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The Lost Detective #1
One Mile and Two Days Before Sunset
"In Shimon Adaf's Lost Detective Trilogy, what begins as conventional mystery becomes by degrees a brilliant deconstruction not just of genre but of our own search for meaning. Both profound and compulsively readable, these books demand to be devoured." ―Lavie Tidhar
At age thirty, Elish Ben Zaken has found himself in a life he never imagined. As a university student, Elish was an esteemed rock-music critic for local newspapers; now, disenchanted with an increasingly commercialized music scene, he has joined a private investigation agency where he is content to be a “clerk of small human sins”―a finder of stolen cars and wayward husbands. But when a disconcertingly amiable detective asks him to look into the suicide of an infamous philosophy professor―and the police file contains an unexpected allusion to Dalia Shushan, a celebrated young rock singer whose recent murder remains unsolved―Elish’s natural curiosity is piqued. And when violence begins to dog the steps of his investigation, he knows that dangerous secrets are at hand. Haunted by the ghost of Dalia, a true artist with a transformative voice whose dark brilliance Elish was one of the first to recognize, he must face the long-buried trauma of his own past in order to unravel the intertwining threads of two lives, and their ends.
In Elish, Shimon Adaf has created an unforgettable protagonist. A former philosophy student with a questing mind, born to Moroccan parents and raised in an outlying town, he is an eternal outsider in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv. Equally, One Mile and Two Days Before Sunset is a detective novel unlike any an incisive portrait of a man and a city, and a meditation on disappointment, on striving for beauty and for intensity of experience, and on the futile desire to truly know another person.
At age thirty, Elish Ben Zaken has found himself in a life he never imagined. As a university student, Elish was an esteemed rock-music critic for local newspapers; now, disenchanted with an increasingly commercialized music scene, he has joined a private investigation agency where he is content to be a “clerk of small human sins”―a finder of stolen cars and wayward husbands. But when a disconcertingly amiable detective asks him to look into the suicide of an infamous philosophy professor―and the police file contains an unexpected allusion to Dalia Shushan, a celebrated young rock singer whose recent murder remains unsolved―Elish’s natural curiosity is piqued. And when violence begins to dog the steps of his investigation, he knows that dangerous secrets are at hand. Haunted by the ghost of Dalia, a true artist with a transformative voice whose dark brilliance Elish was one of the first to recognize, he must face the long-buried trauma of his own past in order to unravel the intertwining threads of two lives, and their ends.
In Elish, Shimon Adaf has created an unforgettable protagonist. A former philosophy student with a questing mind, born to Moroccan parents and raised in an outlying town, he is an eternal outsider in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv. Equally, One Mile and Two Days Before Sunset is a detective novel unlike any an incisive portrait of a man and a city, and a meditation on disappointment, on striving for beauty and for intensity of experience, and on the futile desire to truly know another person.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
23 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Shimon Adaf
30 books12 followersShimon Adaf (Hebrew: שמעון אדף) is one of the most vibrant, restless and stirring voices in contemporary Hebrew literature (both prose-fiction and poetry). He has so far written three poetry collections and eight books of prose fiction. For his first book of poems, Icarus' Monologue (1997), Adaf won the Israeli Ministry of Education Prize and parts of it have been included in the Israeli high school literature curriculum. For his fifth novel, Mox Nox (2011), Adaf won the prestigious Israeli Sapir Prize (2013) and his third novel, Sunburned Faces (2008), published in English by PS press (2013), appeared on The Guardian’s list of the best science fiction for 2013, alongside Stephen King and Margaret Atwood. He is currently the chair of the creative writing program at Ben Gurion University in Israel.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 21, 2024
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית, קישור לבלוג שלי -
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/קילו...
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/קילו...
September 4, 2018
ספר בלש שאינו באמת כזה. זה רומן בלשי שנודד בין תל אביב לפריפריה, נוגע באמנות, פילוסופיה, רוקנרול, יחסי משפחה, טראומות ילדות ומערכות יחסים מורכבות ומעוותות - כספר מתח הוא די צפוי (טוויסט קטן בסוף) כרומן הוא כתוב יפהפה, אבל האיזון בין השניים לא תמיד נשמר ולעיתים עמוס מדי ומפוזר ואיזה שם מקסים!
ישנם שני ספרי המשך עם אותו גיבור ובהחלט מתכוון לקרוא אותם.
ישנם שני ספרי המשך עם אותו גיבור ובהחלט מתכוון לקרוא אותם.
June 10, 2023
As a latecomer to Adaf's fan club, I embarked on his first prose book from 2004, discovering a talented writer whose previous work had somehow eluded my attention until now. Having thoroughly enjoyed his 2021 novel "Ha'Lashon Nushla" (הלשון נושלה, which I will not try to translate), I approached this earlier work with high expectations. While it didn't fully meet those expectations, Adaf's storytelling abilities and his intriguing protagonist left me eager to delve into more of his adventures.
Adaf impressively weaves a clever detective narrative, culminating in a superb ending. The unlikely detective, Elish Ben-Zaken, proves to be a captivating character whose future exploits I am eager to explore in subsequent books. Additionally, Adaf's deep knowledge of Tel Aviv, the rock scene, and the Southern development towns is evident throughout the story. It is apparent that either through personal experience or extensive research, he has succeeded in bringing these settings to life.
One aspect that particularly delighted me, similar to "Ha'Lashon Nushla", was Adaf's inclusion of hints and allusions to various levels of Jewish religious culture. From biblical references to the oral law and talmudic literature, each discovery felt like unraveling a hidden gem that the author intended for readers to uncover. These moments brought a smile to my face and enhanced my overall reading experience.
However, the lyrical quality of Adaf's writing, which may suit his protagonist's disposition, became a hurdle for me in fully immersing myself in the detective story. In almost every sentence, one could find two or three metaphors, whether fitting or not, which sometimes made the reading process cumbersome. Adaf's background in poetry, while evident in his prose, seemed to overpower the detective genre. While I had anticipated this to some extent, it worked better in the fantastic settings of "Ha'Lashon Nushla," and perhaps Adaf had yet to find the perfect balance between prose and poetry in this early stage of his writing career.
Despite this issue, I did find enjoyment in the book overall, and I am committed to continuing my journey through Adaf's works. However, I do hope for improvement in his next book, where the integration of prose and poetry will be more refined. Considering all aspects, I believe a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 is appropriate, rounded down to three.
It is worth noting that while this review is written in English, I read Adaf's work in the original Hebrew version, which may have influenced my experience.
Adaf impressively weaves a clever detective narrative, culminating in a superb ending. The unlikely detective, Elish Ben-Zaken, proves to be a captivating character whose future exploits I am eager to explore in subsequent books. Additionally, Adaf's deep knowledge of Tel Aviv, the rock scene, and the Southern development towns is evident throughout the story. It is apparent that either through personal experience or extensive research, he has succeeded in bringing these settings to life.
One aspect that particularly delighted me, similar to "Ha'Lashon Nushla", was Adaf's inclusion of hints and allusions to various levels of Jewish religious culture. From biblical references to the oral law and talmudic literature, each discovery felt like unraveling a hidden gem that the author intended for readers to uncover. These moments brought a smile to my face and enhanced my overall reading experience.
However, the lyrical quality of Adaf's writing, which may suit his protagonist's disposition, became a hurdle for me in fully immersing myself in the detective story. In almost every sentence, one could find two or three metaphors, whether fitting or not, which sometimes made the reading process cumbersome. Adaf's background in poetry, while evident in his prose, seemed to overpower the detective genre. While I had anticipated this to some extent, it worked better in the fantastic settings of "Ha'Lashon Nushla," and perhaps Adaf had yet to find the perfect balance between prose and poetry in this early stage of his writing career.
Despite this issue, I did find enjoyment in the book overall, and I am committed to continuing my journey through Adaf's works. However, I do hope for improvement in his next book, where the integration of prose and poetry will be more refined. Considering all aspects, I believe a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 is appropriate, rounded down to three.
It is worth noting that while this review is written in English, I read Adaf's work in the original Hebrew version, which may have influenced my experience.
January 19, 2021
In this book Shimon Adaf introduces us to several arenas in Israeli life that are well known to him: The local Israeli rock scene and its natural controversies, the academic world of humanity studies with it’s arrogance and vanity, the contrast between the big city (Tel-Aviv) and rural development towns and the everlasting conflict between reality and magical thinking.
The fact that he manages to wrap all this and more into a detective story is an original achievement that has earned my respect.
Elish Ben-Zaken, describes himself as a "clerk of petty human sins," is a private investigator and at first glance, seems the least suitable person to investigate the suicide of Dr. Yehuda Menuhin, a notorious philosopher. When approached by a high police investigative officer to take this case, Elish plans to reject it, but when he notices that the murder of Dalia Shoshan, a successful rock singer from Sderot, is mentioned in the case, he is pulled in as if by a magnet.
I liked this book very much. One reason is that it is well written, well researched and covers areas of expertise that the author is very knowledgeable in.
The second reason is that it is an Israeli book. It happens here and it mentions places, people, events and culture that is part of my life. I willingly sink into the prose and descriptions as it touches the mosaic of my life.
I may be a late learner for this realization but I believe that I will be reading more Israeli books in the future.
The fact that he manages to wrap all this and more into a detective story is an original achievement that has earned my respect.
Elish Ben-Zaken, describes himself as a "clerk of petty human sins," is a private investigator and at first glance, seems the least suitable person to investigate the suicide of Dr. Yehuda Menuhin, a notorious philosopher. When approached by a high police investigative officer to take this case, Elish plans to reject it, but when he notices that the murder of Dalia Shoshan, a successful rock singer from Sderot, is mentioned in the case, he is pulled in as if by a magnet.
I liked this book very much. One reason is that it is well written, well researched and covers areas of expertise that the author is very knowledgeable in.
The second reason is that it is an Israeli book. It happens here and it mentions places, people, events and culture that is part of my life. I willingly sink into the prose and descriptions as it touches the mosaic of my life.
I may be a late learner for this realization but I believe that I will be reading more Israeli books in the future.
April 14, 2022
Beautiful and poetic, as all Adaf is. Wonderful translation.
June 21, 2024
I get tired of blaming my lack of enjoyment or understanding on the translator, but I must do so again. Although I am willing to accept some blame as well. This translator is apparently experienced and award winning, but even so included some word choices that were not just right. That took me out of the narrative. (I've already returned the book to the library, so I can't include any examples.) So I have to consider the possibility that her longer passages could have been worded differently to convey the author's meaning. Also, from another reader's English language review (he says he read it in the original Hebrew), the text is full of metaphors and allusions to Jewish practices/ rituals/ history. Not being either Israeli or an observant Jew, I missed most of those. And again, a text so rich would be difficult to translate in a manner faithful to the author's intent.
The mystery portion was good.
The mystery portion was good.
March 9, 2023
Some detective novels are filled with actions and dialogue. Descriptions are at a minimum and the focus of the detective’s thoughts is on “whodunnit.” Anyone looking for that type of mystery can skip the rest of this review because one of my notes on “One Mile and Two Days Before Sunset” by Shimon Adaf (Picador) is that the main character, Elish Ben Zaken, former rock music critic turned detective, spends way too much time thinking about things not connected with the mystery. Adaf’s work is as much a philosophical treatise – on a variety of topics – as it is a mystery.
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/past...
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/past...
June 5, 2025
There are two parts of the story in the same book. However, both parts hold a lot of unnecessary information that can be repetitive. The story follows Elish Ben Zaken who is hired to investigate the death of a politician's brother in the process he is forced to reopen old wounds and rehash old memories. A long this journey Elish shares his story on how he became a detective, and it seems like the whole book is more on his journey of self-acceptance instead of uncovering the truth of the death his investigating. It's not until the last hundred pages or less that we find out the Dalia he met early on in his childhood, and young adult life is the same girl that is connected to the investigation and also reopens her case.
November 22, 2025
A tough back-and-forth between our detective's rock band past, a murder (or two), a famous singer and his following leads as suspects surround his past and present. The junior detective's extreme introspection sometimes spirals to dizzying and confusing narratives. Many of the characters are so hollow, he deduces through their subterfuges.
"Engaging . . . Emotional insights and flashbacks to Elish’s youth are sinuously written and movingly translated in lyrical prose, and Adaf ably ties up the plot’s tangled complications. More than a mystery, this is a dark and yearning portrayal of Tel Aviv and the southern cities. Readers will eagerly turn to the next two installments." —Publishers Weekly
"Engaging . . . Emotional insights and flashbacks to Elish’s youth are sinuously written and movingly translated in lyrical prose, and Adaf ably ties up the plot’s tangled complications. More than a mystery, this is a dark and yearning portrayal of Tel Aviv and the southern cities. Readers will eagerly turn to the next two installments." —Publishers Weekly
February 25, 2024
This book is not a conventional murder mystery. Initially it is confusing and has many tangents, which makes it difficult to follow. It eventually improves, and the ending is quite interesting.
I wonder how much more confusing this book will be to someone not familiar with Israel, particularly Tel Aviv, and all the cultural references.
I wonder how much more confusing this book will be to someone not familiar with Israel, particularly Tel Aviv, and all the cultural references.
November 9, 2022
It was a little more philosophical introspection and a little less mystery but it had a very savvy killer who played almost everyone. I’d read the next one but probably not next.
March 21, 2023
People get murdered and detectives solve crimes in Israel too.
January 21, 2018
4 The forth Adaf i read and his first prose. A detective story that is not really about detecting.
Adaf is becoming one of my favorite writers and i am happy ill meet his detective in 2 more books.
Adaf is becoming one of my favorite writers and i am happy ill meet his detective in 2 more books.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews