Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 23 of a new online serial novel, Night Flower, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“Podernick?”

“Yes. Did you talk to him?” There was some interference on the line, and Josef pressed the handset closer to his ear.

“Yes, you could say so.”

“And?”

“I don’t have any special news for you. I tried to draw him into an argument, but the Jew didn’t deny Rosenberg’s Jewish identity.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He also didn’t try to read the newspaper, even though I tossed it very close to him.”

“I assume he doesn’t know how to read Russian,” the investigator said impatiently. “So you have nothing juicier to tell me?” Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 22 of a new online serial novel, Night Flower, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“Is everything alright, Noa?”

The girl continued to stand for a long moment, her back to Elka; only after a few more seconds did she turn around and blurt out,— “nNot exactlyreally.”

“Why? What happened?”

Noa spun on her heel and strode down the hall towards the library without a word. Elka followed. Noa switched on the lights and sat down at the desk, furiously pressing the computer’s power button.

“What’s going on, Noa?” Elka asked again. It had never yet happened that Noa had stormed past her, straight into the library, without even greeting her.

“What you did really hurt me,” Noa replied through gritted teeth, and then fell silent again.

“Me? I hurt you?” Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 21 of a new online serial novel, Night Flower, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“Immmmaaaa, someone’s knocking!”

“Ask who it is.”

“Who is it? Who is it?! Who is—Ima, she says her name is Rachel!”

No, she had no energy now. She just couldn’t do this. The bit of her old energy that had slowly started returning in recent weeks had all completely dissipated with the phone call from Yoel. She had no idea what exactly was happening in Russia, but it was clear that things were a big mess. Why were they looking for a different lawyer? Why was the other lawyer saying he “could not take on the case after all”? She was angry that things were being kept from her, but she also didn’t want them to tell her. She had no strength for new complications; it was enough already!

“Imaaaaa! Do you know Rachel?”

“Yes, I do.”

“So should I open the door for her?” Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 20 of a new online serial novel, Night Flower, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

When Elka sat and checked a whole kilogram of rice in one shot, her husband Nachum knew that something was bothering her. When she moved on to the second package, he knew that whatever the issue was, it was quite serious. The third kilogram was a sign that she was deeply distraught and preoccupied. But when she left it all on the table and went to the rocking chair in the corner of the dining room, it was clear that the situation was dire.

And that’s what happened that afternoon. One kilo, a second, a third, and then the rocking chair.

“What’s going on, Elka?” he asked, emerging from the kitchen with two steaming mugs of tea in his hands. “One sweetener or two?”

“Two…” she replied distractedly.

“That’s what I put in,” he said, pleased with himself, and put her mug down on the coffee table. “Is everything alright?” Keep Reading…