The Istanbul Variations

(Paperback)

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A beautifully written thriller from the acclaimed Cold War series writer: a welcome addition to the wartime ground mapped out by Philip Kerr and Alan Furst Guardian
Prague, 1968: a young student is captured as he tries to flee the country in the wake of Russia's suppression of the Prague Spring.

Seven years later, a People's Militia homicide investigator boards a plane for Istanbul. When it is hijacked by Armenian terrorists, the Turkish authorities try to establish contact but the plane explodes in mid-air.

No negotiation, no explanation.

Why Two investigators are assigned to the case: Gavra Noukas, a homicide detective who lives a dangerous double-life, and Brano Sev, an experienced secret policeman loyal to the state. Both believe their superiors are keeping them in the dark but neither can work out why. As they start unravelling the elaborate mystery, though, a trail emerges one leading back to a seven-year-old murder, a seemingly insignificant killing with terrifying consequences.

Reviews

Praise for 'The Istanbul Variations': 'Great stuff.' Observer Praise for 'The Vienna Assignment': 'Fascinating!clever!a beautifully written spy thriller.' Guardian 'Steinhauer has carved a niche for his well-researched Cold War thrillers!.vividly captures the atmosphere and the mood of the time, with credible characters and impressive detail.' Sunday Telegraph 'Highly recommended.' Irish Times 'Steinhauer shows himself to be a master of plotting!he doesn't put a foot wrong!exquisitely written, full of well-drawn characters.' Irish Examiner Praise for Olen Steinhauer: 'A powerful, thought-provoking literary thriller in the mould of Philip Kerr's 'Berlin Noir' trilogy.' Daily Telegraph 'Think of the suspenseful erudition of Alan Furst's thrillers and Philip Kerr's eye-opening "Berlin Noir" trilogy! right up there on those stellar heights, casting new light on relatively recent history we thought we already knew everything about.' Chicago Tribune 'Steinhauer is a welcome addition to the wartime ground mapped out by Philip Kerr and Alan Furst.' Guardian 'Brilliant!this powerful novel grips from beginning to end.' Sunday Telegraph

Author Bio

OLEN STEINHAUER was born in Virginia and grew up in Texas where he attended the state University in Austin. He was inspired to write his Eastern European series while on a Fullbright Fellowship in Romania to write about the 1989 revolution. He moved to New York to sell his book and began the second while in Florence. It was in Budapest, Hungary, that he finished it and still resides. His first two novels, The Bridge of Sighs and The Confession, have garnered thus far an Edgar nomination, an Anthony nomination, a Macavity nomination, a Historical Dagger nomination and rave reviews. 'The Vienna Assignment' was his first novel published with HarperCollins and received excellent hardback reviews in the Guardian and Daily Telegraph.