A Principle Of Light

by J.E. Irvin

Told in two voices A PRINCIPLE OF LIGHT is the sweeping tale of two women caught in the turbulent spring and summer of 2016 in Turkey.

TWO WOMEN--
Nilesen Yilmaz, a widowed Turkish poet, and Jeannie Maurillac, an American photographer, are thrown together when they witness a bombing in Istanbul.

ONE MYSTERY --
Convinced their knowledge of the crime puts them in danger, they go on the run, unaware of the secrets about to be uncovered and the life-changing decisions they will face.

As their friendship grows, so do the dangers they face, forcing each woman to decide how much she is willing to risk for her art, the truth, and love.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Written to honor the memory of the dear friend who lent her name for the main character and shared stories of her beloved country, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the ALS organization to fund research into this dread disease.

360 pages, paperback, ebook

Published October 27, 2020

About the author

J. E. Irvin is a novelist, poet, and educator. She grew up in Struthers, Ohio, in the industrial north area of the state. The oldest of seven children, she spent her childhood caring for her siblings and reading her way through the shelves of the local library. She holds a BA from Ohio University, an M.S. in Education from the University of Dayton, and an M.A. in Spanish from the University of Cincinnati. Her short pieces have appeared in a variety of print and online publications. Her interests include canoeing, gardening, and travel. She is a member of the Greenville Poets, Central Ohio Fiction Writers, Buckeye Crime Writers, and SistersinCrime. Irvin is a member of the Springboro Historical Society and serves on the Springboro Park Board.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irvin's "A Principal of Light" is an exhilarating mystery. It opens with Nilesen, a Turkish poet, a woman in trouble with her country's political authorities for her poetry. In an alternating narration, an American photographer contemplates her marriage and career, both of which are ready for failure. A marketplace bombing forces Nilesen and the younger American to go on the lamb together, where they move through an underground network of political dissidents. Throughout the book, readers are introduced to fellow political travelers in various, unexpected settings: private clinics, lonely gas stations, and even motorboats in the Bosporus Straight.

Cinematic action and mystery drive the story, but I found myself more interested in Nilesen and the American photographer, Jeannie, than in the story's progression. Both Nilesen and Jeannie are in their 30's. It is still rare to see women as the central protagonists of a thriller, and even more rare to see women in this age rage. Both are energetic and dynamic, but they also suffer from something rarely seen in mystery thrillers: they are realistic. They possess the same hang-ups and psychological problems that everyone the world over would have if they were put in such a situation. They carry their personalities through the entirety of the book. This gives "A Principle of Light" solid staying power.

The writing is very smooth and concise, even though the author uses two narratives. While many books use two narratives to intentionally confuse readers by concealing details, Irvin uses them to good effect and with a purpose. Chapters are short and easy to pick up and put down if needed, although I found myself reading fifty pages in a sitting.

I first read Irvin's work in "Alfred Hitchcock Magazine" ten or so years ago. She primarily writes murder mysteries. "A Principle of Light" has a wonderful mystery at its' heart, but I found myself enjoying the characters more than the ride.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been thinking about this story since I finished it

Although fictional, it takes place during a revolt in Turkey in 2016 and the author does a fabulous job weaving a historical event and the story she dreamed. On more than one occasion, I found myself on the edge of my seat hoping the characters survived another setback. The story is action packed, the scenes perfectly described and believable. The author's research into the revolt, her adept description of the characters, their thoughts and feelings, her use of languages, poetry and her grasp of the science of the principles of light are beautifully presented. I loved the description of the terrain, the sights, sounds and smells of the scenes...I easily envisioned the characters' transformations as they made their way across Turkey. I definitely recommend this book. It's the quintessential story of light vs darkness, truth vs lies, good and evil, love and loss. I also like that Ms Irvin is donating 10% of the proceeds to the ALS Association.

[Jessica Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I opened this book for the first time twelve hours ago and didn't put it down until I was finished. J. E. Irvin tells a heart wrenching, joyous, thrilling story that has brought tears to my eyes. Nilesen and Jeannie's stories are full of truth and meaning. I was on the edge of my seat at every page, holding my breath when they held theirs, and crying right alongside them. The scenery was beautiful and the action scenes would not be out of place on the big screen. I cannot recommend this story enough.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've never read a book by J.E. Irvin, you're missing out. Much like with her other work, Irvin brings to life her setting and characters, their actions and reactions. In this case, we're immersed in the story of Nielsen Yilmaz Solganian, a Turkish poet whose poetry has gotten her in trouble with the Turkish government, and Jeannie Maurillac, an American photojournalist who documents something she shouldn't: a bombing set off by that government. Jeannie and Nielsen set off on a harrowing journey that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and prods the reader to ask questions, the ultimate being, what will happen to Jeannie and Nielsen?

Irvin is a master storyteller and poet, and that's clear from these pages. She chose to tell the tale in a dual narrative, but that narrative is neither confusing nor overwhelming. Each line jumps from the page, revealing more about these characters--their wants, desires, traumas, and beliefs. An engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has become one of my favorites. The writing style was superb and led to an easy visualization of the characters and setting. The overall storyline never ceased to capture my attention and left me wanting to turn the page to learn more. The entwined romance between many of the characters led to multiple plot twists, adding another layer to the storyline, and had me rooting for a fairy tale ending. I recommend this book to anyone seeking a fictional adventure, filled with action, romance, and surprises on every page.

[Beth Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping story that is masterfully written. The author weaves together a fast paced and harrowing journey through Turkey with the development of each pivotal character so that by the end of the book, I was invested in their survival. This is the perfect book for readers who like action and adventure with a big dose of heart.

[Lesley Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fantastic read from start to finish, the characters pull you in and it was beautifully written!

[Erma Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Principle of Light is exciting from the very beginning. Two women, an American Journalist and a Turkish poet, are brought together by chance during a bombing in Turkey. Beautifully written, this book delivers suspense and the beauty of a friendship that grows between two women from different cultures as they embark on a dangerous journey to escape those in pursuit of them.

[Donna]

Interesting, well-developed characters who will stay with you long after you have finished this book.

[Charles Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set during the political turmoil of Turkey in 2016, A Principle of Light tells the story of photojournalist Jeannie Maurillac and dissident poet Nilesen Yilmaz Solaganian fleeing the authorities after witnessing politically instigated bombing in Istanbul. Their struggle to escape and tell their stories—Jeannie through her photography and Nilesen through her poetry—takes them on a frenzied journey across Turkey, pursued by thieves and government thugs.

Irvin’s writing is a deft blending of gritty, concrete details and poetic metaphors as we follow the protagonists struggles for love and survival. Integrated into that are reflective passages of actual poetry (as told through the writing of Nilesen) and an overarching framework of the metaphorical properties of light itself—refraction, diffraction, light, and dark. One passage I particularly liked was when one of the characters comments that the conflict in Turkey has fractured the country into separate pieces the same way a prism splits white light into its constituent colors.

The end result is a journey that is both exhausting and rewarding.

[Margaret Jasinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sucked in, taken along for the journey, mesmerized, emotionally devastated and at the same time elated for this deep story of hope, perseverance, tragedy and love. Shocked by how much I enjoyed this read and how woven into the timeline I felt as if I was a part of the plot myself. Cheers to the author!

[Linda Reynolds]

Excellent book. I loved the way she linked the plot with scientific aspects of light. Each of the characters had a unique perspective, and their voices rang true. I don’t want to give away spoilers, so I’ll just say I was surprised by at least three events.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished "A Principle of Light" It was excellent! I so enjoy a really good writer, and Irvin is one of them! Quality reading!