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Avraham Avraham #2
A Possibility of Violence
An explosive device is found in a suitcase near a daycare center in Holon, a quiet suburb of Tel Aviv. A few hours later, a threat is received: the suitcase was only the beginning. And it is.
Inspector Avraham Avraham, back in Israel after a long vacation he had taken to recover from his last case (in the acclaimed The Missing File), is assigned to the investigation. Anxious about the nursery's children, he acts fast. He has a number of suspects, though, and one of them, a father of two, has seemingly gone on the run. Is he related to the suitcase and the threat? Is he trying to escape Avraham's investigation or did he commit another crime, possibly more terrible, one that no one knows has been committed?
Told from alternating perspectives, A Possibility of Violence is the story of Avraham's attempt to redeem himself from the trauma and failure of his first investigation, through a case even more deceiving and hideous. And it is a story of a father on the run, desperately trying to save his children from something he dares not reveal.
Inspector Avraham Avraham, back in Israel after a long vacation he had taken to recover from his last case (in the acclaimed The Missing File), is assigned to the investigation. Anxious about the nursery's children, he acts fast. He has a number of suspects, though, and one of them, a father of two, has seemingly gone on the run. Is he related to the suitcase and the threat? Is he trying to escape Avraham's investigation or did he commit another crime, possibly more terrible, one that no one knows has been committed?
Told from alternating perspectives, A Possibility of Violence is the story of Avraham's attempt to redeem himself from the trauma and failure of his first investigation, through a case even more deceiving and hideous. And it is a story of a father on the run, desperately trying to save his children from something he dares not reveal.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
80 people are currently reading
771 people want to read
About the author
D.A. Mishani
16 books163 followersD. A. Mishani (born in 1975) is an Israeli crime writer, editor and literary scholar, specializing in the history of detective fiction.
His first detective novel, "The missing file", was published in Hebrew in 2011. Translation rights for the novel, the first in a crime series featuring police inspector Avraham Avraham, were sold to more than 10 territories. The American edition of "The missing file" will be published by HarperCollins on April 2013.
D. A. Mishani lives with his wife and two children in Tel Aviv, and writes the second novel in the series, "Possibility of violence".
His first detective novel, "The missing file", was published in Hebrew in 2011. Translation rights for the novel, the first in a crime series featuring police inspector Avraham Avraham, were sold to more than 10 territories. The American edition of "The missing file" will be published by HarperCollins on April 2013.
D. A. Mishani lives with his wife and two children in Tel Aviv, and writes the second novel in the series, "Possibility of violence".
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October 13, 2024
LA FINE NON È NOTA
Le valigie sono importanti, racchiudono l’intera storia.
Ero sicuro di aver capito com’erano andate le cose, ma neanche questa volta sono riuscito a salvare nessuno. Né lei né loro e neanche me stesso.
Sono trascorsi solo tre mesi dalla fine del precedente ‘giallo’, raccontato nel primo romanzo della serie, Un caso di scomparsa, e a esso, a quei fatti e a quegli accadimenti si fa riferimento diretto più volte, si annoda il filo col passato, in una continuità che mi ha sorpreso. Mishani continua a stupirmi: le serie non sono di solito (mai?) così collegate, così a ruota.
Tel Aviv
L’ispettore capo Avraham Avraham (Abramo Abramo) si è preso una lunga vacanza: tre mesi, tutta l’estate, per riposarsi dal caso di scomparsa che ha risolto, ma che lo ha anche duramente messo alla prova emotivamente. Per un poliziotto che prima di tutto cerca di capire, di scoprire chi, ma soprattutto perché, aver a che fare con la sparizione di un minorenne, è una sfida non da poco.
Tre mesi trascorsi a Bruxelles, dove nel precedente episodio era stato una settimana per uno scambio fra polizie. Una settimana sprecata, perché intanto a Tel Aviv l’indagine sul caso di scomparsa procedeva: ma per nulla sprecata sul piano degli incontri umani.
Berndnaut Smilde: Nimbus Litta, 2013.
Tornato a casa si confronta immediatamente con una situazione all’apparenza piuttosto banale per un paese come Israele: una bomba.
La bomba non è neppure esplosa, è stata disinnescata in tempo, ma non era pericolosa. Si tratta quasi sicuramente di un avvertimento.
E quindi, senza morti, in tono perfino minore rispetto alla storia precedente, prende l’avvio questa ipotesi di violenza, seconda avventura dell’ispettore Avraham Avraham (Abramo Abramo).
Anche questa narrata con prospettiva doppia: quella del poliziotto, che man mano diventa predominante, e quella del principale sospetto. Perché così è la vita, così van le cose: non in direzione univoca, non per voce sola, ogni lato del dramma va raccontato e ascoltato, la verità non è un monolite.
Holon, Tel Aviv.
Incontreremo un’altra scomparsa, due bambini forse in pericolo, un tentato omicidio. Ma nulla di particolarmente cruento, niente spargimenti di sangue.
Qui da noi, quando c’è un delitto, di solito è stato il vicino, lo zio, il nonno, e non ci vogliono grandi indagini per scoprire il colpevole e sciogliere il mistero. Quello che manca qui da noi è proprio il mistero. La soluzione giusta è immancabilmente la più semplice., aveva detto l’altra volta Avraham.
E ancora una volta ha ragione, ancora una volta il delitto sembra consumato nel vicinato, addirittura nella cerchia famigliare.
Quello su cui sbaglia è l’assenza di mistero: perché di mistero, di cose da capire, alle quali cercare una spiegazione, in queste pagine se ne trovano eccome. Nonostante noi lettori si sappia prima del protagonista come si sono svolti i fatti: l’attenzione di Mishani, come quella del poliziotto, è protesa verso il dramma umano, verso il mistero dell’anima e della mente, allo scrittore, al suo personaggio, e al lettore interessa solo scoprire perché, capire i motivi.
È il trionfo del dubbio, dell’incertezza, del dettaglio, della sfumatura. Niente titoli strillati in prima pagina, quanto piuttosto trafiletti sepolti in cronaca. È come se Avraham cercasse prima di tutto gli innocenti anziché i colpevoli.
Tel Aviv
Si apprende che anche a Tel Aviv ci sono organizzazioni criminali che impongono il pizzo alle attività commerciali in cambio di protezione. E sappiamo, che come qui da noi, si tratta di essere protetti dagli stessi protettori che non proteggono mai, né da se stessi né da altri eventuali nemici.
Altro fattore che rende Tel Aviv così familiare, così poco da telegiornale.
Si apprende di come il razzismo in Israele sia molto più diffuso di quanto si creda: razzismo che arriva a fare distinzioni tra ebrei di prima e seconda classe – i secondi sono quelli provenienti da paesi arabi, i sefarditi. Sono proprio loro a ingrossare le fila della polizia e per questo sono poco amati e poco popolari: in Israele non c’è posto per Montalbano, dichiara Mishani nelle interviste.
Winston Torr: Bloody Doc, 2016
In queste pagine c’è posto, invece, per Simenon: nel ritmo, e nel tono, nelle descrizioni, nella cura per il particolare, nella predilezione sull’apparentemente ordinario, nell’indagine senza squilli di tromba.
E c’è posto per un altro grande modello letterario: Patricia Highsmith. Lei la ritrovo nei meccanismi psicologici dei sospetti e dei presunti colpevoli cui Mishani ruota intorno – meccanismi di lucida logica che nasconde un’opaca follia.
Ripristinare il valore della vita, di ogni vita umana, in una società troppo abituata alla morte, e farlo attraverso circostanze uniche, inerenti a un’unica morte, insistendo nel ricordarla, e comprenderla. La narrativa può farlo anche perché è basata sul tenere accesa una singola luce.
Vecchia e nuova Tel Aviv.
Le valigie sono importanti, racchiudono l’intera storia.
Ero sicuro di aver capito com’erano andate le cose, ma neanche questa volta sono riuscito a salvare nessuno. Né lei né loro e neanche me stesso.
Sono trascorsi solo tre mesi dalla fine del precedente ‘giallo’, raccontato nel primo romanzo della serie, Un caso di scomparsa, e a esso, a quei fatti e a quegli accadimenti si fa riferimento diretto più volte, si annoda il filo col passato, in una continuità che mi ha sorpreso. Mishani continua a stupirmi: le serie non sono di solito (mai?) così collegate, così a ruota.
Tel Aviv
L’ispettore capo Avraham Avraham (Abramo Abramo) si è preso una lunga vacanza: tre mesi, tutta l’estate, per riposarsi dal caso di scomparsa che ha risolto, ma che lo ha anche duramente messo alla prova emotivamente. Per un poliziotto che prima di tutto cerca di capire, di scoprire chi, ma soprattutto perché, aver a che fare con la sparizione di un minorenne, è una sfida non da poco.
Tre mesi trascorsi a Bruxelles, dove nel precedente episodio era stato una settimana per uno scambio fra polizie. Una settimana sprecata, perché intanto a Tel Aviv l’indagine sul caso di scomparsa procedeva: ma per nulla sprecata sul piano degli incontri umani.
Berndnaut Smilde: Nimbus Litta, 2013.
Tornato a casa si confronta immediatamente con una situazione all’apparenza piuttosto banale per un paese come Israele: una bomba.
La bomba non è neppure esplosa, è stata disinnescata in tempo, ma non era pericolosa. Si tratta quasi sicuramente di un avvertimento.
E quindi, senza morti, in tono perfino minore rispetto alla storia precedente, prende l’avvio questa ipotesi di violenza, seconda avventura dell’ispettore Avraham Avraham (Abramo Abramo).
Anche questa narrata con prospettiva doppia: quella del poliziotto, che man mano diventa predominante, e quella del principale sospetto. Perché così è la vita, così van le cose: non in direzione univoca, non per voce sola, ogni lato del dramma va raccontato e ascoltato, la verità non è un monolite.
Holon, Tel Aviv.
Incontreremo un’altra scomparsa, due bambini forse in pericolo, un tentato omicidio. Ma nulla di particolarmente cruento, niente spargimenti di sangue.
Qui da noi, quando c’è un delitto, di solito è stato il vicino, lo zio, il nonno, e non ci vogliono grandi indagini per scoprire il colpevole e sciogliere il mistero. Quello che manca qui da noi è proprio il mistero. La soluzione giusta è immancabilmente la più semplice., aveva detto l’altra volta Avraham.
E ancora una volta ha ragione, ancora una volta il delitto sembra consumato nel vicinato, addirittura nella cerchia famigliare.
Quello su cui sbaglia è l’assenza di mistero: perché di mistero, di cose da capire, alle quali cercare una spiegazione, in queste pagine se ne trovano eccome. Nonostante noi lettori si sappia prima del protagonista come si sono svolti i fatti: l’attenzione di Mishani, come quella del poliziotto, è protesa verso il dramma umano, verso il mistero dell’anima e della mente, allo scrittore, al suo personaggio, e al lettore interessa solo scoprire perché, capire i motivi.
È il trionfo del dubbio, dell’incertezza, del dettaglio, della sfumatura. Niente titoli strillati in prima pagina, quanto piuttosto trafiletti sepolti in cronaca. È come se Avraham cercasse prima di tutto gli innocenti anziché i colpevoli.
Tel Aviv
Si apprende che anche a Tel Aviv ci sono organizzazioni criminali che impongono il pizzo alle attività commerciali in cambio di protezione. E sappiamo, che come qui da noi, si tratta di essere protetti dagli stessi protettori che non proteggono mai, né da se stessi né da altri eventuali nemici.
Altro fattore che rende Tel Aviv così familiare, così poco da telegiornale.
Si apprende di come il razzismo in Israele sia molto più diffuso di quanto si creda: razzismo che arriva a fare distinzioni tra ebrei di prima e seconda classe – i secondi sono quelli provenienti da paesi arabi, i sefarditi. Sono proprio loro a ingrossare le fila della polizia e per questo sono poco amati e poco popolari: in Israele non c’è posto per Montalbano, dichiara Mishani nelle interviste.
Winston Torr: Bloody Doc, 2016
In queste pagine c’è posto, invece, per Simenon: nel ritmo, e nel tono, nelle descrizioni, nella cura per il particolare, nella predilezione sull’apparentemente ordinario, nell’indagine senza squilli di tromba.
E c’è posto per un altro grande modello letterario: Patricia Highsmith. Lei la ritrovo nei meccanismi psicologici dei sospetti e dei presunti colpevoli cui Mishani ruota intorno – meccanismi di lucida logica che nasconde un’opaca follia.
Ripristinare il valore della vita, di ogni vita umana, in una società troppo abituata alla morte, e farlo attraverso circostanze uniche, inerenti a un’unica morte, insistendo nel ricordarla, e comprenderla. La narrativa può farlo anche perché è basata sul tenere accesa una singola luce.
Vecchia e nuova Tel Aviv.
August 12, 2015
אין ספק שהספר השני בסידרת הבלש אברהם אברהם בשל יותר ומביא לידי ביטוי את הפוטנציאל שהיה גלום בספר הראשון אך לא מוצה.
אברהם אברהם הוא דמות חיוורת יחסית לדמויות בלשים אחרות, ובכל זאת משעני מצליח ליצר עלילה סוחפת.
אברהם אברהם הוא דמות חיוורת יחסית לדמויות בלשים אחרות, ובכל זאת משעני מצליח ליצר עלילה סוחפת.
March 20, 2018
“Ma non è affar tuo, Avi. Il tuo mestiere è capire cosa è successo, non perché.”
Ancora più sfuggente del precedente “Un caso di scomparsa”, questo secondo romanzo dell’israeliano Mishani ci porta lontano dalle regole del poliziesco, pur svolgendosi quasi interamente tra inchieste, interrogatori, raccolta di prove e tutto l’armamentario di cui il genere dispone e suole mettere in campo in questi casi.
Ma qui l’autore sembra quasi voler disinnescare deliberatamente la suspence, anticipa gli eventi prima di descriverli e, assecondando l’inclinazione dell’ispettore Avraham, subordina la realtà dei fatti da ricostruire con prove e indizi alla ricerca delle motivazioni intime dei comportamenti, peraltro non sempre razionali.
Nei pensieri e nei colloqui affiora di continuo il fardello irrisolto dell’indagine precedente e la stessa vita privata degli inquirenti irrompe a sua volta sulla scena, condizionandone sottilmente le decisioni; ne risulta in definitiva uno studio psicologico coinvolgente gran parte dei personaggi del romanzo, che all’inizio desta l’interesse o quanto meno la curiosità del lettore, ma a lungo andare tende ad esasperare i temi, lasciando nodi irrisolti e sensazioni contraddittorie.
Ancora più sfuggente del precedente “Un caso di scomparsa”, questo secondo romanzo dell’israeliano Mishani ci porta lontano dalle regole del poliziesco, pur svolgendosi quasi interamente tra inchieste, interrogatori, raccolta di prove e tutto l’armamentario di cui il genere dispone e suole mettere in campo in questi casi.
Ma qui l’autore sembra quasi voler disinnescare deliberatamente la suspence, anticipa gli eventi prima di descriverli e, assecondando l’inclinazione dell’ispettore Avraham, subordina la realtà dei fatti da ricostruire con prove e indizi alla ricerca delle motivazioni intime dei comportamenti, peraltro non sempre razionali.
Nei pensieri e nei colloqui affiora di continuo il fardello irrisolto dell’indagine precedente e la stessa vita privata degli inquirenti irrompe a sua volta sulla scena, condizionandone sottilmente le decisioni; ne risulta in definitiva uno studio psicologico coinvolgente gran parte dei personaggi del romanzo, che all’inizio desta l’interesse o quanto meno la curiosità del lettore, ma a lungo andare tende ad esasperare i temi, lasciando nodi irrisolti e sensazioni contraddittorie.
September 7, 2014
In this evocative and gripping tale of mystery and psychological suspense A Possibility of Violence is the follow-up to The Missing File, the acclaimed first novel in D. A. Mishani’s literary crime series that was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger Award. Having read and enjoyed The Missing File, I was looking forward to this, having a fond remembrance of the rather bleak and spare feel of the first book, and the peculiar appeal of Mishani’s unique style.
Unlike, the first book, I made the mistake of reading the first 100 pages or so of this one in rather small chunks, and consequently, due to the seemingly emotional neutrality of Mishani’s writing, I found it slightly difficult to return to it each time. Luckily, however, I rectified this by reading the last 200 pages in a single sitting, so becoming far more embroiled in what later reveals itself as a strangely impersonal and emotionally unsettling read. If I was to really analyse what I liked about the book, where normally emotional engagement with the characters is key, I think it is the sense of disassociation that Mishani brings to his prose and the characters contained within. Although he adopts the traditional tenet of a central detective in Avraham Avraham, I didn’t really feel that I got to know him in the way that others are so defined by the foibles and eccentricities of their characters. Indeed the book opens with Avraham on a visit to his lover Marianka in Belgium, as a precursor to her moving to Israel to be with him, but their relationship has a strange coldness about it, as Avraham is a man not adept at grand gestures. As the book progresses, communication breaks down in advance of her move, and it is not until the end of the book, that the chasm between them is fully explained. Likewise, he gives little of himself away, under the threat of a report regarding his handling of the investigation in the previous book (which is often referred to and explained if you have not read the first book), and the potential implications of this in what could be a contentious current investigation. He has a workman-like doggedness to his character, revealing little of his own emotions, but like all the finest detectives has a natural intuition to what may be being witheld from him, leading him on a different course of investigation which perturbs his superiors. I rather like the stoicism and solidity he exerts throughout the book, as one can sometimes have too much of the deeply troubled or overly extrovert detective characters.
Bearing in mind that the book encompasses the themes of child abuse, and possible marital violence, again, the calm neutrality with which Mishani imbues his central character, is equally reflected in the unfolding of the plot. What could be substantial and highly emotive themes are handled in an understated way, which in a way make the violent acts perpetrated more resonant and affecting. From the initial act of a suspected bomb being placed outside of a nursery school, a violent attack on one of the employees of the nursery, and a connection with a father of two whose wife is suddenly strangely absent, Mishani balances the plot perfectly, using the conduit of Avraham to to tie them together, with the denouement of the book stepping outside the previously more unemotional feel bringing a genuinely heart-rending conclusion. So, my admiration for Mishani remains intact, despite the uniquely unsettling and almost clinical style of his writing. A strange reading experience, but one that I can recommend away from the cliches that define so much of crime writing, and in stark contrast to the all too common schmaltz- paved paths that some police protagonists find themselves on. A good read, and more importantly, something a little different.
Unlike, the first book, I made the mistake of reading the first 100 pages or so of this one in rather small chunks, and consequently, due to the seemingly emotional neutrality of Mishani’s writing, I found it slightly difficult to return to it each time. Luckily, however, I rectified this by reading the last 200 pages in a single sitting, so becoming far more embroiled in what later reveals itself as a strangely impersonal and emotionally unsettling read. If I was to really analyse what I liked about the book, where normally emotional engagement with the characters is key, I think it is the sense of disassociation that Mishani brings to his prose and the characters contained within. Although he adopts the traditional tenet of a central detective in Avraham Avraham, I didn’t really feel that I got to know him in the way that others are so defined by the foibles and eccentricities of their characters. Indeed the book opens with Avraham on a visit to his lover Marianka in Belgium, as a precursor to her moving to Israel to be with him, but their relationship has a strange coldness about it, as Avraham is a man not adept at grand gestures. As the book progresses, communication breaks down in advance of her move, and it is not until the end of the book, that the chasm between them is fully explained. Likewise, he gives little of himself away, under the threat of a report regarding his handling of the investigation in the previous book (which is often referred to and explained if you have not read the first book), and the potential implications of this in what could be a contentious current investigation. He has a workman-like doggedness to his character, revealing little of his own emotions, but like all the finest detectives has a natural intuition to what may be being witheld from him, leading him on a different course of investigation which perturbs his superiors. I rather like the stoicism and solidity he exerts throughout the book, as one can sometimes have too much of the deeply troubled or overly extrovert detective characters.
Bearing in mind that the book encompasses the themes of child abuse, and possible marital violence, again, the calm neutrality with which Mishani imbues his central character, is equally reflected in the unfolding of the plot. What could be substantial and highly emotive themes are handled in an understated way, which in a way make the violent acts perpetrated more resonant and affecting. From the initial act of a suspected bomb being placed outside of a nursery school, a violent attack on one of the employees of the nursery, and a connection with a father of two whose wife is suddenly strangely absent, Mishani balances the plot perfectly, using the conduit of Avraham to to tie them together, with the denouement of the book stepping outside the previously more unemotional feel bringing a genuinely heart-rending conclusion. So, my admiration for Mishani remains intact, despite the uniquely unsettling and almost clinical style of his writing. A strange reading experience, but one that I can recommend away from the cliches that define so much of crime writing, and in stark contrast to the all too common schmaltz- paved paths that some police protagonists find themselves on. A good read, and more importantly, something a little different.
June 6, 2019
I read this because the author was coming to speak to a local university but then I never made it to the talk.
Nevertheless, I soldiered on, and I would have to say that this second mystery novel featuring Tel Aviv detective Avraham Avraham showed mixed results for me. This is not so much a whodunit as a whydunit, and even that was not completely satisfying.
There are two interwoven plots. Someone leaves a fake bomb outside a daycare center, and the head of the center is evasive about any problems her operation is experiencing. Then, later, she is brutally attacked and briefly put into a coma. In the second plot, Avraham pursues one of the original suspects for information on why his wife is missing, even though his boss is not thrilled with that investigation.
Avraham has come off a missing child case that was the subject of the first novel and that shook his career. He also had begun an intense relationship with a Belgian detective, but now she doesn't apparently want to talk to him. These personal threads are meant to give extra weight and tension to Avraham's struggle with his two cases, but in the end, I didn't feel that either subplot added that much.
There is some good writing here, and I was particularly affected by the suspect who obviously desperately loved the two children he had with his Filipino immigrant wife, but in the end, the whole was not greater than the sum of the parts.
Nevertheless, I soldiered on, and I would have to say that this second mystery novel featuring Tel Aviv detective Avraham Avraham showed mixed results for me. This is not so much a whodunit as a whydunit, and even that was not completely satisfying.
There are two interwoven plots. Someone leaves a fake bomb outside a daycare center, and the head of the center is evasive about any problems her operation is experiencing. Then, later, she is brutally attacked and briefly put into a coma. In the second plot, Avraham pursues one of the original suspects for information on why his wife is missing, even though his boss is not thrilled with that investigation.
Avraham has come off a missing child case that was the subject of the first novel and that shook his career. He also had begun an intense relationship with a Belgian detective, but now she doesn't apparently want to talk to him. These personal threads are meant to give extra weight and tension to Avraham's struggle with his two cases, but in the end, I didn't feel that either subplot added that much.
There is some good writing here, and I was particularly affected by the suspect who obviously desperately loved the two children he had with his Filipino immigrant wife, but in the end, the whole was not greater than the sum of the parts.
December 31, 2017
הספר השני המתאר את קורותיו של החוקר אברהם אברהם, מעלה את הרף הגבוה שהוצב בספר הראשון. אברהם אברהם אינו סופר-הירו למעשה הוא כמעט אנטי-הירו ובעיקר הוא בן אדם, חוקר מנוסה, אדם בודד, מוטרד מוקף שדים שטרם התאושש מהחקירה הקודמת שהסתיימה בהצלחה אבל כמעט לא בזכותו. בספר נחשפות פרשיות חקירה שונות, האחת גלויה שתוצאתה לא ידועה והשניה סמויה שתוצאתה ידועה, אך אנו לא יודעים כיצד אברהם יפענח אותה. ההתרחשויות נפרשות לאט, שאלות שמטרידות את הקורא זוכות לתשובה בדרך כמעט אגבית אך מתוחכמת.
לצד חקירות המשטרה עוסק הספר באפשרות של אהבה, בין אברהם לבת זוגתו השוטרת הבלגית, בינו ובין מפקדיו ובין החשודים לבני זוגם. האפשרות לאלימות אכן מתממשת (ולו בחלקה) אך האפשרות לאהבה מורכבת יותר.
בסוף הספר השאלות שממשיכות להטריד את אברהם המשיכו להטריד גם אותי ונותרו באוויר.
לצד חקירות המשטרה עוסק הספר באפשרות של אהבה, בין אברהם לבת זוגתו השוטרת הבלגית, בינו ובין מפקדיו ובין החשודים לבני זוגם. האפשרות לאלימות אכן מתממשת (ולו בחלקה) אך האפשרות לאהבה מורכבת יותר.
בסוף הספר השאלות שממשיכות להטריד את אברהם המשיכו להטריד גם אותי ונותרו באוויר.
June 10, 2018
Vivere e amare non è per niente facile
Seconda indagine dell'ispettore Avraham, almeno rispetto alle pubblicazioni italiane - non so di più dell'autore Mishani - e seconda bella lettura, alla pari con il precedente "Un caso di scomparsa".
Mi piace questo ispettore, perché è molto umano, ossia: piuttosto tormentato (mi sembra sia un elemento in comune a diversi commissari, ispettori, ecc. senza esclusioni di latitudini), insicuro, solitario, emotivo, "in sordina", per così dire, proprio come le storie e le indagini.
Non si è subito di fronte al crimine efferato, non c'è sangue né tantomeno ci sono dettagli truculenti, il ritmo è piano, la storia sembra quasi non prendere forma.
Poco alla volta però appaiono i personaggi e le loro storie, si comincia a vedere qualcosa nelle loro vite e si percepiscono i loro sentimenti, si capiscono i moventi. E si vede all'opera l'ispettore, che continua a porsi domande, non è convinto, sente che qualcosa non torna, intuisce altro anche quando l'indagine è chiusa. Ed è grazie alla sua pervicacia più che alla sua perspicacia - è un gioco di parole, ma è anche il gioco della vita, in fondo, nel senso che i confini sono labili e gli intrecci profondi, molto più di quanto appaiano, le parole rispecchiano la complessità di noi esseri umani - che si va oltre e la vicenda si conclude pienamente. Con il riconoscimento ufficiale e la menzione d'onore, non disgiunti però da una sensazione di tristezza, che aleggia per tutta la narrazione e ti rimane addosso - almeno per me è stato così per entrambe le letture - quando chiudi il libro.
Seconda indagine dell'ispettore Avraham, almeno rispetto alle pubblicazioni italiane - non so di più dell'autore Mishani - e seconda bella lettura, alla pari con il precedente "Un caso di scomparsa".
Mi piace questo ispettore, perché è molto umano, ossia: piuttosto tormentato (mi sembra sia un elemento in comune a diversi commissari, ispettori, ecc. senza esclusioni di latitudini), insicuro, solitario, emotivo, "in sordina", per così dire, proprio come le storie e le indagini.
Non si è subito di fronte al crimine efferato, non c'è sangue né tantomeno ci sono dettagli truculenti, il ritmo è piano, la storia sembra quasi non prendere forma.
Poco alla volta però appaiono i personaggi e le loro storie, si comincia a vedere qualcosa nelle loro vite e si percepiscono i loro sentimenti, si capiscono i moventi. E si vede all'opera l'ispettore, che continua a porsi domande, non è convinto, sente che qualcosa non torna, intuisce altro anche quando l'indagine è chiusa. Ed è grazie alla sua pervicacia più che alla sua perspicacia - è un gioco di parole, ma è anche il gioco della vita, in fondo, nel senso che i confini sono labili e gli intrecci profondi, molto più di quanto appaiano, le parole rispecchiano la complessità di noi esseri umani - che si va oltre e la vicenda si conclude pienamente. Con il riconoscimento ufficiale e la menzione d'onore, non disgiunti però da una sensazione di tristezza, che aleggia per tutta la narrazione e ti rimane addosso - almeno per me è stato così per entrambe le letture - quando chiudi il libro.
May 18, 2020
Le indagini dell'ispettore Avraham non hanno ritmi frenetici o, comunque, non lo si percepisce dal romanzo, seguono invece il ritmo interiore del protagonista che spesso si sofferma su piccoli particolari che lo portano ad avere le giuste intuizioni per la risoluzione del caso.
In alcuni casi le intuizioni non sono espressione di verità fattuali ma di incongruenze, di contraddizioni che non risultano evidenti alla maggior parte dei colleghi. Avraham però non è un vincente, un uomo di successo perché è tormentato dai suoi errori di interpretazione di questi dettagli che a volte lo hanno tenuto lontano dalla soluzione troppo a lungo e hanno avuto esiti fatali.
Sullo sfondo la società israeliana fatta di tante culture e degli stessi problemi che si incontrano in tutte le grandi città; scarsi i riferimenti ai conflitti che per noi caratterizzano quei territori perché le persone vivono la vita di ogni giorno commettendo crimini, amando e cercando di mantenere un difficile equilibrio tra i desideri e la banale realtà della vita quotidiana.
In alcuni casi le intuizioni non sono espressione di verità fattuali ma di incongruenze, di contraddizioni che non risultano evidenti alla maggior parte dei colleghi. Avraham però non è un vincente, un uomo di successo perché è tormentato dai suoi errori di interpretazione di questi dettagli che a volte lo hanno tenuto lontano dalla soluzione troppo a lungo e hanno avuto esiti fatali.
Sullo sfondo la società israeliana fatta di tante culture e degli stessi problemi che si incontrano in tutte le grandi città; scarsi i riferimenti ai conflitti che per noi caratterizzano quei territori perché le persone vivono la vita di ogni giorno commettendo crimini, amando e cercando di mantenere un difficile equilibrio tra i desideri e la banale realtà della vita quotidiana.
February 18, 2016
Couldn't put this book down. Mishani has created a very likable because human (vulnerable) detective whose mistakes only enhance and complicate both the plot and his personal life. A second point of view creates an unexpected layer of pathos. Here it reminds me a bit of Bastard out of Carolina but I don't want to say more for fear of spoiler. I would have given 5 stars but not sure about timing of revelations. Of course setting is everything - we learn some details about Israeli society, i.e. nuances about guest worker communities and interfaith marriages, that reveal the intense complexities of life there. All around great characterization including of young children, professional colleagues, and mother-son relationship. Can't wait to read his other (earlier) work and hope he will continue writing!
October 2, 2018
A second satisfying story of Inspector Avraham. Lots of misdirection and half revelations all contributing to the slow revelation of Tel Aviv's murky underbelly. Avraham is still haunted by the last case and he still does not get everything right, but his instincts are good and there is a real sense that this is how police work actually plays out rather than inspired deductions and car chases.
I found the romantic sub-plot a little less engaging, but overall these two books have been different enough and smart enough to make me read more.
I found the romantic sub-plot a little less engaging, but overall these two books have been different enough and smart enough to make me read more.
May 12, 2019
זהו החלק השני בסדרת ״אברהם אברהם״ ואין ספק שהוא עולה על קודמו. כתיבתו של משעני מצוינת, הקריאה שוטפת והסיפור מהודק יותר ומרתק. למרות שנתתי רק שלושה כוכבים לחלק הראשון איני ממליץ לפסוח עליו, בעיקר בגלל שפרטים מהחקירה הראשונה עולים מדי פעם בעיקר כזכרונות או מחשבות בראשו של אברהם ומי שלא קרא את החלק הראשון פשוט לא יבין על מה מדובר.
April 23, 2024
3,5/ 5
January 30, 2023
I thought I wrote a review! This novel takes off from the previous and builds a new case. Avraham is braver and more confident. I actually prefer this storyline compared to the TV series. A twin case springing from a bomb threat, a highly slick and unique approach to storytelling.This hits home as Mishani discussed the life of a Filipino overseas worker ekeing out a living in Israel. The conclusion is not too surprising but satisfying this time. You bet I'm moving to his third book.
April 4, 2018
This is an unusual detective story. There is a suspicious suitcase left near a nursery. CI Avraham investigates and he starts to suspect Chaim one of the parents. Avraham is haunted by a previous case where he misled the clues so is determined to do better this time. Avraham knows Chaim is guilty of something but just does not have a crime to charge him with.
This is a whydunit story as Chaim's actions are known to the reader. There are some long descriptions of the mundane before the dots are all connected. But it is always interesting to read a detective story from another country so this was not a complete dud.
This is a whydunit story as Chaim's actions are known to the reader. There are some long descriptions of the mundane before the dots are all connected. But it is always interesting to read a detective story from another country so this was not a complete dud.
October 18, 2018
I loved the regional feel of this police procedural and even though not all questions are answered in the end, that gave a reality to the story.
May 1, 2020
Der Koffer
Nach seiner Beurlaubung ist Avi Avraham zurück in Tel Aviv. Eigentlich hat er noch ein paar Tage frei und will den Kollegen nur mal Hallo sagen. Wegen der knappen Personalbesetzung übernimmt er das Verhör eines Verdächtigen. Vor einem Kindergarten wurde ein Koffer mit einer Bombenattrappe abgestellt. Auch die Leiterin des Kindergartens wird vernommen. Avi gewinnt den Eindruck, dass sie etwas verschweigt. Er fühlt sich an seinen vorherigen Fall erinnert, bei dem auch viele gelogen hatten. Seitdem ist sich Avi nicht mehr ganz sicher, ob er seiner Intuition vertrauen kann. Aber dennoch, mit den Beteiligten stimmt etwas nicht.
In seinem zweiten Fall hat Avi Avraham die Folgen seiner vorherigen Ermittlung noch nicht ganz überwunden. Dennoch stürzt er sich gleich in die Arbeit, wohl auch um die Einsilbigkeit seiner Freundin, die noch in Brüssel ist, nicht so laut zu hören. Der Fall fordert ihn sehr, schließlich sind kleine Kinder möglicherweise in Gefahr. Oder war eventuell ein anderer Laden oder ein Bewohner der umliegenden Häuser gemeint? Von der neuen Hilfskindergärtnerin erfährt Avraham jedoch, dass es einen Anruf gegeben hat. Und entgegen der Behauptung der Leiterin, hat es durchaus schon mal Differenzen mit den Eltern gegeben.
Avi Avraham ist ein Ermittler, der sich hinterfragt. In seinem letzten Fall hat er sich in einem Moment darauf verlassen, dass er die Wahrheit erzählt bekommt. Und nun fragt er sich, ob er überhaupt noch vertrauen soll. Sein Dilemma gibt diesem Kriminal eine besondere Spannung. Und dass er nach der etwas längeren Pause erst wieder in seinen Job hineinkommen muss. Zwar macht es einem der Fall und und auch sein Ermittler nicht immer ganz leicht, aber die ungewöhnliche Geschichte und das Zusammenwirken der unterschiedlichen Personen ist doch interessant. Und immer wieder sucht Avi Avraham die Nähe zum Meer, auch wenn der Sommer im Buch fast vorbei ist. Gerade in der momentanen Zeit, wo wohl in vielen eine gewisse Sehnsucht nach der Ferne wächst, hat der Gedanke ans Meer etwas Schönes.
3,5 Sterne
Nach seiner Beurlaubung ist Avi Avraham zurück in Tel Aviv. Eigentlich hat er noch ein paar Tage frei und will den Kollegen nur mal Hallo sagen. Wegen der knappen Personalbesetzung übernimmt er das Verhör eines Verdächtigen. Vor einem Kindergarten wurde ein Koffer mit einer Bombenattrappe abgestellt. Auch die Leiterin des Kindergartens wird vernommen. Avi gewinnt den Eindruck, dass sie etwas verschweigt. Er fühlt sich an seinen vorherigen Fall erinnert, bei dem auch viele gelogen hatten. Seitdem ist sich Avi nicht mehr ganz sicher, ob er seiner Intuition vertrauen kann. Aber dennoch, mit den Beteiligten stimmt etwas nicht.
In seinem zweiten Fall hat Avi Avraham die Folgen seiner vorherigen Ermittlung noch nicht ganz überwunden. Dennoch stürzt er sich gleich in die Arbeit, wohl auch um die Einsilbigkeit seiner Freundin, die noch in Brüssel ist, nicht so laut zu hören. Der Fall fordert ihn sehr, schließlich sind kleine Kinder möglicherweise in Gefahr. Oder war eventuell ein anderer Laden oder ein Bewohner der umliegenden Häuser gemeint? Von der neuen Hilfskindergärtnerin erfährt Avraham jedoch, dass es einen Anruf gegeben hat. Und entgegen der Behauptung der Leiterin, hat es durchaus schon mal Differenzen mit den Eltern gegeben.
Avi Avraham ist ein Ermittler, der sich hinterfragt. In seinem letzten Fall hat er sich in einem Moment darauf verlassen, dass er die Wahrheit erzählt bekommt. Und nun fragt er sich, ob er überhaupt noch vertrauen soll. Sein Dilemma gibt diesem Kriminal eine besondere Spannung. Und dass er nach der etwas längeren Pause erst wieder in seinen Job hineinkommen muss. Zwar macht es einem der Fall und und auch sein Ermittler nicht immer ganz leicht, aber die ungewöhnliche Geschichte und das Zusammenwirken der unterschiedlichen Personen ist doch interessant. Und immer wieder sucht Avi Avraham die Nähe zum Meer, auch wenn der Sommer im Buch fast vorbei ist. Gerade in der momentanen Zeit, wo wohl in vielen eine gewisse Sehnsucht nach der Ferne wächst, hat der Gedanke ans Meer etwas Schönes.
3,5 Sterne
November 18, 2022
Trovo la figura dell’ispettore Avraham Avraham piuttosto complessa, probabilmente perché ha un modo di vedere troppo lontano dal mio, non saprei. Per questo motivo non comprendo benissimo le sue indagini, e come arrivi a certe conclusioni, spesso sbagliando. Ci sono momenti in cui mi verrebbe di prenderlo a schiaffi perché mi pare proprio quel genere di poliziotto che insiste a sostenere che qualcuno è colpevole quando invece non lo è e non molla l'osso, lasciando che i veri colpevoli la facciano franca.
Questo dipende soprattutto da Mishani, che intervalla ai capitoli dal POV di Avraham quelli di un altro personaggio, un presunto colpevole o comunque qualcuno che ha qualcosa da nascondere, su cui poi si incentreranno le indagini di Avraham. E questo personaggio ci appare sempre come un personaggio positivo, ma sarà poi così? Il lettore comincia essendo convinto di qualcosa, poi del suo esatto contrario, poi è convinto che ci sia un'altra spiegazione e aspetta che Avraham la smetta di fare il bastardo e ascolti il suo indagato. Ma poi... pouf! La spiegazione è molto più semplice e il lettore - che ha sospettato moltissime altre cose - rimane deluso per aver puntato sul cavallo sbagliato. Bah... io continuo a sperare che ci sia un altro capitolo in cui le cose vengono chiarite ulteriormente, ma forse sono abituata male dai cozy mystery, in cui tutto finisce bene, mentre i romanzi di Mishani sono come la vita: incompiuti, insoddisfacenti e sempre con qualche angolo oscuro che rimarrà tale per quanto si tenti di illuminarlo.
Questo dipende soprattutto da Mishani, che intervalla ai capitoli dal POV di Avraham quelli di un altro personaggio, un presunto colpevole o comunque qualcuno che ha qualcosa da nascondere, su cui poi si incentreranno le indagini di Avraham. E questo personaggio ci appare sempre come un personaggio positivo, ma sarà poi così? Il lettore comincia essendo convinto di qualcosa, poi del suo esatto contrario, poi è convinto che ci sia un'altra spiegazione e aspetta che Avraham la smetta di fare il bastardo e ascolti il suo indagato. Ma poi... pouf! La spiegazione è molto più semplice e il lettore - che ha sospettato moltissime altre cose - rimane deluso per aver puntato sul cavallo sbagliato. Bah... io continuo a sperare che ci sia un altro capitolo in cui le cose vengono chiarite ulteriormente, ma forse sono abituata male dai cozy mystery, in cui tutto finisce bene, mentre i romanzi di Mishani sono come la vita: incompiuti, insoddisfacenti e sempre con qualche angolo oscuro che rimarrà tale per quanto si tenti di illuminarlo.
September 17, 2021
3.5 כוכבים, עיגלתי כלפי מטה בגלל העלילה הבלשית במרכז הספר שהיתה קצת חלשה - אבל זה ספר שנהניתי ממנו מאד, והתפתחות הדמות של אברהם אברהם מרתקת, ואני בוודאות אמשיך לספרים הבאים.
הספר השני בסדרת "אברהם אברהם" של דרור משעני הוא ספר מצוין, שממשיך לעקוב אחרי החוקר המשטרתי שנושא את שמה של הסדרה והתלבטויותיו במהלך חקירה של מקרה של מזוודת נפץ שממוקמת מול גן ילדים בחולון. ממש אהבתי בספר:
1. ההתפתחות הרגשית של אברהם אברהם. האימפקט הרגשי שהשאירה עליו החקירה הקודמת (שתוארה בספר הקודם), וכיצד אימפקט זה רודף אחריו ומשפיע על האופן שהוא חוקר את המקרה הנוכחי. בנוסף, אברהם מצוי בתוך מערכת יחסים שהתחילה בספר הקודם, וממשיכה בספר זה. שני אלמנטים אלו (הזכרונות והמחשבות של אברהם על החקירה הקודמת יחד עם התלבטויותיו על הקשר עם מריאנקה) מציגים באופן מורכב ומעניין את דמותו של אברהם, מה מניע אותו ומהם הפחדים שהוא מנסה להתמודד איתם (כישלון בעבודה, להיות לבד). וכל זה מוצג בצורה אמינה ויוצר דמות עגולה שקל להזדהות איתה.
2. היחסים בין אברהם לבוסית שלו אילנה ליס. דיאלוגים אמינים שמצליחים לדון במתחים והקשיים שבניהול עבודת הבילוש וכיצד מחליטים איזה כיוון לנקוט בו ובמקביל להציג את היחסים האישיים ביניהם. כלומר משעני מציג גם את האלמנטים הלא מדוברים (מתח מיני, אכפתיות, אמפתיה) דרך דיאלוגים כביכול ענייניים בלבד וזה מצוין!
3. דרור משעני מניח שהקוראים שלו אינטילגנטים, והדמויות שהוא כותב אינטליגנטיות בעצמן. כלומר, לא יקרה מצב שאני הקורא הבנתי משהו לגבי העלילה, מבלי שאחת הדמויות תבין זאת בעצמה. בניגוד לספרי מתח בהם ברור לך מה המניע של דמות מסויימת, והחוקר או דמות ראשית אחרת לא מצליחים לראות את זה ואתה חושב לעצמך "איזה מפגר שהוא לא קולט את זה" - אצל דרור משעני הדמויות מבינות. אני מאד מעריך כתיבה כזו.
לא הכי אהבתי:
1. שתי החקירות שהצטלבו נגסו אחת בשניה מבחינת ההתמקדות של הכותב והקורא כך ששתיהן לא קיבלו מספיק "זמן מסך" בעיני. ובזמן שהראשונה היתה רדודה ולא מאד אמינה; השניה היתה מעניינת מאד ומורכבת פסיכולוגית. ושתיהן בעיני לא מספיק פותחו. אם בספר הקודם היה מקום משמעותי לדמויות משנה בדמות חוקרים נוספים וחקירות ותהליכי חקירה - בספר הזה היה פחות מקום לפיתוח זה, וחבל.
2. המניעים של הדמויות לפעולה לא תמיד היו לי ברורים. והיה לי קשה להאמין לחלק מהתפתחויות העלילה בגלל זה. אני מניח שזה פועל יוצא של הקיצוץ בהיקף שבו משעני מתאר את שתי החקירות.
בסיכומו של יום זה ספר מהנה שקראתי מהר (כי רציתי לדעת איך הוא מתפתח), ואני ממליץ עליו בחום למי שנהנה מהספר הראשון 😀
הספר השני בסדרת "אברהם אברהם" של דרור משעני הוא ספר מצוין, שממשיך לעקוב אחרי החוקר המשטרתי שנושא את שמה של הסדרה והתלבטויותיו במהלך חקירה של מקרה של מזוודת נפץ שממוקמת מול גן ילדים בחולון. ממש אהבתי בספר:
1. ההתפתחות הרגשית של אברהם אברהם. האימפקט הרגשי שהשאירה עליו החקירה הקודמת (שתוארה בספר הקודם), וכיצד אימפקט זה רודף אחריו ומשפיע על האופן שהוא חוקר את המקרה הנוכחי. בנוסף, אברהם מצוי בתוך מערכת יחסים שהתחילה בספר הקודם, וממשיכה בספר זה. שני אלמנטים אלו (הזכרונות והמחשבות של אברהם על החקירה הקודמת יחד עם התלבטויותיו על הקשר עם מריאנקה) מציגים באופן מורכב ומעניין את דמותו של אברהם, מה מניע אותו ומהם הפחדים שהוא מנסה להתמודד איתם (כישלון בעבודה, להיות לבד). וכל זה מוצג בצורה אמינה ויוצר דמות עגולה שקל להזדהות איתה.
2. היחסים בין אברהם לבוסית שלו אילנה ליס. דיאלוגים אמינים שמצליחים לדון במתחים והקשיים שבניהול עבודת הבילוש וכיצד מחליטים איזה כיוון לנקוט בו ובמקביל להציג את היחסים האישיים ביניהם. כלומר משעני מציג גם את האלמנטים הלא מדוברים (מתח מיני, אכפתיות, אמפתיה) דרך דיאלוגים כביכול ענייניים בלבד וזה מצוין!
3. דרור משעני מניח שהקוראים שלו אינטילגנטים, והדמויות שהוא כותב אינטליגנטיות בעצמן. כלומר, לא יקרה מצב שאני הקורא הבנתי משהו לגבי העלילה, מבלי שאחת הדמויות תבין זאת בעצמה. בניגוד לספרי מתח בהם ברור לך מה המניע של דמות מסויימת, והחוקר או דמות ראשית אחרת לא מצליחים לראות את זה ואתה חושב לעצמך "איזה מפגר שהוא לא קולט את זה" - אצל דרור משעני הדמויות מבינות. אני מאד מעריך כתיבה כזו.
לא הכי אהבתי:
1. שתי החקירות שהצטלבו נגסו אחת בשניה מבחינת ההתמקדות של הכותב והקורא כך ששתיהן לא קיבלו מספיק "זמן מסך" בעיני. ובזמן שהראשונה היתה רדודה ולא מאד אמינה; השניה היתה מעניינת מאד ומורכבת פסיכולוגית. ושתיהן בעיני לא מספיק פותחו. אם בספר הקודם היה מקום משמעותי לדמויות משנה בדמות חוקרים נוספים וחקירות ותהליכי חקירה - בספר הזה היה פחות מקום לפיתוח זה, וחבל.
2. המניעים של הדמויות לפעולה לא תמיד היו לי ברורים. והיה לי קשה להאמין לחלק מהתפתחויות העלילה בגלל זה. אני מניח שזה פועל יוצא של הקיצוץ בהיקף שבו משעני מתאר את שתי החקירות.
בסיכומו של יום זה ספר מהנה שקראתי מהר (כי רציתי לדעת איך הוא מתפתח), ואני ממליץ עליו בחום למי שנהנה מהספר הראשון 😀
August 4, 2014
This is the second in a series that features Inspector Avraham Avraham, by this Israeli author. The books are written in Hebrew and translated. I’m sorry that I couldn’t find the name of the translator, because it was an excellent job.
Even in translation, the lovely writing drew me in from the first chilling section. Avraham is dealing with a crime that touches the lives of two young boys. The echoes of the botched job he did in the previous book haunt him and color his perception of his findings throughout the case. He’s also getting less than positive feelings about the beautiful Belgian woman he just spent three months with. He’s expecting her arrival any day to resume their relationship.
The author has a curious style that took me a chapter or so to get used to. He presents a short passage, then backtracks and elaborates on what led up to it. We know, sort of, what the crimes were, but we must read more deeply to learn why and what led up to them.
Inspector Avraham is not only haunted by his previous case, he is attempting to redeem himself with this one. He sees striking similarities.
His mentor and superior, Ilana Lis, wants the case wrapped up before Rosh Hashanah, so the deadline looms as the case threatens to falter and fall apart. In fact, because of the holiday, Avraham was one of the few people around and caught this case, in spite of not quite being finished with his leave. Benny Saban, the new commander, is more of a hindrance than a help, being new to everything in the department.
Other viewpoints are used to enhance and heighten the tension as we follow the case from a suitcase bomb to a missing mother, to a daycare, to a food vendor, to possible terrorism. This all takes place in Tel Aviv and the atmosphere is wonderful.
Reviewed by Kaye George, Author of “Eine Kleine Murder”
Even in translation, the lovely writing drew me in from the first chilling section. Avraham is dealing with a crime that touches the lives of two young boys. The echoes of the botched job he did in the previous book haunt him and color his perception of his findings throughout the case. He’s also getting less than positive feelings about the beautiful Belgian woman he just spent three months with. He’s expecting her arrival any day to resume their relationship.
The author has a curious style that took me a chapter or so to get used to. He presents a short passage, then backtracks and elaborates on what led up to it. We know, sort of, what the crimes were, but we must read more deeply to learn why and what led up to them.
Inspector Avraham is not only haunted by his previous case, he is attempting to redeem himself with this one. He sees striking similarities.
His mentor and superior, Ilana Lis, wants the case wrapped up before Rosh Hashanah, so the deadline looms as the case threatens to falter and fall apart. In fact, because of the holiday, Avraham was one of the few people around and caught this case, in spite of not quite being finished with his leave. Benny Saban, the new commander, is more of a hindrance than a help, being new to everything in the department.
Other viewpoints are used to enhance and heighten the tension as we follow the case from a suitcase bomb to a missing mother, to a daycare, to a food vendor, to possible terrorism. This all takes place in Tel Aviv and the atmosphere is wonderful.
Reviewed by Kaye George, Author of “Eine Kleine Murder”
April 27, 2016
D. A. Mishani doesn't write prototypical police procedurals. And Avi Avraham isn't your usual hero. Mishani follows up his very good debut, The Missing File, with another interesting and engrossing mystery that takes place in modern-day Israel. A suitcase containing an explosive device is left near a daycare center. And Avraham is leading the investigation. He immediately focuses attention on a man seen running from the scene, but his suspicions broaden to include the owner of the daycare, who seems to be holding back, and on one of the parents, Chaim Sara. Avi must disentangle the snarled web of lies and motivations to find who is beind the attack before more violence occurs.
A Possibility of Violence is filled with confusion, both on Avi's part and on Chaim Sara's part. It's this cloud of uncertainty that makes the narrative really effective. We don't know whether we can trust these characters. And Avi doesn't know if he can trust himself. He's still reeling from his mistakes in his last big case, and things he did wrong last time seem to be driving him to make different decisions this time, but is he making the same errors again, or maybe overcompensating? This novel draws the reader in from the first and keeps them guessing. Avi is a likable but far from perfect hero. He doesn't stride across the pages as the one with everything together but instead emerges as an insecure detective who doubts himself and struggles to get his facts straight. But that's why it works so well. This second installment is at least as good as The Missing File. Highly recommended for lovers of mysteries.
Thanks to the publisher and the Amazon Vine program for the free review copy of this book.
A Possibility of Violence is filled with confusion, both on Avi's part and on Chaim Sara's part. It's this cloud of uncertainty that makes the narrative really effective. We don't know whether we can trust these characters. And Avi doesn't know if he can trust himself. He's still reeling from his mistakes in his last big case, and things he did wrong last time seem to be driving him to make different decisions this time, but is he making the same errors again, or maybe overcompensating? This novel draws the reader in from the first and keeps them guessing. Avi is a likable but far from perfect hero. He doesn't stride across the pages as the one with everything together but instead emerges as an insecure detective who doubts himself and struggles to get his facts straight. But that's why it works so well. This second installment is at least as good as The Missing File. Highly recommended for lovers of mysteries.
Thanks to the publisher and the Amazon Vine program for the free review copy of this book.
March 12, 2020
Ich mag den Schreibstil und die Beschreibungen sehr, aber die Handlung ist sehr schleppend und die Parallelhandlung interessiert mich überhaupt nicht.
3,5
3,5
December 25, 2025
Der zweite Band aus der Avi-Avraham-Serie und der dritte für mich. Auch hier: ein merkwürdiger Schreibstil, komisch verschachtelt, werde mit keinem der Charaktere warm.
September 12, 2025
Falls das jemand von Goodreads liest: Alleine für dieses Buch lohnt es sich, die 3,5-Sterne Bewertung einzuführen…
May 5, 2020
Ik begin eerst even met de positieve punten. Het was een goed en spannend boek. Het was vooral vlot leesbaar en dat heb ik enorm geapprecieerd. Het is goed geschreven en het is een mooi verhaal. Zeker een aanrader. Er zijn alleen wat minpuntjes. Doorheen het verhaal komen er steeds aspecten terug zoals bv. de 'vorige vader' van Ezer. Nu heb ik het boek uitgelezen en is het voor mij nog altijd niet duidelijk wie die vorige vader was en of hij echt bestond. Zo waren er nog een paar dingen die doorheen het begin een paar keer herhaald werden en waar je pas op pagina 250 duidelijkheid over kreeg. Dit is niet helemaal mijn ding omdat ik zo niet altijd wist waarover het ging. Ik weet niet zo goed hoe ik me voel over dit boek. Ik heb het vlot uitgelezen en snap het verhaal. En aan de ene kant was het echt een goed boek maar aan de andere kant snap ik nog altijd niet waarom sommige grote gebeurtenissen nu eigenlijk gebeurd zijn. Er is ook een 'open' einde. Dit zet ik tussen aanhalingstekens want het is open maar er wordt wel een idee geschetst van wat er zal gebeuren. Hier moet je dus van houden. Al bij al vond ik het een spannend boek en kan ik het wel aanraden.
June 5, 2015
ARC won through Goodreads...
It starts with a suitcase and ends with a suitcase. A suitcase with a fake bomb is left next to a daycare early one morning, while another suitcase is filled with possessions of a murdered woman.
Mishani's 'A Possibility of Violence' is the second novel to feature detective Avraham Avraham (Avi, for short). I didn't read the first one, but there was enough referrals in this book to understand what happened in the past. Avi is still confronted with the botched investigation of the disappearance and death of Ofer Sharabi and is adamant about not letting the disappearance of another hinder this one; his extra measures, surreptitious ways and gut feelings ultimately solve the disappearance without the questions that followed from his previous one. The story focuses around the characters Chaim Sara and his children, along with the disappearance of his wife and their mom, Jenny Salazar. A suitcase with a fake bomb is left at a daycare that his youngest son, Shalom attends and Avraham's investigation focuses on him as a suspect, mainly due to the supposed abuse of children and incident with the day care's owner, Chava Cohen. The timeline of events show something different and quite unpredictable. Avi initially thinks that the two issues are linked together, but end up being two different matters altogether.
It was definitely readable with a few twists and turns, but overall the character development wasn't quite up-to-par with what I would expect from a 'detective-type novel' and albeit a decent book, the last 60 or so pages were what made it so. Avraham, himself, isn't what you would expect as a detective. I wouldn't go as far as say he's boring, but if you're looking for someone witty or 'tough', he's not your guy.
If Mishani continues this series, I see it getting some praise, but this reader most likely won't revisit it.
It starts with a suitcase and ends with a suitcase. A suitcase with a fake bomb is left next to a daycare early one morning, while another suitcase is filled with possessions of a murdered woman.
Mishani's 'A Possibility of Violence' is the second novel to feature detective Avraham Avraham (Avi, for short). I didn't read the first one, but there was enough referrals in this book to understand what happened in the past. Avi is still confronted with the botched investigation of the disappearance and death of Ofer Sharabi and is adamant about not letting the disappearance of another hinder this one; his extra measures, surreptitious ways and gut feelings ultimately solve the disappearance without the questions that followed from his previous one. The story focuses around the characters Chaim Sara and his children, along with the disappearance of his wife and their mom, Jenny Salazar. A suitcase with a fake bomb is left at a daycare that his youngest son, Shalom attends and Avraham's investigation focuses on him as a suspect, mainly due to the supposed abuse of children and incident with the day care's owner, Chava Cohen. The timeline of events show something different and quite unpredictable. Avi initially thinks that the two issues are linked together, but end up being two different matters altogether.
It was definitely readable with a few twists and turns, but overall the character development wasn't quite up-to-par with what I would expect from a 'detective-type novel' and albeit a decent book, the last 60 or so pages were what made it so. Avraham, himself, isn't what you would expect as a detective. I wouldn't go as far as say he's boring, but if you're looking for someone witty or 'tough', he's not your guy.
If Mishani continues this series, I see it getting some praise, but this reader most likely won't revisit it.
November 21, 2017
Onlangs las ik de De verdenking van Friedrich Dürrenmatt, en daarbij stuitte ik op een ander boek met dezelfde titel, ook een misdaadroman, die lovende kritieken kreeg, en het predicaat ‘literaire thriller’ kreeg toebedeeld. Dürrenmatts boek vond ik met recht een literaire triller, en nu was ik wel benieuwd wat ik dan van Mishani’s boek zou vinden.
Hoofdpersoon in Mishani’s boek is politie-inspecteur Avraham Avraham. In een vorige zaak heeft hij fouten gemaakt, en dat werkt door in de zaak die hij nu moet oplossen. Twee ogenschijnlijk niet met elkaar verbonden zaken lopen door elkaar heen, en Avraham volhardt tegen de mening van zijn superieuren in het willen uitpluizen hoe het zit.
Mishani slaagt er in om van Avraham een politie-inspecteur van vlees een bloed te maken, met twijfels en eigenaardigheden. Hetzelfde geldt voor een van de verdachten, Chaim Sarra, een oudere man die met een jonge Filipijnse is getrouwd en met haar twee kinderen heeft. Dan is er nog een verhaallijn doorheen geweven met Avrahams vriendin Marjanka, die in Brussel woont. Deze verhaallijn blijft oppervlakkig.
Hoewel Mishani heel handig de lezer gefragmenteerde informatie geeft (‘on a need-to-know-basis’ zou je kunnen zeggen), heb je toch wel snel door hoe het verhaal ongeveer gaat uitpakken. En dat Avraham uiteraard in deze zaak gaat gloriëren.
Al met al een onderhoudende misdaadroman. En als je dit een literaire thriller wilt noemen, dan snap ik dat op basis van hoe de personages van Avraham en Sarra worden uitgewerkt. Maar als ik dan kijk naar Dürrenmatts boek, dan denk ik toch, je hebt literatuur en je hebt literatuur.
Hoofdpersoon in Mishani’s boek is politie-inspecteur Avraham Avraham. In een vorige zaak heeft hij fouten gemaakt, en dat werkt door in de zaak die hij nu moet oplossen. Twee ogenschijnlijk niet met elkaar verbonden zaken lopen door elkaar heen, en Avraham volhardt tegen de mening van zijn superieuren in het willen uitpluizen hoe het zit.
Mishani slaagt er in om van Avraham een politie-inspecteur van vlees een bloed te maken, met twijfels en eigenaardigheden. Hetzelfde geldt voor een van de verdachten, Chaim Sarra, een oudere man die met een jonge Filipijnse is getrouwd en met haar twee kinderen heeft. Dan is er nog een verhaallijn doorheen geweven met Avrahams vriendin Marjanka, die in Brussel woont. Deze verhaallijn blijft oppervlakkig.
Hoewel Mishani heel handig de lezer gefragmenteerde informatie geeft (‘on a need-to-know-basis’ zou je kunnen zeggen), heb je toch wel snel door hoe het verhaal ongeveer gaat uitpakken. En dat Avraham uiteraard in deze zaak gaat gloriëren.
Al met al een onderhoudende misdaadroman. En als je dit een literaire thriller wilt noemen, dan snap ik dat op basis van hoe de personages van Avraham en Sarra worden uitgewerkt. Maar als ik dan kijk naar Dürrenmatts boek, dan denk ik toch, je hebt literatuur en je hebt literatuur.
August 6, 2014
An exemplary example of the police procedural, "A Possibility of Violence" is the outstanding second installment of the Detective Avraham Avraham mystery series set in the Tel Aviv suburban police precinct in Holon, Israel. When I finished author D. A. Mishani's first book "The Missing File", I knew that he was a writer I wanted to stick with. This time Avraham, known as "Avi" to his co-workers, is baffled by a case where a fake bomb is planted near a daycare center and the administrator of the facility is subsequently found severely beaten and left in a ditch in the middle of the night. When an early suspect in the case is released, Avi turns his focus to a father of one of the daycare kids, but he can't connect the dots. His "rabbi" Ilana Lis (Avi's supervisor at the station) is very skeptical of Avi's deductions as the case stalls out for a lack of evidence. When the daycare administrator regains consciousness at the hospital, Avi's theories seem to unravel and now Ilana Lis wants him on a short leash. By looking into the daycare center dad, Avi senses something else that's very nefarious may be going on and it's up to him to find the answers, even without the blessing of his boss. On many levels, Mishani's two Israeli mysteries remind me of the Scandinavian genre in both tone and plot. For anyone who is a fan of Nordic noir will find these two impressive Avraham Avraham books to be worthwhile.
May 18, 2018
Pět hvězdiček té knize nedám, protože tomu přece pořád něco chybí, ale je vidět, že Dror Mišani ve druhé knize udělal velký krok dopředu.
Jestli vás Avraham Avraham v prvním díle štval, protože to bylo policajtské poleno, které sekalo jednu botu za druhou, tak v Možném násilí už jsou tyto ostré hrany obroušené. Ne, že by vás Avraham neštval, ale co se týče profesionality, dost se zlepšil.
V knize se vypráví dva příběhy, přičemž se přelévá míra důležitosti a prostoru, které dostávají. Mišani si vymyslel, že svého čtenáře utrápí. Jak to dělá? Naznačuje. Naznačuje, co se stalo, ale přitom nechává otevřeno několik možností a vy do poslední chvíle netušíte, jestli se opravdu stalo to, co si myslíte. No a po dočtení musím říct, že si nejsem úplně jistý, jestli jsem pochopil chování jedné z postav příběhu. Je to komplikované a přitom mimořádně zábavné.
Dror Mišani umí psát velmi poutavě a tak se mi podařilo mít ji přilepenou na očích prakticky pořád. V rámci žánru je to stylistické osvěžení, způsob vyprávění vlastně po formální stránce není odlišný – to, co knihu odlišuje od proudu detektivních románů je psychologie postav a její vykreslení.
Knihu bych doporučil všem, kteří si chtějí rozšířit znalosti o žánru a zároveň chtějí zažít něco nového. Důrazně doporučuji nečíst jako první knihu od autora, návaznost na první díl (Případ pohřešovaného) je velmi silná.
Vydalo Argo v překladu Jindřicha Vacka.
Jestli vás Avraham Avraham v prvním díle štval, protože to bylo policajtské poleno, které sekalo jednu botu za druhou, tak v Možném násilí už jsou tyto ostré hrany obroušené. Ne, že by vás Avraham neštval, ale co se týče profesionality, dost se zlepšil.
V knize se vypráví dva příběhy, přičemž se přelévá míra důležitosti a prostoru, které dostávají. Mišani si vymyslel, že svého čtenáře utrápí. Jak to dělá? Naznačuje. Naznačuje, co se stalo, ale přitom nechává otevřeno několik možností a vy do poslední chvíle netušíte, jestli se opravdu stalo to, co si myslíte. No a po dočtení musím říct, že si nejsem úplně jistý, jestli jsem pochopil chování jedné z postav příběhu. Je to komplikované a přitom mimořádně zábavné.
Dror Mišani umí psát velmi poutavě a tak se mi podařilo mít ji přilepenou na očích prakticky pořád. V rámci žánru je to stylistické osvěžení, způsob vyprávění vlastně po formální stránce není odlišný – to, co knihu odlišuje od proudu detektivních románů je psychologie postav a její vykreslení.
Knihu bych doporučil všem, kteří si chtějí rozšířit znalosti o žánru a zároveň chtějí zažít něco nového. Důrazně doporučuji nečíst jako první knihu od autora, návaznost na první díl (Případ pohřešovaného) je velmi silná.
Vydalo Argo v překladu Jindřicha Vacka.
September 30, 2014
When I was in grad school, one of the required books was a translation from Hebrew. I remember very very long sentences that led to very long paragraphs. This is the situation with this book, as well.
I love translations, especially if they take me to a far away part of the world. This book does exactly that, as it takes place in Tel Aviv. I enjoyed hearing of neighborhoods, and street names, and nearby towns outside the city, but I had to read carefully so that I didn't zip past a response I wasn't expecting at that part in the sentence.
The main character, Detective Avraham Avraham, seems moody and unsure of himself - apparently because of the sad outcome of his previous case. At the beginning of the book, he's preparing to bring his lover of the past 3 months to live with him, but that relationship shows some strain.
The 2 cases in this book move simultaneously and if you're looking for action I can say that this isn't the book for you. But while justice wins, I can't say that I understand the detective any better than I did in the first chapter. I should state that my '3' is closer to a '4', but not quite.
Atmospheric, psychological, and offering lots of red herrings.
I love translations, especially if they take me to a far away part of the world. This book does exactly that, as it takes place in Tel Aviv. I enjoyed hearing of neighborhoods, and street names, and nearby towns outside the city, but I had to read carefully so that I didn't zip past a response I wasn't expecting at that part in the sentence.
The main character, Detective Avraham Avraham, seems moody and unsure of himself - apparently because of the sad outcome of his previous case. At the beginning of the book, he's preparing to bring his lover of the past 3 months to live with him, but that relationship shows some strain.
The 2 cases in this book move simultaneously and if you're looking for action I can say that this isn't the book for you. But while justice wins, I can't say that I understand the detective any better than I did in the first chapter. I should state that my '3' is closer to a '4', but not quite.
Atmospheric, psychological, and offering lots of red herrings.
September 10, 2014
Dror Mishani continues his wonderful series with this new psychological thriller. His detective is growing with each experience and this time he refuses to give up or believe any of his suspects as he tries to uncover the answer to the crime committed. He is also trying to work out what has happened to his love interest as she cancels her scheduled trip to visit him. Mishani has worked out the technique of keeping the reader guessing all the way to the end when everything gets wrapped up in a neat package. Of course everything is not as it seems and the reader keeps trying to second guess how things will turn out.
These books are not just police procedural. They are not just solving a mystery, they are also delving into the mind of the suspect or killer and trying to figure out why he behaves the way he does. Police detective Avraham Avraham becomes a more sympathetic character as each novel progresses.
These books are not just police procedural. They are not just solving a mystery, they are also delving into the mind of the suspect or killer and trying to figure out why he behaves the way he does. Police detective Avraham Avraham becomes a more sympathetic character as each novel progresses.
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