M. B. Rees' third of the Omar Yussef Mysteries, The Samaritan's Secret, is more polished in the mystery aspect of the story than A Grave In Gaza, the previous book in the series - exactly what I was hoping to find. The plot weaves so many secrets together, and are exposed in such a way that the denouement simmers down perfectly, to the very last pages of the story. Of course, as with A Grave In Gaza (I have yet to read the first book in the series), the characters are as human as any of us, yet provide outsiders with a personal glimpse into the generational conflicts and pressure of power and corruption in a Palestine both occupied and struggling to survive within its own limitations. What is dearly important in, and I think part of the success of the Omar Yussef Mysteries is the individuation of Palestinian people, albeit fictional, from the impersonal and fragmented nature of news reporting.