Monday

Glass Road BLOG TOUR: The Topkapi Secret by Terry Kelhawk



Book Description:  Meticulously researched, this richly textured debut novel will capture your imagination from the beginning, pull you into the intrigue and adventure and never let go. An extensive cast of characters complements the story’s intricate details, including origins of the Koran.

My Review:  Angela Hall, Berkeley University English Literature Professor, is working on the West Bank doing research when she meets Mohammed Atareek.  Mohammed believes that the Koran is vastly different than the modern day Koran.  He is seeking permission to enter and research  to access the Topkapi Codex but has been denied approval.  The Topkapi Museum in Istanbul is a palace in IstanbulTurkey, which was the official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign.  The palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments and is a major tourist attraction today, containing the most holy relics of the Muslim world such as the Prophet Muhammed's cloak and sword. This is where the "true Quran (Koran)" is suppose to be hidden.

Now after hearing Mohammed's story Angela is intrigued!  To Mohammed's credit he does warn Angela that everyone who is looking for the Koran are devious and mean....meaning that they willkill for "this!"  Angela being a woman of strength takes the challenge!  What does she have to lose!?!  

The message of this suspenseful thriller is the debate over whether God truly spoke these words from the modern Koran to  Mohammed or is there another book from the seventeenth century that are the "true" words. 
The read was exciting and when the storyline focused on finding the Koran it was simply exhilarating but when the story focused on the trip and all that the trip entailed it lost a lot of its potency.
This was one.of.those.most.exciting reads!  I made the mistake of just reading the first page!  Couldn't put the book down!  
If you enjoy learning about history with espionage and adventure thrown in then you'll enjoy this book because Terry Kelhawk has done a superb job of research and then "telling" it in story form!  FANTASTIC 5 star read!
*Please note that there is "a scene" at the beginning of the book that is pertinent for the story but not for the squeamish or young eyes.
*I reviewed this book for Glass Road Public Relations*


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