The Snake Stone

A Novel

By: Jason Goodwin

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Istanbul, 1838. In his palace on the Bosphorus, Sultan Mahmud II is dying, and the city swirls with rumors and alarms. The unexpected arrival of a French archaeologist determined to track down lost Byzantine treasures throws the Greek community into confusion. Yashim Togalu is once again enlisted to investigate. But when the archaeologist's mutilated body is discovered outside the French embassy, it turns out there is only one suspect: Yashim himself.

As the body count starts to rise, Yashim must uncover the startling truth behind a shadowy society dedicated to the revival of the Byzantine Empire, encountering along the way such vibrant characters as Lord Byron's doctor and the Sultan's West Indies - born mother, the Valide. With striking wit and irresistible flair, Jason Goodwin takes us into a world where the stakes are high, betrayal is death - and the pleasure to the listener is immense.

©2008 Jason Goodwin (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A magic carpet ride to the most exotic place on earth." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Intricate and delightful" (Publishers Weekly Starred Review)

Another Thrilling Mystery in Istanbul.

Yashim the Eunuch is rapidly becoming one of my favorite detectives. I love this series and the author really not only has a great plot, he has a great setting which he lovinly embellishes with details so that you feel you are actually there. The narrator is spot on for the character and the book. I highly recommend this books and others in the series.

Yashim is perfect!

I love these Yashim novels. They are the perfect take on Istanbul history, and Ottoman fantasy. And Stephen Hoye's narration is top notch. this makes for a wonderful listening experience. Enjoy!

Great history - boring story

I found the history of Istanbul and the nature of it's culture to be fascinating. The story, however, dragged. The reader was excellent.

Mediocre

It put me to sleep each night and I would wake up with something going on...no real suspense, just a story. Could not engage with characters.