I had no idea that police novels were a “thing” in Morocco. By which I mean that the very helpful afterword explained how the genre developed as an indirect means of criticizing the political situation, criticism which I understand and am sympathetic to. But a simple murder mystery where the story revolves around who did it and will our hero get convicted? This is a short book (under 150 pages) whose message is unmistakable; the setting (though well-drawn) isn't particularly important and neither are the characters. Rather, the book is a damning account of the Moroccan legal system—something undoubtedly well worth the indictment. But that’s pretty much all you’ll find here. I’m not downplaying the message; only suggesting that if you’re looking for great literature, this wouldn’t be a place to start. ( )

Othman, a young, 20-something, handsome man; is married to Sophia, a vivacious, French septuagenarian. Together they run Sophia’s restaurant in Casablanca, entertaining friends and patrons. While things seem fine on the surface, Othman (have I mentioned he has a law degree but has not been able to practice?) has tired of his old lady and has acquired a girlfriend with whom he meets for fifteen minutes most evenings under the guise of walking the dog. Alas, Sophie is found brutally murdered, stabbed in her own bed. Did the handsome, young Othman do the deed?

What is as interesting as a murder mystery set in Morocco, is the picture the author and his story gives the reader of the country itself (bearing in mind this book was first published in Arabic 20 years ago). Some of the women in the story are relatively modern, some less so, but they are all secondary characters at best. The police reminded me of 1930s thuggery and sometimes it bordered on the comic. But the story moves fast and one does want to know if Othman did the dirty deed, or if he didn’t, how he will avoid being convicted for it anyway. The narrative takes an interesting turn. There is a very enlightening, short afterword written by the translator about the story and changes going on in Morocco at the time which this novel was written.

I gave the book four stars for the entertainment, and also for what the author was attempting to do in it. I think I might like to read one of Mr. Hamdouchi’s recent installments to see how Morocco and justice has changed…or not. ( )

"Whether you're innocent or guilty doesn't matter. The evidence is against you"
By sally tarbox on 12 April 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
A short (148p) and simply written little detective novel, yet one that kept me hooked thoughout.
Set in Casablanca, Morocco, this is the story of Othman, a 32 year old with a wealthy 73 year old wife. Othman's lifestyle has been transformed by this glittering match, but he is deeply unhappy, yearning to be with his secret girlfriend Naeema and wishing Sofia were dead. So when the elderly woman is found murdered, the police are convinced he must be the culprit.... but is he?

Not just a whodunnit, this novel also looks at the shortcomings of the Moroccan legal system, where the victim has no right to a lawyer in initial questioning. ( )

Apparently the first Arabic detective novel translated into English. Set in Morocco it explores a murder, police assumptions, and the role of lawyers in police enquiries. Really good. ( )

http://www.austcrimefiction.org/node/4962 ( )