Mark M. Bello

The story is about a violent anti-Semite and his victims in a very Republican America. I did not get very far with this one. I found the poor pacing was jarring, A long-drawn-out section of dialogue and a lengthy sermon about Judaism is followed by a major event - the bomb going off – described in one measly sentence. I was flipping pages wondering if a proper description of this was misplaced. The story was unrealistic with leaps in logic that made no sense. This just wasn’t for me. I won a free copy of this book (thanks to the author & publisher!) and am voluntarily providing an honest review.… (plus d'informations)

"The Anti-Semite Next Door" is the first Zachary Blake legal thriller I've read; it definitely will NOT be the last. Mark Bello creates an engaging tale by highlighting critically important societal issue (in this case, heinous acts of anti-semitism) through the complexities of our legal/judicial system. He evoked different emotions in me (e.g., empathy, loathing, irritation) for his uniquely crafted characters, which took me along with those characters as they worked to solve the bombing, kidnapping, and other hate crimes that are the basis of the story. Bello's insights into the criminal justice and legal systems, from local police up to the FBI--and the court system--together with the power plays that go on within and between the various layers and players, are fascinating. His knowledge of Jewish rituals and practices, as well as the diversity of Jewish expression, is well presented. Several chapters near the end of the book I thought, "Hmmm--this could almost have come from my own Facebook page" (and no, we don't know each other). I was heartened in the end that Zachary Blake was able to hold out hope that, at least in some instances, true positive change is possible.… (plus d'informations)