Entertaining, educational, enthralling, and a lesson in forgiveness.
Plot
Still trying to find his family, Dov Zalinski ends up working for an Arab shopkeeper. When men start coming for his new employer and the precious scrolls the man possesses, Dov is determined to do the right thing.
Elsewhere in Jerusalem, Emily Parkinson secretly joins the search for Dov's family. At the same time, she's struggling with the idea of leaving her home in Palestine...for good.
Morality
Though his conscience bothers him, Dov gives into the temptation to steal food from an Arab shop, but ends up working for the man to earn his keep. He grows to have strong ties with the shopkeeper and discovers that not only does he want to help the Arab, but would even trade places with him if he could.
Emily helps at her father's office. She recognizes a deserter for who he is and reports him. She doesn't give a second thought to helping Dov and his Arab friend. She also does everything she can to find Dov's family.
The shopkeeper refuses to hide guns for Muslim terrorists.
Spiritual Content
The Arab Dov works for is a Muslim-turned-Christian. He holds true to his new faith and receives persecution for his beliefs (including having a child call him an infidel). He quotes Scripture, has a reverence for it, and lives out the Christian life day by day. His extremely forgiving spirit puzzles Dov. Dov has an increasing sense of ignorance of the topic of Christianity.
Dov goes to a synagogue to try to find his family.
Violence
Dov narrowly misses being the target of a glass bottle. He barely avoids detection at a crucial moment and he also falls a long distance when a rope ladder breaks, getting knocked out. He rams a cart into a couple men intentionally (this action is forgivable). He willingly draws attention to himself to draw a villain away from the person Dov is determined to protect.
Emily's hostage situation from the last book is mentioned. She puts her life in potential danger for another's.
Dov's employer is roughed up by a group of thugs, once seriously. He also makes a chopping motion to indicate what Arabs do to thieves.
The villains of the story have no problem with doing whatever they can to get what they want.
WWII themes are mentioned.
Drug and Alcohol Content
Two British soldiers smoke.
Sexual Content
None.
Crude or Profane Language or Content
None, unless you count the mention of Arab ruffians most likely cursing (we don't know what they say and neither does Dov).
Conclusion
Robert Elmer throws in some more thrill and heart-warmth here than in the first two books of the series - perhaps because these elements are caused by Dov's genuine care for his friend. It's an easy connection from the second book and to the fourth. Again, the author has information on facts and based-on-facts that come in handy.
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