A Sultan commissions a magnificent illustrated book celebrating his reign and the Ottoman Empire, crafted in the European style by the era's finest miniaturists working in secrecy. When one of the artists is murdered in Istanbul during a time of religious upheaval, the Master illuminator must uncover whether the death stems from professional jealousy, ideological conflict, or a darker conspiracy. Orhan Pamuk's novel weaves together mystery, history, and the clash between tradition and innovation in the twilight of Ottoman grandeur.
