She’s an Israeli data analyst. He’s a headstrong Bulgarian detective. Together they must track down those responsible for a horrific bombing.In the wake of a deadly terrorist attack at Burgas Airport in Bulgaria, Israeli and Bulgarian intelligence agencies launch a joint investigation. Detective Boyko Stanchev on the police task force teams up with Ayala Navon, a young Israeli intelligence … intelligence analyst on her first overseas assignment.
The two must establish whether the terrorists were assisted by a Bulgarian crime organization in laying the groundwork for the attack.
It should be a routine investigation, but shadows of the past keep interfering.
Boyko’s interactions with a crime boss pursuing a vendetta against him threaten to throw him off track. Ayala’s pursuit of the terrorists and their accomplices brings up painful memories of a family tragedy.
Boyko and Ayala form a shaky alliance, one that evolves into growing cooperation and affection as they desperately race against time to uncover who was behind the Burgas bombing.
The Burgas Affair is a fictional account of the aftermath of a very real terrorist attack. On July 18, 2012, a deadly explosive rocked a tourist bus at Burgas Airport, killing five Israelis and their Bulgarian bus driver. The terrorists responsible for this murderous attack have never been brought to justice.
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Living in the United States, terrorism has affected our lives in the past, but some of us may never know the fear that other countries face from a constant barrage of attacks. There is a sense of foreboding that always comes with looking over your shoulder and wondering who or where the next attack will be. Will it be you? Will it be the building that you happen to be in at the exact moment of an attack? Will it be your loved ones? Suicide bombers have always been difficult to understand, but Shuman really gets into the emotional side of those who are affected. The Burgas Affair, while being a work of fiction, is based on a true historical event. What has happened cannot be changed, but we are always evolving around the horrors that befall ours and surrounding countries.
The Bulgarian Police Force is called in when a bus full of Israeli passengers goes up in flames. What at first appears to be the work of a suicide bomber, acting on orders from a terrorist organization against Israel, quickly turns into a manhunt for the bomber’s assailants and any link to Hezbollah. Israeli units are ushered in to work with the Bulgarians and together, Boyko and Ayala are paired among others to investigate. At first, Boyko is against the notion of this being the work of Hezbollah, so they end up going on a wild goose chase–but trouble ends up finding them no matter where they go. After bullets rain down on them in their hotel room, Boyko is forced to inform Ayala of the danger that she is in with him being her partner due to past transgressions that may or may not be linked to the current case. With little faith that the case will be solved, every day seeming to drive them further away, Boyko and Ayala must remain vigilant and learn to trust each other if they expect to get out of this one alive.
Shuman brings two characters with differing backgrounds into a crime investigation for a common goal, to solve the case and keep the civility among their people. His characters are exceptional, with many faults and likable qualities as well. The pace is steady and the story is action-packed, making it easy to get wrapped up in. While there are a few grammatical errors here and there, this should not hinder enjoyment of the novel at all. The author does inform the reader that the characters are purely fiction; however, the story is based on a true event. Terrorism is an ever evolving threat to many countries and the information conveyed in this story is quite credible. Readers will achieve a clear understanding of the strength that many have in the face of fear and we will say that it is a story worth reading. For any who tend to lean toward thrillers and crime, this one may be of interest to you.
A paperback was provided to Turning Another Page by the author and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a four-star rating for The Burgas Affair by Ellis Shuman.