Very good story, complicated plot but exciting all the same. Story revolves around a famous lawyer whose daughter Emma, a Yale law school grad goes to Israel to assist as part of an investigative team that will defend a Muslim who is accused of planting a bomb in the American Colony hotel in Jerusalem and killing a Palestinian leader and the US president who are arranging a peace agreement. Emma is kidnapped and the story goes on from there. ( )

Imagine that your precious only daughter has just graduated from law school and seems enchanted with a young Palestinian that she worked with in law school. The young man has invited her to come to Israel to work on the defense of a Palestinian accused of triggering a bomb in a prominent Israeli hotel that murdered the U.S. President, the Prime Minister of Israel, and the Hamas leader shortly to become President of the newly established Palestinian state, as the leaders were about to announce their agreement.

You are also a famous trial lawyer who has defended a long line of detestable characters, winning a reputation as a genius.

Your daughter defies your wishes, as young people will do, and goes to Israel to begin work on the case. Shortly thereafter, she is kidnapped.

What would you do? Probably go to Israel as Abraham Ringel and his former spy wife did.

The Trials of Zion is a fine thriller written by a famous lawyer and law professor, perhaps envisioning himself in the situation of his protagonist. In any event, this is a superbly well crafted story. It flows easily. Mr. Dershowitz includes an interesting history of families that immigrated to Israel at the time of the American Civil War as elements of the Zionist movement. The stories of these families shed light on the intrigues of the story.

In thrillers, it seems there is often violence and one dimensional characters. In The Trials of Zion, you will enjoy a touching story full of characters who have histories, secrets from each other, romantic interests, fears and hopes, and content. This is a story that I was sad to see end.

Aside from the excellent story and fine writing, the background of The Trials of Zion provides an interesting commentary on the real world struggles of the people of the Holy Land, and the role of Iran today, without judgmental commentary one way or another. In the end, the identity of the bad guys provides a clever, fascinating, thoughtful, and surprising ending.

Put this one on your list! ( )