"Lev Raphael is a daring writer — one who will not be -restrained by genre, but who tells his story with all the tools at his command. "The German Money "combines all of Raphael's estimable talents, delivering an emotional thriller about a totally believable contemporary family coming to terms with fifty years of silence." — Edmund White<P>Best known for "Dancing on Tisha B'Av," the groundbreaking story collection exploring the lives of children of Holocaust survivors, Lev Raphael is also the author of five popular mysteries. Now he combines his talents in a story of emotional suspense.<P>Paul has spent his life running — from New York, the city of his birth; from his beautiful beshert; from contact with his own siblings; but mostly from his mother, a Holocaust survivor of inexplicable coldness. Upon her mysterious death, the children face shocking questions. What caused her to die? Why did she divide their inheritance so that Paul, the least favorite son, was singled out to receive the most, the dreaded "German money,"a bequest of a million dollars accrued from German reparations to survivors . . . a gift as cynical as it is generous. <P>"Lev Raphael's new novel is a powerful, haunting and erotic tale. The stunning narrative builds to a shocking -denouement and kept me turning pages faster and faster to learn the truth." — Linda Fairstein<P>Lev Raphael is the author of thirteen books and known internationally as an insightful chronicler of the lives of the children of Holocaust survivors. Winner of the Lambda Literary Award, among many prizes, his short works have appeared in two dozen anthologies, including "American Jewish Fiction: A Century of Stories." He is a book criticfor National Public Radio and mysteries columnist for the "Detroit Free Press."

Upon their mothers mysterious death, three adult siblings must confront haunting questions: Why and how did she die? What horrors accounted for her inability to love? Why did she divide their inheritance so that the least favorite son was singled out to receive the most: the dreaded German money, a bequest of a million dollars accrued from German reparations to survivors.

Lev Raphael is a featured writer on the roster of the Jewish Book Fair circuit, which will bring him to 28 cities on a nationwide tour during Fall 2003 and Winter 2004. Cities include: Los Angeles, NYC, Washington DC, Houston, Detroit, San Diego, Grand Rapids, Philadelphia, Hartford, San Francisco, Austin, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Providence, Ann Arbor. Bookstore and media appearances will coincide with book fair events in each city.

Lev Raphael is the author of fifteen books and known internationally as the chronicler of the lives of the children of Holocaust survivors. Winner of the Lambda Literary Award, among many prizes, his short works have appeared in two dozen anthologies. He performs all over the country at Jewish Book Fairs and has a weekly book show on NPR.