Omar Yussef Mystery Series

Recommended Reading Order

1. The Collaborator of Bethlehem

   • Matt Beynon Rees

   • 264 pages
   • 10 hours of reading

   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.

   Read more

   1

   3.8

2. A Grave in Gaza

   • Matt Beynon Rees

   • 356 pages
   • 13 hours of reading

   "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.

   Read more

   2

   3.8

3. An Omar Yussef Mystery: A Grave in Gaza

   • Matt Beynon Rees

   • 340 pages
   • 12 hours of reading

   Praise for the Omar Yussef series highlights its engaging portrayal of Palestinian life and the complexities of the region. Critics commend the narrative for its readability and depth, emphasizing how it captures the human experience amid political intrigue and violence. The protagonist, Omar Yussef, navigates a West Bank fraught with corruption, religious tensions, and militia conflicts, making the broader Mideast conflict personal for readers. The story is described as both thrilling and emotionally resonant, shedding light on the realities faced in Palestinian society. The author, Matt Beynon Rees, brings a unique perspective as a former Jerusalem bureau chief for TIME magazine, enriching the narrative with authentic insights. His previous works include another mystery in the series and a nonfiction exploration of the Middle East. Rees currently resides in Jerusalem, continuing to contribute to discussions about the region through his writing.

   Read more

   2

4. The Samaritan's Secret. An Omar Yussef Mystery

   • Matt Beynon Rees

   Omar Yussef travels to Nablus for a wedding but becomes embroiled in a murder investigation following the theft of an ancient Torah scroll. As he navigates the dangerous alleys, he uncovers tensions between militias, secretive business dealings, and the complexities of the Samaritan community, questioning if he'll make it to the wedding.

   Read more

   3

   3.9

5. The Fourth Assassin

   • Matt Beynon Rees

   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

   Read more

   4

   4.0

6. Omar Yussef Novel: The Fourth Assassin

   • Matt Beynon Rees

   • 281 pages
   • 10 hours of reading

   Arriving to visit his son Ala in the heavily Palestinian neighborhood of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Omar Yussef discovers the beheaded body of one of the boy’s roommates. When Ala is arrested as a suspect, Omar Yussef must investigate to prove his son’s innocence, uncovering a deadly conspiracy of international proportions.

   Read more

   4