I had high expectations for this book, and it truly did not disappoint me.

I have never read any fiction that is set in occupied Palestine, and I was really hoping to gain an understanding of what life is like under such occupation.

The author has painted a极其严峻的画面. Not only do the Christians and Muslims live in a constant state of fear due to the Israelis' attacks, but they are also engaged in a war with each other. Their lives are filled with distrust, violence, and inhumanity. It seems as if there is no possible solution in sight.

The mystery within the book is extremely well-written and highly intriguing. There is an abundance of suspense, and the resolution is something that I never saw coming.

The author has written a series of mysteries with the same lead detective character. I might have to wait for a while before I am willing to return to this disturbing environment.

Overall, I highly recommend this book.

I don't have a great affinity for reviewing books, especially when there are already plenty of other people who have done so. However, I will say this: I truly liked this book and I'm absolutely certain that I'll read the series. I was deeply impressed by the way the author managed to handle the intricacies of Palestinian history and the life of an occupied people.

I find myself wondering what Palestinians would think of it. So far, though, I've only come across reviews written by non-Palestinians.

I believe the following quotes truly exemplify what I perceive as the author's incisiveness.

Firstly, regarding the problem of religion.

"Omar Yussef looked up into the bearded face of the carved figure. He detected nothing spiritual in it. It was as blank as if it were set in a supermarket jello mold. 'St. Jerome?' 'Yes, our local saint and martyr,' Elias Bishara said. 'I was meditating on our friend George Saba earlier. I realized that I felt hatred toward the Muslims of our town for what they have done to George. I hate them for their unthinking orthodoxy and their crazy compulsion to martyrdom. I came here, to the feet of Jerome, to be reminded that we Christians have had our share of lunatics, fanatically rejecting those who thought and worshipped differently.'"

Also, "The policemen lifted Habib Saba. A thick black book dropped from his grasp into the dust and stone. Omar Yussef brushed the powdered cement from the worn leather cover and opened it. On the flyleaf, there was an inscription in an educated, old-fashioned hand: 'To Abu Omar, God willing there always will be such harmony between those of our two faiths as there has been between you and I. Your dear friend, Issa.'"

Secondly, the problem of education.

"The government inspector read from a series of letters he claimed parents had written to his department. The letters quoted Omar Yussef criticizing the president and the government, lambasting the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades as gangsters, condemning suicide bombings and talking disrespectfully about the sheikhs in some of the local mosques. 'Last month,' the inspector said, 'some of the students were hurt in a demonstration against Occupation soldiers at Rachel's Tomb. The next day, teacher Omar Yussef told them that instead of throwing stones at soldiers, children should throw stones at their parents and their government for making a mess of their lives. This is a precise quote: for making a mess of their lives, throw stones at their parents and their government.'...

This stupid man really thought I wanted the children to attack their parents. 'The children were already violent. They attacked the soldiers. I hope it's not revolutionary to point out that this is still an act of violence, whatever their reasons for doing so. I was suggesting to the children that the guiltiest target is not always the most obvious one,' he said.

'That is outrageous.' the government inspector said. 'To place parents and the government before the Occupation Forces as criminals against the Palestinian people.'

'It's politically correct these days to blow yourself up in a crowd of civilians. It's politically correct to praise those who detonate themselves and to laud them in the newspapers and in the mosques.' Omar Yussef banged the edge of his hand on the desk. 'But you say that it's outrageous for me to encourage intellectual inquiry?'"

[Warning: The introduction to the review of the book is rather long; I apologize for that but felt it necessary to ensure readers have the complete context from which I base this review. In an era of soundbites, pull quotes, memes and GIFs, I shall plant my lonely flag of exposition. It’s a luxury afforded to those of us who have maybe two people who read our blog.]

In today's information-saturated age, it's easy to think we understand a place and its people without ever being there or talking to those who have. Binge-watching YouTube lectures and reading various blogs and articles, along with their comments, gives a false sense of understanding. However, the sheer volume of conflicting information can also make it seem impossible to truly understand other cultures and places. Some people find refuge in unwavering convictions. Thankfully, fiction offers an alternative way to learn about cultures, places, and conflicts. A good work of fiction, one that masters its genre, weaves real facts and truths about the setting, society, and culture into the dialogue and characters. Fiction allows us to absorb information without being overly critical of the source, as we know the story is the motive and trust the writer to have done their research.

I've found some of the best insights into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in works of fiction like Joe Sacco's Palestine. While I've read nonfiction on the subject, it was often only through fiction that the information truly became knowledge. I won't share my political opinions here, but I will say that I've been fascinated by Middle Eastern culture since childhood. I saved this book from a friend's discard pile and forgot about it until I found it again while looking for a quick read before my first vacation in five years. The protagonist, Omar Yussef, is a Christian in a hostile Bethlehem. He recalls his father's friendships with Muslims and Jews but is cynical about the Martyrs Brigade. His faith and his father's experience of being forced from their village by Israeli soldiers set him apart. Omar is also a recovering alcoholic who has been demoted from teaching history at a good school to a UN refugee camp girls' school. His refusal to let his students give in to hatred and propaganda makes him unpopular with some parents and his American boss.

Rees has created a complex and unlikely hero in Omar, and also humanizes the ordinary people living in the conflict. The mystery at the heart of the novel is absorbing, with a mix of hope, cynicism, and surprise. Omar's motives are messy and a bit selfish, and the novel's conclusion is inevitably bloody. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read that shows why Rees was an award-winning foreign correspondent. As readers, we can be grateful for this honest portrayal of the conflict, and as people who hope for peace, we must accept the truth as it is.

I did enjoy this book on a number of levels.

Typically, I have a penchant for detectives hailing from northern latitudes. Addicted to the works of Mankell, Rankin, and Larsson, I savor the bleakness, the mists that obscure both physically and symbolically.

However, in Rees's Bethlehem, the weather conditions could not have been more diverse. And the weather was but the very least of the discomforts the inhabitants had to endure. The searing heat, followed by the cleansing rain that eventually descends, is merely a part of the desolation that pervades the region.

Rees adeptly描绘s the terrible vicissitudes of life for the populace. The routine brutality and regular disruptions are on a scale that those of us living in comfort in Europe can scarcely believe.

In his central character, Omar Yussef, the teacher-turned-detective, Rees has crafted a captivating, humane, flawed, and likable personality. His musings, as well as his physical tribulations, are described in vivid detail.

I truly felt sad when Omar failed to save his protegé, the poor, poor George Saba who should have remained in Chile. The detective story had enough twists to keep me guessing, but I believe I gleaned more from this book about the conditions of real people in Palestine than from a hundred news stories. It has always been so.

On 4 MAR 2018, Bettie discovered something at the BBC and shared the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09tcb4r. She expressed her gratitude, saying that she would listen to it during her lunch hour the next day.

Then, on 7 MAR 2018, someone else responded, saying they loved it and thanking dear Bettie. It seems that this discovery at the BBC has brought some enjoyment and appreciation among friends.

Perhaps this program on the BBC is something truly special that has captured the interest of these individuals. It could be a fascinating documentary, an engaging talk show, or a captivating drama.

Whatever it is, it has managed to create a connection and a sense of shared experience among Bettie and her friend. It's wonderful to see how a simple discovery can bring people together and create moments of joy and gratitude.

We can only imagine what they will discuss and share after listening to this program. Maybe it will spark new conversations, inspire new ideas, or simply provide a moment of relaxation and entertainment during their busy days.

In any case, it's clear that this little find at the BBC has had a positive impact on their lives.

This is a truly remarkable debut novel by a reporter who hails from Wales and has spent two decades in Jerusalem.

Prior to the publication of this book in 2007, Rees had already released a non-fiction work in 2004 that delved into Israeli and Palestinian society in the Middle East.

The protagonist of this series, Omar Yussef, is essentially a teacher, but he is drawn into the role of a detective in an attempt to exonerate a former student accused of collaborating with Israel's defense forces - a capital offense in Muslim Bethlehem.

As described on the back cover of the book, without giving away any spoilers.

In just 259 pages, Rees introduces readers to an engaging leading character and sketches out his supporting family.

Moreover, he alludes to the history of Bethlehem while narrating a plausible detective story that involves minority Christians, Palestinian refugees, the Palestinian Martyrs' Brigade, and the Israeli defense forces.

The story is believable as, according to an author's note at the front of the book, "All the crimes in this book are based on real events in Bethlehem...".

The tragic aspect of this story is the sense of hopelessness that must grip the town of Bethlehem and its environs.

Having just completed a book about Ireland's troubles, it is difficult for me not to draw parallels between the occupied territories and Northern Ireland.

However, the troubles in the Middle East seem far more entrenched and intractable, which is truly disheartening.

The history of the region is marred by bloodshed and dominated by fanatics of various creeds.

Perhaps it would be better if there were no organized religions at all.

Despite the fact that this is fiction, it provides a truly eye-opening perspective into the hell that constitutes the daily life of the Palestinian people. The vivid descriptions and poignant narratives within the story bring to light the hardships, struggles, and injustices they endure on a regular basis. It is a heart-wrenching portrayal that elicits deep emotions and a sense of empathy. I found myself weeping more than once as I delved into the pages, feeling the weight of their suffering. This fictional work serves as a powerful reminder of the real-life situation faced by the Palestinians and calls upon us to pay attention, to understand, and to take action to bring about positive change and a more just world for all.

Tough read. The murder(s) story is good, yet nothing too special. However, the environment is what truly stands out. The Bethlehem refugee camp, with Palestinians caught between the Israeli army and gangsters masquerading as resistance fighters, is a setting filled with collaboration, deceit, and all too much depression. The author's depictions are true enough to make one feel the weight of the situation. It's a story that grips you and makes you think. I recommend it wholeheartedly and will definitely read the next one in the series.

I might have derived greater enjoyment from this book had the situation in Ukraine not been unfolding at present.

It is truly heart-wrenching to contemplate these perpetual wars and conflicts that revolve around religion, politics, and power.

I am aware that this is part of a series, yet I will probably pass on the other books.

Even though I have a genuine appreciation for the authenticity with which the struggles endured by Omar Yuseff were depicted.

For a debut novel, it is rather commendable.

However, the current real-world events have cast a shadow over my perception of this fictional work.

The similarities between the fictional conflicts and the actual turmoil in the world make it difficult for me to fully engage with the story.

Nonetheless, I cannot deny the quality of the writing and the author's ability to bring the character's experiences to life.

Perhaps at a different time, I would have been more inclined to explore the rest of the series.

But for now, I find myself preoccupied with the harsh realities that surround us.

This was an incredibly hard book for me to read.

It accurately captures the heartache of having no answers to questions of ethics and morality in a war zone where there are no clear good guys and bad guys, just individuals with guns.

Honestly, in a fun little twist to the genre, I found that the murder mystery itself paled in comparison to the interest generated by the investigator himself.

In fact, I would dare to say that any other character would have left me so bored that I wouldn't have even bothered finishing the book.

As it is now, I'm going to give the next one in the series a try in the hope that Youssef remains the same but the mystery is more interesting.

This book really made me think about the complex issues that arise in such a setting and the impact they have on the characters involved.

I'm curious to see how the story will develop in the next installment and if it will be able to hold my attention as much as this one did, despite its challenges.

"The Collaborator of Bethlehem" introduces us to an unlikely detective, Omar Yussef. In fact, he is not a detective at all, but a grandfather and a schoolteacher in a UN school in the Palestinian territories. He can be short-tempered and impulsive in his conclusions. He can be cranky, and while he is beloved by some, he is regarded with suspicion and contempt by others.

Setting a mystery in the complex political context of Palestine enriches the story. I have personally spent time in the so-called "Christian Triangle" where this novel is set (consisting of the three municipalities of Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour), and I could picture all the scenes of the story. Everything seemed quite plausible and real.

However, I have one reservation. I assume it is difficult to engage in any discussion of the Palestinian situation without getting into some sort of political debate, even if we are only talking about a murder mystery. But in Matt Rees' allusions to the status of Palestinian Christians, he seems to give the impression that the decline of the Christian population in the Holy Land is largely due to hostile Christian-Muslim relations. Undoubtedly, those relations have worsened over the years. But during my time in Bethlehem and its surroundings, all my interactions were with Christians, and every one of them told me that the main reason for the Christian exodus from their ancient homeland was the difficulties caused by the Israeli occupation. Indeed, they believed that many of the tensions between Christians and Muslims were fanned by Israelis, who saw the benefits of dividing the Palestinian community.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and was eager to follow its twists. It conveyed the truth that in the Occupied Territories today, it is hard to know from day to day whom to trust or believe.

I truly have a great passion for the Passport to Mystery series by Soho Crime. They bring out mystery novels that are set in various corners of the world.

I had a longing to embark on a journey to the lands of the Bible, and thus I picked up a copy of “The Collaborator of Bethlehem”, which is set in the modern-day city that is the traditional birthplace of Jesus. Although it is marketed as a mystery, it is more of an evocative portrayal of a place and time where the law holds no sway and killings seem to occur on a whim.

The book introduces us to Omar Yussef, a Palestinian school teacher who is vehemently against the prevailing religious intolerance. Despite being a Muslim, he befriends Christians and regards many of them as his best students. He views the local Martyrs brigade as nothing more than a gang, similar to the Mafia, which demands payoffs and muscle its way into lucrative local businesses. While rekindling a relationship with a former Christian student, Yussef gets embroiled in the killing of a Martyrs brigade hero, who was seemingly killed after being betrayed to the Israelis by a local collaborator. Things unfold rapidly as more deaths occur and an innocent man is framed.

I must admit that there wasn't really much of a profound mystery. Yussef collects evidence which he then simply pockets, without any clear indication of its origin or any scientific analysis. He makes hasty judgments about who is to blame and then quickly changes his stance when the evidence alters. However, Yussef is an admirable character. He is a man who desires to do the right thing even in a lawless and disorderly world. In this regard, the book is successful as Yussef is not a perfect man and he doesn't always make the right choices. But he manages to survive and ultimately, some form of justice is accomplished through his actions.

This is the first installment of a four-part series featuring Yussef. Based on this first novel, I will likely continue reading just to witness how the characters develop.