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Rachel Getty & Esa Khattak #3
Among the Ruins
On leave from Canada’s Community Policing department, Esa Khattak is traveling in Iran, reconnecting with his cultural heritage and seeking peace in the country’s beautiful mosques and gardens. But Khattak’s supposed break from work is cut short when he’s approached by a Canadian government agent in Iran, asking him to look into the death of renowned Canadian-Iranian filmmaker Zahra Sobhani. Zahra was murdered at Iran’s notorious Evin prison, where she’d been seeking the release of a well-known political prisoner. Khattak quickly finds himself embroiled in Iran’s tumultuous politics and under surveillance by the regime, but when the trail leads back to Zahra’s family in Canada, Khattak calls on his partner, Detective Rachel Getty, for help.
Rachel uncovers a conspiracy linked to the Shah of Iran and the decades-old murders of a group of Iran’s most famous dissidents. Historic letters, a connection to the Royal Ontario Museum, and a smuggling operation on the Caspian Sea are just some of the threads Rachel and Khattak begin unraveling, while the list of suspects stretches from Tehran to Toronto. But as Khattak gets caught up in the fate of Iran’s political prisoners, Rachel sees through to the heart of the matter: Zahra’s murder may not have been a political crime at all.
Rachel uncovers a conspiracy linked to the Shah of Iran and the decades-old murders of a group of Iran’s most famous dissidents. Historic letters, a connection to the Royal Ontario Museum, and a smuggling operation on the Caspian Sea are just some of the threads Rachel and Khattak begin unraveling, while the list of suspects stretches from Tehran to Toronto. But as Khattak gets caught up in the fate of Iran’s political prisoners, Rachel sees through to the heart of the matter: Zahra’s murder may not have been a political crime at all.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published February 14, 2017
57 people are currently reading
1686 people want to read
About the author
Ausma Zehanat Khan
18 books924 followersAusma Zehanat Khan is a British-born Canadian living in the United States, whose own parents are heirs to a complex story of migration to and from three different continents. A former adjunct professor at American and Canadian universities, she holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law, with the 1995 Srebrenica massacre as the main subject of her dissertation. Previously the Editor in Chief of Muslim Girl Magazine, Ausma Zehanat Khan has moved frequently, traveled extensively, and written compulsively. Her new crime series debuted with 'Blackwater Falls' in November 2022. She is also the author of 5 books and 1 novella in the Esa Khattak/Rachel Getty mystery series, including the award-winning 'The Unquiet Dead'. And she is the author of The Khorasan Archives fantasy series, beginning with 'The Bloodprint'. She has also written a middle grade non-fiction book called 'Ramadan'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
February 13, 2017
3.5 Esa Khattek, a police officer in Canada, on leave due to a death in his last case, travels to Iran to reconnect with his Muslim roots. While there he will become embroiled in the tortuous death at the notorious Evin prison of a Canadian/Iranian filmmaker.
I find this series fascinating, learning about a culture I know little about and a country I will never visit. The many different sides to Iran, from the beautiful mosques, ancient artifacts and beautiful setting, against the corrupt and destructive political system. There are groups in opposition to the leadership but they must be very careful because they can be taken and thrown in prison, never to be seen again. There is no due process in Iran.
Enjoy these characters, the immersive, involved plot but because of my lack of knowledge I found some of the plot confusing. Involving the crown jewels, description of gorgeous diamonds, there is much going on and the pace is quick. Canadian and Iranian political future and the biggest mystery of all, what would cause the famous filmmaker to walk right into a lion's den?
Third book in this series and I look forward to more.
ARC from Netgalley.
I find this series fascinating, learning about a culture I know little about and a country I will never visit. The many different sides to Iran, from the beautiful mosques, ancient artifacts and beautiful setting, against the corrupt and destructive political system. There are groups in opposition to the leadership but they must be very careful because they can be taken and thrown in prison, never to be seen again. There is no due process in Iran.
Enjoy these characters, the immersive, involved plot but because of my lack of knowledge I found some of the plot confusing. Involving the crown jewels, description of gorgeous diamonds, there is much going on and the pace is quick. Canadian and Iranian political future and the biggest mystery of all, what would cause the famous filmmaker to walk right into a lion's den?
Third book in this series and I look forward to more.
ARC from Netgalley.
February 16, 2017
3.5 stars. Among the Ruins combines two of the ingredients I love in fiction – it’s both set in a very familiar setting and took me to a different part of the world. This is the third in Khan’s Rachel Getty and Esa Khattak series. Esa has traveled to Iran while on leave from his work with the Toronto police. While in Iran, Esa quickly becomes embroiled in trying to figure out why a Canadian film maker recently died in Iran. Back in Toronto, Rachel helps Esa with his investigation. This set up allows the author to delve into the brutal politics of contemporary Iran, which is the part I found most interesting. It also allows her to highlight contemporary Toronto, occasionally taking me to settings just a few blocks from my house, which I also really enjoyed. Khan has created characters who have substance and complex emotions, although at times the intertwined romantic tensions seem a bit over the top. She also does a beautiful job weaving the contemporary culture and politics of the places she depicts into the story. Where the book falls a bit short for me is that the mystery itself got a bit odd and unsatisfying as the story progressed – especially as it delved into the history of Iranian Crown jewels. Having said that, I do like Khan’s detectives and the political awareness woven into her mysteries. I will definitely want to read the next one in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
August 16, 2019
My ongoing exploration of the Canadian police procedural series by Ausma Zehanat Khan took an interesting turn with this novel. Building off some of the series momentum and likely some ideas Khan wanted to put into action, the story shifts away from Canada and into a more complex world where democracy is anything but presumed. After being cleared of any wrongdoing during a recent inquiry, Esa Khattak is taking leave from the Community Policing Unit, if only to reset himself. His choice is to venture into Iran and explore some of its beauty and his cultural roots. While playing tourist, Khattak is approached by a Canadian official, asking that he take some time to explore the death of Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Zehra Sobhani. Known for her controversial films about the authoritarian regime in Iran, Sobhani was killed inside one of the country’s most notorious prisons. Khattak begins trying to piece together the narrative without tipping his hand and letting the regime know what he is trying to accomplish. Khattak has inquisitive questions that will garner needed answers, especially for the family back home, but it also leaves him on the radar of some in positions of power with Iran, where one false move could cost more than a visa suspension. Liaising with his partner, Rachel Getty, back in Canada, Khattak begins to understand a little more about Sobhani and her political views. It becomes apparent that Sobhani has quite the interest in the time when Iran accepted the Shah, whose attempts at democratic renewal fell flat when power intoxicated him. However, the push towards democracy in Iran has returned with the Green Birds, though the regime is eager to repress anything that might lessen its power. The rationale for Sobhani’s murder may be less obvious than first expected, though it will take all that Khattak and Getty can handle to reveal truths buried or ignored in a country where the rules change on a daily basis. Stunning in its delivery, Khan does not disappoint with this third novel in the series, touching on issues that reverberate as much today as when it was written. Recommended for series fans and those readers who are eager to explore authoritarian regimes and their attempts to suppress democratic transparency.
This series has grown on me in short order, touching not only on Canadian police work, but the less understood side of the Islamic world. Khan has chosen to take a look at political expression and suppression inside an authoritarian regime, where dissidents are treated worse that any other criminal. With subplots that touch on a number of key points, Khan forces the reader to think outside the box as they devour this novel. Esa Khattak’s arrival in Iran adds an interesting flavour to the story not seen before now. While Khattak seeks to return to some of his cultural roots, he is thrust into the middle of an active investigation. Still reeling from some of the treatment he faced within the Canadian policing community, Khattak cannot help but notice he is needed, even halfway around the world. His exploration of Zehra Sobhani‘s life and how she agitated her country of birth proves to be of great interest and provides a wonderful contrast with the expectations many readers would expect. Rachel Getty spends most of her time in Canada, exploring the local roots to Sobhani’s larger narrative. She is able to grow by exploring these central tenets and comes to have a better understanding of Islam and its political nuances, particularly when compared to Canada. There are a slew of other characters, including those within Iran’s Revolutionary regime, all of whom illustrate the wonders of these contrasting ways of life. With a subplot focussed on the torture of political prisoners, the story takes on a much darker perspective and provides some interesting approaches to policing in foreign countries. With a narrative that flows well and takes the reader on many interesting journeys, Khan shows just how adept she is at telling a story. Her views are substantiated with ‘pulled from the headlines’ moments and a great deal of history, some of which is explained to the curious reader. While Iran faces many issues in present geo-political realms, there was a time that it had strong democratic views and worked quite effectively on the world scene. Strongly reactionary to suppression, the people of Iran have seen much change over the years and Khan is keen to illustrate this, while making it clear that democracy has never been entirely silenced. Another must-read for those who want to explore other sides of the Islamic world with a Canadian twist.
Kudos, Madam Khan, for another great story. I was pulled in from the opening pages and could not stop reading. I love that I can be entertained and educated in equal measure with such ease.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
This series has grown on me in short order, touching not only on Canadian police work, but the less understood side of the Islamic world. Khan has chosen to take a look at political expression and suppression inside an authoritarian regime, where dissidents are treated worse that any other criminal. With subplots that touch on a number of key points, Khan forces the reader to think outside the box as they devour this novel. Esa Khattak’s arrival in Iran adds an interesting flavour to the story not seen before now. While Khattak seeks to return to some of his cultural roots, he is thrust into the middle of an active investigation. Still reeling from some of the treatment he faced within the Canadian policing community, Khattak cannot help but notice he is needed, even halfway around the world. His exploration of Zehra Sobhani‘s life and how she agitated her country of birth proves to be of great interest and provides a wonderful contrast with the expectations many readers would expect. Rachel Getty spends most of her time in Canada, exploring the local roots to Sobhani’s larger narrative. She is able to grow by exploring these central tenets and comes to have a better understanding of Islam and its political nuances, particularly when compared to Canada. There are a slew of other characters, including those within Iran’s Revolutionary regime, all of whom illustrate the wonders of these contrasting ways of life. With a subplot focussed on the torture of political prisoners, the story takes on a much darker perspective and provides some interesting approaches to policing in foreign countries. With a narrative that flows well and takes the reader on many interesting journeys, Khan shows just how adept she is at telling a story. Her views are substantiated with ‘pulled from the headlines’ moments and a great deal of history, some of which is explained to the curious reader. While Iran faces many issues in present geo-political realms, there was a time that it had strong democratic views and worked quite effectively on the world scene. Strongly reactionary to suppression, the people of Iran have seen much change over the years and Khan is keen to illustrate this, while making it clear that democracy has never been entirely silenced. Another must-read for those who want to explore other sides of the Islamic world with a Canadian twist.
Kudos, Madam Khan, for another great story. I was pulled in from the opening pages and could not stop reading. I love that I can be entertained and educated in equal measure with such ease.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
March 6, 2017
Esa Khattak is in Iran, on a personal trip, a vacation of sorts, visiting historical and religious sites important to him and his Muslim heritage. He entered the country not as the Canadian policeman he is but as a more acceptable, to the Iranian government, Pakistani, the country of his parents. Now he is in the midst of unanticipated problems, dealing with a repressive state, the apparent murder of a Canadian woman from Iran, and mysteries dating back to the last Shah.
This is a fascinating series, dealing as it does with the daily intersection of a Muslim citizen and policeman in Canada with all of the fraught emotions and incidents of these times. In this, the third novel of the series, there is even more interesting detail on hand as Khattak takes what is essentially for him a pilgrimage to Iran to see holy and famous sites. That this trip turns into something very different is part of today's world of suspicion, hate, fear, power, torture, and misplaced trusts. As in the previous books, Rachel Getty also figures prominently in this episode. This pair is a good one--very different and well matched, each respecting the skills of the other.
I am looking forward to Khan's next entry in the series, whenever it comes. She provides a good story, with history that is new to me, details of Muslim life and beliefs that are also new to me. And all within a mystery that she works out in a believable fashion. (Though all mystery series seem to demonstrate remarkable amounts of luck, Esa and Rachel also demonstrate physical and mental agility.)
Definitely recommended, along with the rest of the series.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
This is a fascinating series, dealing as it does with the daily intersection of a Muslim citizen and policeman in Canada with all of the fraught emotions and incidents of these times. In this, the third novel of the series, there is even more interesting detail on hand as Khattak takes what is essentially for him a pilgrimage to Iran to see holy and famous sites. That this trip turns into something very different is part of today's world of suspicion, hate, fear, power, torture, and misplaced trusts. As in the previous books, Rachel Getty also figures prominently in this episode. This pair is a good one--very different and well matched, each respecting the skills of the other.
I am looking forward to Khan's next entry in the series, whenever it comes. She provides a good story, with history that is new to me, details of Muslim life and beliefs that are also new to me. And all within a mystery that she works out in a believable fashion. (Though all mystery series seem to demonstrate remarkable amounts of luck, Esa and Rachel also demonstrate physical and mental agility.)
Definitely recommended, along with the rest of the series.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
July 12, 2023
The Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty series is a Canadian police procedural. But here, Esa is on leave and in Iran, reconnecting with his cultural heritage. But he’s soon approached by a Canadian intelligence officer, asking him to help investigate the death of a Canadian-Iranian filmmaker, who was murdered in Iran’s notorious Evin prison. The book toggles back and forth as Rachel does research in Canada to help Esa. There are also intervals which are the voice of a prisoner.
It was interesting to read a book that focuses on Iran - its politics, religion and protests. I enjoyed learning more about Iran and its culture. But the plot was complex and at times I felt somewhat lost. It didn’t consistently hold my interest and seemed discombobulated at times.
I listened to this book and it would have been better to read it. I struggled over some of the formal nouns. Which isn’t to say that Peter Ganim didn't do a fine job as the narrator; I enjoyed him.
It was interesting to read a book that focuses on Iran - its politics, religion and protests. I enjoyed learning more about Iran and its culture. But the plot was complex and at times I felt somewhat lost. It didn’t consistently hold my interest and seemed discombobulated at times.
I listened to this book and it would have been better to read it. I struggled over some of the formal nouns. Which isn’t to say that Peter Ganim didn't do a fine job as the narrator; I enjoyed him.
April 21, 2017
For me the true test of any book is if you cannot stop thinking about it and its characters once you have finished reading it and did the book affect you profoundly in some manner. Among the Ruins is a resounding yes to both!
On leave from his normal duties with Canadian Community Policing, Esa Khattuck travels to Iran for peace and quiet and to learn more about his heritage. While there he is approached by a Canadian agent and is enlisted to help solve an international "problem." Through this, we the reader, learn about Iran, its history, politics, culture and humanitarian issues in a very in-depth way as Zehanat Khan does so beautifully well.
There are times when I felt a bit overwhelmed with all of the information that was being given to me about Iran but I also realize that as a westerner it could be that I felt this way because I have no knowledge base regarding Iran at all. The storyline is complex, as is the history and politics, but it is so worth the effort. It is books like this that make reading so worthwhile.
On leave from his normal duties with Canadian Community Policing, Esa Khattuck travels to Iran for peace and quiet and to learn more about his heritage. While there he is approached by a Canadian agent and is enlisted to help solve an international "problem." Through this, we the reader, learn about Iran, its history, politics, culture and humanitarian issues in a very in-depth way as Zehanat Khan does so beautifully well.
There are times when I felt a bit overwhelmed with all of the information that was being given to me about Iran but I also realize that as a westerner it could be that I felt this way because I have no knowledge base regarding Iran at all. The storyline is complex, as is the history and politics, but it is so worth the effort. It is books like this that make reading so worthwhile.
May 29, 2018
I love this series for its combination of political intelligence, anger, compassion, and attention to history. Iran emerges here as the surprising main character: lush spiritual and physical beauty hedged by corrupt political regimes built on repression, torture and extreme human rights abuses. Khan documents the latter while paying homage to a culture and a people who maintain their humanity in the face of unimaginable fear and suffering.
For all the good stuff, though, I didn't find this book as emotionally engaging as the previous two: the latter third, especially, becomes a jewel hunt and loses its connection to the human stories.
All the same, Khan remains a highly intelligent and humane writer who uses crime fiction as a vehicle to expound and inform - the next book locates itself against the Syrian refugee crisis.
For all the good stuff, though, I didn't find this book as emotionally engaging as the previous two: the latter third, especially, becomes a jewel hunt and loses its connection to the human stories.
All the same, Khan remains a highly intelligent and humane writer who uses crime fiction as a vehicle to expound and inform - the next book locates itself against the Syrian refugee crisis.
July 26, 2018
Ausma Zehanat Khan writes the smartest mysteries ever. If you want to travel the world while investigating murder, her books should be on your list. Canadian cops Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty are an unstoppable team--so unstoppable they can collaborate on a murder case when they’re halfway across the world from each other. Esa is on leave in Iran when a Canadian filmmaker is arrested and killed while in custody, and even though getting involved is highly risky to him personally, with Rachel’s help from back home he just might be able to uncover the truth and avoid an international incident. Khan has a background as a human rights lawyer and a knack for writing empathetic, relatable characters. This is the third book in a series, and I heartily recommend the first two books as well.
March 24, 2017
I absolutely love this series. The third in the series, this novel once again features Toronto Police Investigator Asa Khattak. He is in Iran, as a tourist, when he receives a request from a Candian government agent in Iran to investigate the death in prison of a prominent Canadian-Iranian film maker. As he gets deeper and deeper into the investigation, he calls upon his sidekick from Canada, Rachel Getty to help him from Canada and eventually in Iran. Rachel and Esa uncover a huge conspiracy with the help of the underground Iranian resistance group, the Green Movement.
Ausma Zehanat Khan, who is Canadian-Iranian herself, has written about aspects of Iranian life that most of us are not aware of. In addition to being a top rate suspense mystery, this is also a look into the Iran that most of us don't see or know about.
Ausma Zehanat Khan, who is Canadian-Iranian herself, has written about aspects of Iranian life that most of us are not aware of. In addition to being a top rate suspense mystery, this is also a look into the Iran that most of us don't see or know about.
May 23, 2019
Esa Khattak, on leave from Toronto's Community Policing Department, travels to Iran and becomes embroiled in a political situation that quickly becomes a murder mystery.
As in the first two installments of Getty & Khattak, author Ausma Zehanat Khan calls on current politics to craft an atmospheric, intelligent police procedural. In this case, an Iranian filmmaker known for her provocative commentary on Iran's human rights abuses is arrested and jailed in Teheran's notorious Evin prison. Even though he is playing tourist, using his Pakistani visa, Esa is approached by a Canadian undercover agent and by a dissident Iranian student group, both enlisting him to investigate the torture and murder of Zahara Sobhani, the filmmaker who had Canadian citizenship. Back in Canada, partner Rachel Getty and their wealthy writer friend, Nathan Clare, begin their own investigation of Sobhani's death. The current of tension as they all fear for Khattak's safety in Iran compel the plot forward.
We see this complex, beautiful country through Esa's eyes- his appreciation for Iran's deep, rich history becomes our own. But the author doesn't shy from her piercing criticism of Iran's current and recent regimes, and the price so many have had to pay in speaking out. The shadow voices that make up short, dreamlike chapters are harrowing and haunting.
The narrative does get bogged down in the complexities of politics and history, and Esa's and Rachel's involvement in the crime strains credulity. I wanted to love this, but instead found myself skimming through parts that were too full of characters and descriptions that lead nowhere. The wrap-up of the crime felt perfunctory and contrived. Khan is an exceptional writer and I will stick with this series, but I hope for tighter story control.
As in the first two installments of Getty & Khattak, author Ausma Zehanat Khan calls on current politics to craft an atmospheric, intelligent police procedural. In this case, an Iranian filmmaker known for her provocative commentary on Iran's human rights abuses is arrested and jailed in Teheran's notorious Evin prison. Even though he is playing tourist, using his Pakistani visa, Esa is approached by a Canadian undercover agent and by a dissident Iranian student group, both enlisting him to investigate the torture and murder of Zahara Sobhani, the filmmaker who had Canadian citizenship. Back in Canada, partner Rachel Getty and their wealthy writer friend, Nathan Clare, begin their own investigation of Sobhani's death. The current of tension as they all fear for Khattak's safety in Iran compel the plot forward.
We see this complex, beautiful country through Esa's eyes- his appreciation for Iran's deep, rich history becomes our own. But the author doesn't shy from her piercing criticism of Iran's current and recent regimes, and the price so many have had to pay in speaking out. The shadow voices that make up short, dreamlike chapters are harrowing and haunting.
The narrative does get bogged down in the complexities of politics and history, and Esa's and Rachel's involvement in the crime strains credulity. I wanted to love this, but instead found myself skimming through parts that were too full of characters and descriptions that lead nowhere. The wrap-up of the crime felt perfunctory and contrived. Khan is an exceptional writer and I will stick with this series, but I hope for tighter story control.
March 1, 2017
This is the third book in the series featuring a Muslim Canadian police officer, Esa Khattak, and his partner, Rachel Getty.
Esa is vacationing in Iran when he is approached by a Canadian agent and a group of dissidents who ask him to look into the government-sanctioned torture and killing of an Iranian-Canadian filmmaker, Zahra Sobhani. Among the questions he must ask is why she would have risked returning to Iran after making a film critical of Iran’s human rights record. Esa quietly investigates in Iran while trying to avoid the attention of government handlers; Rachel and Nathan Clare, Esa’s best friend, follow up leads in Canada.
The plot is very convoluted and can sometimes be difficult to follow. There are so many twists and turns in the investigation and so many unknowns that I was sometimes confused. For example, cryptic messages/codes feature prominently. Esa receives cryptic messages from an unknown writer; letters between a former minister of Iran and his activist friend could have played a role in Zahra’s capture; letters of the alphabet written on a sleeve become a crucial clue; encoded messages and drawings are written on the wall of a house; and diary entries or letters from a prisoner are interspersed throughout. So much deciphering just gets annoying, and some of it just seems illogical. The letters of the alphabet written on a sleeve are certainly a stretch!
What is also annoying is the many romantic tensions between characters. Esa seems attracted to Rachel but he is also fascinated by Nasreen and finds himself thinking often about Sehr? Rachel seems attracted to Esa but she is also interested in Nate? Vicky and Touka are both attracted to Esa. Nathan likes Rachel but then there’s an episode with Laine?
One of the things that the book does well is to reveal the contradictions in Iranian society. The beauty of the mosques is contrasted with the ugly brutality of a repressive regime. Some knowledge of Iranian history is certainly needed to understand the plot. I knew of some of the events since I’m old enough to have lived during some of them: the rule of Shah Reza Pahlavi, the 1979 revolution, the election of Ahmadinejad, the nuclear agreement with which President Trump disagrees. It also became obvious to me that the murder of Zahra Sobhani was inspired by the real-life murder of Canadian-Iranian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi. Fortunately, for those not familiar with Iranian history, there is a timeline of major political events provided at the beginning.
The author’s sympathy for Iran certainly comes across. At one point, she has Rachel make a telling observation: “What must it be like to know your civilization possessed of such celestial beauty, and to find yourself the object of diminishment?” Rachel had imagined Iran “as a place of violence and turmoil” but a visit to a mosque amazes her with its “sublimity” and “perfect cohesion of light” and “tranquility” and “dignity.” “This amphitheater of joy” allows her to experience a “soaring elevation of spirit” and her impression of the country is changed: “Her lens was correcting itself.” Obviously, the author thinks that many people need to have their opinions of Iran re-adjusted.
There is also the suggestion that many people have misconceptions about Muslims. Esa behaves as he does because of the assumptions made about Muslims: “Careful and measured consideration was the only way he knew to answer the assumption of Muslim rage.” He feels he is not able to ever be totally at ease to express “the different sides of himself, the things that enriched him.”
Unfortunately, the book sometimes becomes bogged down. There are long passages of exposition: “There were an estimated one million Sunnis in Tehran alone who were not permitted to build schools or places of worship, or to disseminate their own religious teachings. And though this treatment of non-Shia minorities was unjust, the fate of ethnic and religious minorities in many Sunni-majority countries was exponentially worse. [Esa] had only to think of the violence against Shia processionals in Pakistan, or the increasingly disturbing attacks against Pakistan’s Christian and Hindu minorities. The country’s Hazara population, who were largely Shia, suffered extensive persecution by the Taliban, that was typically met with indifference by the state.” A discussion of religious repression in Pakistan is used to suggest that Iran’s mistreatment of its religious minorities is not that bad? None of this has any bearing on the plot.
I would advise readers to read the first two books in the series (The Unquiet Dead and The Language of Secrets) if they have not done so. The relationships between the characters are developed in these earlier books, and in Among the Ruins, there is repeated reference to the events of the second novel. I did not find this novel as interesting as the previous two, but it provides wonderful insight into a culture foreign to many Canadians.
Please check out my reader's blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
Esa is vacationing in Iran when he is approached by a Canadian agent and a group of dissidents who ask him to look into the government-sanctioned torture and killing of an Iranian-Canadian filmmaker, Zahra Sobhani. Among the questions he must ask is why she would have risked returning to Iran after making a film critical of Iran’s human rights record. Esa quietly investigates in Iran while trying to avoid the attention of government handlers; Rachel and Nathan Clare, Esa’s best friend, follow up leads in Canada.
The plot is very convoluted and can sometimes be difficult to follow. There are so many twists and turns in the investigation and so many unknowns that I was sometimes confused. For example, cryptic messages/codes feature prominently. Esa receives cryptic messages from an unknown writer; letters between a former minister of Iran and his activist friend could have played a role in Zahra’s capture; letters of the alphabet written on a sleeve become a crucial clue; encoded messages and drawings are written on the wall of a house; and diary entries or letters from a prisoner are interspersed throughout. So much deciphering just gets annoying, and some of it just seems illogical. The letters of the alphabet written on a sleeve are certainly a stretch!
What is also annoying is the many romantic tensions between characters. Esa seems attracted to Rachel but he is also fascinated by Nasreen and finds himself thinking often about Sehr? Rachel seems attracted to Esa but she is also interested in Nate? Vicky and Touka are both attracted to Esa. Nathan likes Rachel but then there’s an episode with Laine?
One of the things that the book does well is to reveal the contradictions in Iranian society. The beauty of the mosques is contrasted with the ugly brutality of a repressive regime. Some knowledge of Iranian history is certainly needed to understand the plot. I knew of some of the events since I’m old enough to have lived during some of them: the rule of Shah Reza Pahlavi, the 1979 revolution, the election of Ahmadinejad, the nuclear agreement with which President Trump disagrees. It also became obvious to me that the murder of Zahra Sobhani was inspired by the real-life murder of Canadian-Iranian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi. Fortunately, for those not familiar with Iranian history, there is a timeline of major political events provided at the beginning.
The author’s sympathy for Iran certainly comes across. At one point, she has Rachel make a telling observation: “What must it be like to know your civilization possessed of such celestial beauty, and to find yourself the object of diminishment?” Rachel had imagined Iran “as a place of violence and turmoil” but a visit to a mosque amazes her with its “sublimity” and “perfect cohesion of light” and “tranquility” and “dignity.” “This amphitheater of joy” allows her to experience a “soaring elevation of spirit” and her impression of the country is changed: “Her lens was correcting itself.” Obviously, the author thinks that many people need to have their opinions of Iran re-adjusted.
There is also the suggestion that many people have misconceptions about Muslims. Esa behaves as he does because of the assumptions made about Muslims: “Careful and measured consideration was the only way he knew to answer the assumption of Muslim rage.” He feels he is not able to ever be totally at ease to express “the different sides of himself, the things that enriched him.”
Unfortunately, the book sometimes becomes bogged down. There are long passages of exposition: “There were an estimated one million Sunnis in Tehran alone who were not permitted to build schools or places of worship, or to disseminate their own religious teachings. And though this treatment of non-Shia minorities was unjust, the fate of ethnic and religious minorities in many Sunni-majority countries was exponentially worse. [Esa] had only to think of the violence against Shia processionals in Pakistan, or the increasingly disturbing attacks against Pakistan’s Christian and Hindu minorities. The country’s Hazara population, who were largely Shia, suffered extensive persecution by the Taliban, that was typically met with indifference by the state.” A discussion of religious repression in Pakistan is used to suggest that Iran’s mistreatment of its religious minorities is not that bad? None of this has any bearing on the plot.
I would advise readers to read the first two books in the series (The Unquiet Dead and The Language of Secrets) if they have not done so. The relationships between the characters are developed in these earlier books, and in Among the Ruins, there is repeated reference to the events of the second novel. I did not find this novel as interesting as the previous two, but it provides wonderful insight into a culture foreign to many Canadians.
Please check out my reader's blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
May 9, 2017
I really wanted to love this mystery, but the author mostly confused me and/or bored me with details of Iranian history, culture, and minutiae. I kept thinking: Just tell the story!
January 5, 2019
I really need a knockout read for 2019! Everything I've been reading has only ever been just okay. I read two and listened to two. They haven't been all that exciting.
Among the Ruins was okay, but I felt detached from it often because of the clinical sounding insertions of political facts. I appreciated them, I really did, but they felt like it does when watching Law & Order episodes (SVU episodes) when the break in the dialogue is so obvious to add in the statistical facts about crime, rape, etc, etc. This felt like that often when reading.
I do love the characters though. I do enjoy this series, there was just something about this one that kept me at a distance. I also read this on my tablet using the Bluefire reader. I won't do that ever again, There is no way to know how far along you are, there is no way to go back to see the Table of Contents, change the font size, etc. I didn't enjoy my Bluefire reading experience. :-(
Among the Ruins was okay, but I felt detached from it often because of the clinical sounding insertions of political facts. I appreciated them, I really did, but they felt like it does when watching Law & Order episodes (SVU episodes) when the break in the dialogue is so obvious to add in the statistical facts about crime, rape, etc, etc. This felt like that often when reading.
I do love the characters though. I do enjoy this series, there was just something about this one that kept me at a distance. I also read this on my tablet using the Bluefire reader. I won't do that ever again, There is no way to know how far along you are, there is no way to go back to see the Table of Contents, change the font size, etc. I didn't enjoy my Bluefire reading experience. :-(
February 20, 2017
The third addition to Khan's Rachel Getty & Esa Khattak series picks up shortly after the events of book two. After the tragic end of book two, Esa is on leave and is recouping by traveling to Iran, a place that has held long fascination with him. While abroad, Esa finds himself embroiled in a dangerous mystery when a Canadian agent requests that Esa look into a death of a well known filmmaker at the notorious Evin prison. Esa is reluctant to involve himself in this. Not only is he still reeling from the events of the past book, but the situation is dangerous in Iran and he could very well be imprisoned himself. However, Esa is not one to ignore injustice and reluctantly becomes involved in events from the past. Assisting Esa from Canada is his stalwart partner, Rachel. On Rachel's end, it appears that there is a much more significant Canadian connection than originally apparent. Between these two, there is no doubt that they will be able to shed light on the mysterious reasons for the filmmakers appearance and actions at the prison at the day of her arrest.
The central mystery in Among the Ruins resolves itself satisfactorily. However, the mystery is only one element to the strength of the novel. Like Louise Penny, Khan writes her characters with a great deal of empathy, and it is the focus on the human aspect to the crime that draws readers into the story. Not to mention, Khan's focus on history, which also adds another layer to the great storytelling evident here. My only complaint here is that the main characters spent the majority of the book apart. A big draw for this series is the dynamic between Rachel and Esa. While both characters can stand independently, I like how these two play off of each other and that wasn't as evident in this book as it was in the previous two books.
Among the Ruins is a solid addition to the series and will appeal to readers who enjoy Louise Penny's more emotive style of writing. Khan continually sheds light on issues that are easily forgotten about after the news turns off, imbuing them with a sense of reality that is hard to turn away from.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
The central mystery in Among the Ruins resolves itself satisfactorily. However, the mystery is only one element to the strength of the novel. Like Louise Penny, Khan writes her characters with a great deal of empathy, and it is the focus on the human aspect to the crime that draws readers into the story. Not to mention, Khan's focus on history, which also adds another layer to the great storytelling evident here. My only complaint here is that the main characters spent the majority of the book apart. A big draw for this series is the dynamic between Rachel and Esa. While both characters can stand independently, I like how these two play off of each other and that wasn't as evident in this book as it was in the previous two books.
Among the Ruins is a solid addition to the series and will appeal to readers who enjoy Louise Penny's more emotive style of writing. Khan continually sheds light on issues that are easily forgotten about after the news turns off, imbuing them with a sense of reality that is hard to turn away from.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
March 22, 2017
Two reasons for my harsh rating:
1. This story assumes the reader has read the previous two in the series - characters and references from the first books are not explained and make for confusion
2. I think you need to be serious scholar of Iran's tumultuous history to understand it. If you've been to Iran, I'm sure the author's descriptions of heritage places are interesting, but even though I persevered, I couldn't relate to the mystery or feel connected to the outcome.
1. This story assumes the reader has read the previous two in the series - characters and references from the first books are not explained and make for confusion
2. I think you need to be serious scholar of Iran's tumultuous history to understand it. If you've been to Iran, I'm sure the author's descriptions of heritage places are interesting, but even though I persevered, I couldn't relate to the mystery or feel connected to the outcome.
January 31, 2023
Esa Khattak felt deeply hurt by what happened on in his last case, and travels to Iran to visit various places to renew himself spiritually. But a Canadian government official interrupts his peace by forcing him to investigate the death of a talented and respected Canadian Iranian filmmaker Zahra Sobhani (inspired by the actual murder of Canadian Iranian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi). Zahra Sobhani had been in Iran when she was unexpectedly imprisoned in Iran's notorious Evin prison and murdered.
When Khattak begins investigating, he comes under surveillance and meets various young people involved in the Green Movement sharing information clandestinely. Khattak also finds that the information he and his contacts uncover leads back to Zahra's family in Canada, which means, call Rachel.
Rachel jumps in immediately, roping in Nate, too, and she uncovers clues pointing to the former Shah, his coronation, and various individuals who had been murdered by the Iranian government years earlier. (The author includes a set of haunting letters from one dissident to another, describing the emotional and physical costs of the torture within Evin.) Despite the politics inherent in the years ago and current murders and incarcerations exposed by their digging, Rachel feels that politics are not really at the heart of the Zahra's murder.
I loved how the author gave us a nuanced picture of Iran and how its political situation has changed over years, from its western leanings in the past, to its repression of information and people today.
I have really grown to like this series and its personable and intelligent investigators, Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty. The story unfolds slowly, and even while the search for clues was compelling, the suffering of those agitating against or exposing government actions casts a dark pall over much of the story, not to mention the depressing facts uncovered in Zahra Sobhani's reasons for being in Iran. It's another good entry in this series.
When Khattak begins investigating, he comes under surveillance and meets various young people involved in the Green Movement sharing information clandestinely. Khattak also finds that the information he and his contacts uncover leads back to Zahra's family in Canada, which means, call Rachel.
Rachel jumps in immediately, roping in Nate, too, and she uncovers clues pointing to the former Shah, his coronation, and various individuals who had been murdered by the Iranian government years earlier. (The author includes a set of haunting letters from one dissident to another, describing the emotional and physical costs of the torture within Evin.) Despite the politics inherent in the years ago and current murders and incarcerations exposed by their digging, Rachel feels that politics are not really at the heart of the Zahra's murder.
I loved how the author gave us a nuanced picture of Iran and how its political situation has changed over years, from its western leanings in the past, to its repression of information and people today.
I have really grown to like this series and its personable and intelligent investigators, Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty. The story unfolds slowly, and even while the search for clues was compelling, the suffering of those agitating against or exposing government actions casts a dark pall over much of the story, not to mention the depressing facts uncovered in Zahra Sobhani's reasons for being in Iran. It's another good entry in this series.
July 2, 2018
Yes, there is another great detective story writer in Canada. Not just Louise Penny. Ausma Zehanat Khan is a superb writer, and her Pakistani-Canadian Detective Esa Khattak is just as sensitive, gentlemanly, and thoughtful as Penny's Inspector Gamache. Moreover, Khan's books are important because they tell what it is like being a Muslim in today's world.
In this book, Khattak, shaken by the dark encounters in the last book, has gone to Iran to visit beautiful places important in Islamic history. He speaks Farsi as well as Urdu, and finds Iran in some ways reminiscent of Pakistan.
But a Canadian spy demands that Khattak help recover the body of Zahra Sobhani, an Iranian-Canadian filmmaker who was killed in an Iranian jail. Khattak meets Iranian dissidents and learns more about repression in Iran. But he keeps observing that most people in Iran are pleasant and are just trying to live normal lives.
This is a fine book! I try to read everything that Khan writes.
In this book, Khattak, shaken by the dark encounters in the last book, has gone to Iran to visit beautiful places important in Islamic history. He speaks Farsi as well as Urdu, and finds Iran in some ways reminiscent of Pakistan.
But a Canadian spy demands that Khattak help recover the body of Zahra Sobhani, an Iranian-Canadian filmmaker who was killed in an Iranian jail. Khattak meets Iranian dissidents and learns more about repression in Iran. But he keeps observing that most people in Iran are pleasant and are just trying to live normal lives.
This is a fine book! I try to read everything that Khan writes.
April 28, 2023
Classic advice to one studying writing: "Show, don't tell"
Lots of telling, not very much showing. I thought the references to back story were clumsy and weighted the book down. However, the descriptions of locations within Iran were captivating, and made me want to know more about that country
Lots of telling, not very much showing. I thought the references to back story were clumsy and weighted the book down. However, the descriptions of locations within Iran were captivating, and made me want to know more about that country
March 31, 2017
i think this is the first time with any series (save for perhaps...Elena Ferrante), where i have given 4-stars for the first 3 books. (ferrante and khan are very different writers, doing very different things so that's not a comparison of them... just for how strong khan's series is. does that make sense?)
book #3 takes us away from toronto, to iran. the change of location didn't actually diminish the khattak-getty partnership at all and, in fact, allowed them each to develop a bit more, as well as allow a bit of time and development to a few of the recurring toronto-based secondary characters too. as with the previous books, khan does a great job incorporating history, struggles, and devastations. this time focused on political unrest in iran, and the evils of evin prison, located in tehran, which is a particularly cruel and deadly place for political prisoners.
khan does a wonderful job heightening the tension in among the ruins. every move, interaction, or curiosity - no matter how innocent - can be viewed as suspect. khan also does a terrific job bringing her settings and characters to life. it's all so vivid and visceral.
this is a very smart series, and khan brings to it a big heart and a lot of sensitivity.
book #3 takes us away from toronto, to iran. the change of location didn't actually diminish the khattak-getty partnership at all and, in fact, allowed them each to develop a bit more, as well as allow a bit of time and development to a few of the recurring toronto-based secondary characters too. as with the previous books, khan does a great job incorporating history, struggles, and devastations. this time focused on political unrest in iran, and the evils of evin prison, located in tehran, which is a particularly cruel and deadly place for political prisoners.
khan does a wonderful job heightening the tension in among the ruins. every move, interaction, or curiosity - no matter how innocent - can be viewed as suspect. khan also does a terrific job bringing her settings and characters to life. it's all so vivid and visceral.
this is a very smart series, and khan brings to it a big heart and a lot of sensitivity.
August 8, 2017
All the feels.
"A few miles from where he took tea in a courtyard, screams sounded against the walls of a prison, darkening the skies. A graveyard scarred the hills, witness to the truth. Khattak knew of no way to measure these realities, or to grapple with their contrasts. He felt an unbearable pity for (spoiler), even as he felt the weight of judgment." This is what Ausma Zehanat Khan does so beautifully. She provides a detailed juxtaposition of unspeakable evil and cruelty against a backdrop of peace and beauty. The reader is left feeling the same pity and weight of judgement that Khattak feels.
The mystery is solid, with twists that I did not anticipate, and a believable ending. Another thing that I appreciate so much is AZK's ability to present a window into a culture completely different from my own and unknown to me, as a female American WASP. Her insights into Iranian culture are fascinating. Read the author's note at the end of each of her books. I come away from each one feeling as though I've not only been entertained for hours with a thrilling tale, but I've learned something as well and just might be a slightly better person for having read the novel. I cannot wait for the next one.
"A few miles from where he took tea in a courtyard, screams sounded against the walls of a prison, darkening the skies. A graveyard scarred the hills, witness to the truth. Khattak knew of no way to measure these realities, or to grapple with their contrasts. He felt an unbearable pity for (spoiler), even as he felt the weight of judgment." This is what Ausma Zehanat Khan does so beautifully. She provides a detailed juxtaposition of unspeakable evil and cruelty against a backdrop of peace and beauty. The reader is left feeling the same pity and weight of judgement that Khattak feels.
The mystery is solid, with twists that I did not anticipate, and a believable ending. Another thing that I appreciate so much is AZK's ability to present a window into a culture completely different from my own and unknown to me, as a female American WASP. Her insights into Iranian culture are fascinating. Read the author's note at the end of each of her books. I come away from each one feeling as though I've not only been entertained for hours with a thrilling tale, but I've learned something as well and just might be a slightly better person for having read the novel. I cannot wait for the next one.
March 23, 2017
The latest in the Rachel Getty and Esa Khattack series. This one had a bit of slow start, but I kept at it and was rewarded with a wonderful cloak and dagger type mystery. This time Esa and Rachel are separated. Esa being away on a vacation of sorts in Iran when the Canadian government asks him to look into the death of Iranian film maker, Zahra Sobhani, who is a Canadian citizen. He must be careful in his investigation or risk expulsion or worse. Rachel is doing the research and interviewing on the Canadian side. The secondary characters of Nathan Clare, Vicky D'Souza, and Sehr Ghilzai are back to assist with the investigation. I can see who the series is coming along, with these characters taking on a great supporting role. Esa find himself getting more and more pulled into Zahra's story and wanting to find what links her death to another family whose daughter has been imprisoned in one of the most notorious Iranian prisons. There is a wealth of information throughout the story about Iran, its architecture, religion, human rights, and history including the Shah and the extensive jewelry collection. Esa and Rachel bring the story to a crescendo involving Russian thugs and corrupt prison guards. Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2020
3-1/2 stars. This third volume in the Rachel Getty & Esa Khattak series would probably have been better to read in print rather than in audio format, as it was challenging to distinguish and keep track of the many unfamiliar names of characters, especially those in Iran. While on vacation in Iran, Esa is contacted by a woman who seeks his help with an investigation; when her plea for assistance fails to persuade him, she turns to threats to make Esa's status with the police and the public in Canada even more difficult than it has become as a result of his recent cases. The investigation in Iran involves a murder of a Canadian journalist of Iranian ethnicity at the notorious Evin Prison; the motivation for her trip to Iran and for her murder are both unknown. Iranian political history in the latter half of the 20th century plays a role in the investigation, and I'd probably have enjoyed the mystery even more if I had been more familiar with the issues and political intrigue that plagued the country during that time.
May 18, 2019
I actually finished this several weeks ago but I wanted to read it a second time before writing a review. I find that Khan’s works are worth a second read and this was very true in the case of this book as I understand little of the politics in that part of the world. The current hostilities between Iran and the US make it very topical. The book was published in 2017 and the timeline in the front ends with an optimistic note about a nuclear agreement being reached in 2015....which agreement is now being set aside. The fact of Inspector Khattak constantly worrying about being watched and carefully guarding what he says to his partner back in Canada makes one even more aware of what it must be like to live under such a regime.
March 26, 2018
I love how this series is a murder mystery that comes with a history lesson. As tensions increase between the US and Iran, this is a really timely book that explains Iran's complicated history in great detail. Using her poetic prose style that I've compared to Dennis Lehane in other reviews, Zehanat Khan invokes so much through the main narrative as well as these first-person interludes that delve into the mind and experience of an important character whose identity isn't revealed until the end. This is a really effective narrative trick that keeps the reader engaged and wanting to read the book from the beginning again to enjoy these interludes with full knowledge of who is speaking. I highly recommend this series.
October 5, 2024
This one was a struggle. Firstly, this book needs to come with trigger warnings, as it mentions sensitive content. Second, while this weaves fact and fiction, one really needs a good understanding of historical events in Iran to get the full picture. It felt like some context was dropped that would’ve been helpful for clarity. Finally, the audiobook voice was quite monotone and it took awhile to realize there were short excepts that were from different points of view because of the lack of distinction.
November 26, 2024
This story is political and highly charged. The author mentioned an Iranian-Canadian photojournalist who’s the inspiration for some of the storyline. It’s hard not to draw comparisons to Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe as well. Another deep-thinker of a book with complex layers of morality.
I’m starting to worry the author is planning a romance between Rachel and Esa and that’s just … ugh. No. Mainly because Rachel’s so clearly a lesbian. But also because they have such strong friend chemistry, not anything other.
I’m starting to worry the author is planning a romance between Rachel and Esa and that’s just … ugh. No. Mainly because Rachel’s so clearly a lesbian. But also because they have such strong friend chemistry, not anything other.
May 30, 2017
Beautiful writing with an interesting look at Iran that is more clear eyed and objective than is traditionally presented to Americans. The characters are great although it would be nice if there were some women that weren't in love with main Detective. If you like good literature I recommend this book
July 17, 2019
Another action packed adventure. Despite not believing the crime in this novel could have been committed or solved in this manner it as a super story and includes many interesting facets of information about Iran’s history, geography, culture and religion. I also just finished reading William Dalrymple’s book about the Kohinoor diamond which has a surprising mention in this novel.
April 22, 2017
While I still like her first one best, it is so nice to jump into a well-researched and well-written book.....
October 28, 2017
thoughts coming shortly
one of my favorite mystery series
one of my favorite mystery series
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