The Prophet Murders

Set in modern Istanbul and narrated by a nameless transvestite, this first in Somer's Hop-Çiki-Yaya series is a strange blend of blithe and bloody, more about atmosphere than the mystery itself. A serial killer is murdering transvestites, and the narrator, who kick-boxes for fun and owns part of a nightclub, decides to investigate when police commissioner Selçuk Tanyer and his staff are unable to solve the killings. Cute dialogue and breezy descriptions undercut the seriousness of the crimes, even as the author strives to make a statement about Turkey's treatment of the transvestite community. While the resolution may be pat and the more graphic elements unsettling, the interesting narrator and exotic elements of Turkish culture will appeal to many readers. (Sept.)