Mohamed's Moon

"...The sun burned like a welder's arc, cutting a white hole in the sky..."

"...A lone pelican flew by, a silhoutte on a shimmering red sky..."

"...The plane shuddered, making a tempest of the coffee in his cup..."

"...The car pulled away, disappearing into the mist like a bug caught up in a spiderweb..."




Keith Clemons, award winning author from Caledon, Ontario, is a master at creating word pictures. As I started to read through his latest book - Mohamed's Moon, I found myself captivated by his ability to write in pictures.

The cover of Mohamed's Moon suggests that the story line offers a conflict with grave repurcussions, little hope of resolution set against a back drop of a ticking clock. I was not disappointed as I read each page expectantly.

The story begins on the shores of the Nile as Mohammed and Layla - childhood best friends - - enjoy the innocence of youth. Layla's father a physician works in Egypt among those of the Muslim faith. When Layla talks to Mohammed about becoming a Christian so that they can marry one day, he tells her that all Christians are liars and infidels. A foundation is laid as it is revealed that Zainab, Mohamed's mother is actually a Christian.

The story takes off early as we enter into the distorted thought process of Khalaf, Mohamed's father, who sacrifices his life and many others for the sake of Allah. Through a series of flashbacks and clever dialogue sequences, we follow Mohamed and Layla into adulthood and become a part of the triangle that is the basis for this exceptional story.

In Mohamed's Moon, tension builds between the two brothers Matthew and Mohamed - twins separated at birth as they clash about the state of one another's culture and the expectations of Isa - Jesus - Allah - Jehovah. It is interesting to hear how some of the Muslim faith view western society. Mohamed refers to the western world as a land of gluttony rather than a land of plenty. Food for thought. This fiction story is certainly thought provoking in many ways.

At first a reader might cry predicatability and a bit of a far fetched idea for twin brothers to find each other after more than two decades and that they would both fall in love with the same girl - Layla.

But, there is nothing predictable about the plot in Mohamed's Moon. The story, interwoven with stunning descriptions that take the reader on one adventure after another, is plausible in every sense. Mohamed's Moon blends romance and suspense creating tension as Mohamed and Matthew face physical, psychological and spiritual challenges throughout the book.

Islam verses Christianity. A vengeful Allah verses a loving God. Religion verses relationship. The battle is subtle yet the profundity of faith and Who truly reigns supreme, shines through as Mr. Clemons carries his characters through one journey after another.

Mohamed's Moon is an excellent summer read and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense, a little bit of romance, high adventure, a great plot twist and a not so predictable ending. I was riveted. Congratulations Keith Clemons.