The Burning Gates: A Makana Mystery (Makana Investigations) - Tapa dura

Since we can't count on visiting Cairo right now, we might as well binge on Parker Bilal's atmospheric mysteries . . . [An] excellent series . . . Bilal [writes] in great depth and detail about Egypt's turbulent political landscape. But it's the tragic story of one girl that really captures the climate of fear and rage that has come to define life in a perpetual war zone. "The New York Times Book Review on The Ghost Runner"

Makana's sharp and sometimes melancholy observations bring both Cairo and Siwa to life, and Bilal handles grotesque crimes delicately, favoring characterization and culture over blood and gore. This third Makana installment is a literary gem. "Booklist, starred review, on The Ghost Runner"

With its elegant prose and its incisive insight into the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Makana's third appearance transcends genre, satisfying fans of both mystery and literary fiction. "Kirkus Reviews on The Ghost Runner"

Well-crafted . . . concludes with satisfying dashes of action and keen deduction. "Publishers Weekly on The Ghost Runner""

"Since we can't count on visiting Cairo right now, we might as well binge on Parker Bilal's atmospheric mysteries . . . [An] excellent series . . . Bilal [writes] in great depth and detail about Egypt's turbulent political landscape. But it's the tragic story of one girl that really captures the climate of fear and rage that has come to define life in a perpetual war zone." --The New York Times Book Review on The Ghost Runner

"Makana's sharp and sometimes melancholy observations bring both Cairo and Siwa to life, and Bilal handles grotesque crimes delicately, favoring characterization and culture over blood and gore. This third Makana installment is a literary gem." --Booklist, starred review, on The Ghost Runner

"With its elegant prose and its incisive insight into the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Makana's third appearance transcends genre, satisfying fans of both mystery and literary fiction." --Kirkus Reviews on The Ghost Runner

"Well-crafted . . . concludes with satisfying dashes of action and keen deduction." --Publishers Weekly on The Ghost Runner

In Cairo, private investigator Makana is called into the office of his new client, a powerful art dealer known as Kasabian. Kasabian wants him to track down a famous painting that went missing from Baghdad during the US invasion. All the dealer can tell Makana is that the piece was smuggled into Egypt by an Iraqi war criminal who doesn't want to be found.

The world of art is a far cry from the shady streets and alleyways of the Cairo that Makana knows, but he soon finds out that this side of the city has its own dark underbelly. As he sets out to find the lost work of art—and those involved in the case begin to die in horrific ways—Makana finds himself entangled in a mystery that many have attempted to keep hidden.

The trail will lead him back into the dark days of the war and threaten to send the new life he has built for himself up in flames.