The contentious death of a pilgrim at the annual hillula to venerate a mystical Rabbi puzzles Ramzi and Dr Rashida. Can the dark corners of history help solve the mystery?
Escaping drama at Riad Waqi and the broiling heat of a Marrakech summer, Ramzi travels to the coastal town of Essaouira, a secretive and windblown place, adorned with mysterious signs and symbols. Booking into a guest house he finds the other guests are Jewish pilgrims who have travelled for the annual hillula, to venerate the mystical saint, the tzaddik, Rabbi Haim Pinto. When one of the party dies after a ceremonial feast, Ramzi delves into the death. It is food poisoning or murder?
As he struggles for answers he enlists his friend, the unconventional medical doctor Rashida—who has come to windsurf. Joining forces, they uncover dark and far-reaching tales linked to Essaouira’s Jewish past—and Palestine.
