Matt Beynon Rees Books

Italy, 1605: For the ruling Borgia family, Rome is a place of grand palazzos and frescoed cathedrals. For the lowly artist Caravaggio, it is a place of rough bars, knife fights, and grubby whores. Until he is commissioned to paint the Pope...Soon, Caravaggio has gained entry into the Borgia family's inner circle, and becomes the most celebrated artist in Rome. But when he falls for Lena, a low-born fruit-seller, and paints her into his Madonna series as a simple peasant woman, Italian society is outraged. Discredited as an artist, but unwilling to retract his vision of the woman he loves, Caravaggio is forced into a duel - and murders a nobleman. Even his powerful patrons cannot protect him from a death sentence. So Caravaggio flees to Malta, where, before he can be pardoned, he must undergo the rigorous training of the Knights of Malta. His paintings continue to speak of his love for Lena. But before he can return to her, as a Knight and a noble, Caravaggio, the most famous artist in Italy - simply disappears...

The fourth Omar Yussef mystery from CWA John Creasey Dagger winner Matt Rees. 'Morse, Rebus, and now Yussef' Observer'Omar Yussef is a splendid creation' Colin Dexter

When Omar Yussef travels to Nablus, the West Bank's most violent town, to attend a wedding, he little expects the trouble that awaits him. An ancient Torah scroll belonging to the Samaritans, descendants of the biblical Joseph, has been stolen. But when the dead body of a young Samaritan is discovered, a seemingly straightforward theft inquiry takes an unexpected turn. As Omar sets out to find the perpetrators of this murder, he is driven down into the murky alleys and tunnels of the old casbah in Nablus. Here, as he uncovers the secret deals of one of the region's richest businessmen, and the shadowy world of the tiny Samaritan community, he begins to wonder whether he will be able to attend the wedding after all . . .

"In A Grave in Gaza, Omar Yussef and his boss,Magnus Wallender, travel to the Gaza Strip for a routine inspection of the UN schools in the Gaza refugee camps.Upon their arrival they meet James Cree, the UN security officer for Gaza, who informs them that a teacher at one of their schools has been accused of spying and imprisoned. As they try to free the teacher and keep a lid on an explosive political situation, they are pulled into a confrontation with Gaza's warring governmentfactions and the criminal gangs with which they are connected.Omar Yussef confronts the dark elements of Gaza--dirty politics, bribery, assassination, and kidnapping--in his struggle to free the innocent and honor the dead.

For decades, Omar Yussef has been a teacher of history to the children of Bethlehem. When a favorite former pupil, George Saba, a member of the Palestinian Christian minority, is arrested for collaborating with the Israelis in the killing of a Palestinian guerrilla, Omar is sure he has been framed. If George is not cleared, he faces imminent execution. Then the wife of the dead man, also one of Omar Yussef’s former pupils, is murdered, possibly raped. When he begins to suspect the head of the Bethlehem al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades is the true collaborator, Omar and his family are threatened. But as no one else is willing to stand up to the violent Martyrs Brigades men, who hold the real power in the town, it is up to him to investigate.

'Mozart, music, and murder seamlessly blend together in this fascinating historical mystery. A perfect read.' Tess Gerritsen

It’s 1791 and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is enlightenment Vienna’s brightest star. Master of the city’s music halls and devoted member of the Freemason’s guild, he stands at the heart of an electric mix of art and music, philosophy and science, politics and intrigue. But six weeks ago the great composer told his wife he had been poisoned. Yesterday, he died. The city is buzzing with rumours of infidelity, bankruptcy and murder. But Wolfgang’s sister Nannerl will not believe base gossip. Who but a madman would poison such a genius? Yet as she looks closer, Nannerl finds traces of something sinister: a Masonic secret that might just be connected to his death. And as she listens to Wolfgang’s bewitching last opera, The Magic Flute, she realizes that the arias might contain more than just the music…

Praise for the Omar Yussef series highlights its engaging portrayal of Palestinian life. Critics commend the narrative for its readability and depth, with The Washington Post noting its vivid depiction of contemporary challenges. David Baldacci appreciates the humanity woven into the complex cultural dynamics, while Entertainment Weekly emphasizes the personal touch Rees brings to the Mideast conflict through Omar's experiences. The story is described as both thrilling and poignant, shedding light on the realities of life in the Palestinian territories. TIME.com acknowledges the gritty and often disturbing truths of Palestinian society, praising Rees for infusing heart into his characters while delivering a gripping narrative. The San Francisco Chronicle calls it an evocative and compassionate tale. In the midst of trying to save two men, Omar Yussef navigates the corruption and violence stemming from Gaza’s warring factions and their associated criminal gangs. Author Matt Beynon Rees, originally from South Wales, previously served as the Jerusalem bureau chief for TIME magazine and continues to contribute to the publication. He has written another mystery in the Omar Yussef series and a nonfiction work exploring the complexities of the Middle East. Rees currently resides in Jerusalem.

For decades, Omar Yussef has been a teacher of history to the children of Bethlehem. When a favourite former pupil, George Saba, is arrested for collaborating with the Israelis in the killing of a Palestinian guerrilla, Yussef is convinced that he has been framed. With George facing execution Yussef sets out to prove his innocence.

Die Ärztin Amy Weston, spezialisiert auf die Behandlung von Opfern chemischer Kampfstoffe, hat es eilig. Sie muss dringend Federal Agent Dominic Verrazzano sprechen, den man ihr empfohlen hat. Jedes Verbrechen, bei dem die Grenzen des amerikanischen Staates überschritten werden, liegt im Zuständigkeitsbereich seiner New Yorker Behörde Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Und Weston hat eine wichtige Botschaft. Aber bevor sie Verrazzano erreichen kann, wird sie tödlich verletzt, kann ihm nur noch einen kryptischen Zettel geben. Verrazzano, ehemaliger Elitesoldat und Söldner, nimmt die Ermittlungen und, wie es aussieht, auch den Kampf auf. Es geht um Giftgas, um einen Anschlag, und die Untersuchungen führen ihn und seine Kollegen schließlich nach Syrien, mitten in den Bürgerkrieg, zu einem Gelände voller Sarinfässer. Aber wer steckt wirklich hinter den dramatischen Anschlagsplänen und geht es hier tatsächlich um Syrien? Furios, voll komplexer Charaktere und überraschender Wendungen, actionreich und hochspannend – der erste Thriller von Matt Rees um den charismatischenFederal Agent Dominic Verrazzano.