|
Loading... The Snake Stone (2007)by Jason Goodwin
None.  writerlibrarian | Apr 7, 2013 |  Very good book. Interesting twists in the mystery. I love the inspector in this series, an eunuch in Istanbul. So many cultures coexist in Istanbul and the interactions between them are fascinating. I'm definitely adding the remainder of the books in this series to my "need to read" pile. (  ) GayleBitker | Jan 15, 2013 | I was rather disappointed with this mystery, the third by this author and the second set in 19th century Istanbul. Jason Goodwin's knowledge of the city throughout its long history is evident and that is interesting but there needed to be more momentum and I forced myself to read to the end. (  ) hazelk | Oct 31, 2010 | This is the second of Goodwin's books featuring Yashim Togalu, a eunuch in early-19th century Istanbul, as he investigates a suspicious death. I enjoyed this one more than the first (The Janissary Tree). It continues to provide that same perspective into the city, making the life of Turkey in that era seem vibrant and real. It also has a better mystery than the last one. Though there are enough clues that I found myself guessing the shape of the final solution toward the end of the book, there are also enough little twists to keep it interesting. I'm looking forward to trying the third book, The Bellini Card. (  ) TadAD | Jun 13, 2010 | Goodwin's first novel, The Janissary Tree (2006), won the Edgar for Best Novel (2007). He followed up that up with this outing, The Snake Stone. The series is set in 1830s Istanbul and features Yashim, an eunuch engaged by the Ottoman rulers to investigate unusual deaths. In this outing, Yahim is enlisted to find out who and why a French archaeologist is murdered after asking one too many questions about antiquities. Goodwin has chosen as his detective a character as unique as his setting, nineteenth century Istanbul. He brings both the character and the setting alive with his powers of description. When Yashim goes shopping, you can almost smell the aromas of the food bazaars. This is a wonderful series that deserves to be widely read. If you are a reader looking for something to read that is unusual and well written, Goodwin's books are for you. (  ) pkbigelow | Jan 25, 2010 | no reviews | add a review
Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0374299358, Hardcover)The captivating return of Yashim, the eunuch investigator from the intelligent, elliptical and beguilingly written" (The Times, London) bestseller The Janissary Tree When a French archaeologist arrives in 1830s Istanbul determined to track down a lost Byzantine treasure, the local Greek communities are uncertain how to react; the man seems dangerously well informed. Yashim Togalu, who so brilliantly solved the mysterious murders in The Janissary Tree, is once again enlisted to investigate. But when the archaeologist’s mutilated body is discovered outside the French embassy, it turns out there is only one suspect: Yashim himself. The New York Times celebrated The Janissary Tree as “the perfect escapist mystery,” and The Daily Telegraph called it “[A] tremendous first novel . . . Beautifully written, perfectly judged, humane, witty and captivating.” With The Snake Stone, Jason Goodwin delights us with another transporting romp through the back streets of nineteenth-century Istanbul. Yashim finds himself racing against time once again, to uncover the startling truth behind a shadowy society dedicated to the revival of the Byzantine Empire, encountering along the way such vibrant characters as Lord Byron’s doctor and the sultan’s West Indies–born mother, the Valide. Armed only with a unique sixteenth-century book, the dashing eunuch leads us into a world where the stakes are high, betrayal is death—and the pleasure to the reader is immense. (retrieved from Amazon Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:32:38 -0400) "When a French archaeologist arrives in 1830s Istanbul determined to track down a lost Byzantine treasure, the local Greek communities are uncertain how to react; the man seems dangerously well-informed. Yashim Togalu, who so brilliantly solved the mysterious murders in The Janissary Tree, is once again enlisted to investigate. But when the archaeologist's mutilated body is discovered outside the French embassy, it turns out there is only one suspect: Yashim himself.""Yashim finds himself racing against time once again, to clear his name and uncover the startling truth behind a shadowy society dedicated to the revival of the Byzantine Empire, encountering along the way such vibrant characters as Lord Byron's doctor and the sultan's West Indies-born mother, the valide. Never has the age-old fight between Christianity and Islam taken place amid such thrilling intrigue. Armed only with a unique sixteenth-century tome, the dashing eunuch ushers us into a high-stakes world of betrayal, death, and exhilarating mystery."--BOOK JACKET.General Adult. "The captivating return of Yashim, the eunuch investigator from the intelligent, elliptical and beguilingly written" "(The Times, London)" bestseller The Janissary Tree" When a French archaeologist arrives in 1830s Istanbul determined to track down a lost Byzantine treasure, the local Greek communities are uncertain how to react; the man seems dangerously well informed. Yashim Togalu, who so brilliantly solved the mysterious murders in "The Janissary Tree", is once again enlisted to investigate. But when the archaeologist's mutilated body is discovered outside the French embassy, it turns out there is only one suspect: Yashim himself. "The New York Times "celebrated "The Janissary Tree "as "the perfect escapist mystery, " and "The Daily Telegraph "called it " A] tremendous first novel . . . Beautifully written, perfectly judged, humane, witty and captivating." With "The Snake Stone", Jason Goodwin delights us with another transporting romp through the back streets of nineteenth-century Istanbul.… (more) |
LibraryThing AuthorJason Goodwin is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
 Google Books — Loading...Popular coversRatingAverage: (3.64)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wikipedia in English (1)
6
Oh and Yashim cooking. That alone is worth reading. And his love of French books and his friendship with the Polish ambassador. All and all a wonderful read. (