Peak Picks & Reviews

It’s always made me feel sick, that tree. Thinking of the men hanged in the branches, like fruit. And the Janissary corpses piled around its trunk. It must have blood in it, Yash. Blood in its roots. Introduction  Jason Goodwin’s The Janissary Tree is a richly textured historical mystery set in 19th-century Istanbul. Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel, the book introduces Yashim, an unconventional sleuth who is also a eunuch, as he navigates a perilous investigation into a series of murders within the complex and treacherous layers of Ottoman society. Goodwin weaves historical depth, an intricate plot, and vivid cultural details, offering a unique glimpse into a fascinating historical period while presenting an engrossing mystery. Synopsis  The novel is set in Istanbul during the 1830s, a time of transformation and turmoil within the Ottoman Empire. Yashim, the protagonist, is called upon to investigate a series of mysterious disappearances and gruesome deaths linked to ...

It came down to this: if I had not been arrested by the Turkish police, I would have been arrested by the Greek police. Introduction  Eric Ambler, often regarded as one of the pioneers of the modern espionage novel, made a lasting impact on the genre with his intricate plots, morally ambiguous characters, and incisive social commentary. The Light of Day, first published in 1962, is no exception. The novel is a masterclass in suspense, presenting a fascinating intersection of crime and espionage set against the backdrop of post-war Europe. Through the eyes of an anti-hero, Arthur Abdel Simpson, Ambler weaves a taut, clever narrative that is both thrilling and unexpectedly humorous. This review will provide an analysis of the novel, touching on its synopsis, key themes, and a critical assessment of its place within Ambler's body of work and the broader thriller genre. Synopsis  The Light of Day follows the misadventures of Arthur Abdel Simpson, a half-English, half-Egyptian pett...