This story takes place in Constantinople in the 1600s during the reign of of one of the Sultans. Hannah is e midwife to the palace and to the sultan's harem.
I thought this might be an interesting book and it started well but it got ordinary and predictable halfway through.
Not recommended. ( )

The sequel to the Midwife of Venice, this book follows Hannah and Isaac to Constantinople. Hannah becomes midwife to the Imperial Harem, as is called upon to verify the virginity of Leah, a Jewish maiden. Hearing Leah's tragic story, Hannah lies, telling the sultan's mother that the girl is intact. When Hannah discovers that Leah is four months pregnant, she scrambles to save the girl's life.

This was an excellent book, I read it in one night. The characters continue to intrigue with the realism. I would love to read more from this author and hope another sequel is in the works! ( )

Beautifully written. Vivid descriptions. ( )

When I finished The Midwife of Venice I really wanted to know more about Hannah and Isaac and I was delighted when I learned Roberta Rich was working on another book about them. Now, thanks to my friend Susan, I have read the next installment in their life and I sure hope that there is another book to follow.

Hannah and Isaac have settled in Constantinople which gives greater freedoms to Jewish citizens than Venice did. Isaac has his own silk business and Hannah continues to work as a midwife. She has found favour with the Sultan's mother, the Valide, and is the midwife of choice for the harem. Unfortunately there are no babies being born because the Sultan is transfixed by his wife, Safiye, and will not lie with any other woman. The Valide has found a young slave girl from the Circassian Mountains who she hopes will awaken the Sultan's desires. But first she wants Hannah to certify she is a virgin. The girl, Leah, is the sole remnant of a small Jewish village that was destroyed by Yuruk tribesmen. Hannah feels sorry for Leah and when Leah begs her to tell the Valide that she is a virgin even though she is not Hannah does so, knowing she is risking her life, Leah's and her family's. Other troubles arrive in the person of Isaac's brother's widow who comes to claim the loan her husband made to Isaac because it was from her dowry. Isaac's business is doing poorly and he cannot repay the loan. When they go to the rabbi to try to reach some compromise the rabbi tells Isaac that under Talmudic law he must take his sister-in-law as his wife. Although that would solve the issue of the loan neither Isaac nor Hannah want this.

Before these issues are resolved we learn a great deal about harems, concubines, childbirth, silk weaving and the Ottoman Empire. Interesting stuff and a good read. ( )

This is one of the first books I read about historical Istanbul, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were real and relatable, and I teared up when the concubine died. ( )