Monday, March 25, 2024

A Deadly Divide by Ausma Zahanat Khan *****

 A Deadly Divide by Ausma Zehanat Khan is the fifth (and final?) in the Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty series. He is the Director of the Community Policing Section, and she is his sergeant. When there is a mass shooting in a Saint-Isidore Mosque, they are called in. The Francophone Québécois are a minority in Canada and the Arabic-speaking Muslims are a minority in Quebec. This is a story of the big minority’s fear of and animus towards the smaller minority. A fast-moving mystery with engaging characters and plenty of twists and turns. Highly recommended.

The author holds a PhD in international human rights law. A Deadly Divide is a catalog of anti-Islamic behaviors from placing bacon on doorknobs to mass murder with an AR-15 of people at prayer in the mosque. Other examples include the Wolf Allegiance (a white supremacy group), Pascal Richrd’s radio show to stir anti-Muslim prejudice and fear, public protests, passing laws to outlaw Islamic practices such as wearing a veil, threats and harassment, attacks on property, infiltrating law enforcement, uneven enforcement of the law, and so on.

In keeping with the emotional subject matter, relationships are central to the story. Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty are intertwined in multiple emotionally charged relationships.

 In the end, this is a murder mystery with plenty of innocent suspects, red herrings, and plot twists. The mystery is about both prejudice and relationships.

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