Shayne’s Reviews > My Name Is Red > Status Update

The murder spends the night at various haunts, including a “soup kitchen” and a coffeehouse telling stories about style, blindness, and horses. Satan tells of his origins, makes two refutations of his involvement with evil, and refutes the Frankish style—he chose not to bow down to Man. Shekure sneaks into Black’s room in the middle of the night, questioning his involvement in the murder, and hears a sound.

Black and Osman continue going through illustrations looking for a “signature” to give away the murderer. The illustration found on Elegant’s body is delivered to them from Shekure, where they find an irregularity in the nose. They pore through piece upon piece looking for a matching inconsistency.

Master Osman and Black begin the work of locating the consistent “signatures” of each miniaturist across the various paintings. Master Osman gives a history and personality traits of each.

After returning from the funeral, Black is summoned by the Sultan and is briefly tortured (tested) and charged with discovering who the real murderer is.

Esther consoles Hayriye and Shekure on the day of Enishte’s funeral and witnesses the children play-torturing the child of another mourner while his sister watches in trembling sadness. Esther is tasked by Shekure to visit Elegant’s widow to discuss missing halva and what she knows of the double murder. Kalbiye produces a piece of paper with a drawing of a horse, something Elegant wouldn’t have been known for.

Master Osman is summoned to the Sultan’s private garden, where the Head Treasurer and Commander relate the details of Enishte’s murder. They inform him of the investigation about to take place, including the torture of the miniaturists.

The soul of Enishte ascends to Berzah, where he bears witness to his funeral and gets a glimpse of heaven, being outside of time and in any place at once. He particularly describes things on the basis of colors and describes being washed in red as he nears the presence of Allah.

Enishte’s death is announced to many, including the Sultan’s Head Treasurer, who resolves with Black to keep the fact a secret from the workshop for now.

After the wedding, the sudden family retires to bed. After falling asleep telling the children a story, Shekure is awoken by what turns out to be Hasan talking to Black outside. Hasan resigns to calling on the judge in the morning, accusing the couple of adultery. While Shekure is outside, the children discover Enishte’s body. A horse painting contends the Frankish methods are not blasphemy.

Black and Shekure meet up to discuss hiring false witnesses to attest to her husband’s death so they can be married. Black secures the divorce, claiming to represent Enishte as Shekure’s guardian and makes the preparations for the wedding. The bridal procession commences and then the two are married.