Murder in the Garden of Enchantment

Rebecca H

Beautifully written, intriguing murder mystery

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 April 2025

What a delightful book this is. Set in the 1900’s Costantinople, it transports the reader to a time of a more graceful, cosmopolitan era where the author’s wonderful descriptions bring that intriguing city to life. I just loved the detail of the fashions, the various customs, and the polite interactions of the characters. Recently bereaved Theodosia is thrilled to receive an invitation for herself and her daughter Electra to the wedding of Hamid and Behice, a union of two distinguished families in the city. Plans are made, shopping is to be done, outfits of the latest fashion are to be made up for them
Full of anticipation, little does she know that the day will end with the murder of the bridegroom. Her curiosity piqued she soon finds herself uncovering secrets and a web of deceit. It’s avery clever and fascinating plot and I loved every page of this book. Whodunnit? You must read it to find out. You may even, like me, want to read it twice.

Thalia

An intriguing murder mystery

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 December 2024

I enjoyed every minute of reading this book. I liked the characters and descriptions of their lives.
It was a murder mystery but was written with gentleness. I loved the descriptions of the clothes worn and lives lived and reactions of the characters. A good read.

B. Gaskell-Denvil

gripping

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 December 2024

I loved reading this book. The rich picture of historical Turkey, the beautiful descriptions and the gripping plot are all amazing. This book is the perfect escape from every day boredom

Literary Redhead

Sumptuous Histfic Mystery

Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2025

What a sumptuous feast the author serves up in Book 1 of a new histfic mystery series set in 1900s Constantinople. The compelling sights of the exotic setting, the food, the fashion, the culture, the gripping mystery all combine to keep you turning the pages in delight. So look forward to Book 2!

Suzi Stembridge

Although reminiscent of Agatha Christie or a game of Cluedo this story is intriguingly written.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2025

Verified Purchase

This who-dun-it might require the reader to hurry to the end to discover the murderer but then find they have to reread it more leisurely because the description of life in early 20th century Ottoman Turkey is so beautifully portrayed, or to read it more thoroughly from the outset to luxuriate in the detail, a more sensible option. Always known for her immaculate research Gauci excels in this novel taking you right into the heady scene of cosmopolitan Constantinople and as the novel gathers pace with a vast array of cleverly crafted characters you will be immersed in the history, the scenery, even the tastes and scents of this vibrant ancient Byzantine city.

Diane McKewin

Murder in the Garden of Enchantment by Karhryn Gauci

Reviewed in Australia on 21 November 2024

Constantinople 1900: While she is still mourning her husband’s recent death, Theodosia is delighted to receive an invitation for herself and her daughter Electra to the wedding Hamid, son of Ferid Pasha. He is to marry Behice, youngest daughter of Omer Pasha therefore joining together two of the most eminent families in the city. The wedding is to take place in the Garden of Enchantment at Ferid Pasha’s elegant mansion. Within the beautiful surroundings and atmosphere of the Garden, the very last thing anything expected was murder.

With the help of her faithful manservant Abdul Agha and drawing on her last husband’s notes as a respected Judge, Theodosia finds herself in the midst of intrigue, mystery and danger. Working alongside Chief Inspector Ibrahim who has been entrusted with the investigation by the sultan, Theodosia quickly finds that all is not what it seems.

This new book by Kathryn Gauci is a very different turn to her recent very successful stories. Set in 1900 Constantinople, there is grace and beauty in Kathryn’s descriptions of the surroundings, the clothes and the food. Every page, every chapter gives a beautiful view of all of this and there is nothing I enjoy more than being able to ‘see’ what I am reading. Kathryn, you have done this so beautifully and I love everything about this new direction and this story. I look forward to more of the Madame Theodosia Mysteries.

I highly recommend this book, all of Kathryn Gauci’s books, to other readers who will love them as I do.

Sally Jane Smith

Can’t wait for more in this series!

Reviewed in Australia on July 19, 2025

Format: KindleVerified Purchase

If you like Kerry Greenwood’s Phyrne Fisher books, you’ll enjoy this novel. If you enjoy Sulari Gentil’s fabulous Rowland Sinclair series, you’ll love this novel. If you love Jason Goodwin’s Yashim the Eunuch Investigator adventures, you’ll find this book an absolute delight!

In a genre break from her other (also excellent) books, Kathryn Gauci entranced me with the characters, the story, and gorgeous sense of history and place in ‘Murder in the Garden of Enchantment’. This graceful cosy mystery set in 1900 Constantinople is both charming and meticulously researched, and I very much hope to meet protagonist Theodosia Vasileiou again soon.

Katinka

Mom Kat Reads

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2025

Format: Kindle

After receiving an invitation to a prestigious wedding in Constantinople, Theodosia begins planning, shopping for new clothing for herself and daughter, and gifts for the bride and groom. While talking with a close friend of hers, she hears some worrisome news about the groom and his reputation, and asks one of her servants to discreetly follow the young man to determine if these rumors are true or false. For if they are true, the young woman about to be married—the younger daughter of a friend of hers—will likely have an unhappy marriage ahead of her.

This cozy, historical fiction murder mystery was a beautiful description of life in early 20th century Constantinople. While it focused mostly on the wealthier lifestyles, it did also include a small amount about those who were among the less fortunate. This was a different type of book that what I am used to seeing from Ms. Gaucci as it is not primarily based on historical events or taking place in the middle of WWII. I received a review copy of this book, and as I have her WWII historical fiction novels, I enjoyed this one too.

The descriptions of the people and places are quite vivid. And it makes it easy to imagine being in the middle of a street market in Constantinople during this time period. And while I did figure out the “who-done-it” part of the story, there were quite a few surprising twists and turns along the path to revealing much of the how and why as well as the who behind the murder. For me, this was a nice, relaxing read. One where I could sit and immerse myself in the setting and the culture described within the book. And I believe that was one of my favorite aspects of this story.

If you like historical fiction with a touch of cozy mystery added in, then you will very much enjoy reading this book. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Gaucci provides her readers with her next novel. Whether that is a return to her WWII historical fiction or another cozy mystery, we are sure to enjoy the descriptions of what life would have been like in that time period and location.