Press & Reviews

TIMES: Book of the Month: That James Wolff is a pseudonym should come as no surprise to the reader of Beside the Syrian Sea, his superb debut. The writer has obviously been somewhere or something in the spy business. This emerges not so much in the main storyline, but in the fascinating surrounding details.

“A dazzling thriller for our time...gritty and diamond-sharp.” JAMES NAUGHTIE

“This important book...brought home to me the complex and shifting situation in the Middle East and the danger of looking for simple responses or explanations. I loved the character of Jonas - the quiet man pushed by his own guilt into becoming a hero.” ANN CLEEVES

The intensive, richly detailed narrative is at once a portrait of Daniel’s Cuban upbringing, a meditation on anti-Semitism, and an intriguing account of the painting. Highly recommended.   Library Journal

This is a major novel and a testament to Padura’s stature as a writer. Booklist

"Just finished this. Fine follow-up to @anitanairauthor's first Inspector Gowda book. Harrowing but compassionate tale of modern India." Ian Rankin

"I love Inspector Gowda.  He is a brilliant creation, loveable, flawed, smart and doggedly determined.  A truly good man in a bad world." Peter James, author of Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead