Crime and Thrillers
A disillusioned young British journalist, Harry Marks, is drawn into a covert intelligence operation in Istanbul by a charismatic agent named James. What begins as a casual friendship spirals into espionage, murder, and manipulation as Harry unknowingly becomes a pawn in a rogue Anglo-American mission to seize Saddam Hussein’s stolen wealth. Haunted, hunted, and morally compromised, Harry must choose between loyalty, survival, and the truth.
The Istanbul Connection is a gripping, morally complex thriller that explores the blurred lines between ideology and manipulation.
RRP £2.99
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
A new book and a new author is on the scene... The Istanbul Connection by Oggy Boytchev More of a first installment than a novel, The Istanbul Connection, presents us with what promises to be an intriguing story. It introduces young Harry Marks, a young English journalist who makes acquaintance with a mysterious but compelling stranger. A carefree traveler in Turkey, Harry's life is turned upside down when he is recruited into scheme by James, a skillful and manipulative secret agent with an unknown agenda. Only too late, Harry realizes his complacent life and morals have been totally manipulated by something he either can't control or, even more disturbing, he doesn't want to abandon. Part crime mystery, part spy novel, Istanbul Connection portrays the characters and locations with authenticity and realism. The author, a well-traveled journalist and conflict reporter for the BBC, knows his locations and people's motivations well. A fast read at 140 pages, I'm looking forward to Harry's next adventure. - James Stejskal, author of The Ratcatcher of Berlin and The Snake Eater Chronicles
The Istanbul Connection is a great read. I whizzed through it. Highly recommended. Charles Beaumont, author and former MI6 operative
I enjoyed this fast-paced espionage thriller. Set at the beginning of the 21st century, it resonates today. There is a strong sense of place with Istanbul like an extra character. I think it is the first of a trilogy so we can look forward to more adventures of Harry Marks.
Thrilling. Cleverly plotted. I read it in one sitting.
It says a great deal for The Istanbul Connection that I picked it up yesterday morning expecting to read the first half, but then kept reading until I’d finished it. It reminded me a little of Dan Brown’s novels, in that there’s plenty of pace and a lot of authenticity created by detailed descriptions of people and places. But without DB’s pretentiousness. Also it has a focused plot that carries you along and gets you caring whether Harry Marks will get through to the end without succumbing to poison or a bullet in the head. It’s quite a contrast with ‘Robert Galbraith’s’ Cormoran Strike novels, which I also enjoy, but which have expansive plots and vastly more pages to get through - so when you put it down after a couple of hundred pages and then pick it up again a week later, you struggle to remember WTF is going on. All in all, I can thoroughly recommend The Istanbul Connection and look forward to the next instalment of Harry’s saga.
