Ever been drawn into a story that takes you on an international adventure while depositing nuggets of wisdom and glimpses of the world along the way? Terry Kelhawk's, The Topkapi Secret, romantic story of an American professor and a Middle Eastern researcher on the run from religious zealots does just that.
When professor Angela Hall's Californian life crumbles, she packs a suitcase and heads to Turkey with a mission of completing her long-delayed research of women's issues in the region. But when her path crosses the passionate, fervent Mohammed Atareek, sparks fly...in all directions.
Mohammed is a researcher as well - of the Koran and changes made to it. He desperately seeks interaction with the Topkapi Codex, an ancient manuscript of the Koran on display at Topkapi Palace Museum in Instanbul, but the Codex is off-limits. As other Koranic scholars echo the cry of truth regarding the changes to the Koran, the body count rises.
My Review:
Why is it that whenever Mohammed Atareek seeks to view and research the Topkapi Codex, all of his requests, seem to come back denied. Is there something that the head of the Topkapi Palace Museum is afraid to let him see? The Topkapi Codex is one of the earliest Korans and claim to be "the" Koran that Caliph Uthman was reading when he died, and is now stained with his blood. Mohammed has been trying to unravel which version of the Koran had Uthman been reading - and stained with his blood. The Topkapi Codex as the Turks have claimed, or the Samarkand Codex as the Uzbekis claimed? Perhaps the whole story was nothing more than a legend fabricated by the Sunnis to smear the Shiites. Such partisan hadiths, or traditions, had been known to exist.
If Mohammed's research leads him to the truth he believes that the Koran hides an extraordinary secret - a truth that would turn the Muslim world upside down.
Angela Hall returns from a tragic trip from the Middle East after losing a dear friend in a sandstorm accident. When she gets home, she is faced with more tragic news when she learns that her mother in law is dead but has left her a great inheritance. This does not make her husband at all happy who is left with little more than nothing unless he gets therapy to deal with his personal issues. He leaves Angela with divorce papers. With nothing left to lose, Angela takes a new job to research women's issues, and take over a teaching position being vacated. There is no greater place to do that, than back in the Middle East.
I have received the Topkapi Secret by Terry Kelhawk, compliments of Glass Road Public Relations for my honest review. Aside from a rough start through the first few chapters due to establishing the characters and locations, the book is really amazing, page turning, and a thrill ride to the end. I would easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars!
For more information about this book, the author and where to purchase a copy, please click on the link below:
The Topkapi Secret by Terry Kelhawk
Thanks for the heads up to stick with the book. I have it up shortly.
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