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Monday, October 17, 2011

The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin

The Crime Fiction on a Euro Pass hosted by Kerrie Smith at her blog, Mysteries in Paradise, has reached its final destination in Turkey. I have chosen a book from the 19th Century when it was still known as the Ottoman Empire. It has been an interesting literary journey around Europe for the past few months.

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33. - 348.) The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin – In 1836 ennuch, Yashim, is called to the Sultan’s Court for 2 investigations. Four young officers of the New Guard have disappeared and one has been found gruesomely killed. In the harem the jewels of the Valide (Sultan’s mother) have been stolen and a Circassian girl has been murdered. Yashim’s investigation delves deep into exotic Istanbul. He keeps coming across signs of the destroyed Janissary corps (an elite army unit which had gone corrupt). One of Yashim’s friends is Stanislaw Palewski, the Polish ambassador (even though Poland ceased to exist a generation earlier). There is a startling encounter with Eugenia, the Russian ambassador’s wife. I had not read a novel featuring a ennuch. The emotions and challenges were moving. The ending is a touch contrived. Overall it is a skilful beginning to a new series. Hardcover (July 25/06)
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10 comments:

  1. KerrieOctober 17, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    This has been on my "to read" list for a while. Must get around to it sometime. Thanks for taking part Bill

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  2. Bill SelnesOctober 17, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    Kerrie: Thanks for the comment. I believe you will enjoy the book. I have enjoyed the journey around Europe with you as the conductor.

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  3. Maxine ClarkeOctober 18, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    I had this one on my shelves for a few years but never got around to reading it; I've since passed it on in one of my periodic attempts to reduce the vast pile of books to read. It sounds as if I should probably look out for it again, when I don't have a long queue.

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  4. Bill SelnesOctober 18, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Maxine: I would keep your eyes open. It was a book with insight into a new world for me.

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  5. Dorte HOctober 18, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    I haven´t come across many eunuchs in crime fiction either. I believe I have read one crime story which took place in Turkey, but I may be mistaken as it was before my blogging days.

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  6. Bill SelnesOctober 18, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Dorte: Thanks for the comment. I think the Janissary Tree is the only mystery I have read that was set in Turkey.

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  7. AnonymousOctober 19, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    Bill - Thanks for this well-crafted review. I happen to like historical mysteries, so this one got my attention right away. I'm also intrigued by the setting and premise. I'm going to have to look out for it.

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  8. Bill SelnesOctober 19, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Margot: Thanks for the comment. The book has a good combination of history and mystery.

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  9. AnonymousOctober 20, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    I bought this book 2 years ago and still haven't read it. Maybe next year? The only books that I have read featuring eunuchs are Chinese epics which I adore. The eunuchs play central roles in these books.

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  10. Bill SelnesOctober 20, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Violette: Thanks for the comment. I am not familiar with Chinese epics. Can you recommend any?

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