I recently finished The Aviary Gate and was hugely impressed. I had never heard of the author and have no prior knowledge of the book's subject matter. I was gripped from page one - the book is beautifully written, with a great sense of the history of the Ottoman Empire and Constantinople. Katie Hickman spent 3 years researching the novel and every bit of detail transpires through the pages. 1599... The book is centred around Paul Pindar, an English merchant who believes his fiancee Celia Lamprey to have drowned. He is told by a friend on arrival in Constantinople that Celia may actually be alive and living in the Sultan's harem as a slave. ...  Read the complete review

Paul Pindar is an English merchant sent to Istanbul at the end of the sixteenth century to secure lucrative trading rights which can only be granted with the approval of the Sultan. The English government has sent a spectacular clock by ship, a gift for the Sultan, which they hope will help them gain his approval. However, the clock was so badly damaged during the long sea voyage that the clockmaker has to virtually rebuild it, a task that takes many months. Whilst the work is being carried out, Paul receives some startling information. One of the workers engaged in the rebuilding of the clock tells Paul that while he was in the Topkapi Palace, he was able to get a ...  Read the complete review