The Robbins disagree about their daughter's joining the radical Students for Palestinian Justice, but neither foresee the danger Courtney faces when terrorists recruit SPJ members to bomb Jewish organizations.
If you like thrillers, you'll really like House Divided, the story of a family divided over the Arab-Israeli conflict. The Robbins disagree about their college-student daughter's decision to join the radical Students for Palestinian Justice (SPJ). Alison Robbins says Courtney needs to be allowed to make her own decisions, but Leonard Robbins fears she'll be used. Neither, however, foresees the danger Courtney faces when terrorists target SPJ members to convey bombs into Jewish organizations.
Excerpt
Susan stood in her apartment doorway watching Sammy and Marisa walk down the stairs. A light on the second floor flickered and went out. She would have to call the landlord.
Susan hoped Marisa would obey Sammy’s injunction against discussing their plans where she might be overheard. She suspected Marisa felt the need to assure him she was up to doing her part. Sammy had that effect on people; they wanted his approval.
Susan had felt that way at first. Now she wondered about some of the things he’d told her, but it was too late for second guessing. Everything was ready, Sammy had told them at the end of their meeting. He just needed a few more items to be able to finish the bomb.
Susan hoped he’d get what he needed soon. She wanted what they were planning to be over. No matter what happened afterwards, she just wanted it to be over.
Professional Reviews
The research is amazing. Very authentic and authoritative
Whew! What an exciting ride. I sailed through the short, dense chapters of House Divided impatient to know what happened next.
The research is amazing. Very authentic and authoritative. Also so current with references to the Boston Marathon bombers, for example. Full of numerous, but distinctive colorful characters.
Given the clear delineation of responsibility among the characters, one might assume the author lived and worked for decades in one or more of the many federal agencies working to identify and apprehend those responsible for a series of bombings. The writing has the assuredness of an insider.
Yes, one particular group is responsible, yet I could not discern any bias on the author’s part. Peter G. Pollak carefully explains (via his characters of course) both sides of the complex Palestinian/Israeli conflict.
That ethnic/religious/territorial conflict also has far-flung repercussions on individuals– in this case on an American family. There are lessons here for idealist young people whose naiveté can lead to disaster.
Loved the feminism too. A female president of the United States plus the two characters who save the day at zero hour: Mother/wife/former FBI agent, Alison, who puts her training to good use and elusive, irritating, but brilliant Russian, Ekaterina.
Highly recommended.
Not to be missed!
House Divided is a page-turning thriller with well-developed characters and a fabulous plot complete with many twists and turns. The issues presented are quite relevant to the current political climate in our country. I highly recommend it!
A fast moving, intriguing spy mystery
Leonard Robbins was a retired CIA agent, now confined to a wheelchair from injuries suffered from an auto wreck. His wife was a retired FBI agent. They were living a fairly quiet life now except for the ups and downs of their collegiate daughter, Courtney, whom they just learned had become a member of an anti-Israeli group “Students for Palestine Justice.” Courtney was more gung-ho to help what she believed to be a fight for the right than researching the actual facts of the continual conflict between Israel and Palestine over their adjoining lands. As with parents and young adult children, there was no talking to her.
A building owned by Israel had been blown up in Washington D.C., in which a young girl was killed along with others and it was believed that the girl never knew it was a bomb. President Wheatfield, our female U.S. President then, called on Leonard to head a counterterrorism task force to track down and destroy any Palestinian sympathizers who were terrorists. Because of Leonard’s incapacity, he would work from his office and the President ordered that all government departments, which acted as the country’s safeguards, would send one or more agents to help Leonard and respond to his orders. This would move their ability to work together much more efficiently than was usual when the various departments preferred to do their own thing. Once the first bomb was detonated, it pointed towards an organized terrorist group, and especially after a second bomb was shortly detonated at another Jewish establishment.
This story moved right along as Leonard and the various department heads attempted to find these individuals, who at the moment were unidentified. One of the interesting characters in the book was a Russian woman who could work wonders in searching out other computers, like ones which were in the hands of the terrorists and reading their messages.
Although this story was written as fiction, it contained much factual information and was extremely interesting where it showed how these various departments used their skills to seek and destroy. Naturally in order to include some human interest, Courtney became trapped in the middle of delivering a bomb, her life was at stake and her parents became frantic.
I enjoyed this story immensely and I would recommend it for not only its entertainment, but it was extremely educational. A complimentary copy of it was given to me for an honest review.
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