From Publishers WeeklyStarred . Early 19th-century Istanbul's teeming mix of nationalities, religions and cultures comes alive in this vibrant sequel to the Edgar-winning The Janissary Tree (2006). When French archeologist Maximilien Lefvre begins asking very pointed, well-informed questions about long-lost Greek artifacts and then is found dead outside the French embassy, series hero Yashim, a Turkish eunuch, finds himself suspected of the murder. His efforts to clear his name take him from markets and wharves to palaces and underground tunnels as he uncovers a secret society, unearths sacred relics and hunts the murderer. Goodwin's secondary characters, particularly Yashim's close friend Stanislaw Palewski, the world-weary Polish ambassador, are distinct and memorable, and the mystery presents an entertaining challenge to the reader as well as to charming, determined Yashim. With his second effort as intricate and delightful as the first, Goodwin takes his rightful place among such distinguished British historical mystery writers as Lindsay Davis and the late Edith Pargeter. (Oct.) Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 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 Wonderfully entertaining . . . [Goodwin] uses short, punchy chapters and vibrant, atmospheric prose to bring the glory days of the Ottoman capital to life. Adam Woog, The Seattle TimesA sinuous novel . . . Mr. Goodwin uses rich historical detail to elevate the books in this series far above the realm of everyday sleuthing. . . . Yashim moves charmingly across the book's complicated landscape. Whether he is stopping to cook, chat, cogitate, interrogate, or renew old acquaintances at the harem, he is a detective with a difference . . . a warmly appealing character. Janet Maslin, The New York TimesThe real pleasure of The Snake Stone lies in its powerful evocation of the cultural melting pot that was nineteenth-century Istanbul. . . . Goodwin's sharp eye combines with a poetic style to bring the city vividly to lief. Clare Clark, The Washington PostBeguiling . . . You will blissfully lose yourself in Istanbul's winding back alleys and linger awhile in the city's bustling fleshpots and meet Lord Byron's physician as you watch the serenely intelligent and intuitive Yashim investigate. Rod Cockshutt, The News ObserverAbout the AuthorJASON GOODWIN is the Edgar Awardwinning author of the Investigator Yashim series. The first five booksThe Janissary Tree, The Snake Stone, The Bellini Card, An Evil Eye, and The Baklava Clubhave been published to international acclaim, alongside Yashim Cooks Istanbul, a cookbook of Ottoman Turkish recipes inspired by the series. Goodwin studied Byzantine history at Cambridge and is the author of Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire, among other award-winning nonfiction. He lives with his wife and children in England. why you should read books everyday The Snake Stone: A Novel (Investigator Yashim)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. One of a great series about Turkish detective!By megan whitbyAs posted in another review of this series about Hashim, a sort of Turkish detective of the last century, I love this series! Hashim is a wonderful character, a great mystery and problem solver, and an ex-advisor to the Sultan who calls him in from time to time for help. The stories are really interesting, particularly because you learn a great deal about the Ottoman Empire, the magnificent city of Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, etc. Jason Goodwin is a scholar who has written a wonderful history of the Ottomans, and he's a great story teller, too. I go to Istanbul quite frequently, and I have learned so much from these books, and have found out that what I did know is much more interesting than even I thought it was. Fun reading!47 of 48 people found the following review helpful. Inspector Yashim, the Turkish impotentate, returnsBy LlonyaJason Goodwin's second book "The Snake Stone" sees the return of the Turkish, crime-solving eunuch Yashim Togalu. I'm pleased to report that Goodwin's second book was as fun to read as his first, The Janissary Tree: A Novel".As befits a mystery set in Istanbul the plot of "The Snake Stone" is moderately Byzantine but not so complex that the reader gets lost. Yashim is approached by a French archeologist (of the plundering sort) who tells Yashim a story about some priceless antiquities. Shortly thereafter the man is found dead and since Yashim is the last man to see him alive he finds himself faced with the prospect of being a suspect in the murder. Yashim has no choice but to try to unravel the mystery.Two aspects of the book deserve special praise. As noted, the plot revolves around the possible discovery of priceless antiquities and this is a perfect device for a book set in a city such as Istanbul one of the world's historic cross-roads. The plot gives Goodwin a great opportunity to `explore' Istanbul's rich and diverse history both archeologically and socially. Goodwin studied Byzantine history at Cambridge and has written books on the history of the Ottoman Empire (Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire and his writing evidences that knowledge. Goodwin puts his knowledge to good use as he paints a very readable picture of Istanbul that captures (for me at least) the sights, sounds, and smells of Istanbul's streets and alleys while also conveying a sense of the political and social backdrop that drove the characters in the book. Anytime a writer gives you the sense that you can almost get a visceral feel for the sights and sounds of a city that writer has done a good job.Second, Goodwin has done an excellent job in developing the character of Yashim. Yashim is now, in the second book, a fully formed and very endearing character. The minor recurring characters are equally engaging. Last, Yashim isn't the first detective to be a gourmet cook but I have to say the descriptions of Yashim's recipes were very enticing.In my review of "The Janissary Tree" I mentioned that Goodwin's Yashim reminded me of Boris Akunin's Erast Fandorin novels (late 19th-century Russia such as The Winter Queen: A Novel (Erast Fandorin Mysteries)) and Arturo Perez-Reverte's Captain Alatriste stories such as Captain Alatriste (17th-century Spain). They all take the standard detective or mystery story and transport the reader to a different time and place. "The Snake Stone" confirms my original impression that Goodwin's books belong in that good company. "The Snake Stone" was an excellent story and anyone who likes a good detective story with a bit of an exotic twist should enjoy it. L. Fleisig0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Okay, but I enjoyed The Janissary Tree more.By RodgeI really enjoyed The Janissary Tree and I especially love how Goodwin paints a great portrait of Istanbul during the Ottoman reign, but unfortunately The Snake Stone didn't keep my attention as much as I had hoped. The writing and historical portrayals were fine, but I felt there were too many extraneous characters introduced throughout the narrative, making it difficult to keep track of the story. Many of these characters' stories seemed to go nowhere. I will continue to read the rest of the series since I really like Goodwin as a writer and of course, who can't fall in love with Yashim?