Topkapi Secret

by Terry Kelhawk

On display within the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul lies the Topkapi Codex-an ancient manuscript of the Koran involved in the murder that split Shiite from Sunni. What's the truth about the Topkapi Codex? Is there blood on it? Are its contents the same as the modern Koran's? No one knows because the Topkapi Codex is off limits to research. Mohammed Atareek is obsessed with getting his hands on this mysterious manuscript. His research has convinced him that the Koran has been changed many times, and the text of the famous codex could prove it. But other scholars are turning up dead. Did they share his conviction? Should he expose himself to their risk?Angela, a UC Berkeley English professor, married money and kept it; but lost the marriage, most of her family, and a friend under traumatic circumstances. On top of that, she makes a career move that puts her in the Middle East and in Mohammed's path. His overconfident, witty, and impulsive personality is both puzzling and refreshing to Angela. But when Mohammed tries to engage her in his quest, he finds she has an agenda of her own. Cat and mouse games, heated discussions, and sparks of romance inevitably ensue.Based on solid historical research, this exciting debut novel features a page-turning plot, a startling conclusion, and many eye-opening facts about the origins of the Koran.

418 pages, Hardcover

First published September 14, 2010

Reviews

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lately I've been on a roll, reading more suspense novels this year than I've read in my entire life. From the looks of my books to be read pile this book, The Topkapi Secret will be the last suspense novel that I review until the new year. What a way to finish off the year! While I've seen this book on a lot of Christian fiction sites it's not Christian fiction but rather religious fiction set around the roots of Islam and the Koran. I don't know a lot about the Islamic faith but I have to admit that this book was really interesting and appeared to be very well researched. Anytime I read a novel where the author provides an appendix of sources that she used I'm more apt to appreciate the story itself. It really shows that the author cared enough about what she wrote and tried to make it as informative as possible while still making great fiction.

If you are a fan of suspense you will not be disappointed in the least. The Topkapi Secret starts out with a murder and the intrigue continues from that point on and doesn't let up. The characters were in a race across the Middle East and Europe, I was always wondering what was going to happen next. In fact, I was on the edge of my seat for most of the story! While mostly serious, there were a few moments of comic relief where I could catch my breath.

The characters of Mohammed and Angela weren't the most dynamic but it was interesting to read a story where two cultures, American and Middle Eastern collided. And while I'm a fan of romance I must say it almost detracted from the story that. The rather silly ending prevented me from giving this book five stars but it's definitely a four star book and I'd like to read what Terry comes out with next.

*Many thanks to Glass Roads PR for providing my complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.*

[Chickadee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predicted to be an international best seller, The Topkapi Secret has been the source of some controversy. I did not enjoy reading this book for many reasons; the main one being that I am most definitely not the intended audience the author was writing for.

Although the initial invitation to review this book interested me because of the subject matter, the further I read the more I realized I would not be able to recommend this book nor give it a positive review.

While reviewers were cautioned that the novel had some abusive language there was no warning that this language would include the “F” word and the use of God’s name in vain which completely turned me off. I found it unnecessary to the plot development, (profanity overkill) and annoying.

Based on the language and sexual situations in the book, I would not purchase this book nor recommend it. It was not what I expected and I would not have agreed to review it if I would've had more detailed information prior to receiving it. The storyline was hard to follow and the chapters sometimes felt nonsensical.

Overall, there will be readers out there who will enjoy this book immensely, I am just not one of them.

[Evangeline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terry Kelhawk weaved historical facts and the characters’ life stories to produce an average historical-fiction novel. I found the plot engrossing but I thought that the language, grammar, and sentence construction used could be much, much better. When I read the first few chapters, I felt as if I was reading a writing by a 13-year old. Furthermore, descriptions used to connect sentences and portray the author’s thoughts were barely there. I had hoped that this would only last in the first few chapters but I was left disappointed as it was not so. This book makes a worthwhile read for fans of Middle Eastern culture and history, thanks to the well-researched facts. But, if as a person who cannot tolerate poor storytelling and awkward-sounding sentences, I found it a time-waster and couldn’t wait to move on to another book.

[Tabitha Krug · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up because I had just been to Turkey and visited Topkapi palace myself. Unfortunately, just as I found the palace to be a relative bore compared with what else Istanbul has to offer, I also had a hard time getting through this book. It was kinda cool to learn more of the Koran's history, but it got pretty dry sometimes for an adventure novel. It seemed like the author tried to balance the serious dialogs with playful/silly conversations that were really meaningless and weren't convincingly natural (I could tell I was reading two invented characters voiced by the same author).

[Caito Junqueira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I've always been interested in Turkey. It is very dangerous when groups try to change their religion to suit their interests. This excellent, fast-paced, page-turner questions the authenticity of the texts from which the Koran.

This is a captivating book that gave me a hard time putting down. It has a lot of historic and cultural interesting information, great for an educational reading.

Read a more thorough review at BooksCrier.com
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[Andi Tubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why but I am drawn to books in set in the Middle East or with a Middle Eastern slant. This was a beautifully written book that took me across the country of Turkey, a place I have never been before in person or in a book. This book shed new light on the Koran, I find it sad that Muslims will go to their grave not knowing the truth about what they believe. I highly recommend this book!

[Ksafford · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't recommend this one. The story line would have been okay, but the writing style was...well...silly. I barely managed to get through the book and only because it was so silly I had to laugh.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one as it reminded me of my recent visit to istanbul

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book! It was fast paced, exciting, and educational. This book is fun and thought provoking! Worth reading:-)