Fourth in the Yashim crime series, a delightfully rich novel with thrills, fast pace, colourful characters - and fantastic food!
When the body of a Russian agent is found down a monastery well, Yashim knows exactly who to blame. Fevzi Ahmet Pasha, commander of the Ottoman fleet.
Years ago, when Yashim first entered the sultan's service, Fevzi Ahmet was his mentor. Ruthless, cruel, and - in Yashim's eyes - ultimately ineffective, he is the only man who makes him afraid. And now Yashim must confront the secret that Fevzi Pasha has been keeping all these years, a secret whose roots lie deep in the tortured atmosphere of the sultan's harem, where normal rules are suspended, and women can simply disappear.
Once again, Yashim and his friends encounter treachery and politics, played out against the backdrop of 1840s Istanbul.
About the Author
Jason Goodwin is the author of two non-fiction books, The Gunpowder Gardens: Travels in China and India in Search of Tea and On Foot to the Golden Horn, which won the John Llewellyn Rhys/Mail on Sunday Prize in 1993. His first Yashim mystery, The Janissary Tree, became an international bestseller when it was published in 2006; it and its sequel, The Snake Stone, have been translated into over 40 languages. The third Yashim adventure, The Bellini Card, was published in 2008. Jason Goodwin lives in Dorset with his wife Kate and their four children.
Industry Reviews
"When you read a historical mystery by Jason Goodwin, you take a magic-carpet ride to the most exotic place on earth." --Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
"Goodwin is an author of many strengths...[and his books] just keep getting better....The complicated plot that unfolds is deftly controlled throughout....Goodwin's prose is sharp and surprising." --The Washington Post
"Exotic...An elegant meditation on the Ottoman psyche. Goodwin is as concerned with capturing the sights, sounds, and recipes as he is with the murders." --Financial Times (London)
"Goodwin continues to create historical mysteries with an A-quality plot, excellent historical detail, and a strong sense of place....He is still at the top of his game." --Booklist
"A great addition to a superb series." --The Globe and Mail (London)
"In Yashim's investigations the stakes are high indeed....The bare outlines are enlivened by Goodwin's skillful use of color and detail, especially Yashim's recipes, which set the reader drooling. As a historian, Goodwin is scrupulous." --The Independent (London) When you read a historical mystery by Jason Goodwin, you take a magic-carpet ride to the most exotic place on earth. Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
Goodwin is an author of many strengths [and his books] just keep getting better .The complicated plot that unfolds is deftly controlled throughout .Goodwin's prose is sharp and surprising. The Washington Post
Exotic An elegant meditation on the Ottoman psyche. Goodwin is as concerned with capturing the sights, sounds, and recipes as he is with the murders. Financial Times (London)
Goodwin continues to create historical mysteries with an A-quality plot, excellent historical detail, and a strong sense of place .He is still at the top of his game. Booklist
A great addition to a superb series. The Globe and Mail (London)
In Yashim's investigations the stakes are high indeed .The bare outlines are enlivened by Goodwin's skillful use of color and detail, especially Yashim's recipes, which set the reader drooling. As a historian, Goodwin is scrupulous. The Independent (London)
" When you read a historical mystery by Jason Goodwin, you take a magic-carpet ride to the most exotic place on earth. "Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review"
Goodwin is an author of many strengths [and his books] just keep getting better .The complicated plot that unfolds is deftly controlled throughout .Goodwin's prose is sharp and surprising. "The Washington Post"
Exotic An elegant meditation on the Ottoman psyche. Goodwin is as concerned with capturing the sights, sounds, and recipes as he is with the murders. "Financial Times (London)"
Goodwin continues to create historical mysteries with an A-quality plot, excellent historical detail, and a strong sense of place .He is still at the top of his game. "Booklist"
A great addition to a superb series. "The Globe and Mail (London)"
In Yashim's investigations the stakes are high indeed .The bare outlines are enlivened by Goodwin's skillful use of color and detail, especially Yashim's recipes, which set the reader drooling. As a historian, Goodwin is scrupulous. "The Independent (London)"" "When you read a historical mystery by Jason Goodwin, you take a magic-carpet ride to the most exotic place on earth." --Marilyn Stasio, "The New York Times Book Review
""Goodwin is an author of many strengths...[and his books] just keep getting better....The complicated plot that unfolds is deftly controlled throughout....Goodwin's prose is sharp and surprising." --"The Washington Post""Exotic...An elegant meditation on the Ottoman psyche. Goodwin is as concerned with capturing the sights, sounds, and recipes as he is with the murders." --"Financial Times (London)"
"Goodwin continues to create historical mysteries with an A-quality plot, excellent historical detail, and a strong sense of place....He is still at the top of his game." --"Booklist
""A great addition to a superb series." --"The Globe and Mail (London)"
"In Yashim's investigations the stakes are high indeed....The bare outlines are enlivened by Goodwin's skillful use of color and detail, especially Yashim's recipes, which set the reader drooling. As a historian, Goodwin is scrupulous." --"The Independent (London)" "When you read a historical mystery by Jason Goodwin, you take a magic carpet ride to the most exotic place on earth." -Marilyn Stasio, "The New York Times Book Review"
