This was the first book in a series that stars Auschwitz survivor, Adam, Lapid, a former Hungarian police detective. Adam moved to Tel Aviv to help fight for Israel's independence after spending time bringing Nazi officers to justice, having lost his wife, parents, sisters and two daughters during the Holocaust.

Adam was a tough, but compassionate, protagonist. Although flawed and wounded, and suffering from the loss of his family, Adam wants to make the world a better place. Throughout the novel, he demonstrates tenacity, strength and resilience. He was hired by a woman searching for her son after giving him to a friend for safekeeping ten years ago when life in Germany became intolerable. From the start, I liked Adam and thought he was a well-written character.

I also found the setting interesting. The author brought Tel Aviv alive with his descriptions and the author had clearly done his research. Although this was the first novel by Dunsky that I have read, it definitely won't be my last.

With plenty of plot twists and action, "Ten Years Gone" was an entertaining read and I look forward to reading more about Adam Lapid. ( )

After losing his entire family to the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz, former Hungarian police detective Adam Lapid is now in Tel Aviv investigating a cold case involving a missing boy who purportedly arrived by boat 10 years ago.

A gripping plot, a flawed lead character and plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing made this one of my books of the year. Delightful descriptions of 1940's Israel and characterisations that leave you immersed in the post-war era.

I'm looking forward to following Mr Lapid's adventures in the rest of the series ( )

1949 Tel-Aviv. Henrietta Ackerland wants P.I. Adam Lapid to find her son Willie. Last seen on 27 February 1939 because as a baby she gave him to Esther Grunewald to take him from Germany to Palestine while she stayed behind in Germany.
A interesting and enjoyable well-written historical mystery with a complex main character plus some fascinating minor ones. ( )

The time: 1949

The Place: Israel

World War II is over. Israel has become an independent state after the British, who were controlling the country and preventing Jewish immigration left and the Israeli military defeated the Arab armies which tried to destroy the newly declared state.

Adam Lapid, formerly a Hungarian police officer who had been a prisoner in Auschwitz where his wife and children were gassed, came to Israel and heroically fought the Arabs. He decided to become a private investigator based in Tel Aviv.

While seated in his favorite hangout, a small restaurant, he was approached by Henrietta Ackerland. Originally from Germany, she had arrived in Israel two months previously with a mission. She hadn’t seen her son, Willie, since February 1939. Her husband had been arrested during Kristallnacht. It was not safe for Jews after that but she couldn’t leave the country without him. She was, however, able to convince a schoolmate Esther Grunewald, who was immigrating to Israel, to take Willie, then six weeks old, with her. Henrietta would follow soon to claim him. But she hadn’t heard from them since then and could find no sign of either Esther or Willie.

Adam reluctantly agreed to look for them but believed that after ten years and no word, they were no longer alive.

It didn’t take much time for him to discover that both Esther and William were able to get through the British blockade and using different names, had been savagely murdered. Driven by his personal experiences, Adam is determined to find out why they were killed and by whom.

Adam was able to trace and talk to many people who had known Esther but “the first problem was that there were too many lies and withheld truths, and too many people guilty of one or both.” His short list of suspects kept changing.

TEN YEARS GONE provides a brief history of Israel shortly after its founding, especially political division during and after the founding of the country.

Like many detective stories, there is a lot of violence and severe beatings don’t stop Adam from his hunt. He himself is a violent man, motivated by his own background and memories and desire for revenge. There are brief, vivid descriptions of the neighborhoods and people and Dunsky has an interesting way with words: “a face rich with poor features .” While he does rehash some information, he avoids excessively repeating details. The story is somewhat convoluted but believable. The characters are well developed and human. The ending is unexpected.

TEN YEARS GONE is an excellent read for the story, history, characters, and writing. ( )