Review by Booklist Review
Detective Avraham Avi Avraham returns from an idyllic stay in Brussels with the knowledge that Marianka, a Brussels police officer, will immigrate to Israel to be with him. But a suitcase containing a fake bomb found outside a day-care center greets him on his return and makes manifest Avi's fixation with his last case (The Missing File, 2013). He learns that Ilana, his superior and rabbi, wrote a report detailing Ari's mishandling of the last case, and he is confronted by a prime suspect who is even more emotionally knackered than he is. The owner of the day-care center quickly convinces Avi that she is a liar and possibly a child abuser. Even worse, Marianka isn't answering her phone, and Ilana, who expresses doubts about Avi's approach to the new investigation, tells him she will be undergoing treatment for cancer. It's all nearly too much for self-doubting Avi. The book's narrative structure may try the patience of some readers, but Avi is a fascinating character, and international-crime fans will enjoy the glimpses of life in Israel.--Gaughan, Thomas Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The scars from Israeli Insp. Avraham Avraham's last case, recounted in Mishani's 2013 series debut, The Missing File, are still affecting him in this stellar sequel. With his squad at less-than-full strength, Avraham returns to duty even before his official first day back. In the town of Holon, someone left a suitcase outside a day care center containing a fake bomb. Amos Uzan, an ex-con, was picked up shortly after the suitcase was discovered, based on an eyewitness description, but Avraham's interrogation doesn't garner enough evidence to detain him. The inspector's focus shifts instead to Chaim Sara, a caterer, who had a son at the center. Sara argued with the woman in charge of the center, Chava Cohen, after his child came home with some suspicious injuries. Sections from Sara's perspective make clear that he's hiding something, but the truth is, as in the earlier book, far from straightforward. Mishani makes good use of his study of the genre to create another psychologically complex case, in the process deepening his lead character. Agent: Marc Koralnik, Liepman Agency (Switzerland). (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
In Mishani's debut novel, The Missing File, Insp. Avraham Avraham, rushed by events, nearly fumbled his case. This near-failure scarred him, and in this work, the second in what promises to be an exceptional series, he's trying to get his life back in order. Avraham returns to Tel Aviv after a vacation. He's not even officially on the job when he's put in charge of an investigation: a fake bomb has been left outside a day-care center. In the course of his probe, he interviews an elderly man whose wife has disappeared. The man claims she returned home to the Philippines, but something smells off about the story. This substantial novel just happens to be about police work: it's also about what it's like to live in Israel, in a confusion of peoples. Avraham is an Israeli version of Georges Simenon's Maigret, progressing in his scrutiny not by deduction but by soaking up atmosphere and getting inside his adversaries' heads. He pushes ahead of the evidence at times, but his missteps are human and thus forgivable. Verdict An exceptional police procedural that should appeal to mystery lovers of all types.-David Keymer, Modesto, CA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Inspector Avraham Avraham tries to fathom whyeven in Israelsomeone would plant a fake bomb outside a day care center.Surprises await Avraham on his return from Brussels. While he was spending carefree hours with Marianka, the lovely Belgian police officer he met on what started as a routine training assignment (The Missing File, 2013), his unit welcomed a new commander. Benny Saban seems like a harmless bean counter, but hes almost too cordial to Avraham. Ilana Lis, his mentor, on the other hand, seems to be avoiding him. When he reads her report on the Sharabi case, he can see why: It details his many mistakes, while acknowledging that he did find the solution. His current investigation, then, seems increasingly like a chance to redeem himself. The case itself is trivial, since no one was hurt by the device planted outside Chava Cohens child care center. But something in his interrogations makes Avraham uneasy. Amos Uzan seems like a run-of-the-mill thug with a minor rap sheet. Is it just the tiny mustache hes grown since his last mug shot that bothers Avraham? And Chaim Sara seems like an honest schlub just trying to make a living selling sandwiches. What is there about his story about his Philippine wifes visit home to see her sick father that doesnt ring true? As Avraham closes in on the truth, he faces the terrifying feeling that, once again, he may just be too late.Tense yet heartfelt, Mishanis second Avraham entry is even more riveting than his debut. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
