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Harem Secrets

by Alum Bati

298 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #07-2587; ISBN 1-4251-5750-5; US$21.29, C$21.29, EUR14.54, £10.99

1530, Istanbul. In the centre of empire lurks sexual depravity, murder, intrigue, lies, spies, and deceit. Adam Pasha, the Chief Justice, investigates a death in the Imperial Harem.

About the Book

Spring in Istanbul in 1530 should have been a time of happiness but far from being happy, Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, ruling the mighty Ottoman Empire, was a desperately worried man.

Just a few months before, Suleyman's armies faced a humiliating retreat from the walls of Vienna. His troops are restless. The city is awash with spies and cut-throats. To top it all, the beautiful Shireen, Treasurer of the Imperial Harem dies in mysterious circumstances. As rumours of murder, intrigue and sexual depravity grip the city, Suleyman scrambles to deflect suspicion from his favourite, Khurrem.

The Sultan turns to Adam Pasha, his Chief Justice. Before long, the scholarly judge finds himself caught in a sinister web of lies and deceit. Aided by Murat, his trusty Georgian steward, and Mikhail, a fast-rising palace physician, Adam sets about investigating Shireen's death. But neither the Sultan nor the Grand Vizier, Adam's erstwhile mentor, seem inclined to make matters easy.

With the Harem off-limits, how can Adam conduct his investigation? Who will protect him from the inquisitorial and ruthless Grand Vizier, himself rumoured to be plotting to seize the throne? As he digs deeper, Adam Pasha discovers that the State is rotting at its core and his own life is in dire peril.

Moving from the Topkapi Palace to the fish and naval docks at Galata, from the Covered Bazaar and the underground cisterns to the Sultan's hunting grounds, this is Istanbul as never seen before.

About the Author

Educated at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies and the Inns of Court School of Law, this is Alum's first novel. Alum, born in London, now lives in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he is founder of the Azerbaijan Cricket and History Clubs, and is a director of the American Chamber of Commerce and of the Centre for Innovation in Education. Alum has been an Adjunct Professor of Law and is Honorary Legal Adviser to the British Ambassador in Azerbaijan.