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Style and the Solitary
An unexpected murder. A suspect with a reason. The power of unwavering belief.
A murder has been committed in an office in Jerusalem. That’s for sure. The rest is not as clear-cut as it might seem.
Asaf languishes in his cell, unable to tell his story even to himself. How can he tell it to someone who elicits such fear within him?
His colleague, Nathalie, has studied Beauty and the Beast. She understands its moral. Maybe that’s why she’s the only one who believes in Asaf, the suspect. But she’s new in the company – and in the country. Would anyone take her opinion seriously?
She coerces her flatmates, Yarden and Tehila, into helping her investigate. As they uncover new trails, will they be able to reverse popular opinion?
In the end, will Beauty’s belief be strong enough to waken the Beast? Or, in this case, can Style waken the Solitary?
A murder has been committed in an office in Jerusalem. That’s for sure. The rest is not as clear-cut as it might seem.
Asaf languishes in his cell, unable to tell his story even to himself. How can he tell it to someone who elicits such fear within him?
His colleague, Nathalie, has studied Beauty and the Beast. She understands its moral. Maybe that’s why she’s the only one who believes in Asaf, the suspect. But she’s new in the company – and in the country. Would anyone take her opinion seriously?
She coerces her flatmates, Yarden and Tehila, into helping her investigate. As they uncover new trails, will they be able to reverse popular opinion?
In the end, will Beauty’s belief be strong enough to waken the Beast? Or, in this case, can Style waken the Solitary?
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2021
8 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Miriam Drori
12 books56 followersWhen Miriam Drori says she loves to perform, people don’t believe her. When she says she’s not shy, they think she’s delusional. The fact is, things ain’t what they seem. A witch called social anxiety took away her ability to be spontaneous, but it didn’t change her exhibitionist nature. You need to watch her dancing or speaking before an audience to understand that.
Fortunately, she has found an outlet for her thoughts in writing, a solitary activity with multiple recipients. She never doubted her ability to write, but only in recent years has she managed to gather her views and observations together into papier-mâché balls worth throwing far and wide.
If you ignore the witch, life has been good to Miriam, especially since she made the decision to move from the UK to Israel. She has a wonderful husband, three lovely children and a delightful house. She loves to read, travel, hike and dance. She has worked in computer programming and technical writing, and now enjoys the freedom and versatility of creative writing. And she believes passionately in raising awareness of social anxiety.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 29, 2021
An original and intriguing read which I would highly recommend.
I got to know Miriam Drori’s writing through her first novel, “Neither Here Nor There”. This is the story of Esty who flees from her home in the orthodox Haredi community of Jerusalem in order to start a secular life. I loved that book for its warmth, insight and the empathy Miriam showed for the central charterer. She created someone I grew to like, understand and care about.
I feel in “Style and The Solitary “she has achieved this again, creating, a complex, interesting central character, Asaf; an Israeli IT expert who suffers from social anxiety.
Miriam Drori has previously written on this subject of social anxiety in a non-fiction book “Social Anxiety Revealed” and in a novel, “Cultivating A Fuji”.
With such a deep understanding of social anxiety, it is no wonder she has succeeded in creating such an authentic and complex character as Asaf. To then place him in the position of being the suspect in a murder made for a compelling read. Some of the most moving parts for me were the descriptions of Asaf in his cell, cocooned in a blanket, unable to talk or defend himself.
Into his life, however, has come Natalie; a warm, empathetic, French immigrant who works in the same company in Jerusalem. She believes in Asaf and fights to prove his innocence. She provides a different perspective, giving the reader fresh insights into Asaf.
As well as enjoying the complexity of the characters and plot, I loved the setting of this novel. I have never been to Jerusalem, but the writer transported me there, and with the characters, I walked the streets, took in unique aromas and sights.
This is an original and intriguing read which I would highly recommend.
I got to know Miriam Drori’s writing through her first novel, “Neither Here Nor There”. This is the story of Esty who flees from her home in the orthodox Haredi community of Jerusalem in order to start a secular life. I loved that book for its warmth, insight and the empathy Miriam showed for the central charterer. She created someone I grew to like, understand and care about.
I feel in “Style and The Solitary “she has achieved this again, creating, a complex, interesting central character, Asaf; an Israeli IT expert who suffers from social anxiety.
Miriam Drori has previously written on this subject of social anxiety in a non-fiction book “Social Anxiety Revealed” and in a novel, “Cultivating A Fuji”.
With such a deep understanding of social anxiety, it is no wonder she has succeeded in creating such an authentic and complex character as Asaf. To then place him in the position of being the suspect in a murder made for a compelling read. Some of the most moving parts for me were the descriptions of Asaf in his cell, cocooned in a blanket, unable to talk or defend himself.
Into his life, however, has come Natalie; a warm, empathetic, French immigrant who works in the same company in Jerusalem. She believes in Asaf and fights to prove his innocence. She provides a different perspective, giving the reader fresh insights into Asaf.
As well as enjoying the complexity of the characters and plot, I loved the setting of this novel. I have never been to Jerusalem, but the writer transported me there, and with the characters, I walked the streets, took in unique aromas and sights.
This is an original and intriguing read which I would highly recommend.
May 29, 2021
3.75 stars more like.
This is a fairly light and easy read with some great characters amd a good exploration of social anxiety. The plot itself is solid enough - guy is killed, main guy is blamed, other main character works on clearing his name, etc. So, nothing unique per se, but solid.
I really liked that it was set in Jerusalem and there was a diverse range of characters too. It would have been nice to see Tehila more.
There are a couple things that would have made it stronger though. The parts with one of the characters should have been planted earlier cause otherwise it felt rushed and a bit haphazard. The background information in particular felt like it was done way too late. I also felt that Asaf's growth was really fast. This book only takes place over a span of a few days and he's doing all the stuff he does? Felt a bit unrealistic, but maybe my socially anxious friends are even more hermity lol. And I didn't really like that at the end, they didnt really save the day at all, someone else swept in. But I'm a fantasy author and I want the people doing the work to be the ones to finish the job.
I also would have liked more description of Jerusalem, buuuttt I am willing to acknowledge that that's just me and I like descriptions 😅.
So, in all, I enjoyed it . I just wish there had been more stuff happening to really make the characters shine more.
Will there be more? There were a few paranormal hints strewn about that I want some follow up on!
This is a fairly light and easy read with some great characters amd a good exploration of social anxiety. The plot itself is solid enough - guy is killed, main guy is blamed, other main character works on clearing his name, etc. So, nothing unique per se, but solid.
I really liked that it was set in Jerusalem and there was a diverse range of characters too. It would have been nice to see Tehila more.
There are a couple things that would have made it stronger though. The parts with one of the characters should have been planted earlier cause otherwise it felt rushed and a bit haphazard. The background information in particular felt like it was done way too late. I also felt that Asaf's growth was really fast. This book only takes place over a span of a few days and he's doing all the stuff he does? Felt a bit unrealistic, but maybe my socially anxious friends are even more hermity lol. And I didn't really like that at the end, they didnt really save the day at all, someone else swept in. But I'm a fantasy author and I want the people doing the work to be the ones to finish the job.
I also would have liked more description of Jerusalem, buuuttt I am willing to acknowledge that that's just me and I like descriptions 😅.
So, in all, I enjoyed it . I just wish there had been more stuff happening to really make the characters shine more.
Will there be more? There were a few paranormal hints strewn about that I want some follow up on!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2021
I loved this book. Miriam Drori writes with authority and insight, bringing to life both the male lead, Asaf, an Israeli IT expert who suffers from social anxiety, and the female lead, Nathalie, a delightful French immigrant who works in the same company in Jerusalem.
When Asaf is accused of murdering a colleague, only Nathalie believes instinctively that he couldn't have done it, and begins her own investigations to find the real killer.
Miriam expertly combines this fabulous story which has undertones of Beauty and the Beast with a great crime thriller. I got through this book really quickly, as I was enchanted by the characters, and their growing relationship, and I was also desperate to find out 'whodunnit'.
The setting is also great, as Jerusalem is brought to life as an ordinary but fascinating place to live and work.
I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who has ever been in need of someone to believe in them.
When Asaf is accused of murdering a colleague, only Nathalie believes instinctively that he couldn't have done it, and begins her own investigations to find the real killer.
Miriam expertly combines this fabulous story which has undertones of Beauty and the Beast with a great crime thriller. I got through this book really quickly, as I was enchanted by the characters, and their growing relationship, and I was also desperate to find out 'whodunnit'.
The setting is also great, as Jerusalem is brought to life as an ordinary but fascinating place to live and work.
I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who has ever been in need of someone to believe in them.
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September 9, 2021Roger M Fierstone
Style and The Solitary
Imagine that one day disaster happens and your world is turned upside down. You are accused of murder. Arrested. Terrified, you are taken away by the police. The whole world points it's accusing fingers at you. You are a pariah,, surrounded by hate and presumed guilt. Worse, you have an inability to express yourself. All your life to this point people have poked fun at you. They've called you names. You've been bullied. Pushed further into your reclusive self. A Nightmare.
This was just the beginning of the worst day of Asaf's life.
Because of his difficulties in self expression and interaction with others, Asaf only succeeds in making a bad situation worse. Nathalie, a colleague from work refuses to believe that Asaf could be guilty of such a crime. She decides to prove his innocence by solving the crime herself. Things become tense. There are threats. The air they breath carries the scent of death. Danger invades their lives. Nothing is as it was. Will it ever be again? To go on is to risk everything. Even death.
The writer paints a rich picture as Asaf and Nathalie's story unfolds. The pacing feels right yet relaxed. Not to fast, not too slow. It has a delightful sensitive touch which cannot fail to keep the reader turning the pages . The wind down at the end ties all the threads of the story together. Rich in descriptive sensitivity. It retains all the qualities readers expect from a gifted story teller.' Style And The Solitary' is a book to savour. Expertly crafted.
Style and The Solitary
Imagine that one day disaster happens and your world is turned upside down. You are accused of murder. Arrested. Terrified, you are taken away by the police. The whole world points it's accusing fingers at you. You are a pariah,, surrounded by hate and presumed guilt. Worse, you have an inability to express yourself. All your life to this point people have poked fun at you. They've called you names. You've been bullied. Pushed further into your reclusive self. A Nightmare.
This was just the beginning of the worst day of Asaf's life.
Because of his difficulties in self expression and interaction with others, Asaf only succeeds in making a bad situation worse. Nathalie, a colleague from work refuses to believe that Asaf could be guilty of such a crime. She decides to prove his innocence by solving the crime herself. Things become tense. There are threats. The air they breath carries the scent of death. Danger invades their lives. Nothing is as it was. Will it ever be again? To go on is to risk everything. Even death.
The writer paints a rich picture as Asaf and Nathalie's story unfolds. The pacing feels right yet relaxed. Not to fast, not too slow. It has a delightful sensitive touch which cannot fail to keep the reader turning the pages . The wind down at the end ties all the threads of the story together. Rich in descriptive sensitivity. It retains all the qualities readers expect from a gifted story teller.' Style And The Solitary' is a book to savour. Expertly crafted.
April 25, 2022
Nathalie Weyl moved from France to Jerusalem in Israel and has taken a job at Giden Electronics working in printed circuit board layouts. In the three months since she started there, she has tried to befriend Asaf Levitt, an expert design engineer who suffers from social anxiety, something which in particular prevents him talking to anyone senior or in authority. At first there was nothing but gradually he has begun talking to her and she sees the sweet and gentle man beneath the wall of silence. So it comes as a huge surprise to arrive at work one morning and find the office full of police, led by Chief Inspector Barak Elad. Their colleague Ido has been killed and Asaf found holding the murder weapon but Nathalie knows they must have arrested the wrong man. Enlisting help from her flatmates, criminology student Yarden and acting student Tehila, she determines to prove Asaf innocent. And of course the only way to do that with certainty is to find the real murderer! As the girls work their way through the entire office staff utilizing their skills and assuming the role of private detectives, they realize that understanding the victim is key to solving the crime. But can they do this without incurring the wrath of both the Chief Inspector and the true killer?
This is a gentle and compassionately written cosy murder mystery story with a good helping of romance thrown in. The characters are well described, particularly Asaf where the author shows a great understanding of his condition, and the backdrop of Jerusalem is richly painted for the reader to imagine. 4*
This is a gentle and compassionately written cosy murder mystery story with a good helping of romance thrown in. The characters are well described, particularly Asaf where the author shows a great understanding of his condition, and the backdrop of Jerusalem is richly painted for the reader to imagine. 4*
August 7, 2021
a gentle, humorous and compassionate mystery
The characters: Asaf hasn't got any friends. Even at work, hardly anyone knows him. Asaf is struggling to cope with social interactions and just wants to get on with his work and be left alone. In spite of this, he goes to work on this particular day carrying a note as a reminder to himself that things are about to change.
Unfortunately when Asaf is discovered with a dead body in his office building at the start of the working day, that note of his doesn't help at all.
As he gets caught up in what surely has to be the worst situation you can imagine, the reader is able to know Asaf's thoughts. We know that he is not the bad guy he's believed to be, and it's so easy to develop a sense of empathy for him.
And it's not only the reader who has sympathy for Asaf's plight. Co-worker Nathalie also passionately and completely has faith in his innocence. And she is determined to prove him innocent. Her flatmates are roped into helping Nathalie in her quest to find out the truth and exonerate Asaf.
This is a gentle, humorous and compassionate story about people and how they are. It is a book that embraces difference and encourages acceptance and respect. The mystery is almost secondary to the development of the relationships in the book.
The backdrop: I think this is the first novel I've ever read set in Jerusalem, so this was new and exciting for me, a kind of travelogue wrapped into the story. Although the details of the setting do not overwhelm, the location makes a welcome extra character, complementing and reflecting the many layers of history, culture and social interaction that come together to make the story.
I recommend this book
The characters: Asaf hasn't got any friends. Even at work, hardly anyone knows him. Asaf is struggling to cope with social interactions and just wants to get on with his work and be left alone. In spite of this, he goes to work on this particular day carrying a note as a reminder to himself that things are about to change.
Unfortunately when Asaf is discovered with a dead body in his office building at the start of the working day, that note of his doesn't help at all.
As he gets caught up in what surely has to be the worst situation you can imagine, the reader is able to know Asaf's thoughts. We know that he is not the bad guy he's believed to be, and it's so easy to develop a sense of empathy for him.
And it's not only the reader who has sympathy for Asaf's plight. Co-worker Nathalie also passionately and completely has faith in his innocence. And she is determined to prove him innocent. Her flatmates are roped into helping Nathalie in her quest to find out the truth and exonerate Asaf.
This is a gentle, humorous and compassionate story about people and how they are. It is a book that embraces difference and encourages acceptance and respect. The mystery is almost secondary to the development of the relationships in the book.
The backdrop: I think this is the first novel I've ever read set in Jerusalem, so this was new and exciting for me, a kind of travelogue wrapped into the story. Although the details of the setting do not overwhelm, the location makes a welcome extra character, complementing and reflecting the many layers of history, culture and social interaction that come together to make the story.
I recommend this book
May 31, 2022
This was a really interesting read. I have never read a book before based in Jerusalem and the author excelled in pulling me into that environment. The descriptions of the sights and sounds of the city grabbed me and added an extra layer of authenticity to the story.
I really liked Asaf’s character and the vulnerability the author gave him, and I liked how this worked along Nathalie’s character.
A really interesting read.
I really liked Asaf’s character and the vulnerability the author gave him, and I liked how this worked along Nathalie’s character.
A really interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews