Among the Ruins

Ausma Zehanat Khan's series continues its strong characterizations, intricate plots, and fine storytelling. As Esa Khattak finds it increasingly difficult to sidestep the people in Iran who are keeping him under surveillance, and as I learned more about Iran's turbulent history and the fate of its political prisoners, I was struck forcefully by one thing: the powerful sense of entitlement I was born with and so seldom fully realize that I have. Millions of people around the world will never know the freedom of what it's like to be white and American. Don't get me wrong: I do not believe that everyone needs to be white and American, but everyone does deserve to live under the seemingly inviolable umbrella of protection that I was. show more Moreover, people like me need to be strongly reminded by books like Among the Ruins of just how lucky we are.

This book isn't a mere tale of political injustice in another country, however, although the occasional chapter told from the point of view of an unidentified political prisoner brings that into painful focus. No, we get to see how good a team Khattak and Getty are when they are forced to work thousands of miles apart-- and it is fun to watch Getty put the clues together from the information Khattak manages to sneak out of the country.

There is also a heightened sense of tension as Khattak is being followed by people who wouldn't bat an eye if they killed him-- and this says nothing about the effects of torture on those who must physically endure it as well as on their loved ones who work for their release. The mystery takes on more twists and turns: the Shah of Iran, the legendary crown jewels of Iran, smuggling, historic letters... Among the Ruins is often a feast for the eye and a feast for the mind of the armchair sleuth (as well as giving a cautious note of hope for Iran's future). I certainly look forward to the next book in this series! show less

"A few miles from where he took tea in a courtyard, screams sounded against the walls of a prison, darkening the skies. A graveyard scarred the hills, witness to the truth. Khattak knew of no way to measure these realities, or to grapple with their contrasts. He felt an unbearable pity for (spoiler), even as he felt the weight of judgment." This is what Ausma Zehanat Khan does so beautifully. She provides a detailed juxtaposition of unspeakable evil and cruelty against a backdrop of peace and beauty. The reader is left feeling the same pity and weight of judgement that Khattak feels.

The mystery is solid, with twists that I did not anticipate, and a believable ending. Another thing that I appreciate so much is AZK's ability to present a show more window into a culture completely different from my own and unknown to me, as a female American WASP. Her insights into Iranian culture are fascinating. Read the author's note at the end of each of her books. I come away from each one feeling as though I've not only been entertained for hours with a thrilling tale, but I've learned something as well and just might be a slightly better person for having read the novel. I cannot wait for the next one. show less

i think this is the first time with any series (save for perhaps...Elena Ferrante), where i have given 4-stars for the first 3 books. (ferrante and khan are very different writers, doing very different things so that's not a comparison of them... just for how strong khan's series is. does that make sense?)

book #3 takes us away from toronto, to iran. the change of location didn't actually diminish the khattak-getty partnership at all and, in fact, allowed them each to develop a bit more, as well as allow a bit of time and development to a few of the recurring toronto-based secondary characters too. as with the previous books, khan does a great job incorporating history, struggles, and devastations. this time focused on political unrest show more in iran, and the evils of evin prison, located in tehran, which is a particularly cruel and deadly place for political prisoners.

khan does a wonderful job heightening the tension in among the ruins. every move, interaction, or curiosity - no matter how innocent - can be viewed as suspect. khan also does a terrific job bringing her settings and characters to life. it's all so vivid and visceral.

this is a very smart series, and khan brings to it a big heart and a lot of sensitivity. show less

This is the second book by Ausma Zehanat Khan that I have read this year. After I read her first book, The Unquiet Dead, I knew I wanted to read more about this crime-solving duo of Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty. They are located in Toronto but for this book Esa is in Iran recovering from whatever happened in Algonquin Park in the second book (note to self: must read that one). Rachel is in Toronto for most of the book and she teams up with Nathan Clare who figured in the first book and who may become a romantic interest.

Esa went to Iran to visit various sites sacred to the Muslim religion. When the book opens he has been in Esfahan which is known for its Persian architecture which dates from the 17th century. On a tour of a neighbouring show more village he is approached by a woman who identifies herself as Touka Swan, a Canadian who does work for the Canadian government in Iran. She tells Esa that a Canadian-Iranian filmmaker, Zahra Sobhani has been killed after being tortured and raped by people acting for the Ministry of Intelligence and Security. The Canadian government wants Esa to look into her death and Touka tells him he is not at "liberty to refuse [his] duty". Reluctantly, because this could put him in danger, Khattak agrees. He contacts his partner Rachel and asks her to talk to Zahra's son in Toronto. Zahra had gone to the notorious Evin prison and was taking pictures outside of people protesting the imprisonment of family members in the prison. It was a risky move and it proved fatal for Zahra. Esa and Rachel surmise that Zahra, who had met with a representative of the Supreme Leader, must have been assured that she would be safe. They also surmise that Zahra had some information that, if disclosed, would cause the government much embarrassment. Esa and Rachel must try to find out what that could have been. In Esfahan Esa starts receiving anonymous letters that give some clues. They are probably from a prisoner who is associated with the Green Birds of June, an activist group that was formed to protest the 2009 election results. Esa meets with some of the local members of the group although he fears he is being watched by a member of the Intelligence and Security department. As his situation gets more precarious Rachel becomes more concerned about him and she decides to fly to Iran to join him. After deciphering a code left behind by Zahra they believe she learned something about the Iranian National Jewels. Between jailed activists, murdering security officials and rare jewels this book has it all.

At the very beginning of the book the author has placed a timeline of Iran's history in modern times (i.e. from 1900 on). That alone is worth taking a look at this book. Those of us in the western world know about the deposing of the Shah and the religious extremists taking control of the country but there is a lot before and after that I, at least, did not know or maybe don't remember. show less

Detective Esa Khattak, a Muslim, has taken time off from the Toronto community policing department to travel to Iran to explore his cultural heritage. But, his exploration is interrupted when he is asked by an Canadian governmental agent to look into the murder in Iran of a Canadian film-maker. Khattak is soon deep into the investigation, treading very carefully, and communicating back to Detective Rachel Getty, his work partner back in Toronto.

I enjoyed following Khattak on his tour, and, as with the previous two installments in this series, I was interested in the experience of a practicing Muslim who is also a cop. And it was interesting to see how someone investigates in a country that is less open.

I read the first two books when show more they first came out some years ago, so it took a bit to settle back in with the characters. These books are intelligent, complex, enjoyable crime novels…they seem to offer far more than the average crime novel; I might dare to say they transcend the genre. show less

3.5 Esa Khattek, a police officer in Canada, on leave due to a death in his last case, travels to Iran to reconnect with his Muslim roots. While there he will become embroiled in the tortuous death at the notorious Evin prison of a Canadian/Iranian filmmaker.

I find this series fascinating, learning about a culture I know little about and a country I will never visit. The many different sides to Iran, from the beautiful mosques, ancient artifacts and beautiful setting, against the corrupt and destructive political system. There are groups in opposition to the leadership but they must be very careful because they can be taken and thrown in prison, never to be seen again. There is no due process in Iran.

Enjoy these characters, the show more immersive, involved plot but because of my lack of knowledge I found some of the plot confusing. Involving the crown jewels, description of gorgeous diamonds, there is much going on and the pace is quick. Canadian and Iranian political future and the biggest mystery of all, what would cause the famous filmmaker to walk right into a lion's den?

Third book in this series and I look forward to more.

ARC from Netgalley. show less

Yet another fascinating book by Ausma Khan. This one has Inspector Khattak and his assistant, Rachel Getty, embark on solving the murder of a Canadian-Iranian filmmaker in Iran. As with her other works, I learn so much about events and peoples that I should know more about. For that, being transported by her mysteries into these other worlds has enriched my life for which I am thankful.