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An Evil Eye: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.05) - 316 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
When the admiral of the Ottoman fleet defects to the Egyptians, Investigator Yashim attempts to uncover the man's motives. But Fevzi Pasha is no stranger to Yashim: it was Pasha, in fact, who taught the investigator his craft years ago. He is the only man whom Yashim has ever truly feared: ruthless, cruel, and unswervingly loyal to the sultan. What dark secret has led his former mentor to betray the Ottoman Empire?
Unraveling Pasha's curious history, Yashim is drawn ever deeper into the closed world of the sultan's seraglio, an intimate household populated by the young ruler's women, children, slaves, and eunuchs. It is a well-appointed world ruled by fear, ambition, and deep-seated superstitions—a lap of luxury where talented girls hold sway in the ladies' orchestra.
But as the women of that orchestra inexplicably grow ill and die, Yashim discovers that his investigations into the admiral's defection have their roots in the torturous strictures of the sultan's harem, where every secret is sacred: a place where the normal rules are suspended, and where women can simply disappear.
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"I, once again, enjoyed Yashim's workings in Istanbul. This one centered around the Kapudan (Captain) Pasha's defection, with his fleet, to Egypt. Actually, a lot of the focus was on the drama occurring in the new sultan's harem with the Kapudan Pasha's defection in the background even though everything ties together in the end. Every time I read one of his books, Mr. Goodwin makes me want to travel to Istanbul. It is intriguing how many different cultures made up Istanbul: the sultan's women were from various countries, the peddlers in the street were from different places, it was all so "global". I suppose this isn't a surprising thing, given Istanbul's location but I am always surprised when a community so long ago was so open to "others". Perhaps that shows my midwestern US ignorance. I am sure many other large cities in the 1800s were as rife with various nationalities as Istanbul was. Okay--not much of a review about the book other than I enjoyed it thoroughly and read it very quickly."
— Alexis (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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While Goodwin excels at plotting, the book's main strength lies in the assured depiction of a nation restrained by a corrupt leadership far removed from the old traditions of transparency and justice. The details of how Yashim prepares meals may amuse Robert Parker fans.
— Publishers Weekly Starred Review -
“When you read a historical mystery by Jason Goodwin, you take a magic-carpet ride to the most exotic place on earth.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Goodwin is an author of many strengths…[and his books] just keep getting better…The complicated plot that unfolds is deftly controlled throughout…Goodwin’s prose is sharp and surprising.”
— Washington Post -
“A great addition to a superb series.”
— Globe and Mail (London) -
“Exotic…An elegant meditation on the Ottoman psyche. Goodwin is as concerned with capturing the sights, sounds, and recipes as he is with the murders.”
— Financial Times (London) -
“In Yashim’s investigations the stakes are high indeed…The bare outlines are enlivened by Goodwin’s skillful use of color and detail, especially Yashim’s recipes, which set the reader drooling. As a historian, Goodwin is scrupulous.”
— Independent (London) -
“Masterful…While Goodwin excels at plotting, the book’s main strength lies in the assured depiction of a nation restrained by a corrupt leadership far removed from the old traditions of transparency and justice. The details of how Yashim prepares meals may amuse Robert Parker fans.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Goodwin continues to create historical mysteries with an A-quality plot, excellent historical detail, and a strong sense of place…He is still at the top of his game.”
— Booklist
An Evil Eye Listener Reviews
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" I did not enjoy this adventure of Yasmin the eunuch as much as I did some of the previous ones but it was still a good read. Seemed to be giving a little more backstory to the series and left me thinking more was to come. "
— Kathleen, 1/18/2014 -
" Investigator Yashim is back on the case...and what a disjointed one it is. Though the plots twist and turn (and drop entirely), at least our trusty detective is back in Istanbul. The first two are better and more thrilling, but this one will do. "
— Niki, 1/18/2014 -
" Very confusing plot, but as enjoyable and as fun as always. Loved the depictions of life inside the harem. "
— Carey, 1/16/2014 -
" Thank you again Mr. Goodwin for another puzzler. Yashim is a wonderfully understated hero and detective. He not only solves that tasks assigned but also looks for the greater good...and he is a marvelous cook. I love the food scenes. "
— Angie, 1/14/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this though a map of Istanbul at the beginning of the book would have helped! Detective Yashim is well drawn and I liked reading about the history of the city and the harems. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series. "
— Chris, 12/28/2013 -
" My favorite Yashim thus since the first one. You can feel the pace of history as it overwhelms the Ottomans even as Yashim feverishly moves from the Harem to the diplomatic dance and attempts to evade his past. "
— Charlotte, 12/27/2013 -
" I think that I would have enjoyed this book more if I knew anything about Turkish history OR if I had read one of the previous novels featuring this 'detective.' Favorite part: food descriptions! "
— Katie, 12/7/2013 -
" another great book, read in Syria under circumstances I'll never forget.. "
— Ed, 11/1/2013 -
" LOVE these books! and although I am tempted to give another 5 it probably isn't the BEST of the series but Jason Goodwin does not fail to keep up the wonderful standards of taking us through 'his' world of Istanbul in 1860. I'm happy to read in the end notes that another book is in progress! "
— Pam, 9/16/2013 -
" Really enjoyed it - even better than the last one. Way to go Yashim! "
— Jennifer, 8/28/2013 -
" This was an entertaing read. I loved the history of the Ottoman empire and the reaches of it. The discriptions of Istanbul and the Bospharus coast made me feel like I was there. I also liked the twists and turns of the story, and finding out how Yashim became an enouch. "
— Ann, 8/25/2013 -
" You rally can't go wrong with Jason Goodwin and the Ottoman Empire (check out his Lords of the Horizons). This one is more focused than The Bellini Card and shows us a Yashim embroiled in the coils of harem politics. Thoroughly enjoyable mayhem with delicious recipes! "
— Roger, 12/7/2012 -
" Loved the setting, liked the characters, but I never was able to follow the plot. Good book to read coming home from Turkey. "
— Dana, 7/24/2012 -
" 4th in a mystery series set in 1830's Istanbul. the detective is a eunch. yup. some interesting bits of history as author is a history writer too (award winning history writer) and has recipes. "
— Tuck, 4/16/2012 -
" Good book. I've enjoyed this series. Yashim, the eunuch is a very interesting character. I hope the next installment gives more details about his past. "
— Judy, 4/6/2012 -
" A return to form for Goodwin. Enjoyed the mystery as well as the atmoshphere in this return to Istambul. A melanchology look at life for aging concubines and eunachs. "
— Cynthia, 3/30/2012 -
" What is better than a cosy, well-written historical detective series? Jason Goodwin writes with authority about the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, and his hero, a eunuch named Yashim, is intelligent and engaging. I love this series! "
— Jane, 8/7/2011 -
" Investigator Yashim is back on the case...and what a disjointed one it is. Though the plots twist and turn (and drop entirely), at least our trusty detective is back in Istanbul. The first two are better and more thrilling, but this one will do. "
— Niki, 5/19/2011 -
" Loved the setting, liked the characters, but I never was able to follow the plot. Good book to read coming home from Turkey. "
— Dana, 5/14/2011 -
" This book is the fourth in Goodwin's series about nineteenth century Istanbul and palace officer/detective/eunuch Yashim. It's full of the day-to-day intrigues and Istabuli life that Yashim meets as he performs his duties to the sultan. "
— Norma, 5/9/2011 -
" I enjoyed traveling to Istanbul in the 1830's through this book. Since I jumped into the middle of the series with book four, I may have not understood as much about the characters, but I greatly enjoyed it and intend to start the series and read them through. "
— Kelly, 4/22/2011 -
" I've read all 4 of Goodwin's Yashim books - An Evil Eye is a good'un. I'm a sucker for good historical fiction, and this is that. "
— John, 4/4/2011 -
" Really enjoyed it - even better than the last one. Way to go Yashim! "
— Jennifer, 3/22/2010
About Jason Goodwin
Jason Goodwin is the author of Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire, A Time for Tea: Through China and India in Search of Tea, and On Foot to the Golden Horn, among others. He lives in Sussex, England, with his wife and four children.
About Stephen Hoye
Stephen Hoye has worked as a professional actor in London and Los Angeles for more than thirty years. Trained at Boston University and the Guildhall in London, he has acted in television series and six feature films and has appeared in London’s West End. His audiobook narration has won him fifteen AudioFile Earphones Awards.