A Possibility of Violence (Avraham Avraham Series #2)

by D. A. Mishani

Overview

Haunted by the past and his own limitations, Israeli Detective Avraham Avraham must stop a criminal ruthless enough to target children in this evocative and gripping tale of mystery and psychological suspense that is the follow-up to The Missing File, the acclaimed first novel in D. A. Mishani’s literary crime series that was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger Award.

An explosive device is found in a suitcase near a daycare center in a quiet suburb of Tel Aviv. A few hours later, a threat is received: the suitcase was only the beginning.

Inspector Avraham Avraham, back in Israel after a much-needed vacation, is assigned to the investigation. Tormented by the trauma and failure of his past case, Avraham is determined not to make the same mistakes—especially with innocent lives at stake. He may have a break when one of the suspects, a father of two, appears to have gone on the run. Is he the terrorist behind the threat? Is he trying to escape Avraham’s intense investigation? Or perhaps he’s fleeing a far more terrible crime that no one knows has been committed?

No matter how much Avraham wants to atone for the past, redemption may not be possible—not when he’s entangled in a case more deceptive and abominable than any he’s ever faced.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062195418
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Series:	Avraham Avraham Series , #2
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	293
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

D. A. Mishani is a literary scholar specializing in the history of detective literature. His first novel, The Missing File, was the inaugural book in his literary crime series featuring the police inspector Avraham Avraham.

Editorial Reviews

★ 05/12/2014
The scars from Israeli Insp. Avraham Avraham’s last case, recounted in Mishani’s 2013 series debut, The Missing File, are still affecting him in this stellar sequel. With his squad at less-than-full strength, Avraham returns to duty even before his official first day back. In the town of Holon, someone left a suitcase outside a day care center containing a fake bomb. Amos Uzan, an ex-con, was picked up shortly after the suitcase was discovered, based on an eyewitness description, but Avraham’s interrogation doesn’t garner enough evidence to detain him. The inspector’s focus shifts instead to Chaim Sara, a caterer, who had a son at the center. Sara argued with the woman in charge of the center, Chava Cohen, after his child came home with some suspicious injuries. Sections from Sara’s perspective make clear that he’s hiding something, but the truth is, as in the earlier book, far from straightforward. Mishani makes good use of his study of the genre to create another psychologically complex case, in the process deepening his lead character. Agent: Marc Koralnik, Liepman Agency (Switzerland). (July)

Publishers Weekly

Part of the freshness of Mr. Mishani’s novel comes from its striking locale, [and] part from the way the story is told through alternating points of view (Avraham’s and his chief suspects).” — Wall Street Journal

“… A stellar sequel…Mishani makes good use of his study of the genre to create another psychologically complex case, in the process deepening his lead character.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“In Mishani’s riveting second novel, the formula works, and works well, but before too long the reader realizes that the formula is left far behind…Mishani’s characters are finely wrought…. Highly recommended…. Mishani’s novel is required reading.” — Jewish Week

“Lovely writing drew me in from the first chilling section…the atmosphere is wonderful.” — Suspense Magazine

From the Publisher

Part of the freshness of Mr. Mishani’s novel comes from its striking locale, [and] part from the way the story is told through alternating points of view (Avraham’s and his chief suspects).

Wall Street Journal

In Mishani’s riveting second novel, the formula works, and works well, but before too long the reader realizes that the formula is left far behind…Mishani’s characters are finely wrought…. Highly recommended…. Mishani’s novel is required reading.

Jewish Week

Lovely writing drew me in from the first chilling section…the atmosphere is wonderful.

Suspense Magazine

Part of the freshness of Mr. Mishani’s novel comes from its striking locale, [and] part from the way the story is told through alternating points of view (Avraham’s and his chief suspects).

Wall Street Journal

★ 2014-05-21
Inspector Avraham Avraham tries to fathom why—even in Israel—someone would plant a fake bomb outside a day care center.Surprises await Avraham on his return from Brussels. While he was spending carefree hours with Marianka, the lovely Belgian police officer he met on what started as a routine training assignment (The Missing File, 2013), his unit welcomed a new commander. Benny Saban seems like a harmless bean counter, but he’s almost too cordial to Avraham. Ilana Lis, his mentor, on the other hand, seems to be avoiding him. When he reads her report on the Sharabi case, he can see why: It details his many mistakes, while acknowledging that he did find the solution. His current investigation, then, seems increasingly like a chance to redeem himself. The case itself is trivial, since no one was hurt by the device planted outside Chava Cohen’s child care center. But something in his interrogations makes Avraham uneasy. Amos Uzan seems like a run-of-the-mill thug with a minor rap sheet. Is it just the tiny mustache he’s grown since his last mug shot that bothers Avraham? And Chaim Sara seems like an honest schlub just trying to make a living selling sandwiches. What is there about his story about his Philippine wife’s visit home to see her sick father that doesn’t ring true? As Avraham closes in on the truth, he faces the terrifying feeling that, once again, he may just be too late.Tense yet heartfelt, Mishani’s second Avraham entry is even more riveting than his debut.

Kirkus Reviews