With Chosen People, Robert Whitlow takes his legal fiction game to the international level. Hana is an Arab Christian who grew up in Israel. She has mixed feelings about helping out with a case her firm has asked her to assist with. A mother was killed in Jerusalem while attempting to protect her daughter, and Hana's firm is building a case against the terrorists who killer her. Hana's reluctance is chipped away by the little girl, who wins Hana's heart. Speaking of winning hearts, when Hana travels to Israel to investigate the case, the local private investigator who assists her wins her heart as well.
Compared to Whitlow's other novels, Chosen People has less "legal" in the fiction, although it still deals with lawyers and legal themes. It also seems more romance-y than Whitlow's other books. These are not criticisms; I'm just noting some differences I see.
The background of the story is as interesting as the actual plot. Through Hana's character, Whitlow gives the perspective of a Christian living in Israel. She's no fan of the BDS movement. Having served in the military, and having graduated from Hebrew University law school, she has an appreciation for the structure and policies of Israel. Assuming her fictional character reflects the experiences of typical Arab Christians in Israel, this is a perspective not often heard.
I enjoyed Chosen People. It's a bit different from Whitlow's previous fiction. And here's some good news: Hana returns in Promised Land, to be released in January!
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