Three stories about "honor killings" were recently reported in the international press, but most Americans have never heard of the term. Some may even think an honor killing is "honorable." But, according to the United Nations, it is a serious problem that targets about 5,000 women for death by their husbands or fathers every year. Learning of this sparked authors Mike Robinson and M.J. Richards to write the multicultural mystery-thriller, Dishonor Thy Father.
An honor killing is a practice resulting from the idea that when a Muslim girl or woman behaves in what is considered "immodest behavior," she puts a stain on the family name. The remedy is for the father or husband to kill the woman to remove the stain! It could be a relationship with a man, or something as simple as going on social media sites. Just last month, a Texas man was taken into custody by the FBI after 12 years on the run, in connection with the brutal slayings of his two teenage daughters,
After reading an article about an honor killing in Florida, authors M.J. Anderson and Richard Rossner (who go by the pen name of M.J. Richards), were shocked and wanted to do something to help raise awareness of this atrocity. They decided to write a fictional murder-mystery that had an attempted honor killing as an element in the plot.
Their novel, Dishonor Thy Father, spans three decades and two continents and boldly explores contemporary issues of ethnicity, sexism, spirituality, and social mores in today's complex and heated political environment.
The story begins as a 15-year-old Iranian girl is viciously attacked by her father for holding a boy's hand. In running to escape certain death, she undertakes a dangerous journey to a new land with unfamiliar customs, where she must hide the truth from everyone she meets.
Twenty years later, amid racial tensions in a Los Angeles hospital, a female Muslim doctor is murdered, sparking a controversial police investigation. The lead investigator, Detective Michael Tucci, finds himself compromising both his job and his life as he embroils himself in an affair with the brilliant Dr. Tara White, the victim's associate, who could be the killer's next target.
Anderson and Rossner, along with their co-author, Mike Robinson, are off to a good start. Critical praise has come in from Manhattan Book Review, San Francisco Book Review and others.
Both paperback and Kindle versions of Dishonor Thy Father are available on Amazon and at other retailers. Cherry Hill Publishing is currently producing the audiobook.
Some of the reviews:
"…a powerful, thrilling book that will keep readers guessing until the very last page… well-rounded characters and thought-provoking plot twists bring together an unforgettable narrative saturated with romance, mystery, perseverance, and commitment… five stars for its originality and command of language…" –Manhattan Book Review
"A persistently suspenseful crime drama…provocative commentary on how the past can haunt one's present." –Kirkus Reviews
"From beginning to end, Dishonor Thy Father is an intuitive and riveting novel...that explores sexism, racism, and bigotry through a fresh lens..." –San Francisco Book Review
"This dramatic, fast-paced novel tells a dangerous tale... in living, cinematic color!" –Phyllis Chesler, Author, Women and Madness
"...an intricate murder mystery with edge of your seat suspense...abounds with twists and turns, leading to a stunning final reveal!" –Paul Bernbaum, Writer/Producer, Hollywoodland starring Ben Affleck
"…A heck of a thrilling read!" –Robert Lloyd Lewis, Producer, Dexter
"Unique and relevant...cleverly crafted with sexy characters and a thought-provoking premise." –Fern Field, Producer, Monk
"… a fascinating thriller with romance that takes the reader on a journey across cultures and continents." –Carole Isenberg, Associate Producer, The Color Purple
"Though this story is fictional, thousands of women across the globe are real life victims of honor violence and honor killing every year. Hopefully Dishonor Thy Fatherwill help shed some light on this atrocity that is rarely addressed." -Yasmine Mohammed Ex-Muslim, Human Rights Activist, Author of Unveiled, Founder of Free Hearts, Free Minds
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Dishonor Thy Father - About the Authors
Mike Robinson is a novelist, screenwriter, and literary editor, based in Los Angeles. His novels include The Enigma of Twilight Falls trilogy, The Prince of Earth, Skunk Ape Semester, and The Atheist.
M.J. Richards is the pen name for the screenwriting team of M.J. Anderson & Richard Rossner. They are writer-producers of film and television with several movies and TV Series to their credit. M.J. wrote multiple episodes of Friday the 13th – the Series. Richard Rossner co-hosts several podcasts, including The Dark Side Of and Unexplained Mysteries.