Hip Set

by Michael Fertik

Oscar Orleans is a Congolese refugee in Israel. He's also the only Hebrew-speaking liaison to the African refugee community living in Tel Aviv's worst slums. When his old friend Inspector Kobi Sambinsky of the Asylum Unit calls him early on Shabbat morning, he knows something is wrong. A young South Sudanese immigrant has been found murdered in the city's most iconic waterfront building and no-one can quite place his origins. The only clue is his unusual name, Kinga, which he shared with another refugee from eight years earlier, and a controversial political figure in South Sudan's most dangerous warring faction. Kobi and Oscar must venture into the heart of Tel Aviv's Sudanese underground, Israel's hyper-violent Russian mafia, and a mystery that has been dormant for years near the shores of the Dead Sea.

Genres: Israel

200 pages, Hardcover

Published July 28, 2019

About the author

Michael Fertik is a published fiction author, poet, produced film writer, and playwright. His poetry, short fiction, and novellas have recently appeared in Minor Lits; december; The Write Launch; Eclectica; Litro; Cease, Cows; Feminine Collective; etc.. His writing has won fiction, poetry, and film prizes and includes a New York Times Bestseller. He lives in Palo Alto, California, where he is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor.

Reviews

[Toni Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A murder mystery

In a few words:

This fiction is of Oscar Orleans a Congolese refugee in Israel. His knowledge of Hebrew makes him the perfect liaison to the African refugee community living in the worst Tel Aviv’s ghetto.

The drama:

When the body of a young South Sudanese has been found murdered, his old friend Inspector Kobi Sambinsky of the Asylum Units calls on him for help. What is known is that the 18 years old shared the unusual name, Kinga, with a controversial most dangerous warring faction from eight years earlier. Oscar and Sambrinsky set out to find out what happened to the poor man.

Venturing into the heart of Tel Aviv’s Sudanese underground populated with violent mob will prove to be a challenge for Kobi and Oscar.

My thoughts:

Because my lack in knowledge of Israel languages and cultures I struggled with terms and orientation and find reading this novel to be somewhat a challenge...at least at first.

The narrative incorporates current issues such as immigration and Russian mafia into a fast- paced police detective work. “Hip-Set” is discipline and doesn’t deal with stereotypes characters rather they project genuineness of people who live in the secular world with all their aspirations: good and bad.

The main players are Oscar Orleans, Detective Kobi Sambinsky, Officer Angelika Cone, Pastor Michael Alou Kuur Kuur and Ruben Dumanovsky, the alleged Russian immigrant.

From the start we are introduced to Oscar and later on to the alleged Russian mobster and getting to know them is an in-depth examination into religion, immigration, myth and murder. Near the end, the narration smoothly brings us into the world of ancient times giving us an insight on the myth of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon hidden treasure and the prized gold chain. But where did this sidebar lead to?

In the last scene it all comes to fruition and I will let you read the book to find out.

Happy reading.

I received a free copy of this book and I leave a voluntary review, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Jypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Review Crew and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

HIP SET
By: Michael Fertik

REVIEW ☆☆☆☆

Tel Aviv, Israel is unfamiliar territory for me. I rarely read anything within the scope of this region, but after reading Michael Fertik's HIP SET, that will likely change. This book is an immersive experience in cultures varying widely from your own while still managing to be an enlightening entertaining tale.

With a co mingling of ancient legends and modern elements, Fertik opens the story to a great number of possibilities. Additionally, the characters are a uniquely diverse and complex cast who each offer something distinctive to the story line. The setting of Tel Aviv is seemingly a world of its own that contains many smaller worlds. Descriptions are vivid and detailed with each one adding a bit more to the charged atmospheric vibe running throughout the book.

If you want to feel a world away, HIP SET is a good choice. This crime thriller is so informative and fascinating that you have to keep reading. I highly recommend for a totally different experience!

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have nothing but good things to say about "Hip Set" by Michael Fertik. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from this novel, but I ended up loving everything about it.

First off, I appreciated the setting....Tel Aviv, Israel, from the perspective of both natives and immigrants. The author provides detailed descriptions of the area, local businesses and residences, and daily life. I feel like I learned some things about modern-day Israel that I hadn't thought about before. In addition, I learned a lot about the experiences of refugees in that country.

The actual mystery was also excellent. A corpse is discovered without ID, and our heroes must figure out who he was, who killed him, and why. Along the way, there is a great deal of investigating, interviewing, and theorizing, and I enjoyed observing while all of this took place. The pacing is good as well. While the action isn't non-stop, there aren't any dull moments either.

My favorite part of the novel was the character of Oscar Orleans himself. An African refugee and longtime resident of Tel Aviv hoping to gain citizenship some day, Oscar is a beautiful, practical, introspective man. It was a joy to gradually gain more and more insight into his character as the story progressed. His working relationship and friendship with police inspector Kobi Sambinsky also provides many valuable character moments.

I truly hope this book marks the start of an ongoing series, because I would love to read more about Oscar and Kobi and their future cases.

5 out of 5 perfect slices of provolone!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good story taking place in Tel Aviv: very informative about immigrants' lives, one gets a realistic feeling about the town. The characters are interesting and not stereotypes of other police officers/helpers as we know them from Scandinavian or English thrillers. The plot reflects the culture of the life in Tel Aviv which I found engrossing. I hope that the author will write more thrillers involving the main characters.
Christine Boos

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oscar Orleans, an African refugee, resides in Tel Aviv, Israel. Orleans maintains a collaborative relationship with the police. He is pulled into an investigation upon discovery of the dead body of a young African male who appears to have an affiliation with a tribe in Southeast Sudan. Inspector Kobi Sambinsky, his assistant Officer Angelika Cone, and Orleans work together on the murder case. They get together on a regular basis and share theories. However, roadblocks impede the investigation that turns out to be about more than just solving a murder. Will Sambinsky, Cone, and Orleans figure out how all the pieces of this complicated case fit together and bring it to a successful conclusion?

Hip Set is an intriguing story that is full of suspense, tension, and thrills. Plenty of twists and turns keep readers glued to the pages guessing as to what will happen next and how things will turn out in the end. Michael Fertik has populated the story with fascinating characters, crafted compelling backstories for them, and does an excellent job at showing the characters’ psychologies. Subplots integrate well with the main plot, and the use of profanity suits the characters. The story includes external and internal challenges, murder, violence, smuggling, fear, comradery, and reveals that readers will not see coming. Hip Set is a fast-paced book packed with edge of your seat excitement, and it is an awesome read that you do not want to miss.

[Heidi Slowinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oscar Orleans is a refugee, living in Israel, serving as a liaison to fellow African refugees, living in a slum of Tel Aviv. Orleans is called in by his friend, Inspector Kobi Sambinsky, of the Asylum unit with the Israeli police, to assist when a young man, from South Sudan, is found murdered in a bombed-out, waterfront building and no one is able to identify him. The case takes Orleans and Sambinsky into a mystery dating back to King Solomon’s time.

Fertik creates a wonderful ensemble cast of characters this is a fast-paced crime thriller. The relationship between Orleans and Sambinsky is well-developed and evolves very naturally over the course of the story. I enjoyed Angelika Cone’s character. Her technical expertise and analytical skills helped round out the Orleans and Sambinsky duo. The interweaving of modern-day with ancient legend added an interesting layer.

The dialogue was well-done and takes into consideration cultural influences from where various characters learned English. Making it true to their individual backgrounds and more unique.

This story held my attention to the point that I read it in one sitting. A must-read if you enjoy a crime thriller set in an exotic location.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hip Set is a great mystery! I liked following along with the police as they moved from unidentified victim to suspects, motives, and a final resolution.

The characters were great as well....Oscar, Kobi, Angelika, Lily, and Michael were all detailed and believable. In a short time, the author made me feel like I really got to know each of them.

The setting in Israel interested me, since I haven't read a lot of books set in that part of the world. I felt like I learned things while reading, but it never felt like a textbook. The facts and descriptions were seamlessly woven into the story.

I can't wait for Oscar's next adventure! I hope Angelika gets more air time in the next book. She was a great character and I'd love to learn more of her backstory.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main characters, Oscar Orleans, is a refugee from Africa living in Israel and Kobi Sambinsky who works in the
Asylum unit of the Israeli police. Kobi is friends with Oscar and uses him as a translator when he has to deal problems in the community of immigrants from Africa living in their own area of Israel. When a body without any ID is found in a bombed out building in the City, apparently from the Sudan, Kobi enlists Oscar once again to help him discover what happened. Who is the victim, why is he in this particular building and who wanted him dead. The author takes us on a trip through the good parts of the city as well as the dark side, with the underground, the violent Russian Mafia and a mystery long since forgotten. This is a fast paced mystery that takes you zooming down different paths until the end. This is a well written mystery that keeps you turning pages until the end. I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many ways, this book feels like it is the second book in a series. What I assume is a good series because I really liked this book! But, I say this because it feels like there is so much the reader doesn't know about the characters and it almost feels like we should know them better. But, as was noted in the book, at one point even Oscar Orleans, our intrepid police liaison, doesn't know Kobi Sambisky, the inspector he works with and considers a friend. I really would have liked to have gotten to know them more! They were interesting men that have led interesting lives. But this mirrors the presentation of the entire story. As the missing pieces are filled in, Oscar and Kobi get closer to figuring out what happened. And, for all that is known, these pieces don't necessarily lead to the finished puzzle that the reader expects. I really enjoyed the historical aspect introduced but will admit that my knowledge of the Middle East is not what it should be. Due to the recent reading of another book about African refugees, I did know a bit about the precarious position that Oscar and many others remain in. But, this wasn't necessary to understand and enjoy the story.

Thanks to the author and Cozy Mystery Review Crew for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is set in Tel Aviv, Israel and features two main characters, Oscar Orleans and Inspector Kobi Sambinsky. Oscar is a refugee from from the Congo and since he speaks Hebrew acts as a liaison with the African refugee population and he works with the police. When a South Sudanese man is found murdered Oscar works alongside Inspector Sambinsky to try and solve the mystery. Both the main characters are excellent and described in detail. The story is very well written and fast paced. I found this book hard to put down! I highly recommend this book!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is well put together, fast paced,
informative, interesting and entertaining.
You are pulled into the story by the
relationship between the three dimensional
characters.
Oscar Orleans is a Congolese refugee
who works within the African community
as a liaison.
Inspector Kobi Sambinsky works in the
Asylum unit of the Israeli police. He is a
colleague of Oscar.
A young man is found dead in a waterfront
building that had been bombed. Who was
dead man? What and when had he arrived
in Tel Aviv? Why was he in the building?
Come along with Oscar and Kobi as they
delve into this intriguing mystery with many
twists and turns to keep the reader glued
to their seats.
I thoroughly enjoyed this perplexing and
puzzling book. Mixing the past with the
present was a stimulating and thought
provoking adventure.
I volunteered to read Hip Set. Thanks to
the author via the Review Crew for the
opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and
my own.

[Catalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

A thoroughly enjoyable sort of crime/police case novel. The first thing that attracted me was the setting: Israel. In fact it's the first book I've read set in the modern state of Israel. But I've been pleasantly surprised by quite a few elements. Firstly I believe it is an interesting decision to feature immigrants of African origins as that's another controversial subject surrounding Israel that's somewhat overlooked. Secondly: culture, the sens of place and why not, the sens of belonging are presented/explored quite well and may I dare say: balanced. And then there's the religious aspect. Maybe a bit cliche? As if you cannot "speak" about Africans in Israel without religious references; but I did enjoy reading some about Queen Sheba, and in fact it prompted me to try an' learn more about the legend.
That being said, there were also a few things that were not necessary on my liking. Firstly this is definitely more of a "summer read". Secondly some elements were a bit cliche: the religious connection that I've mentioned above, the Russian/Albanian mafia (meh), Kobi is a bit of a Colombo - fact that's repeated too much; the jabs at Scandinavian crime novel (another meh). And last but not least, the final felt rushed with a bit of loose ends -due, I guess, to the fact that we are going to see more of this characters.

*Read as a serialization on Pigeonhole

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a different kind of detective/mystery novel. Set in Tel Aviv, the sense of place and culture is done beautifully and I like the humour flashing through. The main characters are well drawn, particularly Oscar a refugee and police liaison to the African community: his sense of not quite belonging and his tentativeness in taking on aspects of Jewishness as if he wants to respect his new country but feels he has no right to it - he is not part of the Hip Set! The mystery is engaging and proceeds at a good pace and justice is done even if not the justice that a non refugee might receive. The charm of the book for me was in the characters, place and humour and I hope there will be a sequel to spend more time in their company.

[Becky James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hip Set is set to a fairly fast paced rhythm of reading but the pace doesn't take anything away from the detailed descriptive setting and character development. It is a well written, well researched book with a cohesive and thoroughly engaging plot.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who knows and loves Tel Aviv, I was especially excited to read this novel... but boy did Hip Set succeed in showing me a whole new Tel Aviv! The story moved fast and I loved traveling with the characters to discover whole worlds within the city. I highly recommend Hip Set!

[Christina Mama-Kyriacou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, higly recommended.

[Heena Rathore Rathore-Pardeshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hip Set by Michael Fertik, the New York Times best-selling author, is a smashing new noir thriller that would take you on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and fast-paced action through the rich settings of Tel Aviv and would leave you wanting more.

I loved this book because the writing flowed so well and had such an amazing literary quality that it did not feel like the author's first noir thriller but more like a nuanced piece of work by an expert. The characterisation was rich, relatable and realistic – the three Rs that made this book a complete package for me.

Other things that I appreciated in this book are the vivid settings of Tel Aviv that transported me right in the middle of a place I've never been to (and would most definitely like to visit someday, especially after having read this book), the African refugee situation that the author has explored in this book and thus provided a very different side of Israel to the readers and, last but not least, the amazing concept of the book (which was totally mind-blowing!)

I would strongly recommend this book to all thriller and mystery readers and to those readers who like reading about different cultures, places and settings. This book delivers on so many fronts that I am sure it will have something or the other to offer to all its readers.
_________________________________________

You can also read this review on www.thereadingbud.com

[Ashley Mertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am providing my honest review.
You know something just isn’t right when you get that “out of the blue” phone call from an old friend. An 18-year-old Sudanese immigrant is found murdered and no one can ID him. Oscar and his old-time pal Kobi find themselves venturing through Israel which proves to be more challenging than anticipated. Will they have what it takes to crack the case?
Hip Set written by Michael Fertik takes place in Tel Aviv, Israel. Due to my lack of knowledge regarding Israel, I found it hard to follow the language within the story at times. However, I did not let this deter me. Fertik did a great job describing the environmental surroundings, the culture, and the everyday life of the immigrants and refugees. The mystery of who the victim is, who killed him, and why is the main focus within this story.
Fertik did a great job keeping your attention. This page turner was full of suspense with many twists and turns in the plot which kept me wanting more up until the very end. His characters were likeable and memorable making you feel as if you were along for the journey with them. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense and/or mystery novels. You will not regret getting your hands on this one!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

[Mr Jasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fast-paced, post-modern detective story set in Tel Aviv - which is an unusual but very interesting backdrop to a gripping story.

It's a mystery novel as well as a bittersweet love letter to Israel, starting with the tragedy of a young man's death and then racing through a thorny, winding storyline with a clever twist which links the narrative to a famous ancient mystery.

The writing's taut and the dialogue hard-boiled, with the author showing a lot of compassion for a cosmopolitan cast of characters. I particularly liked the chiaroscuro depiction of the dark and light sides of Tel Aviv - a city that's no stranger to tragedy.

It's rare to see such original and distinctive characters in a novel of this genre, so I have to take my hat off to Mr Fertik for his stylistic originality and the inventiveness of his storyline.

[Kenneth Berland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fertick draws an array of characters from across the social and ethnic spectrum: a Congolese asylum seeker; an Isralei-born police detective; and a mobster, the origin’s of whom are meant to keep us guessing. Many authors seem more comfortable in one of their characters but for Fertick you keep wondering which is his double. He shows you how each navigates their city and, with great economy, gives you a sketch that anchors them in the novel. The point of all this is to launch the noir. And then, it’s off to the races as the setting, plot, and pitch-perfect dialog get you to the end before you were ready to pick out your next book.

[Valerie A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever book. Setting is Tel Aviv, israel, but it brings to life the modern African community living there now. With mystery and suspense it takes us and ties in the end on a journey back to Africa, and for me, keeps alive the ancient story of Queen of Sheba who visited King Solomon. (Until I visited Ethiopia this past December, I had no idea of those stories about The Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon. To the Ethiopians many believe the Ark of the Covenant was taken back to Ethiopia. ) Fertik takes us on another surprise, imaginative journey.

[Monica Cohenca Felman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every minute of this book. It’s a fun and entertaining story with a great pace and once you start reading it it’s very hard to put it down.

The city is so well described that you wonder how much time the author spent on it’s little streets to create this story, and the characters are so real that you feel you’re going to bump into them next time you’re in the area.

I highly recommend it.

[Loretta Miles Tollefson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at a subset of people in a country that I know little about. The Sudanese main character is both a convert to Judaism and an outsider in Israel, a man in a liminal state trying to help others in an even more precarious condition. I was impressed with this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

[Minty McBunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my Jewish women’s book club, it’s a little slow paced for the length but I liked the Tel Aviv setting and the fact that we see the city and its inhabitants through the eyes of an immigrant which gives a better sense of place than someone who has spent their life there. The characters were well written and believable, overall I found it an enjoyable police procedural.

[EWP · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced read with vivid imagery and insight. As someone who is unfamiliar with Tel Aviv I enjoyed a window into a new city, woven into a plot full of engaging characters.

[ABOUCHADI Ziad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendously enjoyed reading this novel. The character development seem to happen exactly at the right pace with little quirks that make all characters memorable. Loved the pieces of trivia around Tel-Aviv's history that make the cafes, beaches and streets feel very real and accessible.

[Janet]

A quick, fun read and a trip through Tel Aviv without getting on a plane. The plot is enticing and keeps the reader engaged. But the hidden gem is the exploration into the cultural differences of each character and how it influences internal thought process vs publicly displayed reaction. Moving Israel up on my bucket list.

[Lee Shulman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I went deeper into this book set in contemporary Tel Aviv, into Oscar's African sensibilities and Kobi's Israeli intuitions and experiences, Fertik disrupted stereotypes before they could set and sculpted surprises when they were most compelling. Who would guess that I would identify most with a sophisticated Somali refugee living in Tel Aviv? The trusting relationship between Oscar and Kobi redefines crime investigators in unexpected ways. I didn't want this novel to end, but as it approached its conclusion, I just wanted the protagonists to begin a new adventure immediately, or to leave just enough incomplete to obligate the author to send us a new novel and quickly. I was introduced to the alleys and courtyards of Tel Aviv that I had never known. And now I just want to go and find them. I have suggested to my friends that they read this story, imbibe familiar Hebrew phrases and unfamiliar situations. Somalis and Ukrainians, cops and academics, violence and empathy..it's all here. And I want the next one soon.

[Maria Rivas-mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

The promo for this novel intrigued me. There were some key words: ‘murder’ ‘Hebrew-speaking Liaison in the African Refugee community’ ‘Israel’ and ‘Russian mafia’. The novel promised to take me to a place and culture that is as old as time with a seasoning of something other. A detective novel that is more than. Michael Fertik absolutely did not disappoint. He caught me from the start as Oscar Orleans ‘concluded, after twenty years of living in Israel, that he had come here for the hips’ and I sped through the Staves provided @Pigeonhole as I played catch up. He continued to keep it real in tone and language and substance. By the end, I had quite fallen in love with Kobi and Oscar as their personal stories unfolded; so, my question is: where’s the follow up @MichaelFertik?

[Asa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read! Fertik creates a fresh, evocative universe packed with rich and dynamic characters, weaving their personalities and agendas together with masterly skill. Can't wait for a sequel!