This was far better than I had initially expected.

Typically, when it comes to mysteries or thrillers set in foreign lands, I often find that they sacrifice the quality of writing for the sake of the location. However, "The Collaborator of Bethlehem" is a pleasant exception. It has a likeable amateur detective, Omar Yussef, and features a complex web of characters. As a result, you're constantly left in a state of uncertainty, never quite sure who the good guys are and who the bad guys are.

It's not the kind of "seat of your pants" thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, but the pacing is good nonetheless. I didn't feel the need to skim any pages to move the story along. What I especially love about novels is when I can learn something about a particular location, event, or period of time. "The Collaborator of Bethlehem" is skillfully woven around the complicated world of Israeli/Palestinian relationships, without stereotyping any group or subgroup (and there are many).

I'm heartened by the fact that Matt Rees should know what he's writing about, having spent a significant amount of time in Palestine as a correspondent. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next adventure of Omar Yussef.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written mystery with a touch of cultural and political depth.

From 2007 to 2010, Welsh author Matt Rees made a significant contribution to the literary world with the publication of the four novels of the Palestine Quartet.

The first novel, The Collaborator of Bethlehem, introduces us to schoolteacher and aspiring detective Omar Yussef. This was an outstanding debut that set the stage for the series to follow. It presented an unconventional yet entirely convincing picture of the Palestinian Al-Aqsa Intifada (2000 - 5).

Drawing on his extensive experience as a working journalist in Israel and Palestine, Rees delved beneath the surface of the headline-grabbing events. He aimed to dramatize the real-life consequences for the Palestinian people, who were often hapless and unsuspecting victims of the violence perpetrated by their leaders.

A murder in Palestine involves both the Israelis and the PLO. Rees's flawed hero, Omar Yussef Sirhan, is a reformed alcoholic who teaches history at a UNRWA school in the Dehaisha refugee camp near Bethlehem. Omar is an angry man, frustrated with the "corrupt scum who ran the government" and the people of the camp who blindly follow them. He deplores the "hopeless rigidity of his people's politics."

As an Arab nationalist, he is equally angry at the Israelis. Their soldiers have killed many innocent people in response to attacks by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, which controls both the camp and the town. But when Omar's former star pupil and good friend is murdered by an Israeli sniper after being set up by a collaborator among the "martyrs," Omar is enraged. He embarks on a crusade to prove that the collaborator was, in fact, the head of the Brigade. His investigation sets off a chain of events that threaten the stability of his family and neighbors and seems likely to cost him his life.

In exploring the origins and consequences of what might otherwise be seen as an unremarkable murder in Palestine, Rees offers a balanced view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Omar Yussef reflects, "It wasn't wrong to see the Arabs as victims of a harsh history, but it was a mistake to assume that they bore no responsibility for their own sufferings."

Rees's portrayal of Police Brigadier Khamis Zeydan, Bethlehem's police chief, as "a bitter, melancholy, apathetic drunk," serves as a sobering reminder of the complexity of the history of this region. The question of who is a terrorist and who is terrorized is also explored. Zeydan remarks to Omar, "I may be a police officer now, but I was, for many years, what the world chooses to call a terrorist." Omar responds, "You were all terrorists, you and your PLO buddies in exile. Now what? Now you are terrorized."

Later, Omar muses, "Perhaps Bethlehem was their town, after all, and it was Omar Yussef who was the outlaw interloper here, peddling contraband decency and running a clandestine trade in morality." These reflections elevate what might have been a simple mystery story into the realm of serious literature.

The award-winning Welsh author Matt Rees has an impressive body of work, with nine novels published, including historical fiction, mysteries, and thrillers, as well as a nonfiction book. His website bio reveals his extensive experience in the Middle East, having been the Middle East correspondent for The Scotsman and Newsweek. During the Palestinian intifada, he was Time's Jerusalem bureau chief, and Yasser Arafat once tried to have him arrested. The four Omar Yussef novels have won the coveted John Creasey Dagger from the British Crime Writers Association.

Matt Rees's work not only entertains but also provides valuable insights into the complex and often tragic history of Palestine.

This is a truly remarkable crime novel. It is well-written, with a hard-hitting narrative that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish. The setting is fascinating, transporting the reader to a world that is both gritty and full of life. Against this backdrop, the political background adds an extra layer of intrigue and interest. It makes the story not only about the crime itself, but also about the larger forces at play in society.

I was completely engrossed in this novel and I cannot wait to read the next books in the series. I have no doubt that they will be just as精彩 as this one. The author has a real talent for creating complex characters and weaving a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good crime story with a bit of depth and substance.

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⭐️3.5⭐️

Wonderful writing.

However, it is awful to read due to the content and tone.

This is truly a world that I have no desire to live in.

Nonetheless, I continued reading as Mr. Rees managed to draw me into this unpleasant and extremely scary world.

He even made me care about some of the people within it.

Will I read this again? Probably not.

But will I read something else by this writer? Almost certainly.

The author's writing skills are so remarkable that despite the unappealing nature of the story, they have the power to engage and captivate the reader.

It makes me curious to see what other worlds and characters this writer can create.

Even though this particular work left me with an uneasy feeling, I am still eager to explore more of his writings.

Who knows what other surprises and emotions he will be able to evoke?

I'm an avid reader of books about the Middle East, and this mystery set in Bethlehem on the West Bank truly caught my eye.

At first glance, I didn't think I would like it. However, I was soon drawn into the intricate twists and turns of the plot. Some of them were truly shocking, and I felt as if I had been immersed in the Arab-Israeli political tensions in a way I had never experienced before.

The Welsh-born author, Rees, a journalist with Time magazine in Jerusalem, chooses an Arab history teacher at a UN-run girls school for refugees as his central character. This man, with a comb-over and a mid-life crisis, and unqualified as a detective, attempts to uncover the identity of an informer responsible for the killing of a young resistance fighter. This act has led to the false arrest of a close friend.

For me, the final solving of this mystery was not as interesting as the vivid portrayal of daily life in a world where the rule of law has been subverted by armed insurgents and an embrace of martyrdom. All of this is set against the backdrop of an occupying army with considerably superior firepower. In this environment, the occasions to kill or be killed multiply, whether as the victim of revenge, dishonor, mob violence, suicide bombing, or cross-fire between combatants.

Framing all of this within the conventions of the detective story makes this novel something close to creative nonfiction. Meanwhile, as the sole voice of reason and decency crying in this wilderness, the detective Omar Yussef becomes someone you admire for his courage, though it may seem foolish at times. I truly hope Rees' book is the first of a series, and I eagerly look forward to reading more.

A very illuminating first novel by the former Jerusalem bureau chief of Time magazine.

He presents a brutally grim, gritty, and highly realistic portrayal of life among the Palestinians in Bethlehem. Here, clan rivalries simmer, corrupt police lurk, fanatical martyr brigades roam, and normal families struggle to survive in the chaos of a power vacuum.

A humble schoolteacher endeavors to free a man he believes is innocent while simultaneously seeking the truly guilty party. He hopes that the size and strength of his own clan will afford him some measure of safety as he defies the bullies, yet he is constantly uncertain of who he can trust.

He makes numerous mistakes, narrowly escapes with his life on several occasions, and inadvertently causes a great deal of horrifying collateral damage and bloodshed. Justice is achieved only at a very great expense.

At first, I was captivated, but I gradually became simply stunned by the sheer violence and cruelty. The schoolteacher is a noble and honest man, and I long to read more about him. He desperately tries to avoid becoming vindictive, vengeful, and self-righteous like most of the thugs he despises.

There are three or four more books in the series, but I'm not certain if I can bear the emotional toll of reading further.

I read this book not only because it seemed interesting but also as a personal act of resistance against the boycotting of ideas. There are many elements in this book that give the impression of being true. However, I was left with a strange feeling that the main character, the budding detective Omar Yussef, adopts a more moral and humane position than the author himself. This is odd because Yussef is the author's creation. Yussef firmly believes in seeing the humanity in everyone, but I'm not entirely certain if the author can truly do the same within himself.

This book would make an excellent choice for group discussion. It presents various themes and perspectives that can spark in-depth conversations and exchanges of ideas. Readers can explore the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters, analyze the author's writing style and intentions, and discuss the broader implications of the story. Group discussions can enhance the reading experience by allowing different viewpoints to be shared and debated, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the book.

This is the first installment in a captivating series of mysteries centered around Omar Yussef, a middle-aged Palestinian teacher working in a U.N. school.

As a "whodunnit," it has its limitations. The reader doesn't have the opportunity to closely follow the clues and engage in the process of solving the mystery to identify the culprit. Additionally, I would have derived greater enjoyment from the story if fewer pages were dedicated to Yussef's indecision regarding the value of his work and whether his ideas pose a danger to his students.

What truly stands out and is highly appreciated are the vivid depictions of the deep-rooted conflicts and tensions that simmer beneath the surface of occupation. We witness impotent police forces, thugs disguising themselves as liberation fighters, rampant corruption, and ordinary people simply striving to survive in an environment rife with unpredictable violence and a constant sense of threat.

In a sense, I wish there had been a more explicit connection established between the occupation and the conditions it engenders. However, perhaps such a direct link would have made the novel overly polemical. Nevertheless, Yussef's political stance is more or less revealed as pragmatic. He seems to accept that his people will likely never regain the lands of their ancestors, and his attitude towards the Israeli occupation appears to be more strategic rather than ideological.

I am keenly interested in reading the other books in this series to determine whether the political aspects become more clearly defined and developed.

The title of the book I read was "Bethlehem Murder". However, it seems that GoodReads only has the American version. Nevertheless, this book has done more for my understanding of the Palestine conundrum than any non-fiction account I have ever read. I assume that was the author's intention.

It is also an enjoyable read - a really exciting one indeed. I read it several months ago during a trip on the other side of the pond, and it still lingers in my mind. I am certain to return to Matt Rees' works soon.

I found the story to be both engaging and thought-provoking. It presented a unique perspective on the complex issues surrounding the Palestine conflict, and it made me think more deeply about the human side of the story.

The characters were well-developed and the plot was full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I would highly recommend "Bethlehem Murder" to anyone interested in learning more about the Palestine conundrum or simply looking for a great read.

I had the opportunity to read the Greek translation of this particular book, and the reason for that is quite simple - I am Greek.

To my great delight, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. In fact, I am now eagerly looking forward to delving into more works by Matt Rees.

I came across a few reviews that described the plot as being simplistic and the book's "atmosphere" as rather gloomy. However, my own perception differed significantly. I thought the plot was actually quite interesting, filled with enough twists and turns to keep me engaged from start to finish.

As for the atmosphere, I firmly believe that a story that explores the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot realistically be expected to have a cheerful tone. The subject matter is complex and沉重, and it is only natural that the atmosphere of the book would reflect that.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or who simply enjoys a well-written story.

I am not typically the kind of person who enjoys reading mystery books. However, I am truly glad that I decided to pick up and read this particular one.

The complexity of the political manoeuvering that takes place in Bethlehem is truly eye-opening. It is a place where Christians, Jewish people, and Muslims all go about their daily lives, yet they are filled with distrust, betrayal, and stress, which are all brought on by the Occupation of Palestine.

This book effectively highlights just how extremely difficult it will be to find a peaceful solution to the problems that exist in this region. It seems that violence is often seen as the only possible solution, which makes the situation even more challenging.

The main character, Omar Yussef, is an educator who tries his best to navigate and live within this complex mix of hatred and mistrust. As the opening sentence, "Omar Yussef considered himself a long way from Paradise," suggests, it is clear that his journey will be a tough one.

Overall, this book provides a thought-provoking and engaging look into a complex and often overlooked part of the world.