By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

“Kaplan’s Plot”

At first, I wondered why such a fuss had been made about “Kaplan’s Plot” by Jason Diamond (Flatiron Books). The novel made several “most anticipated books of the year” lists, which is one of the reasons I asked for a review copy. However, at first, the work, which includes two intertwined stories, seemed lackluster and unoriginal. Parts of the book focus on Elijah Mendes, a whiny, divorced, former entrepreneur whose business went bust, and who has returned to his native Chicago after his mother, Eve, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The other story features Eve’s father, Yitz Kaplan, a typical immigrant to successful businessman tale that seemed unremarkable. However, I could not have been more wrong in my assessment: Diamond has written a wonderful, moving, insightful work that is worth all the accolades it’s received. 
When Elijah discovers that his family owns property of which he has never heard, he tries to ask his mother about her father. Elijah and Eve have never been close, partly because she is never interested in talking about her past. One reason is that her immigrant father was not a businessman, but a gangster. Watching Yitz slowly change from a struggling immigrant to the cruel person he becomes was mesmerizing. Readers will note that parts of the two stories don’t seem to mesh, but it’s worth being patient because the final connections are shocking and fascinating. To say more would spoil the surprises, but the emotional impact of the novel is as great, if not greater, than those unexpected twists and turns.
“Kaplan’s Plot” comes highly recommended. This is Diamond’s first novel; he is definitely a writer to watch.

“Midnight Burning”

“An Einstein-Chaplin Thriller”: It was those words that made me ask for a review copy of “Midnight Burning” by Paul Levine (Blank Slate Press). The Einstein is Jewish Albert Einstein and the Chaplin is Charlie Chaplin, the actor whose religious ancestry is open to debate. (My research suggests he’s not Jewish, but others disagree.) Einstein and Chaplin were real life friends, although it’s doubtful that they investigated a Nazi plot to not only kill 20 celebrities (many of whom were Jewish), but to create a movement to overthrow the U.S. government and install a fascist one. Those shaking their heads at this statement should know that, while the two may not have been detectives, the conspiracy was real.
“Midnight Burning” is filled with hard-boiled detective prose that works perfectly for this type of novel. The relationship between Einstein and Chaplin was fun to read. They debate which of them has done more for the world, each thinking the other’s contribution was more important. There is some interesting commentary on Hollywood; I really liked when someone commented that Orson Welles, who was just starting out at the time, would never amount to anything. However, what really counts is whether the novel lives up to the title thriller. The answer? Absolutely! The plot gets very exciting (I don’t want to give away details that would ruin the surprises), and the tension and excitement build as Einstein and Chaplin try to prevent the assassinations and thwart the Nazis.
“Midnight Burning” was fun and easy to read. At the end of the novel, the author offers helpful notes about which characters are real and more details about the Nazi plot. Lovers of thrillers and detective novels will find a great deal to enjoy. 

“The Persian”

One of the most interesting things about contemporary spy novels is that few of their heroes and villains are painted as black and white. Instead, each contains shades of grey: often they have to do horrible things or deceive and use good people in order to save lives. This dilemma forms the foundation of “The Persian” by David McCloskey (W. W. Norton and Company). 
When Kamran Eshani agrees to move his dental practice from Stockhom to his native Tehran, he does so at the request of Arik Glitzman, who runs a secret unit for Mossad that specializes in assassination and sabotage. Mossad offers Kamran enough money for his work, so that someday he will be able to fulfil his dream of retiring to California. Arik, on the other hand, is a dedicated professional. While he knows that the killings he orders won’t prevent future deaths, he also knows that not doing so will also not stop the violence. It would mean that only Israelis would die. 
The action becomes intense when Kamran recruits an Iranian widow who doesn’t realize that her actions are helping Mossad. His feelings are complicated by knowing that it was Arik who ordered her husband’s death. What increased the tension is that readers know what happens to Kamran – the novel opens with him being tortured by the Iranians – but not why or how. 
“The Persian” is an impressive work. Readers will come to care for the characters, feeling their anguish when they are forced to make difficult, complex and, often, distasteful decisions. The book includes a great deal for readers to ponder and discuss, which makes it an excellent selection for book clubs interested in spy novels and moral dilemmas.