Double Illusion

Inspector Ikmen #25

by Barbara Nadel

The gripping twenty-fifth Ikmen mystery from award-winning crime writer Barbara Nadel will delight her many fans.

Don't miss Ikmen and Suleyman in the sensational TV series The Turkish Detective

When Ateş Böcek, son of a feared Istanbul gang leader, is arrested for the brutal murder of his Roma lover, feelings of vengeance are ignited among rival Turkish gangs and the Roma community. Forensic evidence is stacked against him, but Ateş refuses to speak, and Inspector Suleyman suspects that there is more to the case than meets the eye. Then Cetin Ikmen discovers that Ateş is psychotic and believes that everyone in his life is an imposter, which suggests that Ates might in fact be a victim of a far more sinister game . . .

As violence erupts, Suleyman and his team work tirelessly to expose a shocking tale of corruption, power and betrayal - but not before more blood is shed on these dark and dangerous streets.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2023

About the author

Barbara 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.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've been able to obtain one of Barbara Nadel's richly overpopulated, fascinating mysteries featuring former Istanbbaul inspector Ikmen, now retired. His beloved wife was apparently lost in the intervening books, and he now works occasionally as a private investigator. His protege, now inspector in his turn, Mehmet Suleyman, is happily married to the gypsy Gonca, when the mentally disturbed son of one of the city''s most powerful gang leaders is accused of murdering and mutilating his gypsy mistress. At the same time, there's dissension in the household of the leader of a more nationalist criminal gang,and hints that the godfaher who battens on the gypsies wants a gang war. This barely scratches the surface of what is going on with all the vibrant characters, criminal and honest, killers and victims, before Ikmen and Suleyman untangle what's happening in their city. While I'd strongly recommend this book, it's not a starter or stand-alone--go back to the origins of this series to get an introduction into this world. My apologies--I can't do diacritical marks on this device.

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 25 th in a fascinating series . Barbara Nadel’s research of the cultural diversity in Istanbul and Turkey are what make these books so fascinating.
Having read them in order the characters develop and some people enter from earlier reads.

This is a story of gangs, red herrings and violence- interspersed with surreal mystical moments.Retired Çetin Ikmen is still the star of the books as he manages to weave his way into events that help reach the conclusion. The customs of the Roma community add another depth.

A brilliant series

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mystery got too confusing, contrived, and complicated with its conspiracy plot. Nevertheless, the environs and characters are appealing as always. One of my favorite series that too few know about.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This the twenty fifth book (first published in 2023) in the author's long running police procedural series (26 books so far) set in Istanbul. So far I have read twenty one of these books as well as nine other books by this author so I suppose that makes me a fan.

Although Ikmen has retired from the police he still has a role in this series although most of the investigation work is done by his ex-colleagues. As ever the plot is complicated and starts with the discovery of a body so mutilated that it is not obvious that it was once a human being. A man at the scene brandishing a sword is arrested but will not speak. There is also fear of a gang war breaking out as the arrested man is the son of a crime lord.

This is not one of the author's better books though long term readers of this series will probably enjoy it but this is not the best place to start for new readers.

[Lizzie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

And she does it again! Number 25 in the Ikmen/Suleyman Istanbul crime series and another winner!

Ikmen is one of modern crime fiction's true heroes (The Times) and I completely agree.
Again, we go into the underbelly of Istanbul with a story encompassing the world of gangland rivalries, mental illness and of course the different communities that make up that vibrant city.

Additionally, with Suleyman now married into the Roma community we learn more about that fascinating culture. A brutal murder is certainly not what it seems but no surprise to fans of Barbara Nadel and her complex and tortuous plots.

Gripping and unputdownable! Highly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Toni Russell
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)

[Seath Tankard-Crook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is very reliable for solid police procedurals. However, Nadel has been writing this series for so long now that the cast of regular characters is huge - all with their own back stories. On top of which, the writer switches between 3/4 different plot lines in each chapter. This is all very well if you read these books regularly but if, like me, you read a lot of different crime series, it's a very confusing read. The setting however is vivid and the plot, if you stick with it and keep flipping back to check previous events, is engaging.

Slow it down, Nadel. Sometimes less really is more.

[Anne Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Double Illusion' by Barbara Nadel is the 25th book in her series about Turkish detective Çetin İkmen. I've read lots of them but I'm pretty sure it's not all - I keep a log of all the books I read and I really need to go back through it and make a list of the ones I've yet to read. Her stories are set in Istanbul and each one, as well as being a good detective story, explores a different facet of life and the communities that live there. This one is about rival criminal gangs and the Roma community. Apparently her books are now a TV series on Paramount, which I don't have.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Nadel's Ikmen mysteries for several years. For me this was one of the more intreguing. A gruesome murder takes place inside an old Ottoman palace, and a multiple cast of crime lords and their family members lead the retired police officer Ikmen and his former partner Inspector Suleman on an intricate chase to catch the guilty. There is of course plenty of personal information about the main characters and how their private lives unfold. Readers who have followed the series from the beginning or at least early on will find all of this enjoyable.

[Debs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always loved these books set in my favourite city. I love almost of the well researched local colour that BN packs into them.
However this book just had tooooooo many trivial side plots and characters to be truly enjoyable.
To me it would have benefited from a strong editor!
But all in all, still an enjoyable experience.

[S Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good one.

As is fitting,a book of byzantine complexity.
I enjoyed this rather lush collection of characters, mostly doing each other down.
The vein of quiet humour that runs through is much appreciated, by me at least !

[Christine Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just watched a disappointing TV programme called the Turkish Detective.
I didn’t realise that part of that story is based on some of this book so I knew the outcome. But…..the added magic still made it worth the read.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a bit hard to follow initially. Although I am aware of Turkish names I had to keep checking with myself who was who.

Took a while to read. Story was good,liked retired detective Ikmen. Ending was nicely rounded off.

Overall 3-3.5 rating

[lee adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all this series I really enjoy it . I love the characters this was as usual a great read interesting plot and well told hope there will be another soon !

[Jeff Schuster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced

So many directions, I have read all of the Ikman mysteries, this is a good one! Well done Ms. Nadel

[G · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe the other 24 are better but this one wasn't for me

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for me. Too many characters and too violent

[Alia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is one of the best in the series. Shout out to Sara the snake! Beautiful.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read every one of Barbara Nadel's books. Ikmen and the others are like old friends. I look forward to the latest...