Title: The Topkapi Secret
Author: Terry Kelhawk
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Pub Date: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-61614-213-1
Pages: 402
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free for my honest review.
Synopsis:
On display at Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul lies the Topkapi Codex, an ancient manuscript of the Koran. Its secrets are just out of reach, sealed behind impenetrable glass. Is its text the key to exploding a centuries old myth about the Koran? Are its pages stained with the blood of one of the Prophet Mohammed's mortally wounded followers? No one knows, because the Topkapi Codex is off limits.
Mohammed Atareek is committed to gaining access to the museum's forbidden manuscript. His research leads him to believe that the Koran hides within it an extraordinary secret-a truth that would turn the Muslim world upside down. Evidence lies within the Topkapi Codex, but the risks involved increase as other Koranic scholars start turning up dead.
Angela has lost just about everything except her money and her job. On a study trip to the Middle East, her research on women's issues gets sidetracked when her path crosses Mohammed's. His overconfident, impulisve behavior is strangely refreshing, but when he tries to engage Angela in his quest, he finds she has an agenda of her own. Death awaits at every turn, and sparks of romance fly in this compelling adventure that reaches from United States, across Europe, and through exotic settings of North Africa and the Middle East.
Based on solid historical research, The Topkapi Secret is a captivating debut novel of romance and mystery that sizzles like the desert heat with vivd characters, a page turning plot, colorful locales, and eye opening facts about the Muslim holy book.
About the Author:
Terry Kelhawk is an award winning writer, speaker, and teacher. She holds a doctorate degree and has considerable personal and professional experience with the Middle East and Islam.
About the Book:
After reading this book, I have added a new author to my favorites list. The book is stock piled with romance, adventure, and intrigue that will keep you guessing and turning the pages as quickly as you can. The book is so well written that it delves the reader into a world that many are not familiar with and gives you a sense of having known the details of the Koran and Islamic world your entire life. I did not feel removed from the book and its contents due to not knowing specifics on the Middle East or Islam. You are immersed and feel as if you are running along with Mohammed and Angela as they are searching for answers. I highly recommend you get this book and snuggle down into your favorite reading spot and get prepared to stay there for a good while, as you won't be able to tear yourself away from the story.
Other Reviews:
"Meticulously researched, this richly textured debut novel will capture your imagination from the beginning, pull you into the intrigue and adventure, and never let go. An extensive cast of characters complements the story's intricate details, which include origins of the Koran."
-RT Book Reviews
"Terry Kelhawk's book, The Topkapi Secret, is an exciting and captivating novel that takes the reader on a thrilling ride through mystery and intrigue set in multiple cities across the Middle East. This is a book that you will be hard pressed to put down."
-Michael Levene, Renowned Hollywood publicist and author
-In The Topkapi Secret, Terry Kelhawk gives us the gift of a gripping adventure with electric tension crackling from almost every page. However, it also shines a laser beam of clarity onto the ancient religions and rituals, reinforced by traditional texts that fuel the furies of fanatics and fiends. Watch as Kelhawk shows destiny unfolding and history being shaped."
-Rabbi Daniel Lapin, Cochair of the American Alliance of Jews and Christians
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