The Janissary Tree: A Novel Audiobook

" Really enjoyed this unusual mystery set in Istanbul in the 1830s. Looking forward to further in this series as the characters were so engaging. "

" Great setting (Ottoman Empire) and memorable characters (A eunuch, an ambassador without a country, a cross-dressing dancer to name a few)...This is a quick and enjoyable read. "

" A nice historical fiction/mystery about the Ottoman Empire in the 1830's. The pacing was relatively fast without skipping richness of description. The overall story worked very well, especially for a first novel. I look forward to seeing how the main character, a eunuch named Yashim, develops over the course of the series. "

" Entertaining mystery set in 19th century Istanbul "

" A terrific and intriguing setting, but the mystery was rather disappointing. "

" This won a Gold Dagger? "

" I am a sucker for historical mysteries, so I really enjoyed this look at 19th century Istanbul. "

" Not my usual time period for what I tend to read, but a good book. Very interesting characters! "

" The Janissary Tree purports to be a mystery but in this novel the mystery does not appear to ever get solved. It is an interesting commentary on a segment of the Ottoman Empire, so if one knew nothing about it, after reading this book one would know a few new things. "

" Really fun subject matter: eunuch detective in 1830s Istanbul! But NOT very well written. More interesting for the details of the sultan's court and Istanbul life than as an aesthetic experience... "

" Well-written historical mystery. More history, less mystery though. lovedthe characters. and the descriptions of food. "

" I should have known a book that joz_pierce kept nattering about would be this stupid. "

" Ottoman. Rec. by Mary M. "

" A mystery led by an eunuch thru the Ottoman Empire in the 1830's. "

" Liked the setting, couldn't get into the story or characters. "

" An entertaining literary drama with enough historical accuracy to satisfy the purist. Extraordinarily well written. Great characters. "

" The plot was quite interesting but I am not particularly impressed with the historical bits. For instance the Janissaries were Bektashis, there is no such thing as Karagoz sect. "

" Recommended by my mother-in-law (great knowledge and judgement regarding literature in general and mysteries in particular). Terrific late-Ottoman Empire Istambul setting including the revolt of the Jannisaries- a great fun read. "

" Well-deserving of its Edgar nomination - clever use of vernacular dialogue and a drum-tight plot makes this a historical winner. "

" Istanbul in the 1850's. Just enough exotic details, history, and food to keep my interest. "

" really really good. Kind of like a Poirot mystery in the Ottoman Empire. Except the main investigator has no testicles (he's a eunich). Well-written and a good entertaining dip into turkish history and culture. "

" I thought I would love this but found it oh so hard to get into. maybe you need more Ottoman history before starting? Interesting nevertheless . "

" A very evocative portrait of Istanbul in the 1830's. The author's writing is very lush and vivid, especially of place and food. An easy dollop of history goes down as well. The mystery...well, let's say it's secondary. I would not call this a great "mystery" series. "

" Finally got to read the first in this series dealing with the problem solving eunuch, Yashim, in the Ottoman Empire in the 1820s. Enjoyed it just as much, if not more than the others I've read in the series and convinced me to try the author's history of the Ottomans. "

" I finished this one this morning, and, it was quite satisfying...I loved the descriptions of Istanbul, and the detective character, Yahsim, is a unique one. He also has unique friends (and enemies).I am looking forward to the next ones in the series. "

" Entertaining mystery set in 19th century Istanbul "

" This one beat me. I'll confess right now, when I can't get into a book I'll give up quickly. There is just too much out there for me to fight through a book I cannot sympathize with. "

" The setting,not the "mystery" make this story. "

" I found this one difficult to read, mostly because I'm unfamiliar with the history and geography of the setting. However, the mystery plot was very entertaining. "

" We read this for The Dean's Book Club at Russell Sage College. Interesting. "

" Wonderful mystery set in nineteenth century Istanbul. "

" liked it a lot - really transports the reader to constantinople of the past. "