The Anti-Semite Next Door

by Mark M. Bello

Series: A Zachary Blake Legal Thriller (9)

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8	4	2,167,729	(4)	None
Zachary Blake attends the bar-mitzvah of Josh Cooper, his friend Rich's son. Josh's special day is interrupted when a bomb explodes, and Josh disappears during the melee. Cooper's neighbor, Chip Ellis, is also missing. Is this a hate crime?Police clear the bomb debris with no trace of Josh Cooper or Chip Ellis. Rich Cooper receives a ransom demand. The hostage-takers are revealed to be alt-right, anti-Semitic, racist, homophobic domestic terrorists. Aside from money, they want their 15 minutes of fame to broadcast their manifesto.Winger Wright is in no hurry to negotiate a hostage release, he prefers to peddle his bigoted garbage to raise money. But he slips up and reveals his location. When the FBI rescues the hostages and kills most of the terrorists. Wright cannot be found. One terrorist is captured. Offered a plea deal, he claims Josh was the only hostage. He's shown a photo of Chip Ellis and identifies Ellis as the terrorist Wright. Josh claims Ellis was a hostage and a comfort while the two were held captive. Chip's a good neighbor and The FBI can't connect him to the terrorists. He's arrested anyway. Chip needs a lawyer; Rich recommends Zachary Blake who privately believes Chip is guilty.Zachary, Jennifer, Micah, Agent Gibson, and a fabulous supporting cast return in this taut thriller, the 9th edition of the Zachary Blake legal thriller series. Is Chip Ellis a good neighbor in the wrong place at the wrong time or is he The Anti-Semite Next Door?… (more)

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This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

I was not a fan. The writing is subpar. I can get behind the concept of the book, but not the way it is written. (

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THCranford | May 5, 2024 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

"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. (

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Teetar | Apr 26, 2024 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

Powerful! The antisemitism is rampant and disgusting. The author used this to his advantage, and the resulting trial was mostly satisfying. The author is practiced in his art.
Awesome novel! (

)

croknot1 | Apr 15, 2024 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

I received an advance copy of this book. Thank you

Although this is the 9th book in the Zachary Blake series, this is the first I've read. I was completely able to enjoy this book without having read the previous ones, but I plan to read this series, starting at book one.
The book is incredibly timely and relevant to current goings on and highlights how insidious bigotry and hate crimes are becoming, and the inequity and old school mindset entrenched in law enforcement; all without being preachy.
The action is fast paced and compelling. Zack Blake, a highly successful lawyer, attends the Bar Mitzvah of the son of his best friend. What should have been a great day, celebrating this milestone, ends up with a bombing at the temple, and the young man and his neighbor being kidnapped.
Zack uses his connections to gather the best and brightest to find young Josh. There are the usual power struggles within law enforcement to be the "lead" on the investigation, that threatens to slow progress. Soon those involved wonder if more than what they originally assumed is at play, and that the players in the kidnapping are more than hateful strangers.
Great Book. (

)

cjyap1 | Apr 14, 2024 |

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Zachary Blake attends the bar-mitzvah of Josh Cooper, his friend Rich's son. Josh's special day is interrupted when a bomb explodes, and Josh disappears during the melee. Cooper's neighbor, Chip Ellis, is also missing. Is this a hate crime?Police clear the bomb debris with no trace of Josh Cooper or Chip Ellis. Rich Cooper receives a ransom demand. The hostage-takers are revealed to be alt-right, anti-Semitic, racist, homophobic domestic terrorists. Aside from money, they want their 15 minutes of fame to broadcast their manifesto.Winger Wright is in no hurry to negotiate a hostage release, he prefers to peddle his bigoted garbage to raise money. But he slips up and reveals his location. When the FBI rescues the hostages and kills most of the terrorists. Wright cannot be found. One terrorist is captured. Offered a plea deal, he claims Josh was the only hostage. He's shown a photo of Chip Ellis and identifies Ellis as the terrorist Wright. Josh claims Ellis was a hostage and a comfort while the two were held captive. Chip's a good neighbor and The FBI can't connect him to the terrorists. He's arrested anyway. Chip needs a lawyer; Rich recommends Zachary Blake who privately believes Chip is guilty.Zachary, Jennifer, Micah, Agent Gibson, and a fabulous supporting cast return in this taut thriller, the 9th edition of the Zachary Blake legal thriller series. Is Chip Ellis a good neighbor in the wrong place at the wrong time or is he The Anti-Semite Next Door?

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