way, they're Palestinians and Jews and neither, all at the same time.'"
The precious Abisha Scroll is the item which has been stolen from the synagogue. It is extremely valuable, not only in monetary terms, but also in religious significance. Then the son of the Samaritan priest is found tortured and murdered, and Omar Yussef finds himself embroiled in a very dangerous situation. It involves the tiny Samaritan community and some of the richest businessmen in the area.
I've enjoyed both of the Omar Yussef novels I've read previous to this, and I enjoyed The Samaritan's Secret just as much. As always I enjoyed learning more about Palestine and way people live there. I have come to realise that I enjoy reading about unlikely sleuths - and Omar Yussef is certainly unlikely. I particularly enjoyed learning more about his family in this book; his complicated marriage to Maryam, and his adored granddaughter Nadia.
"'I knew you'd be intrigued, as a history teacher who's knowledgeable about all elements of Palestinian culture.......They are part of Palestinian culture aren't they?'
'The Samaritans? They've been here longer than we have Sami. They claim to be descended from some biblical Israelites who remained in this area when their brethren were exiled to Babylon. In a way, they're Palestinians and Jews and neither, all at the same time.'"
The precious Abisha Scroll is the item which has been stolen from the synagogue. It is extremely valuable, not only in monetary terms, but also in religious significance. Then the son of the Samaritan priest is found tortured and murdered, and Omar Yussef finds himself embroiled in a very dangerous situation. It involves the tiny Samaritan community and some of the richest businessmen in the area.
I've enjoyed both of the Omar Yussef novels I've read previous to this, and I enjoyed The Samaritan's Secret just as much. As always I enjoyed learning more about Palestine and way people live there. I have come to realise that I enjoy reading about unlikely sleuths - and Omar Yussef is certainly unlikely. I particularly enjoyed learning more about his family in this book; his complicated marriage to Maryam, and his adored granddaughter Nadia.
March 12, 2011
In his third outing as amateur detective, schoolteacher Omar Yusuf comes to Nablus for the wedding of a police friend, but is immediately caught up in a dangerous web of intrigue, rumors, and scandal when he helps investigate the theft of a scroll sacred to the Samaritans. The investigation quickly becomes a murder case as the head priest’s son is found murdered, and it comes out that he worked for the “Palestinian president” (Yasser Arafat, never actually so named) and had hidden millions of dollars in aid money from the World Bank. Hidden histories figure prominently – allegations of the president’s “shameful” death of AIDS, blackmail files on Hamas leaders, a Samaritan’s homosexual past, even an old lover of Omar’s friend Khamir, who has now married a powerful Nablus businessman – and Omar is the only one outraged enough to try to sort them all out.
This is another superb political mystery from Rees, who deftly mixes historical fact (rumors about Arafat’s death, the Abisha scroll, and so on, are all real), with literary suspense and the most convoluted of plots. The music in the streets, the food, the smells, the sayings: every facet of Middle Eastern culture permeates the story. It’s impossible it could be set somewhere else; only in this region does the religious and political history run so deep. Rees’ prose is poetic and descriptive but sharp, never purple filler. It’s simply a brilliant book.
This is another superb political mystery from Rees, who deftly mixes historical fact (rumors about Arafat’s death, the Abisha scroll, and so on, are all real), with literary suspense and the most convoluted of plots. The music in the streets, the food, the smells, the sayings: every facet of Middle Eastern culture permeates the story. It’s impossible it could be set somewhere else; only in this region does the religious and political history run so deep. Rees’ prose is poetic and descriptive but sharp, never purple filler. It’s simply a brilliant book.
May 13, 2012
The first two books in the Omar Yussef series are great reads, especially The Collaborator of Bethlehem. The stories are well told, multi-layered, had a good balance of back story, history and political context, and evoked a strong sense of place. The Samaritan’s Secret, however, seemed quite direct and a little flat in comparison. The narrative jumps right into the story and then runs at a steady pace. The plot idea is strong, but the telling lacks some of the craft of the first two books. I also felt the story suffered from a couple of credibility issues. The story works on Omar Yussef being embedded in certain networks (which is fine), but too many times I kept asking myself why all the various actors, from all sides, were prepared to confide in him. Yes, he’s a genial character, but he’s also a stranger to many characters and conspiracies work on secrets. I therefore found it difficult to believe that he could so quickly and effectively work his way to the centre of the action. That all said, the concept is good and it’s an entertaining read. I think part of the issue is that the first two books are so good that Rees has set himself a very high bar to reach in subsequent outings. This is always going to be a challenge. In Omar Yussef, Rees has created a great character and I’m looking forward to the fourth outing.
August 13, 2015
I did not really enjoy this detective story. I found the characters very one-dimensional; the plot contrived and muddled. Having recently read 'Mornings in Jenin' (which I loved), I thought this book would give me further insight into life in Palestine. I enjoy reading about different cultures and learning more about the world in which we live. I learnt very little about Palestine from this book except that everyone apparently steals and kills at the drop of a hat. Why Omar Yussef, a Palestinian teacher of history would become embroiled in a police investigation into the theft of an ancient document and the identity of a murderer, placing his life and those of his family in danger, completely escapes me. I found his friend, Khamis Zeydan, the police chief, utterly revolting. He swears, coughs and spits his way through the story. I also found the characters of Kanaan and Liana totally unsympathetic. Omar Yussef's frequent escapes from attempts on his life by trained killers, the incompetence of the police and the unconvincing storyline left me irritated. By the conclusion of the story there had been so many thefts, and counter-thefts; murders and attempted murders; that I was numb to any emotion and really lost interest in where the elusive accounts were hidden or what organization eventually received the money.
A disappointing read.
A disappointing read.
November 4, 2008
I loved the last one. Here's the review I did for ForeWord magazine:
"Omar Yussef, principal of a school in Bethlehem, hasn’t been to Gaza since he “had nice curly hair and…could carry an overnight case without breaking into a sweat.” He arrives with a Swede, Magnus Wallender, and meets a Scot, James Cree at the border. Both of them work for the UN While Yussef’s visit is to inspect UN schools, it takes all of five pages to sidetrack him into a rescue mission. The very dangerous rescue mission of a teacher taken into custody after discovering the sale of university degrees to the members of one of the two dueling security (is that the word?) agencies. The next day, it starts to blow, and the murkiness of Gazan politics gets down and dirty as well.
This is the second in Rees’ series, and the writing is superb. As is the pacing. And as improbable as Yussef’s passion is to get to the bottom of things—to go where even angels, gangsters, and corruption fear to tread—he’s a character with humor, strength, and depth. I read this one on the way to New York and back and found, at the end, that I’d formed a great attachment to the brave, portly do-gooder. This is a series I’ll keep up with."
In keeping my promise, I'm starting the new one today.
"Omar Yussef, principal of a school in Bethlehem, hasn’t been to Gaza since he “had nice curly hair and…could carry an overnight case without breaking into a sweat.” He arrives with a Swede, Magnus Wallender, and meets a Scot, James Cree at the border. Both of them work for the UN While Yussef’s visit is to inspect UN schools, it takes all of five pages to sidetrack him into a rescue mission. The very dangerous rescue mission of a teacher taken into custody after discovering the sale of university degrees to the members of one of the two dueling security (is that the word?) agencies. The next day, it starts to blow, and the murkiness of Gazan politics gets down and dirty as well.
This is the second in Rees’ series, and the writing is superb. As is the pacing. And as improbable as Yussef’s passion is to get to the bottom of things—to go where even angels, gangsters, and corruption fear to tread—he’s a character with humor, strength, and depth. I read this one on the way to New York and back and found, at the end, that I’d formed a great attachment to the brave, portly do-gooder. This is a series I’ll keep up with."
In keeping my promise, I'm starting the new one today.
July 25, 2010
I kind of goofed up by picking up this work thinking that it is an earlier installment of the Omar Youssef series than another book I own, but this is the third item in the series not the first.
The setting is what makes these detective stories interesting. Omar Youssef is not the typical policeman he is a Palestinian school-teacher who finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery. This time he is traveling to Nablus with his family to attend a wedding of a police officer colleague when a tragedy strikes and a body is discovered in the vicinity of Samaritan temple. The victim is Ishaq, the son of the temple custodian, who was also the financial adviser of a senior political figure in the Palestinian hierarchy.
True to old-style detective novels Omar Youssef unravels the layers of the mystery surrounding the murder, giving us in the meantime a snapshot of life in the West Bank, the Palestinian realities of corruption, extremism and survival. It also gives some insight into the small Samaritan community resident near Nablus.
I found this a very quick and interesting read, a good old-fashioned mystery with clear-cut motives and none of the high-tech investigation style, which I suppose is something to be expected considering the setting of the West Bank.
The setting is what makes these detective stories interesting. Omar Youssef is not the typical policeman he is a Palestinian school-teacher who finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery. This time he is traveling to Nablus with his family to attend a wedding of a police officer colleague when a tragedy strikes and a body is discovered in the vicinity of Samaritan temple. The victim is Ishaq, the son of the temple custodian, who was also the financial adviser of a senior political figure in the Palestinian hierarchy.
True to old-style detective novels Omar Youssef unravels the layers of the mystery surrounding the murder, giving us in the meantime a snapshot of life in the West Bank, the Palestinian realities of corruption, extremism and survival. It also gives some insight into the small Samaritan community resident near Nablus.
I found this a very quick and interesting read, a good old-fashioned mystery with clear-cut motives and none of the high-tech investigation style, which I suppose is something to be expected considering the setting of the West Bank.
January 1, 2011
The author is a Jerusalem-based Welsh-born journalist who reports for Time magazine. This is his second mystery story featuring Omar Youssef, a Palestinian schoolteacher from Bethlehem, Omar Youssef is a high school teacher and recovering alcoholic with liberal political leanings and strong moral convictions. The first book, The Collaborator of Bethlehem, depicted Bethlehem as a nightmarish place where thugs rule the city, lives can be snuffed out at any time, and no one in power can be trusted. The current book, The Samaritan’s Secret, takes place in Nablus, where Omar Youssef and his family have gathered to attend a family friend’s wedding. I found that the book to be highly successful in its atmospheric portrait of the warren of streets (and tunnels) in the city’s Casbah, social customs, and dangerous political intrigue and also of the characters’ interaction, which is infused with a certain amount of foxhole humor. The story, which concerns high-level economic corruption and political conflicts between Fatah and Hamas, is further enriched by having at its center the remnant community of the Samaritans, who follow their ancient customs while living above the city near the top of Mt. Gerizim.
July 2, 2013
What a good mystery set in Nablus, a Palestinian town in Israel. The schoolteacher/amateur detective, Omar Yussef, from Bethlehem, not only solves the case but shares a lot of history pertaining to the Palestinians and the Samaritans as well as information about the intifada and the nightly Israeli patrols. The ruthlessness of the killings and the graphic descriptions of some of the sanitary habits of the men were not so pleasant to read but since the author, Matt Rees, was Time magazine's bureau chief in Jerusalem, I imagine there is a lot of truth in the telling.
I liked Rees' method of writing...the way the thoughts of Omar Yussef were in italics and since there were a lot of people involved with names that are not common in my area, when someone entered the story after not being present for awhile, Rees attached a tidbit of information so I didn't have to scan through the story to find this person's identity. It was a convoluted tale with the mystery only being solved at the end of the story.
I have already put in a request at our local library for another of Rees' books.
I liked Rees' method of writing...the way the thoughts of Omar Yussef were in italics and since there were a lot of people involved with names that are not common in my area, when someone entered the story after not being present for awhile, Rees attached a tidbit of information so I didn't have to scan through the story to find this person's identity. It was a convoluted tale with the mystery only being solved at the end of the story.
I have already put in a request at our local library for another of Rees' books.
October 21, 2009
Omar Yussef is at it again, against all advice from the police force he insists on getting to the bottom of a murder in the Samaritain community in Nablus. This story takes place in Palestine where Omar and his family are attending the wedding of their family friend. Omar accompanies his friend Sammi to the site of a gruesome murder and is haunted by the eyes of the victim. Through a series of investigations he picks up clues and the reader is given many descriptions of life in Palenstine and what that entails. This isn't for everyone as the description can bog the plot down but I enjoyed it and it's one of the reasons I read these stories. Matt Benyon Rees has been able to humanize the people that live in this Middle Eastern area, they are no longer victims and attackers that live somewhere far away they are just men, women, husbands, sons and daughters trying to make a life and solve a mystery. Well done addition to the series!
Read
July 29, 2011I think the combination of a mystery set in Arab Israel, and the quality of the writing put this up at the top of the genre--because one thing that there is very little of is sympathetic renditions of palestineans, and Omar is the very kind of man that you would want to support politically--he is a moderate Muslim, he is traditional in some ways, but not in the oppression of women. He is educated and tries to see both sides in every dispute. He has a theory for why terrorism is on the rise, and he does not try to convert those around him (and thus not the reader either) to his viewpoint, but rather tries to get you to arrive at the same conclusions he draws by giving you the data. THe mystery itself is very well written and as I say above, it is the combination of these things that put the book--and the series--over the top.
July 19, 2013
Needed some editing, but a cracking good mystery. I know this would likely give me no end of headaches because of the protests it would create but I'd love to see this done as a PBS mystery story, with some tweaking. A murder in Nablus turns into a massive political struggle to prevent hundreds of millions of dollars from falling into the wrong hands? A charming detective who is bitter, angry and incredibly political aware? Sign me up.
It's a unique setting and cast properly, it would be really well done.
I could very much see Aron Kader as Sami, Achmed Achmed as Zeydan and perhaps Nicholas Kadi as Omar Youseff.
It's a unique setting and cast properly, it would be really well done.
I could very much see Aron Kader as Sami, Achmed Achmed as Zeydan and perhaps Nicholas Kadi as Omar Youseff.
June 25, 2009
Since I don't know of any crime fiction that takes place in Tehran, I went as geographically close as I could.
This is the third book in Rees's series of Palestinian mysteries. It's great for atmosphere and culture, but weak on characterization and plot. Omar Yussef's blunt interrogations of people who have tried to have him killed seem out of character, as does a clumsy scene where he endangers the life of his favorite granddaughter.
The other two are worth reading, but I'd skip this one.
This is the third book in Rees's series of Palestinian mysteries. It's great for atmosphere and culture, but weak on characterization and plot. Omar Yussef's blunt interrogations of people who have tried to have him killed seem out of character, as does a clumsy scene where he endangers the life of his favorite granddaughter.
The other two are worth reading, but I'd skip this one.
May 10, 2014
This series just gets better and better. Now, I'm learning to listen to the main character more, and I really like Omar Yussef. He's the sort of character I really like--he's a man with integrity. For years, I was so engrossed in Robert B. Parker's character Spenser. Omar Yussef reminds me of Spenser, because he is loyal to his friends and really tries to bring about justice even though that might mean bending the law a bit. Mr. Rees also builds a compelling plot and his settings make the Middle East come alive. This novel was finely crafted and very enjoyable. Kudos to Mr. Rees.
July 19, 2014
Unfortunately, the library did not have the first in the series, which I now have to track down to read. I'm giving Samaritan's Secret full marks for the complex setting: Palestine with the various factions pitted against each other in violence for events both centuries and minutes old. But I found Omar's musings about who might have done what and why (they are sprinkled in the text in italics) distracting since they appeared to be red herrings and only confused me. Still, a fine series that I intend to keep reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews