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mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
2.0
Read in conjunction with [b:Arabesk|951085|Arabesk (Cetin Ikmen, #3)|Barbara Nadel|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1335224122s/951085.jpg|936008] for a book club, this was the "old" offering in the "then-and-now" theme, even though it was written more recently. Normally, I enjoy historical fiction mysteries, especially when they are set in countries or during time periods I don't know much about, but I had a very hard time with this one. I felt like I needed to have a deep understanding of Turkey's history before opening this book and was bogged down by all of the elements that were involved in the story. A glossary of terms and/or list of characters would have been immensely helpful, as I kept reading words I didn't know and trying to guess from context what they were (is it a last name? is it an honorific? is this a word I should know but never learned?!). It almost felt like the author was trying to jam in as many historical elements as possible and it was too much for the plot. Unlike with the companion book, I don't feel like I learned very much as a result of reading this book but maybe that is because I was confused for pretty much the entire book. I had to ensure I was reading it with no distractions and giving it my full attention -- and it still didn't help me. I don't think that reading the previous three in the series would have helped either. It's clear that the author knows a great deal about this period of time and Turkey but it didn't translate into a format that those of us without that level of knowledge could easily digest. I'd love to read and learn more about Turkey but I don't think this is the series that will take me on a journey back there.
danilanglie's review against another edition
4.0
I understand that generally in a mystery novel, the compelling element is the plot - who murdered the man in the well? How do all these pieces fit together? - but for me, these questions are rather incidental when it comes to reading books in the Yashim series.
I've said this in the other books in the series too, but I love the short chapter lengths, the way scenes are broken up so conversations and action scenes are intermixed. It gives it a very cinematic feel.
Also, out of all the books, this one had the most personal stakes - one of the key players in events only appeared towards the very end, but he lingered over the whole text, with a tangible connection to Yashim's past. And I got genuinely worried when Palewski and Marta were held hostage! I really love the friendship between Yashim and Palewski, and how it's carried through all the books.
Only one more left before I say goodbye to this series for good!
I've said this in the other books in the series too, but I love the short chapter lengths, the way scenes are broken up so conversations and action scenes are intermixed. It gives it a very cinematic feel.
Also, out of all the books, this one had the most personal stakes - one of the key players in events only appeared towards the very end, but he lingered over the whole text, with a tangible connection to Yashim's past. And I got genuinely worried when Palewski and Marta were held hostage! I really love the friendship between Yashim and Palewski, and how it's carried through all the books.
Only one more left before I say goodbye to this series for good!
avanders's review against another edition
3.0
I purchased this book and recommended it to my book group based on the recommendation of a highly respected, interesting, cultured, intelligent friend. I'm not sure if I needed to have read the first three in this "set" to really appreciate the book, or if it just wasn't my style, or what, but I thought it was good! But just that: good!
This "set" is not so much a series of books that must be read in order -- I understand it is more like a set of mystery novels, that can certainly be read out of order. Inspector Yashim is a Eunuch in Istanbul with connections to the Sultan and other high ranking politicos, who is permitted to live outside of the castle, and who ends up being the man called in to solve the most bizarre or intricate of crimes. He also happens to stumble upon others, in light of his life and connections. In this book, Yashim is called in to see about a body in a monastery that has mysteriously appeared.
The unfamiliarity with the subject matter and even the most basic of things such as a persons title make the beginning of the book difficult to wade through. Efendi appears to be a sort of casual title -- perhaps akin to "sir" or "friend" and is often used in connection with the proper name for an individual, and occasionally on its own. Such as: Efendi Yashim or just Efendi. Pasha is another title... and Valide I believe is a title and not a proper name. Goodwin uses these words as if they are every day words to his readers. And perhaps they are to some; and perhaps readers of the first three found these words familiar. But as for my friends, co book group readers, and myself: a glossary would have been helpful to refer to for reminders and a brief explanation or background. I can understand not weighing down the story w/ these definitions, but as I say, a glossary of some sort would have been helpful.
The other frustrating/annoying bit about the book is the author's gratuitous food scenes. I understand that some of these mystery-type authors want their theme, but this one already has one -- exotic locations, foreign involvement, and history! No need to bring in how that onion was cut, how the parsley was sprinkled, etc.
On the plus side, however, it was an entertaining story and somewhat rewarding in the end. For me, once I passed the halfway point, it became a quick read, and I wanted to know what happened next. I began to read much more quickly, and even found myself wanting to turn the page rather than obey my bed time. I also liked some of the side characters quite a bit (particularly Palewski), and I imagine that having read the first 3 books would have assisted more in caring about Yashim's own backstory.
There appears to be a story of revenge lurking in the background, and once the "big reveal" was made at the end of An Evil Eye, I imagined that I might have cared more if I knew why it was such a big reveal.
Overall, I enjoyed the scenery, I enjoyed the familiarity with the unusual (to us here in America, anyway), and I enjoyed the mystery. As I said, it was good! But not great. I would recommend to someone who is a big mystery fan, a fan of Istanbul and/or harems and/or sultans and/or historical politics. I would recommend to someone looking for a meatier book, a denser book.
(Three and a half stars)
This "set" is not so much a series of books that must be read in order -- I understand it is more like a set of mystery novels, that can certainly be read out of order. Inspector Yashim is a Eunuch in Istanbul with connections to the Sultan and other high ranking politicos, who is permitted to live outside of the castle, and who ends up being the man called in to solve the most bizarre or intricate of crimes. He also happens to stumble upon others, in light of his life and connections. In this book, Yashim is called in to see about a body in a monastery that has mysteriously appeared.
The unfamiliarity with the subject matter and even the most basic of things such as a persons title make the beginning of the book difficult to wade through. Efendi appears to be a sort of casual title -- perhaps akin to "sir" or "friend" and is often used in connection with the proper name for an individual, and occasionally on its own. Such as: Efendi Yashim or just Efendi. Pasha is another title... and Valide I believe is a title and not a proper name. Goodwin uses these words as if they are every day words to his readers. And perhaps they are to some; and perhaps readers of the first three found these words familiar. But as for my friends, co book group readers, and myself: a glossary would have been helpful to refer to for reminders and a brief explanation or background. I can understand not weighing down the story w/ these definitions, but as I say, a glossary of some sort would have been helpful.
The other frustrating/annoying bit about the book is the author's gratuitous food scenes. I understand that some of these mystery-type authors want their theme, but this one already has one -- exotic locations, foreign involvement, and history! No need to bring in how that onion was cut, how the parsley was sprinkled, etc.
On the plus side, however, it was an entertaining story and somewhat rewarding in the end. For me, once I passed the halfway point, it became a quick read, and I wanted to know what happened next. I began to read much more quickly, and even found myself wanting to turn the page rather than obey my bed time. I also liked some of the side characters quite a bit (particularly Palewski), and I imagine that having read the first 3 books would have assisted more in caring about Yashim's own backstory.
There appears to be a story of revenge lurking in the background, and once the "big reveal" was made at the end of An Evil Eye, I imagined that I might have cared more if I knew why it was such a big reveal.
Overall, I enjoyed the scenery, I enjoyed the familiarity with the unusual (to us here in America, anyway), and I enjoyed the mystery. As I said, it was good! But not great. I would recommend to someone who is a big mystery fan, a fan of Istanbul and/or harems and/or sultans and/or historical politics. I would recommend to someone looking for a meatier book, a denser book.
(Three and a half stars)
jonjeffryes's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series of mystery! Goodwin does an excellent job making 19th Century Istanbul come alive and he's created some great characters. This book maybe had a little too much plot going on...new strands kept getting added, while others were left behind that when Goodwin ties them all up together in the end you have to flip back to remind yourself of what he's talking about. But even so I thoroughly enjoyed the read. These books have a similar style to the mysteries of [a:Akunin Boris|4872708|Akunin Boris|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg]
fatcat_detective's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
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