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Inspector Ikmen #13
A Noble Killing
The brilliant new Istanbul crime novel from Barbara Nadel delves into the shocking world of honor killing In Turkey, the police are called to the scene of what seems to be the honor killing of a young girl. Burned alive, she is not the first girl to suffer such an horrific death in Istanbul. Further investigations by Inspectors Cetin Ikmen and Mehmet Suleyman reveal that the girl had a secret boyfriend who has now disappeared. He and the girl's family are prime suspects, even though forensic evidence is scant. Why does the family, in common with other families of girls immolated in the city, now appear to be broke? There are also links to an infamous local gangster. Religion, organized crime, and the lengths some people will go to in order to conform, come together in a tragic story of violence in a divided and changing society.
374 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
25 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Nadel
60 books212 followersBarbara Nadel is an English crime-writer. Many of her books are set in Turkey. Born in the East End of London, Barbara Nadel trained as an actress before becoming a writer. Now writing full-time, she has previously worked as a public relations officer for the National Schizophrenia Fellowship's Good Companion Service and as a mental health advocate for the mentally disordered in a psychiatric hospital. She has also worked with sexually abused teenagers and taught psychology in schools and colleges, and is currently the patron of a charity that cares for those in emotional and mental distress. She has been a regular visitor to Turkey for more than twenty-five years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 4, 2019
Another very good crime novel set in Istanbul from Barbara Nadel, this time revolving around the theme of 'honour killings' of young women organised by their families, in this case conservative Muslims who have migrated from Anatolian villages to Istanbul.
March 27, 2014
Another in this police detective series in Turkey shortly after Kemal Ataturk. There are people from all walks of life including impoverished former nobility, some very rich former nobility, immigrants from many countries and rural people who have come to the city hoping for work and a better life. There are also minorities and every degree from the strictest fundamentalists to the very liberal all living there and more coming in. It's a period of change. And as you go on with the series you learn the people and their backgrounds and mores. This includes an inner look through the eyes of various people from all different situations and many issues come to light....such as honor killings, repressed females, homosexuality, crime and punishment, and as was done in the sultan court circle...how to neutralize competition for power inheritance. And attitudes towards "superior" blood and purity. And where Turkey was fitting in with both East and West. I'm really enjoying this.
September 2, 2012
One of the best mystery series you've never heard of. I continue to enjoy the adventures of Inspector Ikmen and his colleagues in Istanbul. Nadel expertly weaves together the personal and professional lives of these officers as they attempt to solve what seems to be a honor killing. Other disparate events occur that could be related or maybe not related to the deaths of several girls in fires. She left plenty of surprises too and unlike some previous tales didn't culminate too early.
July 18, 2012
This is the fifth book I have read by this lady and the most interesting.
Like quite a few others working in the genre, she has added spice to the detective story by writing about a different and fascinating world: her detective is Turkish and the stories are mostly - but not all - set in Istanbul.
So you get suspense plus a journey into another culture.
This book is particularly fascinating because it deals with a problem we have had imported here: honour killings. The writer is exceptionally good at revealing the tensions in a society where huge numbers of very conservative people are moving into what has always been a pretty sophisticated city. After all, this was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
I now realise why, the last time I was in Istanbul, my partner was subjected to quite a lot of nasty looks. Although she is Italian she could easily appear to be Turkish.
I would recommend any of this writer's books if like me you like crime and you're interested in what's happening in other, strange places - and starting, God help us - to happen here.
Like quite a few others working in the genre, she has added spice to the detective story by writing about a different and fascinating world: her detective is Turkish and the stories are mostly - but not all - set in Istanbul.
So you get suspense plus a journey into another culture.
This book is particularly fascinating because it deals with a problem we have had imported here: honour killings. The writer is exceptionally good at revealing the tensions in a society where huge numbers of very conservative people are moving into what has always been a pretty sophisticated city. After all, this was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
I now realise why, the last time I was in Istanbul, my partner was subjected to quite a lot of nasty looks. Although she is Italian she could easily appear to be Turkish.
I would recommend any of this writer's books if like me you like crime and you're interested in what's happening in other, strange places - and starting, God help us - to happen here.
November 24, 2021
A mystery set in present day Turkey written by a British female author. The first I've read of hers (this is #13). I'm guessing that she spent some time living in Turkey since she describes in detail areas of Istanbul. It was interesting and disturbing since it included two 'honour' killings of daughters who tried to choose their own partners.
April 3, 2015
I really enjoy Barbara Nadel's mysteries, mostly because they're about Inspector Ikmen in Istanbul. This book reports the horrific practice of honor killings, which is prevalent in many Muslim countries.
June 13, 2021
Set in modern day Istanbul, this novel brings forward the barbaric practice of honour killings - the murders of wives or young daughters for having "brought shame" to their families. Eye-opening and very disturbing, both at the same time.
October 14, 2012
Another excellent view into the culture of Turkey and a rather gruesome practice. I enjoy the advancing ongoing plotline of the major characters, as well.
September 16, 2024
Honor killings, hijabs and jihads. Love the characters, disappointed in Suleyman.
June 25, 2025
Not for me unfortunately
February 16, 2012
Another series that I really should be doing a better job keeping up with as Barbara Nadel writes about Turkey in a way that's vivid, believable and extremely entertaining.
A NOBLE KILLING is the 13th book in the Inspector Cetin Ikmen series, although it might be fairer to combine that with Inspector Mehmet Suleyman who seems to have raised his profile in this book. (Needless to say I'm behind, so I'm not sure if this is a phenomena in this book or something that's been ongoing). Not, I suspect, would Suleyman be that thrilled with his starring role here as most of the concentration is firmly on his extra-marital activities.
The core subject matter of A NOBLE KILLING is a confrontational issue - the so called "honour" killing of young girls who have, according to their family's belief in restrictive social rules, behaved immorally. There are other elements built into the story - marital infidelity, the class structure that drives relationships, homosexuality, the tensions between secular and Islamic Turkey and the difference that a shift of people from more conservative rural areas into Istanbul is having on areas of the city. Whilst the subject matter is, frequently unflinching, the style of telling the story is measured, often demonstrating the difference between fanatical adherence to an interpretation of faith, and more tolerant and accepting attitudes.
The book starts out with the burning death of Gozde, the teenage daughter of a couple from rural Turkey. Inspector Ikmen is aware of a number of suspicious deaths of young girls, with the coincidence that all of their families become financially constrained after the girls die. Whilst there are some sectors of Turkish society that have always supported these sorts of honour killings, often calling upon young family members to commit the murder as they are less likely to incur heavy sentences, it seems that there's something even more sinister going on and Ikmen is determined to stamp it out. At the same time, a violent killing takes place in another part of the city, the victim a homosexual music teacher, stabbed in his bed. Two of his teenage students again draw the eye of the police. One boy is the spoilt son of a wealthy family; the other the son of drug addicts, his mother a street prostitute, he has become a radicalised Muslim. The investigations into both threads of the book are, however, hampered by Suleyman's professional neglect and interference, as well as the complicity of the the girl's own families in their deaths.
Given that A NOBLE KILLING is tackling the difficult subject of religious and social dictates that are used to control, subjugate and frequently kill women and girls who do not adhere to the "rules" established by others, it is a careful, considered and thoughtful book. There is consideration given to the background of the victims and their families, to the nature of personal relationships where there is a power imbalance and to the consequences of actions or inactions on those family members. Nadel also contrasts the more fanatical, strict side of Turkish and Islamic society well with the liberal, tolerant aspects. She uses different aspects of society and the people to do that. Drawing a connection between familial dictates and Suleyman's gypsy lover Gonca, as well as taking that tension right into a family with one religious, devout brother and his policeman, non-devout brother learning to live with each other's beliefs and lifestyle. They are particularly illustrative touches, in what is a fast moving, atmospheric and gripping book which provides a reader with an immersion feeling for Turkey, it's inhabitants, and a society dealing with a very current day challenge.
A NOBLE KILLING is the 13th book in the Inspector Cetin Ikmen series, although it might be fairer to combine that with Inspector Mehmet Suleyman who seems to have raised his profile in this book. (Needless to say I'm behind, so I'm not sure if this is a phenomena in this book or something that's been ongoing). Not, I suspect, would Suleyman be that thrilled with his starring role here as most of the concentration is firmly on his extra-marital activities.
The core subject matter of A NOBLE KILLING is a confrontational issue - the so called "honour" killing of young girls who have, according to their family's belief in restrictive social rules, behaved immorally. There are other elements built into the story - marital infidelity, the class structure that drives relationships, homosexuality, the tensions between secular and Islamic Turkey and the difference that a shift of people from more conservative rural areas into Istanbul is having on areas of the city. Whilst the subject matter is, frequently unflinching, the style of telling the story is measured, often demonstrating the difference between fanatical adherence to an interpretation of faith, and more tolerant and accepting attitudes.
The book starts out with the burning death of Gozde, the teenage daughter of a couple from rural Turkey. Inspector Ikmen is aware of a number of suspicious deaths of young girls, with the coincidence that all of their families become financially constrained after the girls die. Whilst there are some sectors of Turkish society that have always supported these sorts of honour killings, often calling upon young family members to commit the murder as they are less likely to incur heavy sentences, it seems that there's something even more sinister going on and Ikmen is determined to stamp it out. At the same time, a violent killing takes place in another part of the city, the victim a homosexual music teacher, stabbed in his bed. Two of his teenage students again draw the eye of the police. One boy is the spoilt son of a wealthy family; the other the son of drug addicts, his mother a street prostitute, he has become a radicalised Muslim. The investigations into both threads of the book are, however, hampered by Suleyman's professional neglect and interference, as well as the complicity of the the girl's own families in their deaths.
Given that A NOBLE KILLING is tackling the difficult subject of religious and social dictates that are used to control, subjugate and frequently kill women and girls who do not adhere to the "rules" established by others, it is a careful, considered and thoughtful book. There is consideration given to the background of the victims and their families, to the nature of personal relationships where there is a power imbalance and to the consequences of actions or inactions on those family members. Nadel also contrasts the more fanatical, strict side of Turkish and Islamic society well with the liberal, tolerant aspects. She uses different aspects of society and the people to do that. Drawing a connection between familial dictates and Suleyman's gypsy lover Gonca, as well as taking that tension right into a family with one religious, devout brother and his policeman, non-devout brother learning to live with each other's beliefs and lifestyle. They are particularly illustrative touches, in what is a fast moving, atmospheric and gripping book which provides a reader with an immersion feeling for Turkey, it's inhabitants, and a society dealing with a very current day challenge.
January 22, 2011
My first foray into all matters Turkish, I settled down to read the latest crime thriller by Barbara Nadel called “A Noble Killing” with a hope of gaining an insight into the culture and religion Turkey affords.
What I found was a deeply engrossing story, one that took me deeper into the inner sanctum of the Muslim faith and the strength and weaknesses of family life not only in Istanbul but the surrounding villages - far deeper than I had anticipated. I wasn’t prepared for the journey I took and found the book to be not only educational but very well written with a strong prose.
A young girl (Gozde Seyhan) has been burnt alive, she was doused in petrol and left to die an excruciatingly painful death in her parent’s apartment in Istanbul. Inspectors Cetin Ikmen and Mehmet Suleyman are off duty and noticing the commotion the pair offer their support to the fire chief. When they enter the blackened apartment, Cetin Ikmen, an experienced officer in his fifties, is certain that Gozde is another victim of honour killings – he now has to prove it.
Further investigations by the police reveal that the Gozde had a secret boyfriend who has curiously disappeared. It transpires that the couple were sexting and exchanging intimate photographs all the while keeping their relationship from their families. Keen to locate the boy, the detectives begin a relentless search of internet cafes but to no avail. The investigation intensifies and suspect after suspect is brought in for questioning but progress is hampered by a wall of silence from the accused.
Further murders complicate matters as Ikmen and his fellow officers rush to find the killers responsible before another life is taken. In a story that looks at illicit relationships, the Muslim faith and homosexuality, Nadel doesn’t shy away from sensitive topics and delivers a well-balanced book - The narrative is strong and informative.
Full review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2011/01/22...
What I found was a deeply engrossing story, one that took me deeper into the inner sanctum of the Muslim faith and the strength and weaknesses of family life not only in Istanbul but the surrounding villages - far deeper than I had anticipated. I wasn’t prepared for the journey I took and found the book to be not only educational but very well written with a strong prose.
A young girl (Gozde Seyhan) has been burnt alive, she was doused in petrol and left to die an excruciatingly painful death in her parent’s apartment in Istanbul. Inspectors Cetin Ikmen and Mehmet Suleyman are off duty and noticing the commotion the pair offer their support to the fire chief. When they enter the blackened apartment, Cetin Ikmen, an experienced officer in his fifties, is certain that Gozde is another victim of honour killings – he now has to prove it.
Further investigations by the police reveal that the Gozde had a secret boyfriend who has curiously disappeared. It transpires that the couple were sexting and exchanging intimate photographs all the while keeping their relationship from their families. Keen to locate the boy, the detectives begin a relentless search of internet cafes but to no avail. The investigation intensifies and suspect after suspect is brought in for questioning but progress is hampered by a wall of silence from the accused.
Further murders complicate matters as Ikmen and his fellow officers rush to find the killers responsible before another life is taken. In a story that looks at illicit relationships, the Muslim faith and homosexuality, Nadel doesn’t shy away from sensitive topics and delivers a well-balanced book - The narrative is strong and informative.
Full review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2011/01/22...
February 27, 2017
A police procedural novel set in the mean streets of Istanbul, Turkey. The writing is competent, if unspectacular. The plotting is effective with the detectives considering many avenues that, just like in real life, turn out to be dead ends. Unfortunately, the author makes use of the now all too common technique of jumping away from scenes just as something is developing. Yes, we're all told that his makes the reader want to continue to see what happens, but it makes for a very choppy read and after the 30th jump, it's no longer suspense building.
The story centers on what appears to be the honor killing of a teenage girl recently moved to the big city with her family from the countryside. As is sadly all too often the case, urban mores clash with rural values, and a girl ends up dead. In this case, though, the investigation takes the police into unanticipated venues as they try to figure out who killed the girl.
While the author apparently visits Istanbul frequently, there is little in the writing that really paints a picture of the place. Yes, there are lots of place names bandied about, and I have no doubt that they are accurate, but I really don't "feel" Istanbul as I read. As for the Turkish characters, despite frequent references to the clash of Islamist versus Ataturkist values, they come across more as British liberals who have been transported from London to Istanbul as opposed to genuine Turks.
Just as a final warning to some: The book is saturated with sex. Nothing obscenely graphic, but it does leave you wondering when some of the characters have time to do anything else like commit or investigate crimes.
The story centers on what appears to be the honor killing of a teenage girl recently moved to the big city with her family from the countryside. As is sadly all too often the case, urban mores clash with rural values, and a girl ends up dead. In this case, though, the investigation takes the police into unanticipated venues as they try to figure out who killed the girl.
While the author apparently visits Istanbul frequently, there is little in the writing that really paints a picture of the place. Yes, there are lots of place names bandied about, and I have no doubt that they are accurate, but I really don't "feel" Istanbul as I read. As for the Turkish characters, despite frequent references to the clash of Islamist versus Ataturkist values, they come across more as British liberals who have been transported from London to Istanbul as opposed to genuine Turks.
Just as a final warning to some: The book is saturated with sex. Nothing obscenely graphic, but it does leave you wondering when some of the characters have time to do anything else like commit or investigate crimes.
April 13, 2015
A very interesting read. A mystery set in contemporary Istanbul, Turkey, it pits a secular and/or liberal Muslim Istanbul culture and police force against recent immigrants from villages who think a teenage girl or wife who speaks to an unrelated male should be put to death. The reader gets to understand the motivations and feelings of these families. A kink in this is that until recently, teenage male family members were expected to do the murder and get a light sentence because of their age; recent updates to Turkey's laws punish the perpetrators more harshly, creating a market for paid contract killers in modern Istanbul to carry out villagers'demands for death of female family members who behave in modern ways.
Relationships and tensions within the police and community between moderate and traditional Turks, Armenians, Jews and Roma, each with their own prejudices and beliefs, are explored as well.
Relationships and tensions within the police and community between moderate and traditional Turks, Armenians, Jews and Roma, each with their own prejudices and beliefs, are explored as well.
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July 27, 2023Good series to read
September 9, 2022
This latest instalment of the stories of Istanbul crime and inspector Çetin has a really great plot with a shocking dénouement. The structure of this story is clever as always and the team of familiar characters who try to understand the reasons behind the crimes of honour killings and and the protagonists within families is shocking.Shining a light on an unspoken part of modern culture and within certain faiths results is a challenging story but Barbara Nadel once again pulls the reader in - enthrals but also educates in many ways. The sub plot of Inspector Suleyman’s relationship with Conca- the gypsy - and the repercussions to those around adds another dimension to families,culture , traditions and honour. This is one of the strongest stories in the series so far. I really enjoyed it - if that’s the right phrase of a tough subject matter
April 13, 2020
Reading out of sequence. Inspector Ikemen loves to smoke, he is not happy about the new none smoking rules about to be put in place, but, that is the least of his worries. His beloved city, in Turkey has bigger problems. There has been a rush of honour killings, young Turkish women, whose' families have come from the countryside are bing killed. Who is doing these terrible deeds and how can they be stopped? Mehmet Suleyman is totally distracted with his love life, and is not doing his job, while the police department do not appear to be talking to each other, otherwise the murders could have been solved faster. A music teacher is killed, and there are religious overtones as well as a cold blooded killers is a foot!
April 6, 2013
Intriguing - this is a middle book in a series that was recommended to me. It set in Istanbul and this one focused on honour killings and the tensions between secular, moderately religious & fanatical within the context of a police procedural detective story. I thought the characters were interesting, the insight in to modern day Turkey was eye opening and generally it was an interesting and thought provoking book although for some reason and it may just have been my mood I didn't find it desperately gripping and so I read it over a number of days interspersed with other things.
April 26, 2011
When a girl's body is found in a burned out apartment, police inspector Cetin Ikmen is convinced that the custom of honor killing has moved into Istanbul along with the influx of religious rural people. Meanwhile, a prosperous gay piano teacher is found murdered. Is there a connection between these two deaths? Ikmen's colleague inspector Suleyman is so distracted by his shambles of a personal life that he almost overlooks some important connections.
May 12, 2013
Excellent book set in Istanbul. Crime fiction at its best. The main characters in the book are all memorable. The plot revolves around differences within the same culture and religion and the awful spectre of honour killing. The plot is well drawn and well written and teases to the end of the book. The story is rich with character and cultural atmosphere and highlights the changes taking place within Turkish society. Recommended to anyone who enjoys crime fiction with a sharp edge.
September 9, 2021
Two things stand out to me in this book. How can Suleyman get himself into such a mess, that it affects his judgement as a policeman? How much the Moslem religion in some parts of the world needs to drag itself up to the 21st century. I say this with a bit of knowledge having lived in the Middle East for 8 years including Saudi Arabia. As for the book, Barbara Nadel carries on spinning good yarns with her excellent knowledge of Istanbul and its peoples and problems.
June 11, 2014
This is my first book for this series and I love it. It is a shocking issue to me, this noble killing thing. I just can't believe if someone in the family can actually murder their member, either directly or indirectly. However, hopefully this is just a story. And I love this character of Inspector Ikmen. Definitely will look forward to reading more of his adventures.
September 13, 2014
Very classic detective story but with the cultural twist of being set in Istanbul.
Really intriguing but full of a lot of 're-cap' writing that I felt was unnecessary as I wouldn't forget from page to page a character's motivation or experience.
But a very fun read anyway - if not a little dark considering the subject matter.
Really intriguing but full of a lot of 're-cap' writing that I felt was unnecessary as I wouldn't forget from page to page a character's motivation or experience.
But a very fun read anyway - if not a little dark considering the subject matter.
December 1, 2022
I like this long running police procedural series set in Istanbul but this is not one of the better books. Inspector Ikmen investigates what he believes may be the honour killing of a young woman who burned to death while Inspectot Suleyman investigates the murder of a homosexual piano teacher. This is a decent read but no more than that.
August 30, 2016
Gripping mystery with shockingly realistic characters that all have their dark secrets and flaws, so much so that it is hard to find the true "good guys". This book demonstrates the sordid truth of so-called "honor killings" in modern Istanbul.
April 29, 2020
I enjoy reading Nadel's mysteries that take place in Istanbul, always a good story and interesting to learn more about the mix that is Istanbul. But this story went off in a few too many byways for me. Still, a good read.
April 22, 2023
Honour sacrifice in Istanbul. A teenaged girl is burnt to death in her home, a music teacher is also murdered. The situation is sinister, forensic evidence inconclusive. Inspector Suleman suspects money is changing hands for these crimes. Atmospheric story.
February 13, 2012
There is not much here to comment- I`m a big fan of Cetin Ikmet series and enjoyed this one as well:-)).
August 5, 2016
Another good one in this series - always interesting socio-political observations, this one dealing with honor killings.
August 26, 2012
A bit repetitive on the subject of honour killings and the secular/religious divide in Istanbul. But still atmospheric and engaging, with an interesting crime & unexpected criminals.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews