The Snake Stone: 2 (Investigator Yashim) - Softcover

"When you read a historical mystery by Jason Goodwin, you take a magic carpet ride to the most exotic place on earth." --Marilyn Stasio, The new York Times Book Review

"Wonderfully entertaining . . . [Goodwin] uses short, punchy chapters and vibrant, atmospheric prose to bring the glory days of the Ottoman capital to life." --Adam Woog, The Seattle Times

"A sinuous novel . . . Mr. Goodwin uses rich historical detail to elevate the books in this series far above the realm of everyday sleuthing. . . . Yashim moves charmingly across the book's complicated landscape. Whether he is stopping to cook, chat, cogitate, interrogate, or renew old acquaintances at the harem, he is a detective with a difference . . . a warmly appealing character." --Janet Maslin, The New York Times

"The real pleasure of The Snake Stone lies in its powerful evocation of the cultural melting pot that was nineteenth-century Istanbul. . . . Goodwin's sharp eye combines with a poetic style to bring the city vividly to lief." --Clare Clark, The Washington Post

"Beguiling . . . You will blissfully lose yourself in Istanbul's winding back alleys and linger awhile in the city's bustling fleshpots and meet Lord Byron's physician as you watch the serenely intelligent and intuitive Yashim investigate." --Rod Cockshutt, The News & Observer