Death by Design

Inspector Ikmen #12

by Barbara Nadel

When the Istanbul police raid a counterfeit goods factory in the run-down district of Tarlabasi, a young man with explosives strapped to his chest blows himself up in front of them. In the process, Istanbul's Inspector Çetin Ikmen is injured. Documents found in the factory lead the authorities in both Istanbul and London to believe that a terrorist attack, in part orchestrated from the Tarlabasi factory, is about to be enacted in the British capital. Ikmen goes undercover among the North London Turkish community, although what he uncovers there is certainly not what his British colleagues were expecting.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, London, Thriller, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

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

[Sarah AlObaid · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
What i didn't like about this book was that i expected the majority of the things that unfolded in the end.
The plot twist wasn't that much of a shocker to be honest, the whole 'solution' to the crime was predictable, and if not, it wasn't that exciting. When i got to the end i wasn't on the edge of my seat, furiously reading, like you would expect to be with the endings of mystery/crime books.
I picked this book up on a whim in a bookstore because 1) the cover was pretty, 2) it was a mystery book, and 3) i was hoping we would get a more in-depth look at the turkish society. I liked the cultural element in it, certainly; i absolutely love Turkey, in fact, i was in Istanbul for the most part of reading this book, so that was a really nice experience. Though this book did shed the light on social problems in Turkey as well as in other places, like the production of counterfeits, terrorism and gang activity, which i found really interesting, it didn't really explore the Turkish community the way i expected it would. The way this book was put together just wasn't attention-grabbing or exciting even though it could have been. I feel like the fact that this book is part of a, i don't wanna say book series, more like, a book chain ( i guess?) might have also been why i didn't like it; i might have liked the first book better, who knows? The writing style wasn't bad, but again with the omniscient/third-person-limited shifting point of views.. i didn't like that, other people might find it added more to the story or they just might have found it good, i didn't. it wasn't for me. I like my POVs very much focused on one or two characters, thank you very much.

[Lilisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable #12 Cetin Ikmen book that straddles two locations - Istanbul and London. It covers current themes of counterfeit goods, migrants, politics, and terrorism hiding behind so called “religion” but really for power and money. This book is a bit different than the others I’ve read as Cetin goes undercover in a London following a raid on a factory in Istanbul. As well, he’s dealing with a family issue he doesn’t know how to resolve. The trail leads directly to the U.K. Playing the role of a desperate migrant, Cetin is illegally smuggled along with other migrants into London via Germany. He’s the on-the-ground eyes and ears for the Brits in disguise right in the middle of all the action, a dangerous role he doesn’t usually play. There are many moving parts and scuzzy characters involved in a shocking plot that leads to a race against time. Ultimately it’s Cetin’s brilliance, of course, that saves the day.

[Neil Mudde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great book by Barbara Nadel, I love reading about other countries in this case Turkey, Nadel obviously is familiar with this culture giving us insight into family life, etc., and what happens on the international scene, with sweatshops in England being run by Turkey.s nationals, the trade in human beings from Africa, slavery is by no means over, and as long as there is money to be made from creating "fake" rolex.s guchhi bags, etc etc, there is an underground in our world willing to take advantage of making the almighty buck Good Story

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This the twelfth book (first published in 2010) in the author's long running police procedural series (24 books so far) set in Istanbul. So far I have read nineteen of these books as well as nine other books by this author so I suppose that makes me a fan.

Although the story starts with a raid on a factory making counterfeit goods in Istanbul most of the story is set in London as the raid gives some slim evidence of a planned terror attack there and Inspector Ikmen is sent there undercover.

The plot is far-fetched and I am not sure that it quite made sense but Ikmen is a great character and I found it a compelling read which I read in one sitting. Ikmen's personal life takes a turn for the better too!

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

First Inspector Ikmen book I have read although it is number 12 in the series. Starts in Istanbul although most fo the action takes place in London where Ikmen is on an undercover assignment to thwart a perceived terrorist act. Not bad story but rather tedious writing style and I wasn’t on the edge of my seat. At least Nadel makes a list of her characters which some other authors should do too. Ikmen to the rescue. A bit all too pat especially how he got into Britain as a foreign illegal. Predictable ending. Will I read more Ikmen books? I don’t know.

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in a gripping series - this time set in London … no spoilers included but a combination of relevant and topical talking points from the 2012 period. this book doesn’t feature so many of the previous characters but Çetin remains the central lead

[Jay Vikram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many characters to follow but the story is well written. It gives a good picture of the human trafficking industry of Europe and shows the dirty hypocrisy of the European Union.

[Christine Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A change of venue for Cetin but I could still smell the Turkish tobacco!
Makes some interesting, relevant observations regarding current times

[Janet Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, one of the best so far

[Teresa Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic plot, with many twists and turns. Movements between countries and undercover work included. I love this authors work, and really enjoy her varied plots, having many threads running through the tales. Well recommended

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Turkish police inspector Cetin Ikmen's beloved wife Fatma had not blamed him for their son's death, perhaps Ikmen would not have agreed to a dangerous undercover assignment that took him from his familiar Istanbul to a poor section of London into the squalid, sinister world of slave labor factories that produce illegal knock-offs. The information to both the Turkish and English police indicates that the owner of some factories is encouraging terrorism--but why would a businessman, even a crooked one, want the disruption associated with bombings?

[Hande · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Barbara Nadel's book for again, quick reads. This I squeezed before starting A Feast For Crows by George R R Martin and also because we are in Turkey, and I wanted to read one of her books.

I now struggle to justify buying fake handbags... not a bad thing really considering!

Really enjoy reading about Cetin Ikmen and his wife Fatma. They are so cute, so real and so Turkish in so many ways. Ms Nadel has gotten quite a few things right about the country, or more frankly, she follows my thoughts and beliefs about my country - though sometimes the spelling lets her down.

[Mirjana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest of The Inspector Ikmen(Rebus with a Turkish twist) series has everything: sweat shops, jihad, murder,... Barbara Nadel revels parts of Istanbul and London that tourists never see, and she loves even those parts, just like Cetin Ikmen loves his dead criminal son.
This book opens our eyes to other possibilities and reasons for Muslim fundamentalism. There is no black and white, nobody is perfect, everybody can make a mistake,...

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best one yet. Ikmen goes undercover while still reeling from injuries in a suicide bombing and the emotional pain of the estrangement of his wife. Lots of action as Ikmen goes to the UK and works with Scotland Yard. Great pacing until the very end when Nadel as usual takes forever to wrap-up and prepare us for Ikmen's next adventure. After this one I'm wondering if he'll be retiring soon. Lots of pain in this one for a 57 year old policeman to endure.

[Jack Laschenski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing.

I usually love Barbara Nadel's Inspector Ikmen stories set in contemporary Istambul. They are full of local culture and politics and atmosphere.

But this time she sent Ikmen to London to help the British police.

He was out of his element.

He was a victim of vicious abuse.

The British did not seem British and were certainly not competent.

She blew it - not a good book.

[Bachyboy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might have known I was in trouble when the book begins with a huge list of all the characters and their roles. I chose this because of the Turkish link but the names of the characters nearly did my head in! It was a good story but I hate it when the author can't even cope with her characters' names ; twice she mixed up the name of the London mayor and the baddie. I was so frustrated, I actually changed it in the library book!!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ikmen leaves his beloved Istanbul for an undercover job in London. In this book. Nadel explores the rhyme and reasoning for terrorism in the big cities and the financial and political links to the counterfeit bag and drug industry. Ikmen is the central figure throughout.

[Georgene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently part of a series, this can be read as a stand-alone book.

A Turkish policeman goes undercover in England to stop an act of terrorism. Interesting and held my interest from beginning to end.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read Jan 2010.
2nd time: Aug 2010

[Jill Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadel continues to satisfy. A thoroughly good read.

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 3 out of 5]

a mystery writer who crosses cultures, religion, family dynamics with ease.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent characters; action packed and believable.

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Karen Braid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic offering from Barbara Nadel. Inspector Ikemen, a true great detective.

[Димитър Тодоров · Rating 2 out of 5]

Разочароващото криминале. Защото инспектор Четин вместо да си седи на задника и да разследва убийства в Цариград, взема че се командирова в услуга на полицията в Лондон. Където за кмет е избран турчин педераст със здрава ръка срещу престъпността. Задачата е да се разнищи производствена мрежа за фалшиви маркови стоки с робски труд, следвайки подозрителна диря за ислямистки терористичен акт.