The Collaborator of Bethlehem

THE COLLABORATOR OF BETHLEHEM: Matt Rees: Soho Crime: 2007: Mystery: 264 pages.

Matt Rees, former Time bureau chief in Jerusalem, has written a remarkable murder mystery and social commentary redolent of the tensions and graces of life in Israel. Omar Yussef is a Palestinian who teaches for the United Nations school in Bethlehem. While Yussef is trying to teach his students critical thinking in a world filled with rumor, propaganda, and hatred, he meets his friend George, a Christian and former student whose rooftop is being used by Palestinian militants to launch rockets at the Israelis, so that when the Israelis return fire they won't destroy Palestinian targets. Omar commiserates but does not know how to help; George drives the militants from his rooftop, only to be framed and arrested as a collaborator and a murderer. Omar determines to help George, though his family is against it and he himself wavers, knowing his aid will not really help George and will bring trouble on himself and his loved ones. The power of this story lies not in the mystery itself, but in the richness of its characters, the fear generated by thugs who use a fake political agenda to advance their personal aims, and the undifferentiating response of the Israelis. First in a series of Omar Yussef mysteries, The Collaborator of Bethlehem, is a treasure.

LW