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4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Mixed Opinion Apr 17, 2008
By Kelly Moran
"Author and Reviewer"
After reading, Angel in a Foreign City, by Moti Shapira, I am finding myself with mixed opinions. Moti Shapira's career began as a detective in the Israeli Police Force and over the past two decades he has conducted investigations for worldwide clients such as; lawyers, celebrities, corporations, and politicians. He also writes short detective stories for Promise Magazine. If I am correct, this is his first novel.
Though based on actual accounts and autobiographical stories, this is a work of fiction. Written in first person point of view, the book takes place in Mexico City following a private investigator, Ethan. Resulting from a request by his friend, Rob to assist in a kidnapping of a little girl, we are guided through an investigation of a very rich and influential family and their enemies. Amidst this a love story blooms.
Let me start off by saying the investigation itself was very intriguing and engaging. Readers can learn a lot about what goes on inside the life and assignments of a detective or a private investigator. We are privy to things an ordinary person wouldn't be allowed to know, almost as if we are doing something forbidden. It was packed full of twists and adventure to keep you involved. There were very few dead spots where I lost interest. The Mexican culture and surroundings guided me into another world and, without realizing it, I gained a greater understanding of that country. The story was, not at all, predictable. The characters back stories and assignments I found particularly interesting.
In saying that, there was something about this book that bothered me from the start, and it took me a bit to figure out what that was. The way the book was written, in almost a clinical and detached manner, made it exceedingly difficult to relate to the characters. I don't mean to say that they were one-dimensional, because they weren't. But, we were shown the investigation, and what the characters were thinking in regards to that aspect, and not a lot of personal. When short spurts of personal were introduced, it did not persuade me that these were real people and not characters. A good book allows you to feel as if you are reading about an actual person, even though they are not. The love scenes left something lacking, as well. The book had a few minor errors, such as needed commas. Overall, there weren't many and I did not find it distracting.
Moti Shapira's background and experience made for an interesting tale. I do hope he continues in his writing career.
Kelly Moran
Author and Reviewer
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A Good First Try Jun 10, 2008
By Michael A. Newman
I want to thank the author for providing me a reviewer's copy of this book. I could tell from reading this book that the author drew on his actual experience in the Israeli police in explaining how he conducts his investigation. This gave the reader a lot of insight. I agree with a previous reviewer that at times the writer was a little too clinical and needs to put a little more personality into his characters. Being a first novel, this should come with experience.
The story begins with Ethan, a private investigator who has moved from California from Israel where his reputation had been besmirched. Ethan is presented a case by his good friend Ron which offers a huge payday. He needs to travel to Mexico City to aid a wealthy businessman (Valencia) get his daughter back from kidnappers.
Having been to Mexico City many times I could vividly picture some of the author's scenes, especially from Chapultapec Park, which I have visited more than a dozen times. Ethan stays in the El Presidente Hotel (which is nearby in Polanco) which I have had many extensive stays at myself. I did question the ultra deluxe room that Ethan is described as having because my room was never anything more than an ordinary room. I am very familiar with the bar area in the hotel where several scenes take place and was able to vividly picture the scenes too.
While on the investigation, Ethan has to try to deal with Valencia's son-in-law and personal security head, Cortez. His involvement in the case is further complicated when he meets Lisa, a waitress who he has an immediate roamntic connection with. Ethan needs Lisa to help do some work for his investigation but cannot let her know any of the details of the investigation.
As the story plays out there is a lot of tension to find out if Ethan can rescue Valencia's daughter while dealing with Cortez' intervention and keeping Lisa safe.
One other piece of advice for the author is that the author seems to put in a lot of flashbacks in Ethan's mind that are interesting but seem to have little bearing on the plot at hand. (for example, there is a character that Ethan meets at a bar and the story of how Ethan previously dealt with the character seems to have nothing to do with the story at hand). Also, the way these flashbacks are introduced, it seems like the author assumes that the reader knows what he is talking about. While these flashbacks provided great information the way they were written were distractions to the story.
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