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Off Target
He was off target, but some things will never stop hunting him. After many years of service in the Israeli Mossad, which ended in a botched operation and a reluctant retirement, Moshe sets off to London for a vacation to meet the daughter he barely got to raise. Before he manages to track her down, he meets Yasmin, a beautiful and mysterious woman, with whom he spends one day, ending with a romantic dinner in her apartment. The next day, he wakes up in a crate inside the trunk of an airplane. It turns out that Yasmin is a cooperative of a terrorist organization whose greatest wish is to take revenge on Israel for a rogue bomb that killed her family. On enemy land, Moshe’s life is in grave danger, as are the many secrets he has been carrying from his time in the Mossad. But just when the chances of him making it out alive seem close to none, a mysterious source offers help and opens up a small window of hope. Will the skilled agent survive against the odds?
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 4, 2021
‘Moshe had many years of close study of human body language. Nothing got past him’
Israeli author Michael Rozen earned his MA from Tel Aviv University and has served as a pilot in the Israeli Air Force, a lawyer, and a licensed tour guide. After attending an Inner Engineering spiritual workshop in London sponsored by Isha Foundation which was founded by the Hindu spiritual guide Sadhguru, he began the long-dreamed for experience of writing a novel. OFF TARGET is the result – the first of which we can hope will be many!
It is always refreshing to encounter a debut novel that offers so much promise for a new author’s future. Michael’s concept for his involving story is matched by his excellent prose style, and in OFF TARGET he manages to create a suspenseful thriller that spans the Arab-Israeli conflicts, intrigue, and terrorism, while molding a very fine romance.
The lyricism of Michael’s atmospheric prose opens the portal to this engrossing story: ‘It was a typical spring day in Tel Aviv. The heat was just bearable, but the humidity was not. It was not yet fully summer, when Tel Aviv becomes a steaming, blazing furnace, and the air is composed of a nauseating mixture of heavy odors, smoke, and burnt oil from the exhaust pipes of thousands of vehicles that crowd the roads and from the asphalt itself which, in some places, looks like it is about to turn into molten lava flowing slowly through town. Apart from air-conditioned buildings, the only refuge from summer Moshe could think of were the occasional, shady spots by the sea. The breeze almost mitigated the heat and dispelled the terrible humidity and smells, making spending time outside somewhat tolerable.’
Scene painted, the story unfolds following the author’s outline: ‘ After many years of service in the Israeli Mossad, which ended in a botched operation and a reluctant retirement, Moshe sets off to London for a vacation to meet the daughter he barely got to raise. Before he manages to track her down, he meets Yasmin, a beautiful and mysterious woman, with whom he spends one day, ending with a romantic dinner in her apartment. The next day, he wakes up in a crate inside the trunk of an airplane. It turns out that Yasmin is a cooperative of a terrorist organization whose greatest wish is to take revenge on Israel for a rogue bomb that killed her family. On enemy land, Moshe’s life is in grave danger, as are the many secrets he has been carrying from his time in the Mossad. But just when the chances of him making it out alive seem close to none, a mysterious source offers help and opens up a small window of hope. Will the skilled agent survive against the odds? He was off target, but some things will never stop hunting him.’
Michael Rozen gives strong evidence in this energetic and most satisfying novel that he is an author to watch. Highly recommended.
Israeli author Michael Rozen earned his MA from Tel Aviv University and has served as a pilot in the Israeli Air Force, a lawyer, and a licensed tour guide. After attending an Inner Engineering spiritual workshop in London sponsored by Isha Foundation which was founded by the Hindu spiritual guide Sadhguru, he began the long-dreamed for experience of writing a novel. OFF TARGET is the result – the first of which we can hope will be many!
It is always refreshing to encounter a debut novel that offers so much promise for a new author’s future. Michael’s concept for his involving story is matched by his excellent prose style, and in OFF TARGET he manages to create a suspenseful thriller that spans the Arab-Israeli conflicts, intrigue, and terrorism, while molding a very fine romance.
The lyricism of Michael’s atmospheric prose opens the portal to this engrossing story: ‘It was a typical spring day in Tel Aviv. The heat was just bearable, but the humidity was not. It was not yet fully summer, when Tel Aviv becomes a steaming, blazing furnace, and the air is composed of a nauseating mixture of heavy odors, smoke, and burnt oil from the exhaust pipes of thousands of vehicles that crowd the roads and from the asphalt itself which, in some places, looks like it is about to turn into molten lava flowing slowly through town. Apart from air-conditioned buildings, the only refuge from summer Moshe could think of were the occasional, shady spots by the sea. The breeze almost mitigated the heat and dispelled the terrible humidity and smells, making spending time outside somewhat tolerable.’
Scene painted, the story unfolds following the author’s outline: ‘ After many years of service in the Israeli Mossad, which ended in a botched operation and a reluctant retirement, Moshe sets off to London for a vacation to meet the daughter he barely got to raise. Before he manages to track her down, he meets Yasmin, a beautiful and mysterious woman, with whom he spends one day, ending with a romantic dinner in her apartment. The next day, he wakes up in a crate inside the trunk of an airplane. It turns out that Yasmin is a cooperative of a terrorist organization whose greatest wish is to take revenge on Israel for a rogue bomb that killed her family. On enemy land, Moshe’s life is in grave danger, as are the many secrets he has been carrying from his time in the Mossad. But just when the chances of him making it out alive seem close to none, a mysterious source offers help and opens up a small window of hope. Will the skilled agent survive against the odds? He was off target, but some things will never stop hunting him.’
Michael Rozen gives strong evidence in this energetic and most satisfying novel that he is an author to watch. Highly recommended.
September 5, 2022
Excellent book and highly recommended!
"Off Target" tells the story of Moshe, an Israeli Mossad agent who is fired, leaves Israel and begins having an affair with the wrong person. In fluid writing that accurately conveys a very Israeli vibe and in a flowing manner that is fun to read; Even though the book also reaches deep topics while presenting different angles to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The book illustrates a clash between different human approaches, also far outside the borders of Israel/Palestine.
The description of the background of each of the characters as a motive that eventually causes some of them to "switch sides", as well as the circumstances of the separation between parent and child and the attempt to renew the family bond, is thought-provoking and reminds the reader that on both sides of the fence there are painful personal stories that only love will finally heal.
The book also reveals some of the originality and innovation of the elite units in the IDF, known for their impressive and daring rescue operations. I really enjoyed reading it.
"Off Target" tells the story of Moshe, an Israeli Mossad agent who is fired, leaves Israel and begins having an affair with the wrong person. In fluid writing that accurately conveys a very Israeli vibe and in a flowing manner that is fun to read; Even though the book also reaches deep topics while presenting different angles to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The book illustrates a clash between different human approaches, also far outside the borders of Israel/Palestine.
The description of the background of each of the characters as a motive that eventually causes some of them to "switch sides", as well as the circumstances of the separation between parent and child and the attempt to renew the family bond, is thought-provoking and reminds the reader that on both sides of the fence there are painful personal stories that only love will finally heal.
The book also reveals some of the originality and innovation of the elite units in the IDF, known for their impressive and daring rescue operations. I really enjoyed reading it.
October 24, 2021
I skimmed a lot wanting to finish the book. The 1st 40% was Moshe being fired and a sad "love story" of what's a beautiful woman like you doing here type talk. Weak. I was relieved when the next 10% stopped this by having Moshe kidnapped, thank goodness. The thriller, or was this a mystery? was thin weak and slow. I suspect if you live in Israel, much of this is almost interesting detail, maybe?
The head group of Israeli intelligence seemed more like the deep thought of high school freshmen. Thrown in was a healthy dose of ethereal thought from a guru saving the universe, except yoga was treated like some cult thing. Yoga?
Not action, clever mystery or thriller.
The head group of Israeli intelligence seemed more like the deep thought of high school freshmen. Thrown in was a healthy dose of ethereal thought from a guru saving the universe, except yoga was treated like some cult thing. Yoga?
Not action, clever mystery or thriller.
October 25, 2021
Boring and slow
Made it 30% into the book and I tapped out. I could no longer take such a slow and boring book. I dozed off three times while reading a story about an old head’s simple
and bland life. I do not recommend.
Made it 30% into the book and I tapped out. I could no longer take such a slow and boring book. I dozed off three times while reading a story about an old head’s simple
and bland life. I do not recommend.
October 17, 2021
A very unusual story
I tried to follow the theme of the story but it or me just four get into
it in a proper manner
I tried to follow the theme of the story but it or me just four get into
it in a proper manner
October 31, 2021
Can't stop reading
In line with the best mystery books in this genre. The author goes into details and keeps you in suspense all the way to the end.
In line with the best mystery books in this genre. The author goes into details and keeps you in suspense all the way to the end.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews