Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcout and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!

Now available!

Hala Alyan's second novel, "The Arsonists' City", is a delectable, savory family drama based in Lebanon and Syria. When Idris Nasr decides to sell his father's house in Lebanon, even he can't predict the secrets that will be unearthed in the centuries old property. Nasr is joined by his family from across the globe - his cinematic wife Mazna, his daughter microbiologist Ave, spurned bassist turned restaurant manager Mimi, and his rockstar daughter Najla. As the novel unspools, Alyan takes readers on a journey through old Lebanon and Syria, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the region.

I could not stop reading this addictive drama! The characters have such complexity and the descriptions of 1960s Syria and Lebanon were transformative and breathtaking. The plot twists were somewhat predictable but somehow this only endeared the novel even more. Reading Arsonist's City felt like walking into a warm cafe and eating fresh baklava with the honey just about set. It is inviting, a little bit crunchy with the drama and ultimately comforting. I am eagerly waiting to devour another Hala Alyan novel!