Jason Goodwin is an award-winning author of historical mystery novels, Ottoman history, and travel writing.

Best known for his acclaimed Yashim detective series set in 19th-century Istanbul, Jason won the prestigious Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for The Janissary Tree, the first novel featuring his Ottoman detective protagonist. The series—which includes The Snake Stone, The Bellini Card, An Evil Eye, and The Baklava Club—has been translated into over 40 languages and continues to captivate readers with its rich evocation of Ottoman life, intricate plots, and memorable characters.

Beyond fiction, Jason’s travel book On Foot to the Golden Horn won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for its lyrical account of walking from Poland to Istanbul. His Ottoman-inspired illustrated cookbook Yashim Cooks Istanbul became an NPR Notable Book and was shortlisted for an award by the British Food Writers’ Guild, bringing the flavours of his fictional world to life.

For the past ten years, Jason has written a column for Country Life magazine, reflecting on everything from country living to world events with humour and insight. His essays veer between funny and solemn, and are all available online here, occasionally illustrated by glimpses from his Instagram account @jason.goodw1n.

 Jason shares his enthusiasms through his celebrated – and occasional – London pilgrimages, which run in a day from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey, through London’s sacred places, churches, gardens, temples, hills, standing stones and holy wells, in time for the service of Evensong. Tickets are available as soon as the pilgrimage is announced, usually on his Instagram feed. You can follow the feed by clicking here. 

He is co-founder of G&T Garden Tours, who create elegant and enjoyable tours of special West Country gardens.

Jason also runs an annual writing course at an Arts and Crafts house in Dorset (also available to let for holidays), and serves on the organising committee of Tallinn’s annual literary festival, HeadRead.