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The Camel and the Scorpion
"A nerve-wracking, vibrantly dramatic tale . . ." — Kirkus Reviews
Nothing has prepared shy young college professor, Caroline Cavanaugh, for the international storm she is about to enter when she learns that her fiery student, Lydia, has been arrested. In Israel. For espionage.
Lydia's grandmother begs Caroline to rescue her granddaughter. Caroline risks her reputation and her dream career on the unshakable belief that Lydia is innocent. But is she? How well do any of us know another person?
It's the late 1970s. The country is reeling from the effects of the Vietnam War, the fall of President Nixon, civil rights movements, the Great Inflation, and hair-trigger tensions in the Middle East.
The Camel and the Scorpion, inspired by actual events, reminds us how elusive the meanings of guilt and innocence can be.
Nothing has prepared shy young college professor, Caroline Cavanaugh, for the international storm she is about to enter when she learns that her fiery student, Lydia, has been arrested. In Israel. For espionage.
Lydia's grandmother begs Caroline to rescue her granddaughter. Caroline risks her reputation and her dream career on the unshakable belief that Lydia is innocent. But is she? How well do any of us know another person?
It's the late 1970s. The country is reeling from the effects of the Vietnam War, the fall of President Nixon, civil rights movements, the Great Inflation, and hair-trigger tensions in the Middle East.
The Camel and the Scorpion, inspired by actual events, reminds us how elusive the meanings of guilt and innocence can be.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2017
About the author
C.C. Rising
1 book4 followersI began writing The Camel and the Scorpion in 1996.
The story, inspired by actual international events in the late 1970s, tugged at me, invading my waking hours and sleep, and took 20 years to complete.
The political intrigue, suspense, and betrayal captivated me. I persevered in writing the book — despite endless edits, agents, and throwing the manuscript at the wall — because I identified with two of the women in this portrayal.
Both took a stand on something they believed in and defied traditional norms and expectations.
The story, inspired by actual international events in the late 1970s, tugged at me, invading my waking hours and sleep, and took 20 years to complete.
The political intrigue, suspense, and betrayal captivated me. I persevered in writing the book — despite endless edits, agents, and throwing the manuscript at the wall — because I identified with two of the women in this portrayal.
Both took a stand on something they believed in and defied traditional norms and expectations.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 27, 2017
The Camel and the Scorpion is a fast and entertaining read, and at the same time, it provokes thought about how things have changed since the 1970s - and
not changed
- in many arenas. In fact, it's remarkable, really, how timely the issues in The Camel and the Scorpion remain today.
Another thing that stays in my mind is the courage shown by the two main characters, Caroline and Lydia, when they step up for their convictions despite the risks to themselves professionally or personally. Because of her innate shyness, it's especially daunting for Caroline to put herself in front of a harsh spotlight.
Now that I think of it, Caroline and Lydia aren't the only women in the book who exhibit such courage.
There's a strong sense of time and place (in Texas) in the story, which I always like to feel. I also like when an author weaves in a song playlist that sheds more light on a time, place, character, and events.
Because I'm writing this review over the Memorial Day weekend, I'll say that reading The Camel and the Scorpion is like eating some really good, Texas barbecue ribs that someone else has prepared - delicious and meaty.
Another thing that stays in my mind is the courage shown by the two main characters, Caroline and Lydia, when they step up for their convictions despite the risks to themselves professionally or personally. Because of her innate shyness, it's especially daunting for Caroline to put herself in front of a harsh spotlight.
Now that I think of it, Caroline and Lydia aren't the only women in the book who exhibit such courage.
There's a strong sense of time and place (in Texas) in the story, which I always like to feel. I also like when an author weaves in a song playlist that sheds more light on a time, place, character, and events.
Because I'm writing this review over the Memorial Day weekend, I'll say that reading The Camel and the Scorpion is like eating some really good, Texas barbecue ribs that someone else has prepared - delicious and meaty.
July 25, 2017
Taut, suspenseful, easy-to-read, I loved this thriller and political drama. I rooted for the idealistic professor who wanted to save her student from a jail sentence as a spy. I saw parts of myself in the professor and the student, and I didn't always like what I saw. But I couldn't stop reading. Isn't that what great fiction and drama is all about? You cringe at what is ahead, but you can't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews