About HOPE’S LAST WITNESS by Gil Shabtai
An African refugee is murdered in Tel Aviv, and the police investigation stalls. His employer, a shy and introspective protagonist, receives the victim’s final message: a letter containing evidence of a possible killer’s identity and mysterious photos. For this protagonist, the simple choice between walking away or seeking justice becomes a profound journey into human nature, morality, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
In this gripping tale of friendship, loss, and betrayal, our reluctant detective encounters complicated police officers, relentless businesspersons, idealistic freedom fighters, and enigmatic figures. As he navigates Tel Aviv’s shadowy underworld, he’s guided by a world-weary private investigator, a captivating policewoman with green eyes, and fragments of his friend’s remarkable journey from war-torn Africa.
Reality blurs as inner voices visit the Narrator’s surrealistic dreams as literary ghosts – such as the spirit of Hamlet’s father debating the futility of vengeance or a ghost who failed to save Lavoisier from the guillotine and attempts to find him in an eternal quest through the Parisian catacombs – each offering words of advice and warning, challenging his views and understanding of justice, morality, and revenge.
The investigation reveals shocking connections between the refugee’s death and crimes committed years ago. What starts as a local murder case expands into an international web of deception, where powerful figures manipulate truths for their own gain.
Through a stream-of-consciousness narrative with the occasional dreamlike sequences, readers experience the protagonist’s transformation from a passive observer to an active seeker of truth. His journey forces him to confront not only external dangers but also his limitations, inhibitions, and fears. Each step deeper into the investigation raises new questions about loyalty, courage, and the price of knowing the truth.
Set against the backdrop of modern Israel and echoing with memories of African conflicts, ‘Hope’s Last Witness’ interweaves a noir murder investigation with an epic refugee tale. The complex relationships between those who flee violence and those who offer shelter are explored through the eyes of a migrant seeking safety.
The novel delves deep into themes of moral ambiguity, questioning whether justice can truly be served in a world where right and wrong often blur. Through its richly drawn characters and intricate plot, the book examines how personal trauma intersects with broader societal issues of immigration, corruption, and the quest for redemption.
This genre-defying thriller takes readers from Tel Aviv’s sun-baked streets to the Sudanese desert, combining elements of psychological suspense with moments of surreal beauty. The narrative weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, creating a tapestry of interconnected lives and consequences that spans continents and decades.
Gil Shabtai’s debut novel will leave you pondering justice, truth, and the price of uncovering both. Perfect for readers who appreciate complex characters, international intrigue, and stories that challenge conventional moral assumptions, ‘Hope’s Last Witness’ is both a compelling mystery and a profound meditation on human nature and the choices we make in life.
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Author Bio:
Gil Shabtai is a storyteller drawn to moments of quiet wonder and moral depth. He writes both for children and adults, weaving imagination and real-world insight into everything he creates.
🐾 For Children and the Curious
Gil is the creator of Yam Meets Zbigniew the Gnome, a bedtime story born from his real-life storytelling ritual with his young son. The book captures the dreamy, whimsical moments of early childhood — those in-between spaces where reality slips gently into fantasy. It’s illustrated in a soft watercolor style and written to be read aloud, again and again.
🕵️♂️ For Adult Readers
Gil’s debut novel, Hope’s Last Witness, is a genre-defying literary thriller — weaving together psychological suspense, noir investigation, and the harrowing path of a refugee. With themes of justice, memory, and moral uncertainty, it reflects his background in social law and public service, including years advising the Welfare Committee in parliament.
He continues to explore the relationship between voice and justice — whether through the playful murmurings of a gnome, or the raw silence of a man on trial.
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