Description

Book Synopsis

Barbara Nadel''s gripping Ikmen mysteries are the inspiration behind The Turkish Detective, BBC Two''s sensational eight-part TV crime drama series, out now.



A secret worth killing for...


Barbara Nadel introduces Inspector Cetin Ikmen for the first time in her debut novel, Belshazzar''s Daughter. Perfect for fans of Jason Goodwin and Donna Leon.


''Exciting, accomplished and original'' - Literary Review

Leonid Meyer is found murdered in his flat in Balat, Istanbul''s decrepit Jewish quarter, a swastika daubed on the wall in the old man''s blood. But Inspector Cetin Ikmen is quick to eschew the obvious conclusion that this is a racist attack. The evidence leads Ikmen and his young lieutenant, Suleyman, to two people: Robert Cornelius, a teacher observed outside Meyer''s flat shortly after the murder, and a retired businessman, Reinhold Smits, known to have had Nazi sympathies. But another link co

Trade Review
'Intriguing, exotic whodunnit... Local colour judiciously applied and ethnic differences skilfully explored. A first novel: exciting, accomplished and original' Literary Review
Evocative and idiosyncratic * Good Book Guide *
`Best crime fiction of the year by a new writer was Barbara Nadel's Belshazzar's Daughter... great blooming baroque plot (ditto talent)' * Independent *
`This is an extraordinarily interesting first novel' * Evening Standard *
'An unusual and very well written first novel...Although the murder mystery is intriguing, it is the characters who make this book so successful' Sunday Telegraph
'Ikmen will go far...will have you looking over your shoulder' Scotsman
`Really refreshing to encounter something as idiosyncratic and evocative among debut novels as Barbara Nadel's Istanbul-set thriller' * The Times *
`Unusual and very well-written' * Sunday Telegraph *

Belshazzar's Daughter has been chosen by Jane Jakeman in Saturday's INDEPENDENT weekend review section as
'Best crime fiction by a new writer...a great blooming baroque plot (ditto talent).'


`Will have you looking over your shoulder' * Scotsman *
'This is an extraordinarily interesting first novel: the idea which drives its plot is an intriguing one; the Istanbul background is richly and thickly layered; the diverse cast of characters exhibits most of the psychoses known to man: while Cetin Ikmen is a detective one hopes to see more of' TJ Binyon, Evening Standard

'It's really refreshing to encounter something as idiosyncratic and evocative among debut novels as Barbara Nadel's Istanbul-set thriller BELSHAZZAR'S DAUGHTER, which matches a multi-layer description of its locale with an equally complex plot' The Times


T

Belshazzars Daughter Inspector Ikmen Mystery 1

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    £9.49

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    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 24 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Barbara Nadel

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      View other formats and editions of Belshazzars Daughter Inspector Ikmen Mystery 1 by Barbara Nadel

      Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
      Publication Date: 03/02/2000
      ISBN13: 9780747262176, 978-0747262176
      ISBN10: 0747262179

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Barbara Nadel''s gripping Ikmen mysteries are the inspiration behind The Turkish Detective, BBC Two''s sensational eight-part TV crime drama series, out now.



      A secret worth killing for...


      Barbara Nadel introduces Inspector Cetin Ikmen for the first time in her debut novel, Belshazzar''s Daughter. Perfect for fans of Jason Goodwin and Donna Leon.


      ''Exciting, accomplished and original'' - Literary Review

      Leonid Meyer is found murdered in his flat in Balat, Istanbul''s decrepit Jewish quarter, a swastika daubed on the wall in the old man''s blood. But Inspector Cetin Ikmen is quick to eschew the obvious conclusion that this is a racist attack. The evidence leads Ikmen and his young lieutenant, Suleyman, to two people: Robert Cornelius, a teacher observed outside Meyer''s flat shortly after the murder, and a retired businessman, Reinhold Smits, known to have had Nazi sympathies. But another link co

      Trade Review
      'Intriguing, exotic whodunnit... Local colour judiciously applied and ethnic differences skilfully explored. A first novel: exciting, accomplished and original' Literary Review
      Evocative and idiosyncratic * Good Book Guide *
      `Best crime fiction of the year by a new writer was Barbara Nadel's Belshazzar's Daughter... great blooming baroque plot (ditto talent)' * Independent *
      `This is an extraordinarily interesting first novel' * Evening Standard *
      'An unusual and very well written first novel...Although the murder mystery is intriguing, it is the characters who make this book so successful' Sunday Telegraph
      'Ikmen will go far...will have you looking over your shoulder' Scotsman
      `Really refreshing to encounter something as idiosyncratic and evocative among debut novels as Barbara Nadel's Istanbul-set thriller' * The Times *
      `Unusual and very well-written' * Sunday Telegraph *

      Belshazzar's Daughter has been chosen by Jane Jakeman in Saturday's INDEPENDENT weekend review section as
      'Best crime fiction by a new writer...a great blooming baroque plot (ditto talent).'


      `Will have you looking over your shoulder' * Scotsman *
      'This is an extraordinarily interesting first novel: the idea which drives its plot is an intriguing one; the Istanbul background is richly and thickly layered; the diverse cast of characters exhibits most of the psychoses known to man: while Cetin Ikmen is a detective one hopes to see more of' TJ Binyon, Evening Standard

      'It's really refreshing to encounter something as idiosyncratic and evocative among debut novels as Barbara Nadel's Istanbul-set thriller BELSHAZZAR'S DAUGHTER, which matches a multi-layer description of its locale with an equally complex plot' The Times


      T

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