Harem Secrets Paperback – March 25, 2008

1. If you love mystery and if you are intersted in Ottoman period of Istanbul,you will certainly enjoy this book.I recommend this book, especially to those who plan to visit Istanbul to explore its historic past. 2. Istanbul is one of my favorite travel destinations.So when I came across with this book,my expectation was to immerse myself in the era of Sultan Suleyman the magnificent. I soon realized that it was easily fulfilled,because the author vividly describes the scenes in Topkapi Palace,underground cisterns, Covered Bazaar, Galata Tower area and even in Belgrad forest. Fighting, riots and murders take place in these colorful backgrounds. Some of the scenes are beathtaking. I felt as if I was watching an action film. 3.As a mystery,the plot is well calculated. The author keeps attracting attention of a reader till the very end. As the story develops,the tempo accelarates.So it was hard for me to decide when to stop reading,as the time to sleep approached. 4.In short, this book is enlightening as well as exciting. The author provides abundant knowledge on the 16th century Ottoman Istanbul-lives in the Sultan's Court and in the city. I believe the author has a wide range of knowledge on Ottoman history and also had made a thorough research before completing this very fine book.

I have recently finished reading Harem Secrets and I enjoyed it very much. I found the location and period unfamiliar but nevertheless I found the book approachable as it is grounded in the relative familiarity of a classic crime story.

A thrilling detective story set in Istanbul at the pinnacle of Ottoman power. Like any good historical novel, it is unfailingly well researched and brings to life the sights, smells and sounds of this mediaeval city. A page-turning read, it could also serve as a good introduction for students or pupils trying to get a feel for this civilisation for the first time.