Only the Dead Know Peace

An exotic thrill ride, dipped in the rich history and cultures of the Middle east, Alberto Mansur's Only The Dead Know Peace takes you on a journey right into the firey hot furnace between Israel and Palestine. There we find Ian Bloom, an American would-be playboy turned soldier for peace with no business being there other than his search for meaning and purpose. Caught in a mix between mobsters, corrupt politicians, undercover spies, war dogs old and new, and girlfriends who are anything but safe, Bloom struggles to stay on his chosen path (as well as stay alive), to chase down his man, and prevent the unthinkable.

As an ARC reader, I give this book an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 stars for three main reasons. First, the story and content Mansur uses to execute the story are exquisite. Second, this book reads like a seasoned author wrote it in light of its status as a debut novel. The third is, by far, the most important. But I want to talk about a conflict first.

Chapter 69 was my favorite. Not because of the scene, though. It was the writing. The poetry. Mansur described an otherwise difficult moment with beauty and grace, tending to matters of timbre, lyric and cadence not found in other parts of the book, and appropriately so, given the chapter's place and purpose in the story.

The book makes me want to learn more about the many cultures in the middle east. I almost feel guilty not knowing what some of the terms and phrases are, which leads to my only criticism. It was, ironically, almost too rich.

I felt like the meal, while exciting, was sometimes overcoated with spices, sauces, jellies, and herbs I couldn't detect and therefore use. I'm a slow reader, and slow readers get frustrated with things we don't understand rather than moving on.
As an ARC reader, I decided to look up a set of terms I wished I knew in a scene where some men were described as "playing Shesh Besh" and "puffing at their Narghile pipes." (I would not normally do this.)

Backgammon. The search turned up Turkish Backgammon for "Shesh Besh." And searching "Narghile" turned up hooka pipes. Instantly, the scene materialized in my mind, and my brain allowed itself to see the clothes, tables, tubes for the pipes, the game, headwear, beards, colored things drying or hanging up for sale. Just that tiny bit of assistance, and I was in the scene instead of struggling to understand things. Me, I know my writing is already difficult to grasp as it is, so the last thing I want is for my readers worrying about the terms or seeing what's going on. Then again, that may just be a reflection of my own ignorance, which produces a welcome conflict. Perhaps I need to get off my ass and start learning.

All told, this book teleported me away from my real settings, bottom line. That is the deal breaker for me between the four versus five stars, and reason three for giving this book its rating. That's what I look for in pleasure reading - the escape into other worlds, the trips way far away, and this one did it.

Many congratulations to the author. You have a bright future ahead

Strong characterization, rhythmic writing, a twisty plot, political intrigue and local color that transports readers directly into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This book has a lot going for it. Reminded me of Don Winslow's The Power of the Dog trilogy. Winslow's a legend, so that is high compliment.

This was an unexpected treat. A well written and researched thriller that looks at both sides of the Israeli/Arab situation in the Middle East.

Excellent, well depicted characters on both sides of the fence and a complex, exciting and original plot packed with drama and action.

This is the author's first book and he is certainly one to watch.

Highly recommended.