It is not easy to try to review a series from the middle so I will mostly just tell you that if you like mysteries and haven’t read these books YOU SHOULD START! Book one of Esa and Rachel’s partnership, The Unquiet Dead, blew me away and The Language of Secrets was a worthy follow-up. Now Esa has found his way into a new mystery while vacationing in Iran and Rachel tries to help as best she can from home in Canada. As they had to work to communicate I found myself uncomfortably tense with worry about what would happen. I was also 9 months pregnant when reading this – I might recommend against combination on reflection. Too much anxiety! We had deeply corrupt government figures, international drama, possibly stolen royal jewels and then family dramas – all wrapped up with murder.

I have of course found myself emotionally caught up by characters in mysteries, even tearful (Flavia de Luce I’m looking at you). But I can’t think of a mystery book or series that gets me so caught up in the real fate of a group of people or nation or really just what the fuck is wrong with humanity sometimes. Khan had me terrified and sad for the plight of prisoners in Iran – so much so I’d never want to go there- and at the same time longing to see the sights she described. Thankfully she started posting pictures on Facebook and saved me the searching time! What a beautifully sad place.

I’m also currently reading Khan’s foray into fantasy, The Bloodprint, and I’m really enjoying it. Definitely getting flashbacks to the setting for Among the Ruins which is cool and different.

Are you reading this series? Any other good mysteries I should pick-up? I think that’s the mood I’m heading into for fall.

Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Esa Khattak is in Iran, on a personal trip, a vacation of sorts, visiting historical and religious sites important to him and his Muslim heritage. He entered the country not as the Canadian policeman he is but as a more acceptable, to the Iranian government, Pakistani, the country of his parents. Now he is in the midst of unanticipated problems, dealing with a repressive state, the apparent murder of a Canadian woman from Iran, and mysteries dating back to the last Shah.

This is a fascinating series, dealing as it does with the daily intersection of a Muslim citizen and policeman in Canada with all of the fraught emotions and incidents of these times. In this, the third novel of the series, there is even more interesting detail on hand as Khattak takes what is essentially for him a pilgrimage to Iran to see holy and famous sites. That this trip turns into something very different is part of today's world of suspicion, hate, fear, power, torture, and misplaced trusts. As in the previous books, Rachel Getty also figures prominently in this episode. This pair is a good one--very different and well matched, each respecting the skills of the other.

I am looking forward to Khan's next entry in the series, whenever it comes. She provides a good story, with history that is new to me, details of Muslim life and beliefs that are also new to me. And all within a mystery that she works out in a believable fashion. (Though all mystery series seem to demonstrate remarkable amounts of luck, Esa and Rachel also demonstrate physical and mental agility.)

Definitely recommended, along with the rest of the series.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

The third addition to Khan's Rachel Getty & Esa Khattak series picks up shortly after the events of book two. After the tragic end of book two, Esa is on leave and is recouping by traveling to Iran, a place that has held long fascination with him. While abroad, Esa finds himself embroiled in a dangerous mystery when a Canadian agent requests that Esa look into a death of a well known filmmaker at the notorious Evin prison. Esa is reluctant to involve himself in this. Not only is he still reeling from the events of the past book, but the situation is dangerous in Iran and he could very well be imprisoned himself. However, Esa is not one to ignore injustice and reluctantly becomes involved in events from the past. Assisting Esa from Canada is his stalwart partner, Rachel. On Rachel's end, it appears that there is a much more significant Canadian connection than originally apparent. Between these two, there is no doubt that they will be able to shed light on the mysterious reasons for the filmmakers appearance and actions at the prison at the day of her arrest.

The central mystery in Among the Ruins resolves itself satisfactorily. However, the mystery is only one element to the strength of the novel. Like Louise Penny, Khan writes her characters with a great deal of empathy, and it is the focus on the human aspect to the crime that draws readers into the story. Not to mention, Khan's focus on history, which also adds another layer to the great storytelling evident here. My only complaint here is that the main characters spent the majority of the book apart. A big draw for this series is the dynamic between Rachel and Esa. While both characters can stand independently, I like how these two play off of each other and that wasn't as evident in this book as it was in the previous two books.

Among the Ruins is a solid addition to the series and will appeal to readers who enjoy Louise Penny's more emotive style of writing. Khan continually sheds light on issues that are easily forgotten about after the news turns off, imbuing them with a sense of reality that is hard to turn away from.

Among the Ruins is book number three in the Esa Khattak/Rachel Getty mystery series by Ausma Zehanat Khan. Although it’s not necessary to read The Unquiet Dead (Book 1) or The Language of Secrets (Book 2) before this novel, it might be helpful, if only to explain some of the backstory of Khattak’s and Getty’s personal lives. As with those two novels, Khan uses a mystery to explore a real life political issue: human rights abuses in Iran. Esa Khattak is on leave from Canada’s Community Policing department and decides to take a vacation in Iran to explore the country’s cultural sites, mosques and gardens. However, his vacation is cut short when he is contacted by a Canadian agent who wants him to look into the death of a prominent Iranian-Canadian filmmaker. His partner, Rachel Getty, is home in Canada and Khattak finds that he has to navigate part of the case alone. His work becomes more dangerous as he discovers that he is being followed by both political dissidents and agents of the Iranian state. Meanwhile, Getty goes to work in Toronto to find out more about an international conspiracy involving the former Shah of Iran and the famous jewel, the Darye-Nur. I really enjoyed this novel. Khan sheds light on the various human rights abuses that political dissidents endure in Iran without being heavy handed. I sympathized with their plight but still enjoyed the mystery. The two leads are both compelling characters who are intelligent, multi-dimensional and real. Best of all, Khan creates a mystery that will literally keeping you guessing until the last few pages.

3.5 stars. Among the Ruins combines two of the ingredients I love in a novel – in this case, a mystery – it’s set in a very familiar setting and it takes me to a different part of the world. This is the third in Khan’s Rachel Getty and Esa Khattak series. Esa has traveled to Iran while on leave from his work with the Toronto police. While in Iran, Esa quickly becomes embroiled in trying to figure out why a Canadian film maker recently died in Iran. Back in Toronto, Rachel helps Esa with his investigation. This set up allows the author to delve into the brutal politics of contemporary Iran, which is the part I found most interesting. It also allows her to highlight contemporary Toronto, occasionally taking me to settings just a few blocks from my house. Khan has created characters who have substance and complex emotions, although at times the intertwined romantic tensions seem a bit over the top. She also does a beautiful job weaving into the story the contemporary culture and politics of the places she depicts. Where the story falls a bit short for me is that the mystery itself got a bit odd and unsatisfying as the story progressed – especially as it delved into the history of Iranian Crown jewels. Having said that, I do like Khan’s detectives and the political awareness woven into her mysteries. I will definitely want to read the next one in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

3.5 Esa Khattek, a police officer in Canada, on leave due to a death in his last case, travels to Iran to reconnect with his Muslim roots. While there he will become embroiled in the tortuous death at the notorious Evin prison of a Canadian/Iranian filmmaker.

I find this series fascinating, learning about a culture I know little about and a country I will never visit. The many different sides to Iran, from the beautiful mosques, ancient artifacts and beautiful setting, against the corrupt and destructive political system. There are groups in opposition to the leadership but they must be very careful because they can be taken and thrown in prison, never to be seen again. There is no due process in Iran.

Enjoy these characters, the immersive, involved plot but because of my lack of knowledge I found some of the plot confusing. Involving the crown jewels, description of gorgeous diamonds, there is much going on and the pace is quick. Canadian and Iranian political future and the biggest mystery of all, what would cause the famous filmmaker to walk right into a lion's den?

Third book in this series and I look forward to more.

ARC from Netgalley.

Another strong entry in an intriguing series. Khattak has traveled to Iran to reconnect with his past and to rest, but he becomes involved in finding out what has happened to an Iranian-Canadian filmmaker, last seen protesting outside a notorious prison. Each chapter is prefaced with a powerful letter from a prisoner. It's strong stuff, and very thought-provoking. Wonderful sense of place and two protagonists we want to spend time with.