About the author

Jason Goodwin is the bestselling author of The Janissary Tree, The Snake Stone, The Bellini Card, An Evil Eye and The Baklava Club, the last in his series of novels featuring Yashim, the Istanbul investigator. The series inspired Yashim Cooks Istanbul: Culinary Adventures in the Ottoman Kitchen, an illustrated cookbook selected as one of NPR’s Best Books of 2016 and shortlisted for the Guild of Food Writer’s First Book Award.

Jason studied Byzantine history at Cambridge University – and then returned to an old obsession to write The Gunpowder Gardens: Travels in China and India in Search of Tea, which was shortlisted for the Thomas Cook Award. When the Berlin Wall fell, he walked from Poland to Istanbul to encounter the new European neighbours. His account of the journey, On Foot to the Golden Horn, won the John Llewellyn Rhys/Mail on Sunday Prize in 1993. Both are available on Kindle.

Fascinated by what he had learned of Istanbul’s perpetual influence in the region, he wrote Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire, a New York Times Notable Book (for the US edition, click here). Lords of the Horizons was described by Time Out as ‘perhaps the most readable history ever written on anything.’

Having always wanted to write fiction, he wrote The Janissary Tree, which won the coveted Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2007. Translated into more than 40 languages, the series features a detective, Yashim, who lives in 19th century Istanbul.

Jason lives with his wife and their four children in England.

13 thoughts on “About the author

    1. jasongoodwin Post author

      I’m so delighted! Well, The Latin Reader is out this summer. I’ll post a preview here soon.
      best wishes
      Jason
      ps check out the new Chinese edition of Lords of the Horizons, my history of the Ottoman Empire!

      Reply
    2. jasongoodwin Post author

      You asked about the next Yashim – it’s now called THE BAKLAVA CLUB, not The Latin Reader – and it’s out on June 5th, 2014. I like the title – hope you do, too! Best, Jason

      Reply
    1. jasongoodwin Post author

      No, oddly. I have heard he was a lovely generous scholar and an engaging companion, but sadly we never met. I do admire his books. Jason

      Reply
  1. Vikas Datta

    Dear Mr Goodwin,
    I’ve been a devoted reader of the Yashim series (save the Baklava Club, which hasn’t reached India yet) and intend to write on it for my weekly literary column for my agency. May I ask you a few questions about the series?

    Reply
  2. vahshatedil

    Dear Mr Goodwin,

    I’ve been a devoted reader of the Yashim series (save the Baklava Club, which is not available in India) and I intend to write on it for weekly column for my agency, Indo-Asian News Service (www.ians.in). I was wondering if I may ask you a few questions about the books?

    Vikas Datta
    Associate Editor, IANS

    Reply
  3. Claire

    Istanbul’s new chef at the Giriliti restaurant deep inside Suktanahmet’s Caddka… walled neighborhood downhill from Blue Mosque has clasic recipes that Yashim might have recognized. Nettles, wild baby cabbage (collards), smoked octopi, homemade halva of the day…Just there at this inspiring eatery on 18 June.

    Reply
    1. jasongoodwin Post author

      Wow, Claire, thanks for that tip. I’ll be there later this month… and I’ll definitely go for the nettles if they are still available. One recipe for nettles is in Yashim Cooks Istanbul! Best, Jason

      Reply
  4. Dhawal Nagpal

    Hello Jason,

    You Sir are a genius! I have been in the Istanbul/ottoman “phase” since I read your Ottoman history book + Yashim books. I am on book #4 and a bit sad there is no more Yashim after the Baklava club. Is there a chance of book #6?

    (Thanks to your books: I was inspired to visit Istanbul twice and love everything about the place: the beautiful architecture, bustling bazaars, amazing food, great hammams, and those whirling dervishes).

    Reply

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