Istanbul passage

a novel

English language

Published Jan. 8, 2012 by Atria Books.

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"From the acclaimed, bestselling author of Stardust, The Good German, and Los Alamos--a gripping tale of an American undercover agent in 1945 Istanbul who descends into the murky cat-and-mouse world of compromise and betrayal that will come to define the entire post-war era. A neutral capital straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul has spent the war as a magnet for refugees and spies. Even American businessman Leon Bauer has been drawn into this shadow world, doing undercover odd jobs and courier runs for the Allied war effort. Now as the espionage community begins to pack up and an apprehensive city prepares for the grim realities of post-war life, he is given one more assignment, a routine job that goes fatally wrong, plunging him into a tangle of intrigue and moral confusion. Played out against the bazaars and mosques and faded mansions of this knowing, ancient Ottoman city, Leon's attempt to save …

1 edition

Review of 'Istanbul passage' on 'Goodreads'

This brooding, smoky, mystery masterfully evokes late 1940's Istanbul and the weary hang-over of wartime. The story centers on the character of Alexi, a traitor to Romanian dictator Antonescu and the Russians, as well as an alleged butcher of Jews. His whispered crimes cast a creepy pallor over the plot especially support the compelling character of protagonist Leo Bauer. The women characters, in spy-thriller fashion, can be deceptive or vapid, a shadow of substance suggested by Anna, Leon's wife who has gone into some sort of catatonia that is never fully explained.

The set is full of fiesty international characters, and the atmosphere film noir meets Istanbul. I loved it, it is a cut above your average historical mystery.

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Subjects

  • Cold War
  • FICTION / General
  • FICTION / Suspense
  • Americans
  • Fiction
  • Intelligence agents
  • FICTION / Espionage