A Noble Killing by Barbara Nadel

My first foray into all matters Turkish, I settled down to read the latest crime thriller by Barbara Nadel called “A Noble Killing” with a hope of gaining an insight into the culture and religion Turkey affords.

What I found was a deeply engrossing story, one that took me deeper into the inner sanctum of the Muslim faith and the strength and weaknesses of family life not only in Istanbul but the surrounding villages – far deeper than I had anticipated. I wasn’t prepared for the journey I took and found the book to be not only educational but very well written with a strong prose.

A young girl (Gozde Seyhan) has been burnt alive, she was doused in petrol and left to die an excruciatingly painful death in her parent’s apartment in Istanbul. Inspectors Cetin Ikmen and Mehmet Suleyman are off duty and noticing the commotion the pair offer their support to the fire chief. When they enter the blackened apartment, Cetin Ikmen, an experienced officer in his fifties, is certain that Gozde is another victim of honour killings – he now has to prove it.

Further investigations by the police reveal that the Gozde had a secret boyfriend who has curiously disappeared. It transpires that the couple were sexting and exchanging intimate photographs all the while keeping their relationship from their families. Keen to locate the boy, the detectives begin a relentless search of internet cafes but to no avail. The investigation intensifies and suspect after suspect is brought in for questioning but progress is hampered by a wall of silence from the accused.

“A Noble Killing” is available to buy from The Book Depository (free P&P).

Further murders complicate matters as Ikmen and his fellow officers rush to find the killers responsible before another life is taken. In a story that looks at illicit relationships, the Muslim faith and homosexuality, Nadel doesn’t shy away from sensitive topics and delivers a well-balanced book – The narrative is strong and informative.

When I first began reading “A Noble Killing”, having not read any of her previous novels, I expected a straight forward crime thriller, a few bodies and a police chase or two – the book it turns out is so much more. I know very little about the Muslim faith and all the intricacies it affords but the deeper I read the more I discovered – Nadel touching on the fact that not all Muslims in the post 9/11 world are terrorists. It really is a sensitive subject but the author treats the religion with due deference and gives a balanced and well thought out view.

Honour Killing is the principle theme running throughout the book, Ikmen certain that the deaths can be attributed to the age old practice of righting a dishonour to have befallen a family by inappropriate clothing, homosexuality and sexual acts outside a marriage to name but three examples.

An atmospheric book, you can smell the aroma of apple tobacco wafting through the pages in “A Noble Killing”. My first introduction to Cetin Ikmen and his detectives – I’ll be sure to revisit the streets of Instanbul soon.

Published by Headline “A Noble Killing” is available to buy from The Book Depository (free P&P)