Set amid a period of political turmoil and unrest in 1840s' Istanbul, Jason Goodwin's historical thriller An Evil Eye involves Yashim, the investigator.
Murder mystery
The story unfolds with the death of Sultan Mahmut II, bringing a young inexperienced ruler into the fray. The discovery of a corpse in the well of a monastery threatens to disrupt the already strained truce between Russia and Turkey when Yashim, the investigator uncovers evidence which indicates that the victim was of Russian origin.
Relentless pursuit by anonymous foes strengthens Yashim's resolve to delve deeper into the case. Treachery and long buried secrets are brought out into the open threatening Yashim and everyone around him.
Another running storyline involves the harem of the deceased ruler. The world of these women, who spend their entire lives in servitude to the Pasha (Sultan), is portrayed in a stark and often brutal manner by the author. Yashim, who happens to be a eunuch, is able to gain exclusive access into the foreboding world of the women in the harem and finds that it is also a place that harbours dark secrets of its own. During the investigation, Yashim encounters his old rival, Fevzi Pasha who is associated with mysterious events involving the harem. Yashim proves to be the heart and soul of the story and the author provides further insight into the mysterious past of the character.
Insights
A historical mystery by genre, the author takes the readers on a tour of 1840's Turkey dwelling extensively on the customs and traditions of the people of those times. This works for the most part. However, there are certain portions in the book which tend to hamper the pace of the story.
The manner of writing also involves multiple storylines running together at the same time. This aims to increase reader involvement in the plot, but the pace has been compromised during such moments. Also, the culinary skills of Yashim, albeit admirable, serve as unnecessary distractions, which in no way work toward the progression of the story.
The portions about the harem prove to be haunting glimpses into a world which has its share of deadly secrets. Although slow and unevenly paced at times, the detailed explanations of the culture and customs of that era will be appreciated by fans of historical fiction.
Rufus is a trainee with Cognizant.
Title: An Evil Eye
Author: Jason Goodwin
Publisher: Penguin India
Price: Rs. 499
