Review by Jane Fitzpatrick

The short:

The first installation of A Sufi Mystery series, “The Lover” tells the story of a woman living in medieval Baghdad as she traces the mysterious death of a young boy. The narrative explores the hardships of the poor while delving into the electrifying experiences of Sufi mystics.

The long:

Set in 295 Hijri (907 CE) Baghdad, Zaytuna becomes involved in a murder mystery that forces her to encounter a variety of community members and face her own memories of her late mother, a famous Sufi ecstatic. In order to solve the mystery of the local boy’s death, Zaytuna must learn more about herself. This book offers a dark tale enshrouded in the mysteries of Islam and the harshness of social structures. Unraveling the truth reveals the inspiring beauty of a Muslim’s relationship with family and with God, in spite of the challenges presented in everyday life.

The read or not to read:

Read it with a book club! This is an excellent story to share and discuss. If you have done some research on Sufism, Silvers’s series offers the chance to visualize its enchanting complexities through a realistic narrative.