The characters in this story surpass the mystery but I enjoyed the adventure. In this, the third translated work of Somers the unnamed Turkish trannie as he refers to himself, who emulates Audrey Hepburn on the one hand and Bruce Lee on the other again feels the necessity to help solve the murder mystery involving one of the marginalized members of society, one of the myriad varieties of sex workers that make the hidden world go round. ( )

THE GIGOLO MURDER is the third translated Hop-Çiki Yaya Thriller (there are seven books in the series in total) from Turkish author Mehmet Murat Somer. If you are looking for something a little unexpected, then these books are well worth having a look at.

The stories all revolve around an unnamed transvestite heroine as both central character and narrator. In THE GIGOLO MURDER our girl (as he/she always refers to herself), is not well, miserable since the break up of a relationship which meant so much (since the last great love and until the next one comes along!). Dragged along to a show by her dear friend Ponpon (another transvestite and dancer), our heroine meets, and falls for the devastatingly handsome, very married Haluk. It makes perfect sense therefore when Haluk's brother in law is accused of murder, that our heroine would investigate. Investigation comes easy to our heroine - a night-club owning, martial artist, expert computer hacker transvestite who has friends who come in handy on these occasions. Which is just as well because THE GIGOLO MURDER sees her calling in favours and assistance from everybody possible.

Reading the three books in order has actually been a helpful thing. Although each of the stories would stand-alone, THE GIGOLO MURDER is the book in which the crime story picks up and holds a lot more of centre stage. The two earlier books are possibly slightly more memorable for their character development and the explanation of the world in which these characters live. The unnamed heroine of these books is a undoubtedly little arch, frequently histrionic, more than a little temperamental, she is vividly but sensitively drawn. The spotlight, suitably framed and tactfully cast on a part of Turkish / Istanbul society that is possibly unexpected, but undoubtedly close, supportive and self-sufficient.

THE GIGOLO MURDER is really a tremendous crime book, translated in a way that doesn't lose the pace of the story, or the uniqueness of the characters and the setting. This is a series for anybody looking for something a little different, just slightly risqué, but with a tremendous sense of people and place.

Translated so far:

The Prophet Murders
The Kiss Murder
The Gigolo Murder ( )

This is the 3rd book in the Turkish Delight mystery series. It is set in modern day Istanbul, Turkey and follows a nameless POV who is a transvestite. By day he is a computer guru, and by night she is the manager of a club for transvestites and those who appreciate them. She takes Audrey Hepburn as the center of her world. Because she is well known in the community, people come to her with their problems. Being on the fringes and ignored by society and often justice, there are lots of problems. It seems murder falls into her lap quite often - usually touching friends or those in the community.

In this outing she is chasing a hunky, married lawyer when he receives news that his brother-in-law has been arrested for the murder of a gigolo, who had his hooks into everyone. Trying to score nooky points with him, she decides to investigate. Of course she becomes a suspect when the brother-in-law is eventually murdered too. She explores the under side of society and finds it quite seamy - with connections to the sex trade, blackmail and smuggling.

Although the book is a translation, the writing is fine, and everything makes sense and it is a breeze to read. I found this to be the best of the 3 books in terms of characterization of the POV character. She is less selfish, self-absorbed, rude, stupid, and violent. It also seemed less campy. Unfortunately it seemed to have less of a real detective story.

There was a bit of talking and visiting, about the murders but it seemed to be filler for the rest of the book. The real story seemed to be a day in the life. In this book the gay, crippled, masochistic, religious fanatic computer hacker is back. He too is toned down and the POV hires one of her girls to discipline him as a reward for some illegal information retrieval.

I will keep reading the series, I want to see what happens next. Also it is so unusual. ( )