#2 in the Yashim the Eunuch historical mystery series set in 1830's Istanbul. The sultan is dying, and the city is in a peculiar mood. Yashim, who works for the sultan, hasn't been summoned to the palace in months, so he's perfectly free to investigate the murder of a French archaelogist on his own behalf. Dr. Lefevre had been a guest in Yashim's home the day before he died and he had been asking a lot of nosy questions about valuable Greek artifacts. He sought a ship back to France which Yashim helped him procure and then his body was found, gutted stem to stern and half-eaten by dogs a couple of days later. With lack of any other suspects, the French ambassador can only conclude that Yashim had something to do with his death, so he sets out to remove the cloud of suspicion from his good name before the ambassador files his final report. Steeped in history, myth and legend, the tale leads Yashim to several different neighborhoods of the city and even below it, as other people that Dr. Lefevre talked to end up attacked or dead also. When his widow arrives, not yet knowing she is a widow, things get even more complicated. An excellent story, full of the culture, sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Istanbul (I want to hire Yashim as my personal chef!!), with lots of history and the added bonus of secrets well-kept and secret societies, this was a very enjoyable read. ( )

I just love this series. The characters and the setting are wonderful. There is great detail and description, but it is never dumped on you. The plot meanders along with bits and pieces, and is a subtle part of the story. While it drives everything, there is no sense that they story only exists for the mystery. It might be off-putting to those who prefer the mystery to be the star of the story.

A shady French archaeologist comes to Istanbul, and latches onto the Polish Ambassador. He turns him over to Yashim. The ambassador is afraid he will discover parts of the stolen monument being hidden in the embassy. Yashim has also been asked by a rich Greek merchant's wife to look into the meeting of her husband and the archaeologist. The archaeologist has stirred people up in only a short time in the city.

Various people begin to die horribly: a bookseller, a money lender, a new member of the Waterman's guild. The archaeologist leaves Yashim's hospitality to return home, in great fear. He is sent to the ship to take him home. The next night after the ship has sailed, his dead body is found outside an embassy.

Yashim is the last person known to be with him. Yashim fears just the suggestion of his involvement in the death will spook his patrons in the palace. The power structure is in flux. The Sultan is dying, and the Valide is very old, and will be replaced when her grandson assumes power. Yashim fears if he can't solve the death, he will lose his protection and relationship with the palace.

The French wife of the dead man turns up and she is also searching for information about her husband. Seems he was looking for some relics.

Preen the transvestite also make a reappearance, but she has only minor stage time. The book looks at the layers of history and the different cultures and religions that make up the history of the city. Yashim cooks.

Its just a wonderful visit, and I can't wait for the next one The Bellini Card. It is out, but in hardcover, and I wait for the tradepaper version before buying. ( )

Like most historical crime novels, the build-up is always more interesting than the actual climax. I think that these books by Goodwin are excellent in describing the Istanbul of the time - I never knew about the Albanians responsible for the city's water supply. The 'whodunnit' almost becomes secondary at times - maybe that's the intention. ( )

Som eunuckens gåta. Trivsam läsning. ( )

As the subtitle says, 'Investigator Yashim Returns' to solve another mystery in the Istanbul of the 1830's. Historian-turned-novelist Jason Goodwin concocts another intriguing tale based on the sound footing he established last year in The Janissary Tree: A Novel.

Yashim Togalu, the eunuch detective, is forced into the investigation of the brutal murder of a French archaeologist when suspicion turns on Yashim, the last person known to have seen the man Lefevre alive.

As he did in The Janissary Tree, Goodwin again entwines his story around the history of the era. But Goodwin's strongest suit may be his ability to surround the reader with sensory experiences of the streets of Istanbul; the sights, the sounds, the smells and tastes. The varied peoples and their styles come alive. And not only on the streets, but also under the streets - the meticulously maintained and ancient waterworks of Istanbul (and their Albanian maintainers) play a large part in this story.

Moreover, the mystery that Goodwin unravels for the reader is quite appropriately byzantine with several dead alleys and an ending that...well, I go too far. Another enjoyable and slightly offbeat treat. Highly recommended. ( )