Chapter 1
Icy sweat streamed from Alek’s pores. He’d been optimistic. Way too optimistic. Kidnapping in the Islamic world was almost always a form of extortion – so he’d been told. But the appearance of the knife, big enough to gut a bear, had changed everything.
He shook his head in disbelief. Only an hour ago he’d been happy in his hotel room, a place that was now as unreachable as a childhood dream.
His heart banged against his ribs as if it wanted out. He looked around. Was there someone else in the pillared hall he could appeal to?
The bead-like eye of the video camera blinked on. Alek’s arms and legs jerked, straining at the orange nylon rope binding him to the smooth pillar. Musty air filled his nostrils. He was trembling, as if he had a fever.
When the two men had entered his room, he’d gone with them quietly. How stupid he’d been. Why hadn’t he shouted, roared, jumped for the window? He’d seen the look in this bastard’s eyes, as hard as stone. Now it was too late.
‘Let me go,’ he screamed.
His voice echoed. A hand held his shoulder. He threw his head from side to side, straining his neck. The rope around his ankles, knees and chest held him tight. His pulse thumped against it.
The knife glistened in the air like falling water. Only the prayer his mother had taught him could help him now.
Agios o Theos, agios ischyros, agios athanatos, eleison imas!
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us!
He closed his eyes. Icyness hit his neck. Then a hot torrent fell on his chest. Warmth gushed down his legs, soaking him. A foul smell rose around him.
And an eerie calm descended.
He looked around the ancient hall, taking in its forest-like rows of pillars. The entrance he’d found must have been sealed up over five hundred years ago, before the ancient city of Constantinople above him fell to a Muslim army and its name was changed to Istanbul. There were treasures down here any museum director in the world would beg for. But he wished he’d never found the place.
He stared at the aluminium tables nearby. What he’d seen on those tables had terrified him.
A black mist rushed towards him. Would Sean find out what had happened?
Agios o Theos, agios . . .
A minute later the two fountains of blood, two foot high at their peak, from the left and right arteries emerging from Alek’s chest, bubbled like cooling coffee percolators. The flesh around them shone with a silky gleam. But Alek’s eyes were closed and his face was peaceful.
The above is Chapter 1 of The Istanbul Puzzle. It was released in the UK & Ireland January 19, 2012. It is available for order on the right and from all good booksellers.
Looks like it is something I will be wanting to read…x
Wow, I can’t wait to read the rest!
Kathy
Intriguing! Great opening. Putting this on my to-read list.
Enjoyed it – Niall
Thanks Rosie and Kathy and Marion and Niall! So pleased you like it! Can’t wait until you read it all in Jan!
Very nice! When will it be available?
Jan 19 2012 & thanks for your interest.
Intriguing! looks like it will be a stonking good read. This is on my must read soon list…….I can’t wait until January!!!
Gosh, it’s made my go all goosepimpley! I can’t wait for 19th January!
Thanks Janie! I can’t wait too!
Can we preorder if we are in the USA? This is something I have to read!
Hi Karen. I really appreciate your comments. You can ask your local bookshop – they may know more than I do. It should be out in the US some time next year. But you could also try ordering from amazon.co.uk They may just charge you some more for the shipping. Make sure you’re happy with that before ordering. Did you want a physical copy or an ebook? I hate not to know for sure, but that’s all I can say for now!
When I read the chapter it captured my imagination and I wanted to read more to see if this had more to to with religion and Christ. The connection for me was Alek’s prayer which comes from the Orthodox faith So I assumed he was either Russian or Greek and being in Constantinople. I cannot wait to read the rest of the book once it is out on my kindle.
I’m in … my heart was pounding.
It certainly makes you want to read the rest and solve the puzzle.
After reading the first chapter I bought immediately a digital copy!
Good opening got my interest will be buying thanks
Scary, visceral opener. The kind I like. Will definitely order this. Good luck!
Unbelievable opening. Really catches you. And, beautifully, descriptive writing as well.
Many thanks! I truly appreciate your comments.
Wow.What a beginning.I’ve just ordered from Amazon.
Thank for the sample read. Intriguing.
Congratulations on your success and what an opening!! I see what you mean about grabbing your audience straigt away in your advice blog. It must be a great feeling that people get pleasure from your writing. Us new authors can only live in hope. Thank you for the follow on twitter. Look forward to more insights into writing,
Thank you, Frances. I believe it is possible with dedication and hard work to get published. I wish you well with your writing. Let me know if you’d like me to read a few pages and give you feedback. I found feedback from other writers immensely helpful.
I will do, thank you very much.
Wild. I am Greek-American and I read the first page with great interest.I really wished that i could have read the rest. I must find this book. Heart-pounding suspense..
Hi, and thanks! The Istanbul Puzzle is available at Amazon.com Kindle store now here
Enjoy! Laurence
If u’d wish to succeed in anything in this world, u must be prepared to take chances. Since life is never a bed of roses, one must expect lots of challenges, some so unnerving and so on. I’d like to be part of the action and hopefully grab a copy of this wonderful book.
Luke, all.
I walk through the rain, in the cold, and for me the struggle is what makes it worthwhile. We all face horrible odds. To find happiness for a moment is what we can all hope for. I wish each of you hope on the journey. Nothing more.
Lukegitonga@gmaill.com
Ok I’m hooked. Great beginning!
Strong hook! Will check it out – on amazon/Kindle?
And so, then what happened? I surrendered to the lure of this story/chapter, got back in bed, delayed my bath and look forward to…more…Alek..
Yikes! What will keep me reading are those mysterious items on the aluminum table. Can’t wait to find out about that. Very well written, Laurence. I admire your clean prose.