Customer Reviews

The Prophet Murders: A Hop-Ciki-Yaya Thriller (Hop-Ciki-Yaya)

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

 

 

In Istanbul, the nightclub owner is depressed to learn of the murder of a transvestite and of the stance of police commissioner Selcuk Tanyer who admits his detective team has no lead and appears to be conducting a limited investigation at best. The nameless club owner being part of the small underground transvestite community is appalled and makes a few inquiries amongst his peers.

He quickly learns that a serial killer is murdering transvestites who use the names of the Prophets. The amateur sleuth also finds out that the homicides are rituals in honor of the Prophet. With the help of an insider in the police force and chatroom member Jihad2000, the club owner prepares to catch the serial killer.

The graphic murders and the solid amateur sleuthing are well written and entertaining in this translation from Turkish of the Mehmet Murat Somer's Hop-Ciki-Yaya saga. However, the Istanbul underground lifestyle steals the show starting with the nameless nightclub owner and his guided tour of a rarely seen side of Turkey. Fans who appreciate something different and have strong stomachs will enjoy this engaging fresh look at the streets of Istanbul.

Harriet Klausner

If you're after superior mysteries, try Mehmet Murat Somer's The Prophet Murders.Set in contemporary Istanbul, it stars a transvestite detective. There is a whole series in Turkish and Penguin USA will be publishing Kiss Murder soon...

Great fun, vivid characters, a wonderful Istanbul scene! It is a true pageturner. Like the Almodóvar of What Have I Done to Deserve This? Mehmet
Murat Somer colours his crime plot with dashes of social commentary and
comedy. The novel's lively cast and punchy chapters keep you gripped...

I don't remember my feelings exactly about this book but I don't think it was that bad. Nothing to write home about though.
It was interesting to read about a particular 'subculture' in Turkey that doesn't get all that much positive recognition.

I was searching for international noir and came across an Irish web-site that listed this novel among others as an excellent read. I ordered the novel and waited for several months since it was not yet released in the US. It arrived a month ahead of schedule and I read it in one sitting. It is (and not necessarily in this order): tiresome, mystery-less, villain-less, extremely shallow (the unnamed protagonist needs a `girl' to bait the killer and within two pages is able to convince a 19year old neophyte to the transvestite world to be it), and certainly nowhere remotely close to being noir fiction. If by chance you're looking for sex scenes in this novel, you will also be disappointed: there's a great deal of talk, but little, if any, action. My advice: do not waste your money.