When Her Hand Moves

A literary thriller that combines mystery with the sensual and the sacred, the intellectual and the imaginary, the divine and the dangerous. Three suspense-filled novellas replete with adrenaline-rich chase scenes, surreal sexual encounters, and moments of magical realism. From the mysterious disappearance of a Syrian woman in the twilight town of King's Lynn, to a Syrian professor fleeing Damascus only finds himself caught in the midst of a trifecta of erotic and enigmatic women, finally to the frantic quest of an Oxford scholar and an eccentric Syrian racing to decipher an ancient manuscript containing a message with explosive personal and universal implications.

When Her Hand Moves is a lyrical symphony of three captivating movements: The Passion of Sidra, The Seduction of Jude and The Rage of Fatima. Literary fiction that combines the sensual and the sacred, the intellectual and the imaginary, the divine and the dangerous. Three stories come together with the light touch of magical realism, to examine, interrogate, and challenge our understanding of universal truths and spirituality. An English nurse becomes possessed with unraveling the mystery behind the disappearance of a Syrian woman in the twilight town of King's Lynn, stumbling along the way upon a history and present replete with magic and mysticism. A Syrian professor escapes Damascus only to find himself in another surreal and dangerous setting, uncovering a conspiracy that places his life in even greater peril. An Oxford scholar and an eccentric Syrian journalist embark on an adventure through Portugal and Spain, seeking to decipher an ancient manuscript and uncover a religious conspiracy with explosive personal and universal implications. Quotes: "Imady pairs the best of literary fiction – wry absurdity, witty interpretations of religion, and unabashed lyricism – with adrenaline-rich chase scenes, surreal sexual encounters, and moments of magical realism…" Publisher's Weekly/Book Life Review "I am speechless. I am never one to be interested in literary fiction. This is my first and when I tell you IT DOES NOT DISAPPOINT, I MEAN IT DOES NOT DISAPPOINT! The writing details, visualizations, emotion…the story grips you and spits you out. It tugs on everything strong of emotion! The way the three parts unite is so beautiful and how every little detail is portrayed without it being boring! I am in love." Simpingfor_fiction_jayne Bookstagrammer "Omar Imady is one of the most important writers to come out of Syria." Mary S. Lovell, New York Times best-selling biographer. "Provocatively controversial, inspiring, thought provoking and deeply spiritual. Imady poses questions that we have stopped asking ourselves. I don't know another male author who can represent a woman's voice with such authenticity." Rime Allaf, Syrian writer "Three suspense-filled novellas replete with adrenaline-rich chase scenes, surreal sexual encounters, and moments of magical realism. These are so well written, completely gripping so make sure you set aside many hours so that you can greedily devour them one swoop. Michelle Coates (Reviewer/Netgalley)

Omar Imady's creative mind resembles the city he was born in, and the city he often writes about in his fiction: Damascus, a city both ancient and modern, sacred and mechanical, delicate and vulgar. Critics and readers have aptly described his fiction as "futuristic, spiritual, erotic, post-apocalyptic thrillers." He is an author, poet, and historian. His first novel, The Gospel of Damascus, was a Book of the Year Award finalist in 2012, and has been translated into French, Spanish, and Arabic. He has also authored and co-authored many books and articles on Syria and Sufism. He currently lives in the United Kingdom, between Scotland and Essex.