Book Review: Death in Shangri-La by Yigal Zur

About:

Death in Shangri-La by Yigal Zur the first book in the Dotan Naor series, an Israeli private investigator and ex operative. Mr. Zur is a journalist, TV host and writer.

• 272 pages
• Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1608093549

My rating for Death in Shangri-La – 4
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Thoughts:

I had no idea what to expect from Death in Shangri-La by Yigal Zur, but it sounded like a book right up my alley. The book turned out to be part thriller, part guide-book to India and examination of the culture of the country. The thriller part is more of a vehicle for the author to introduce the reader to India.

It took me about a quarter of the book to realize that I’m actually reading two different stories, in two different tones. The first, a noir style narrative, reminiscent of Cold War novels, where an operative, Dotan Naor, is a macho, somewhat sexist loaner being forced to work with a partner who is out of her element. The second, a narrative a-la a travel guide about India, its history, geography and culture.

I wish to say the two narratives combine seamlessly together, but they don’t. That actually works pretty good because the reader knows what to expect from those parts when reading, and the mindset changes almost automatically.

The strength of the book, for me, was the tour through India told via the narrative. The author does not go throw at the reader facts and figures, but he obviously loves the culture and country and takes the reader on a ride along with him.

I enjoyed reading this book, it wasn’t heavy or preachy, but a fast, energized adventure story with some culture mixed in for good measure. It seems like this is the first of a series, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest.

Synopsis:

Dotan Naor made a bet with Willy Mizrachi that he can locate his missing son. Willy is a ruthless Israeli arms dealer, and is not happy that his son has settled for a life in an ashram in the Himalayas.

Coincidently, Indian Muslim terrorists are hunting Israeli tourists, and Dotan, accompanied by Mossad agent Maya, are hot on the trail of the terrorists, on their own mission and one with international implications.

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More Books by Yigal Zur*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I got this book for free.
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account