Baksheesh: A Kati Hirschel Istanbul Mystery

‘Author Aykol is adept not only at creating fascinating characters, but also at bringing a city to life.’ Suspense Magazine

‘In Aykol’s impressive second Kati Hirschel mystery set in Istanbul the heroine once again turns amateur sleuth with aplomb.’ Publishers Weekly

‘Baksheesh” is a strongly recommended pick for lovers of international mystery, highly recommended.’ MBR Bookwatch

‘Kati sees Turkey and the Turks from the point of view of a sympathetic, affectionate outsider; and through her eyes, so do we–becoming more enchanted by the city with every dizzying step. Baksheesh was a pleasure from beginning to end.’ Criminal Element

“Enjoy the journey which is recounted in a breezy, humorous and intimate way. BAKSHEESH is an enjoyable book which manages to immerse you in Istanbul, introduce you to some interesting characters and include a murder-mystery all in around 250 pages. Fans of Mehmet Murat Somer should also enjoy this series.” Eurocrime

“Where the book really scores, however, is in Aykol’s introduction to modern day Istanbul, a cosmopolitan city that is a magnet for the rural poor and their less than cosmopolitan traditional ways and where Islamists and secular modernists rub up against each other. Fancy making a trip to Turkey, but can’t quite afford the airfare? This could be the next best thing.” Shots Magazine

Esmahan Aykol was born in 1970 in Edirne, Turkey. She lives in Istanbul and Berlin. During her law studies she was a journalist for a number of Turkish publications and radio stations. After a stint as a bartender she turned to fiction writing. She has written three Kati Hirschel novels. Hotel Bosphorus is the first and Baksheesh the second. They have been published in Turkish, German, French and Italian.