The daily threat of violence in Tel Aviv takes center stage in the darkly fascinating “A Possibility of Violence,” the second novel by Israeli literary historian D.A. Mishani.
The official star of the book is moody police inspector Avraham “Avi” Avraham, who makes a return appearance. Troubled on the home front and at work, the double-named detective returns to his job and delves into the would-be bombing of a daycare center. No one wants to talk, least of all a peculiar man with two young sons whose wife is nowhere to be found.
“A Possibility of Violence” is more than a page-turner propelled by the reader’s need to resolve its central mysteries. It also offers a penetrating glimpse into everyday life in Israel from its non-terrorism-related violence to the all-encompassing role of holidays and an imaginary radio talk show devoted to the misery of callers. Even the children in the story are fully realized characters of their own, perhaps reflecting the author’s own experiences: The book is dedicated to his firstborn son.
