Desert Pawn

by Joel Feiss

Desert Pawn is a contemporary, character-driven mystery that begins with the kidnapping of Mary Ann Berman, an American newlywed honeymooning with her husband, Dr. Daniel Berman, in Eilat, Israel. Shoshana Rich and Yonah Ferreres are the Shin Bet lead investigators who are charged to rescue Mary Ann and capture the perpetrators. In the backdrop of Israels high stakes conflict with Palestinian fundamentalists, the investigators have many problems to solve. Who are the kidnappers? Is Mary Ann still alive, and if she is, where is she being held? What ransom are the kidnappers going to demand? Would Mary Anns family or the United States break protocol and pay a ransom? The investigators are led through a series of twists and turns that involve the political and historical relationships between Israel, the United States, and the Hamas-led Palestinians. A turning point in the investigation occurs when Mary Anns stepfather, Leo Fields, a Baptist minister and ardent supporter of Israel, arrives to assist in the investigation. He is personally drawn into a world he thought he had left behind. Following his arrival, the characters are swept into a world of intrigue, global politics, and revealed past truths.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2017

About the author

Joel Feiss is a practicing gastroenterologist and internist who has been published in medical journals in the field of gastroenterology.

Reviews

[Stacey B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a buddy read between myself and a friend of mine.
We chatted about it briefly through messaging, but I havent seen the rating my friend gave.
I, on the other hand, couldn't decide between a 3.5 or 4.
There were parts we criticized, but in chatting about it, those issues really didn't interfere with my enjoyment of this book.
The synopsis says it all, although the book includes current topics associated with
Judaism, such as family, intermarriage and secrets.
I gave this book 4* because what I want out of a book is to be entertained from start to finish.

[Lewis Weinstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

An outstanding read ... complex action ... interesting characters ... set well into historical context

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Post WWII politics in the Middle East remain a quagmire of hate, distrust, greed, politics, and religious fanaticism. When a honeymooning bride is kidnapped outside her hotel in Israel, all these factions come into play and we are treated to a history of the area which brings into focus the modern situation while enjoying a thriller that would play well on the big screen. Well-narrated by Ann Simmons, I found the story engrossing.

[darlene crowther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Excellent book!! Grabs your attention from the beginning;and is extremely informative on the history in the Middle East. I chose this rating because each book this author writes is better than the next

[Paula Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I thought the book was interesting, and had some good historical & geographical information to go along with it. I found the narration to be a distraction. The narrator seemed lacking in emotion & inflection.

[N D Crowther · Rating 5 out of 5]

A non stop read!

I could not put it down. Very informative on the Middle East as well. Joel Feiss has me hooked on reading again.
Denis Crowther

[Terence Thirteen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Factual Exposition through Fictional Storytelling"

I have long been a fan of, what I call, "factual exposition through fictional storytelling" because, while you are being entertained, you are also being informed. It's a "two-for"...

Desert Pawn is loaded with facts, figures, insights and information about Israel, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and their neighbours. If you wish to learn more about the area's history, its people, politics and geography, while being entertained by an action-thriller story-line, you should give this book a listen.

Ann Simmons, the narrator of Desert Pawn, gives a flawless performance.

Note: people who are anti-Semitic or pro-Palestinian terrorism, will NOT like this book... then again, who cares what they like...

I was provided with a free copy of this audiobook, by the narrator, in exchange for providing an unbiased review.

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Post WWII politics in the Middle East remain a quagmire of hate, distrust, greed, politics, and religious fanaticism. When a honeymooning bride is kidnapped outside her hotel in Israel, all these factions come into play and we are treated to a history of the area which brings into focus the modern situation while enjoying a thriller that would play well on the big screen. Well-narrated by Ann Simmons, I found the story engrossing.