Lutfi Latif is Germany´s answer to Barack Obama: a charismatic intellectual with Egyptian roots and the potential to redefine the country’s heated debate on Islam and integration. But the role model Muslim has hardly been elected member of the Bundestag, when he finds himself in the crosshairs of radicals. In the heart of Berlin´s government district a terror attack takes place – was it aimed at him? The terror network al-Qaeda claims responsibility and German politics and society descend into a state of hysteria, as Osama bin Laden´s successors appear to have hit the country.
But Latif´s assistant Sumaya al-Shami and terror expert Samuel Sonntag have doubts. They decide to start an investigation of their own, only to find out that the circle of suspects is in fact much larger.
Their investigation takes them into unforeseen terrains of radicalism across all of Berlin: from internet cafes in Kreuzberg and mansions in Zehlendorf to rundown flats in Wedding and Potsdam lake-side estates. In their dangerous search for the truth, they have to go a long way – perhaps too far. But what is „the truth“ anyway?
„Radikal“ is a frighteningly realistic political thriller about the past, present and future of terrorism as much as it is a snap shot of a society in constant state of alert. This is a story of a breathtaking search for clues in more than just one milieu where radicals are gaining ground.
"To sit at Musharbash’s feet was an inspiration for me when I was writing A Most Wanted Man. He is balanced, informed, imaginative and wedded to truth. I believe his debut novel will be a triumph." (John le Carré in March 2011)
