Customer Reviews

The Abyssinian Proof: A Kamil Pasha Novel (Kamil Pasha Novels)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Its a different time and a different place, but I get that "Inspector Morse" (BBC) feeling from the main character (Kamil Pasha). White displays the ability to put the reader suitably in the time period and place.

Pros: Read this if you like period mysteries in exotic settings without tons of gadgetry. A straight forward whodunnit when you're looking for one. I believe the "life" details from that time period are accurate, which I appreciate.

Cons: Kamil Pasha is still a little flat as a character and I look forward to seeing him develop through continuing novels. Sometimes the writing doesn't flow as well as I would like from scene to scene, but its not debilitating.

In 1453, Christians and Muslims clash in an age old struggle for a land that has been inhabited over the years by both. The Melisites, a secret sect, are forced to protect sacred artifacts, hiding a reliquary, a "container that holds the uncontainable", the Proof of God. Just before an assault by warring forces that will retake the Byzantine prize, the Proof is secreted in the antiquities-rich Sunken Village in the Ottoman Empire. The reliquary is to be passed from one set of guardians and priestesses to another, through the generations, linking all in common purpose. Years later, in 1887, a returning character, Kamil Pasha (The Sultan's Seal), magistrate in the new secular courts who investigates and prosecutes crimes in Istanbul, is troubled by the theft of precious artifacts from the area. More comfortable when dealing with science and rational fact, Kamil walks a delicate balance, adjudicating fairly in a place where emotions run high.

Kamil Pasha is a reasonable man who understands "the British want a strong Ottoman Empire to stand between themselves and the Russians". But the increasing demand for precious artifacts by European collectors has stimulated a black market trade that is leaving a trail of dead men in its wake. Thirty-one and unmarried, Kamil's personal life is devoted to work and his hothouse orchids, a dedicated civil servant determined to stop the thefts and find the killers of innocents. At the heart of the problem are a ruthless businessman and the current priestess of the sect, Balkis, whose brother, Malik, is one of Kamil's valued friends. Her son and daughter, Amida and Saba are in line to become the next guardian and priestess; but when Malik is brutally murdered, the crimes take on a more ominous cast in a case that reaches from the Sunken Village to England and the resources of Scotland Yard.

The author depicts a fascinating Istanbul, the Sunken Village with its Byzantine tunnels and enormous treasure, jewel-encrusted chalices and priceless antiquities, the unprepossessing reliquary most fought over for the secret it holds. Science and police procedure clash with barbaric rituals and ancient customs, Kamil torn between a profound respect for men's differences and the necessity of stopping the killings. In the midst of chaos, Kamil is tempted by the charms of the exotic Saba and a recent refugee who resides in his sister's house, Elia. An artist trained in Paris, Elia has suffered a terrible loss, unprepared to face Kamil's interest, yet not unaware of the man's charm. Perhaps at another time. Forced to deal with the violence around him, Kamil faces love, danger and a painful betrayal, a man of science in a place of fervent beliefs, where the Proof of God promises an end to mankind's quest.

The author meticulously recreates time and place in the 19th century Ottoman Empire, the sights and sounds of the Sunken Village, repository of history, the twisted tunnels of sacred relics and treasures eerily echoing centuries of civilization where men die for precious secrets, committing blind acts of faith and violence in service to their God. Yet, the Proof remains hidden: "It won't settle and reveal itself until humanity is ready to hear its message." Luan Gaines/2008.

These days, detectives in mystery novels come in all shapes and sizes. You find characters from each continent and walk of life. In the spirit of this, the current entry has as its main character a magistrate during the last years of the Ottoman Empire. Kamil Pasha is trying to hold the country together or a small part of it anyway, as well as he can. As this book starts, he intervenes in a confrontation between Ottoman soldiers and a young rebel, with disastrous results. In retaliation, his superiors give him an essentially impossible task: discover who's looting various religious sites and selling the items taken from them to European collectors. Since much of the items are from churches or synagogues, the religious minorities involved are very upset that the Muslim authorities haven't done anything to protect the religious heritage of the religious minorities in their country. There has already been some rioting, and if Kamil Pasha doesn't act quickly, the whole country could explode.

This is a reasonably good novel. It's a bit slow, at times, and has a rather confusing changing-point-of-view style that's at times annoying. That aside, it's an interesting topic with some fascinating issues worked into the plot. I generally enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

If you ever wondered what a Turkish Sherlock Holmes might have looked like, pick up "The Abyssianian Proof." The tale begins in the 1400's with the Ottomans at the gates of a beseiged Constantinople and the frantic hiding of Christian religious items including the reliquary from Chora, Container of the Uncontainable. Fast forward four hundred years, and we met Kamil Pasha, a magistrate in the new secular courts, charged with ending the theft and sale outside the country of many of the religious artifacts of the city, Christian, Jewish and Muslim. You are sucked into the markets, the crumbling architectural wealth, the spices scenting the air and the call to prayer as Pasha investigates leads which end in murder of his agents. Different blended sects, the structured, constrained life of women, the refugees flooding the streets from the surrounding territories, displaced by war add to the tension and setting of the novel. If you enjoy a murder mystery with a setting outside the Western world, pick this one up and enjoy.

After finishing Jenny White's second novel, Abyssinian Proof, I'm hooked. Abyssinian Proof was an easier read than her first novel, Sultan's Seal. The story flowed more; I didn't have difficulty tracking with the characters. (I do recommend Sultan's Seal too, perhaps as a second read.)

I want to know when Ms. White's next Kamil Pasha detective novel will be released. I see possibility in the development of a number of the characters. I enjoy following characters from book to book.

I agree with the reviewer Rod Holland. These books are not for everyone but for those of us who like whodunits in exotic settings, they're satisfying. They add to my view of the world in an easy to grasp, entertaining way. I'm learning history.

Both books by jenny white -the abyssian proof and the sultans seal are two of the best and most enjoyable crime fiction set in historiacl contexts i have read {and i have read quite a few }. Anyone who loves a mystery where the characters , both the city itself and the people are intriguing with a feel for history and the exotic will love thes books / And they are very well written on every level . Despite almost literary standard writing they are both page turners and the stories facinating , Recommend to all who like well writen and no formulaic crime writng .
Forget the English who done its and even a lot of the american crime fiction . try European and "historical crime fiction -Just great
enjoy reading everyone !!

I will say up front that I liked her first novel (The Sultan's Seal which I gave 4 solid stars) better. There is a 'women's studies' element to this one that I wasn't 100% comfortable with but I still love White's writing and her descriptions of settings feel simultaneously very real and dreamily atmospheric - and I adore Kamil. The plethora and variety of exotic inspector novels out there these days makes me feel like a child in a candy store. I remember when The Name of The Rose depressed me because I didn't know how to follow it up. Am looking forward to reading White's third book, which recently came out.

This second Kamil Pasha novel by Jeny White is a clear improvement over the first . White uses the exotic and yet familiar conflicts of the Ottoman Empire happening in Istanbul but affected by national and international events to comment on the socio/religious conflicts of today. The characters, some of whom are carryovers from the Sultan"s Seal are clearly distinguishable and their familial relationships and conflicts are nicely woven into the plot. Kamil's sister and brother in law reappear and the subtle tension is an important achievement in the novel. Kamil's attraction to two women is a motivating device linked to these family events. There is also some carryover from the previous novel in his official relationships with the British embassy; although, the personal life involvement has disappeared. Again, there is concern with the role of women in this male dominated social order, and these two women are each important as individuals. This is a somewhat long novel, loaded with evocative detail - who can help it in Constantinople - Istanbul? THe plot, centered on the theft and smuggling of ancient artifacts, mostly religious, and a secret Christial cult surviving in the city ( it was only four hundred years or so since the fall of Constantinople to the Turks) makes for a wealth of information. Some of the individual quirks- Kamil's Orchids for example - point to future plans. I hope so. I want to read more.

In 1303 Rumi (Oct 1887 Gregorian) in Istanbul, concern is high over the stealing of religious antiquities from the mosques, synagogues and churches of the Ottoman Empire; especially when the purloined artifacts are smuggled out of the country to London for sale to the highest bidder. With leaders of the three religions in feverous rage blaming one another and the Sultan, fear by the secular rulers is that a new Crusade is coming that could destroy the already ailing Empire if they do not calm the waters by catching the thieves. On top of all this is an assassination in broad daylight of the Ottoman governor of Macedonia.

The minister of justice assigns secular court magistrate Kamil Pasha to handle the assassination expeditiously and then the antiquities thefts. However, the latest item has caused an even greater furor than usual as the stolen reliquary contains the Proof of God message hidden to keep it safe from the Muslims by Isaak Metochites and his family in 1453 Constantinople. Tied up with the murder on Istanbul's streets, Kamil turns to his friend Malik, the caretaker of a mosque, to regain the stolen reliquary.

In many ways the second Kamil Pasha late nineteenth century Ottoman Empire mystery (see THE SULTAN'S SEAL) is more a deep historical tale than a whodunit as the investigations enhance the insightful look at the era than visa versa. Thus THE ABYSSINIAN PROOF targets those who prefer an insider glimpse of life in Istanbul with religions ready to fight one another in the name of God while devastating the enfeebled empire using the mysteries to augment the period piece.

Harriet Klausner

this was my first Kindle e-book and i thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good murder mystery. there are enough twist and turns to keep your interest but the story still flows. i will download another book from this author