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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Solid book; solid series. I’ve said this in my last review already but it’s such a pleasure to read a police procedural that’s inclusive and aware of the climate we’re in, here in Canada. Not to mention all the while being subversive of tropes in this genre. Both Esa and Rachel are well realized, they’re relationship doesn’t feed off of negative and zany sexual dynamics that too often mire series and plots like this. They themselves are against type and their lenses are both incredible useful for the full context of the plot every time.
This in particular is probably the one that hits hardest for me, as it’s based on real white supremacy flourishing in the country, particularly this brand in Quebec. And just this year the leader of the NDP, Jagmeet Singh was subjected to blatant racism from caucus members from Quebec! And then asked to apologize for calling them racist, which he did not, only to be chastised for it. I sometimes wonder if he was at all inspiration for the character of Esa, as Jagmeet’s public face is very much in character to Esa, in my mind.
But I digress. You can expect a highly nuanced portrayal of interactions between PoC and white people, code-switching and micro aggressions, to just out right racism. All of it with the overarching relevant themes, right up to political levels that are sometimes hard to parse. It’s really fantastic.
Really my only issue, we with others, is that the clarity is to overt that the prose are expository and nothing is left for the reader to infer. You want this for something like this, but it effected overall enjoyment. Also the scene with the killer was far too melodramatic for me, which solidified the 4 stars for me.
I highly recommend this series. It’s so good and pertinent and worthy of readers’ time. As usual there is the authors note explaining the real life events on which this is based and a suggested readers list, followed by the authors over qualifications for writing nuanced fiction like this.
This in particular is probably the one that hits hardest for me, as it’s based on real white supremacy flourishing in the country, particularly this brand in Quebec. And just this year the leader of the NDP, Jagmeet Singh was subjected to blatant racism from caucus members from Quebec! And then asked to apologize for calling them racist, which he did not, only to be chastised for it. I sometimes wonder if he was at all inspiration for the character of Esa, as Jagmeet’s public face is very much in character to Esa, in my mind.
But I digress. You can expect a highly nuanced portrayal of interactions between PoC and white people, code-switching and micro aggressions, to just out right racism. All of it with the overarching relevant themes, right up to political levels that are sometimes hard to parse. It’s really fantastic.
Really my only issue, we with others, is that the clarity is to overt that the prose are expository and nothing is left for the reader to infer. You want this for something like this, but it effected overall enjoyment. Also the scene with the killer was far too melodramatic for me, which solidified the 4 stars for me.
I highly recommend this series. It’s so good and pertinent and worthy of readers’ time. As usual there is the authors note explaining the real life events on which this is based and a suggested readers list, followed by the authors over qualifications for writing nuanced fiction like this.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I thought this might be the last in the series since it came out in 2019 and there is no forthcoming sequel on Goodreads, but the ending makes it clear that we have more to look forward to with Rachel and Esa.
This was a powerful story about the harm done by Islamophobia and how protecting hate speech as free speech leads to violence.
I'm very intrigued (creeped out, really) by the second mystery in this story and am a bit disappointed that it wasn't resolved at the end because I'm not going to remember the details by the time the next book is published.
This was a powerful story about the harm done by Islamophobia and how protecting hate speech as free speech leads to violence.
I'm very intrigued (creeped out, really) by the second mystery in this story and am a bit disappointed that it wasn't resolved at the end because I'm not going to remember the details by the time the next book is published.
I really like that the author explores difficult human rights questions in the course of her mysteries, but I found the personal relationships and motives in this novel too complex and at times unconvincing.
A timely and intriguing crime thriller that really made me think 💭
Ausma Zehanat Khan has taken today’s important issues pushed them to the forefront of this mystery and did not hold any punches... hate is so ugly and so uncomfortable and there were so many parts of this book that were just that, uncomfortable and ugly.... this is the fifth book in this series set in Canada, but the first book I have read from the series, it worked perfectly fine as a standalone.... I found the political issues of Quebec quite interesting, I really had no idea... unfortunately these are the same problems we have in the US, hate appears to know no boundaries... BUT in this book just as in the real world there were more good honest people than haters...
There was a shooting at a Muslim mosque in a small town in Quebec... it appears to be a hate crime, but Esa and Rachel who have been sent to investigate the case think there is more to this than it appears... A group of white supremacist, a group of girls calling themselves the lilies (and I’m still not sure what their purpose was), A priest, and a stalker all make for a compelling read... add in some complicated romantic entanglements in both Rachel and Esa lives, and there is not much more you could ask four... but for me the true brilliance of this book and what set it apart was the honest and real look at today’s political and cultural environment....
The mystery was interesting and I liked following along with the investigation... my only little niggle with this book was I was sometimes a little overwhelmed with the characters, I couldn’t always remember who was who, but this could be a me problem... it also probably would have helped had I read the previous books in the series, and it definitely did not detract from the overall story.... and it certainly didn’t stop me from donning my detective hat!
This was a relevant, perfectly paced, interesting crime thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end! Recommend!
🎧🎧🎧 I really am so excited to get back to my roots and have the privilege and opportunity to listen to so many wonderful audiobooks. This was another book that was truly enhanced by a rich narrator. Peter Ganim gives his wonderful voice to this series, I just checked and he narrates the full series. He did a wonderful job with all the different characters especially when it came to the female voices, I also was impressed with his French. Now if I’m being completely honest I would have no idea if he was pronouncing it correctly but it sure did sound good!
🎵🎵🎵 song running through my head! We didn’t start the fire🔥
Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray
South Pacific, Walter Winchell, Joe DiMaggio
Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, Studebaker, television
North Korea, South Korea, Marilyn Monroe
Rosenbergs, H-bomb, Sugar Ray, Panmunjom
Brando, "The King and I" and "The Catcher in the Rye"
Eisenhower, vaccine, England's got a new queen
Marciano, Liberace, Santayana goodbye
We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it
But we tried to fight it
Joseph Stalin, Malenkov, Nasser and Prokofiev
Rockefeller, Campanella, Communist Bloc
Roy Cohn, Juan Peron, Toscanini, Dacron
Dien Bien Phu falls, "Rock Around the Clock"
Einstein, James Dean, Brooklyn's got a winning team
Davy Crockett,…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g
*** many thanks to Minotaur and Macmillan Audio for my copies of this book ***
Ausma Zehanat Khan has taken today’s important issues pushed them to the forefront of this mystery and did not hold any punches... hate is so ugly and so uncomfortable and there were so many parts of this book that were just that, uncomfortable and ugly.... this is the fifth book in this series set in Canada, but the first book I have read from the series, it worked perfectly fine as a standalone.... I found the political issues of Quebec quite interesting, I really had no idea... unfortunately these are the same problems we have in the US, hate appears to know no boundaries... BUT in this book just as in the real world there were more good honest people than haters...
There was a shooting at a Muslim mosque in a small town in Quebec... it appears to be a hate crime, but Esa and Rachel who have been sent to investigate the case think there is more to this than it appears... A group of white supremacist, a group of girls calling themselves the lilies (and I’m still not sure what their purpose was), A priest, and a stalker all make for a compelling read... add in some complicated romantic entanglements in both Rachel and Esa lives, and there is not much more you could ask four... but for me the true brilliance of this book and what set it apart was the honest and real look at today’s political and cultural environment....
The mystery was interesting and I liked following along with the investigation... my only little niggle with this book was I was sometimes a little overwhelmed with the characters, I couldn’t always remember who was who, but this could be a me problem... it also probably would have helped had I read the previous books in the series, and it definitely did not detract from the overall story.... and it certainly didn’t stop me from donning my detective hat!
This was a relevant, perfectly paced, interesting crime thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end! Recommend!
🎧🎧🎧 I really am so excited to get back to my roots and have the privilege and opportunity to listen to so many wonderful audiobooks. This was another book that was truly enhanced by a rich narrator. Peter Ganim gives his wonderful voice to this series, I just checked and he narrates the full series. He did a wonderful job with all the different characters especially when it came to the female voices, I also was impressed with his French. Now if I’m being completely honest I would have no idea if he was pronouncing it correctly but it sure did sound good!
🎵🎵🎵 song running through my head! We didn’t start the fire🔥
Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray
South Pacific, Walter Winchell, Joe DiMaggio
Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, Studebaker, television
North Korea, South Korea, Marilyn Monroe
Rosenbergs, H-bomb, Sugar Ray, Panmunjom
Brando, "The King and I" and "The Catcher in the Rye"
Eisenhower, vaccine, England's got a new queen
Marciano, Liberace, Santayana goodbye
We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it
But we tried to fight it
Joseph Stalin, Malenkov, Nasser and Prokofiev
Rockefeller, Campanella, Communist Bloc
Roy Cohn, Juan Peron, Toscanini, Dacron
Dien Bien Phu falls, "Rock Around the Clock"
Einstein, James Dean, Brooklyn's got a winning team
Davy Crockett,…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g
*** many thanks to Minotaur and Macmillan Audio for my copies of this book ***
I’ve read all the Rachel Getty/Esa Khattak books so was interested in this one, the fifth in the series.
This time Rachel and Esa are called to Saint-Isidore-du-Lac in Quebec after a massacre at a mosque. Twelve people are killed. Christian Lemaire, the officer in charge, has a young Muslim man, Amadou Duchon, taken into custody though he was helping the wounded. On the other hand, Etienne Roy, the local Catholic priest, is found at the scene with a gun in his hands but he is not apprehended and never seriously considered a suspect. As the investigation continues, Esa and Rachel are convinced that the Wolf Allegiance, an ultra-nationalist group, and a right-wing radio host are connected to the mass shooting.
The mystery is interesting with several suspects with possible motives. The identity of the murderer is not easy to guess, though looking back there are sufficient clues. I understand the murderer’s initial motivation but there are subsequent actions that are less strongly motivated and so less convincing.
The novel tackles relevant issues in Quebec and Canadian society. It explores anti-immigration sentiments, Islamophobia, and white nationalism. Rather than focusing on the radicalization of young Muslim men, it examines the radicalization of young white men. The book mentions topics which have been in headlines in Quebec: biker gangs, discrimination in the Sûreté du Québec, Hérouxville’s Code of Conduct, Quebec’s Charter of Values. Some online chats and blogs which promote hate are included in the narrative; they are unquestionably realistic though disturbing to read.
In my review of the fourth novel in this series, I mentioned that the constant romantic tensions became tedious. In this novel, the romance element is also over-emphasized. Every woman who meets Esa seems to fall in love with him?! He is unmoved by such amorous yearnings, but the love of one person has a dramatic impact on his mood and attitude. Rachel, on the other hand, is attracted to someone with whom she has to work closely though she doesn’t know if he can be trusted. These romantic concerns serve only as an unnecessary distraction, especially over-the-top passages like this: “She struggled to regain her composure, blinking several times rapidly and running a dry tongue over her lips.”
Another aspect which is tedious and annoying is the many references to eyes: “Their eyes met and held, eloquent with fear” and “the answering flame in her eyes” and “that still-banked fury in his eyes” and “her eyes were locked on his” and “The priest’s eyes slid to his” and “something dark and nameless in her eyes” and on and on. Everyone communicates so expressively with their eyes?! Dialogue and actions should be used more to convey thoughts and feelings.
As with the previous book in the series, this one is also sometimes bogged down by lengthy passages of exposition that would be more appropriate in an essay: “But in effect, that’s what the Code of Conduct – and the succeeding legislation – stood for. It was dressed up in language about religious neutrality and the values of Québec – it resisted encroachment; it spoke of erasure – but at heart it was a repudiation, of what was considered different . . . other . . . barbaric. Debates about the Muslim veil had created the specter of a foreign invasion – an intolerable usurpation delivered by the hands of a community who sought religious freedom. The language of Bill 62 . . . suggested it applied to all communities equally. But its neutrality was a veneer. Its practical application was to exclude those in religious dress from joining in public life. In starker, more specific terms, the proposed legislation stripped a Muslim woman of her dignity and her choice.”
There is a lot of focus on the difficulties women face in a male-dominated workforce: “Unwanted, unwelcome attention that hindered a woman’s performance of her job” and “What do you think it’s like for me? For any woman who tried to slog her way to the top?” and “He’d heard it from many of his female colleagues, frustrated by unnecessary obstacles or by the difficulty they’d faced being treated with respect by the men who stood in their way.” The reader does not need to be reminded over and over again about this problem.
I had problems with a few things in the novel. First, there’s the portrayal of the fictitious town, Sainte-Isidore-du-Lac. It is a “small town on the fringes of Gatineau Park” about “an hour and a half from Ottawa.” This small town has a mosque, a synagogue, and a university. What small town, especially one so close to a city that has two, would have a university? Then a character who works as a spokesperson for the premier of the province is summoned to Montreal? The provincial capital is Quebec City so it is more likely she would have to go there. A Muslim man speaks of the type of woman he would like to marry: “A girl I can take to the mosque who will stand by my side in prayer.” Perhaps I’m being too nit-picky but in a mosque, women pray separately from men!
This is not really a standalone novel. I would strongly recommend that it be read in the proper sequence. The relationships among the characters will be much better understood if the previous four books in the series have been read. In addition, all the investigations of these prior installments are mentioned. The next book in the series is foreshadowed at the beginning and the end with the appearance of a shadowy figure who follows and threatens Esa. The identity of this person undoubtedly lies in the previous novels.
This book examines the consequences of hate, and considering events in both Canada and the U.S., it is very relevant. A Muslim police investigator as a protagonist is a welcome addition to the mystery/crime genre, and the character of Esa continues to provide insight into the tenets of Islam and the mind of a devout but moderate Muslim. He and Rachel are an odd partnership but their working relationship is based on mutual understanding, respect, and affection. Though the book is not flawless, it is of sufficient quality that I will continue to follow the series.
Note: I received a digital galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
This time Rachel and Esa are called to Saint-Isidore-du-Lac in Quebec after a massacre at a mosque. Twelve people are killed. Christian Lemaire, the officer in charge, has a young Muslim man, Amadou Duchon, taken into custody though he was helping the wounded. On the other hand, Etienne Roy, the local Catholic priest, is found at the scene with a gun in his hands but he is not apprehended and never seriously considered a suspect. As the investigation continues, Esa and Rachel are convinced that the Wolf Allegiance, an ultra-nationalist group, and a right-wing radio host are connected to the mass shooting.
The mystery is interesting with several suspects with possible motives. The identity of the murderer is not easy to guess, though looking back there are sufficient clues. I understand the murderer’s initial motivation but there are subsequent actions that are less strongly motivated and so less convincing.
The novel tackles relevant issues in Quebec and Canadian society. It explores anti-immigration sentiments, Islamophobia, and white nationalism. Rather than focusing on the radicalization of young Muslim men, it examines the radicalization of young white men. The book mentions topics which have been in headlines in Quebec: biker gangs, discrimination in the Sûreté du Québec, Hérouxville’s Code of Conduct, Quebec’s Charter of Values. Some online chats and blogs which promote hate are included in the narrative; they are unquestionably realistic though disturbing to read.
In my review of the fourth novel in this series, I mentioned that the constant romantic tensions became tedious. In this novel, the romance element is also over-emphasized. Every woman who meets Esa seems to fall in love with him?! He is unmoved by such amorous yearnings, but the love of one person has a dramatic impact on his mood and attitude. Rachel, on the other hand, is attracted to someone with whom she has to work closely though she doesn’t know if he can be trusted. These romantic concerns serve only as an unnecessary distraction, especially over-the-top passages like this: “She struggled to regain her composure, blinking several times rapidly and running a dry tongue over her lips.”
Another aspect which is tedious and annoying is the many references to eyes: “Their eyes met and held, eloquent with fear” and “the answering flame in her eyes” and “that still-banked fury in his eyes” and “her eyes were locked on his” and “The priest’s eyes slid to his” and “something dark and nameless in her eyes” and on and on. Everyone communicates so expressively with their eyes?! Dialogue and actions should be used more to convey thoughts and feelings.
As with the previous book in the series, this one is also sometimes bogged down by lengthy passages of exposition that would be more appropriate in an essay: “But in effect, that’s what the Code of Conduct – and the succeeding legislation – stood for. It was dressed up in language about religious neutrality and the values of Québec – it resisted encroachment; it spoke of erasure – but at heart it was a repudiation, of what was considered different . . . other . . . barbaric. Debates about the Muslim veil had created the specter of a foreign invasion – an intolerable usurpation delivered by the hands of a community who sought religious freedom. The language of Bill 62 . . . suggested it applied to all communities equally. But its neutrality was a veneer. Its practical application was to exclude those in religious dress from joining in public life. In starker, more specific terms, the proposed legislation stripped a Muslim woman of her dignity and her choice.”
There is a lot of focus on the difficulties women face in a male-dominated workforce: “Unwanted, unwelcome attention that hindered a woman’s performance of her job” and “What do you think it’s like for me? For any woman who tried to slog her way to the top?” and “He’d heard it from many of his female colleagues, frustrated by unnecessary obstacles or by the difficulty they’d faced being treated with respect by the men who stood in their way.” The reader does not need to be reminded over and over again about this problem.
I had problems with a few things in the novel. First, there’s the portrayal of the fictitious town, Sainte-Isidore-du-Lac. It is a “small town on the fringes of Gatineau Park” about “an hour and a half from Ottawa.” This small town has a mosque, a synagogue, and a university. What small town, especially one so close to a city that has two, would have a university? Then a character who works as a spokesperson for the premier of the province is summoned to Montreal? The provincial capital is Quebec City so it is more likely she would have to go there. A Muslim man speaks of the type of woman he would like to marry: “A girl I can take to the mosque who will stand by my side in prayer.” Perhaps I’m being too nit-picky but in a mosque, women pray separately from men!
This is not really a standalone novel. I would strongly recommend that it be read in the proper sequence. The relationships among the characters will be much better understood if the previous four books in the series have been read. In addition, all the investigations of these prior installments are mentioned. The next book in the series is foreshadowed at the beginning and the end with the appearance of a shadowy figure who follows and threatens Esa. The identity of this person undoubtedly lies in the previous novels.
This book examines the consequences of hate, and considering events in both Canada and the U.S., it is very relevant. A Muslim police investigator as a protagonist is a welcome addition to the mystery/crime genre, and the character of Esa continues to provide insight into the tenets of Islam and the mind of a devout but moderate Muslim. He and Rachel are an odd partnership but their working relationship is based on mutual understanding, respect, and affection. Though the book is not flawless, it is of sufficient quality that I will continue to follow the series.
Note: I received a digital galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the best one yet! The character arcs are amazing and the representation of Muslim characters, of their varying relationships with their faith and the larger society is nuanced and beautifully written. Kudos!
Detectives Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty are partnered again to help solve a suspected hate crime at a mosque in Quebec. Fraught with tension, numerous plot twists and some well-deserved romance this novel is a real page turner of a mystery.
Here I go, jumping into a series late in the game.
Oh, friends, it did not matter. Rachel Getty and Esa Khattack have such good detective chemistry, I bought into the storyline instantly.
There’s been a mass shooting of twelve people at a Quebec mosque. Immediately things go awry when the police release Etienne Roy, a priest who had a weapon on him, and then arrest Amadou Duchon, a Muslim man who had been present helping those hurt during the shooting.
At first glance, it seems like the shooting could only be a hate crime, but Esa and Rachel’s gut instincts tell them it’s not that simple.
The community grapples with fear and unrest in the shooting’s wake, along with outright racism and hate, and with that as a backdrop, the pair try to solve what happened. There is also concern that the situation could escalate due to the chaos, and solving this case would hopefully lead to understanding.
A Deep Divide was so more than just a mystery. It presented social issues in a considered and thoughtful way. Khan’s writing is direct, and the pacing is strong. Overall, this book was timely, thought-provoking, entertained me from beginning to end, and addressed important cultural and racial dynamics. I definitely plan to spend more time with this series in the future as I can fit them in.
Thanks to Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Oh, friends, it did not matter. Rachel Getty and Esa Khattack have such good detective chemistry, I bought into the storyline instantly.
There’s been a mass shooting of twelve people at a Quebec mosque. Immediately things go awry when the police release Etienne Roy, a priest who had a weapon on him, and then arrest Amadou Duchon, a Muslim man who had been present helping those hurt during the shooting.
At first glance, it seems like the shooting could only be a hate crime, but Esa and Rachel’s gut instincts tell them it’s not that simple.
The community grapples with fear and unrest in the shooting’s wake, along with outright racism and hate, and with that as a backdrop, the pair try to solve what happened. There is also concern that the situation could escalate due to the chaos, and solving this case would hopefully lead to understanding.
A Deep Divide was so more than just a mystery. It presented social issues in a considered and thoughtful way. Khan’s writing is direct, and the pacing is strong. Overall, this book was timely, thought-provoking, entertained me from beginning to end, and addressed important cultural and racial dynamics. I definitely plan to spend more time with this series in the future as I can fit them in.
Thanks to Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com