This is the author’s note from the back of Istanbul Icarus (International Detectives Book 6). It contains spoilers, so if you haven’t read the book yet, you may want to start there.
Although not based on any particular living character, I think we all know a Brent Fasslane! Turn on any news channel and you don’t have to wait long to see one—sometimes they are politicians, other times criminals, but they always put their frivolous wants in front of anyone else’s. It’s great fun to write characters like this, but less fun to actually spend time with them.
By the way, Brent Fasslane returns in my book, the Atlantis Agenda… and yes, he is creating more trouble on a global scale (some people never learn).
Check out The Atlantis Agenda here: www.lukerichardsonauthor.com/atlantis
I originally visited Istanbul in 2016, which is the trip that inspired this book. One thing that stood out to me on that trip, and isn’t featured in this book, is the train station which used to be the terminal for the Orient Express. It’s a wonderful piece of architecture and speaks of a time when traveling across land was the only option. That gave me an idea, and seven years later I set out on my own train journey, with the target of reaching Istanbul all over land. Ten countries and four weeks later, I arrived to meet my friend and fellow thriller author Steven Moore. It was great to show him around some of the city’s highlights including those mentioned in this story.
The cisterns of Istanbul are a true marvel, a testament to the ingenuity of the ancient Romans and Byzantines. The most famous amongst them is the Basilica Cistern, also known as the Sunken Palace. Comprising of 336 columns arranged in 12 rows, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe at the scale and beauty of this ancient water storage system. The city is home to a vast network of these underground water storage facilities, built over the course of centuries to ensure a reliable water supply for the city’s growing population.
The cisterns come in various sizes and styles, from small, simple chambers to large, ornate underground halls. Some, like the Basilica Cistern, are open to the public and have become popular tourist attractions, while others remain hidden and largely unknown.
In recent years, as Istanbul has undergone rapid development and construction, new cisterns have been discovered beneath the city’s streets and buildings. In 2014, for example, a massive cistern dating back to the Byzantine era was discovered during the construction of a hotel in the city’s Sultanahmet district. The cistern, which measures 138 feet long and 115 feet wide, is believed to have been built in the 6th century AD and was likely used to store water for the Great Palace of Constantinople. Learning about this gave me the idea for Ramiz’s secret hide out, and the dramatic scenes that play out there.
Hagia Sophia, once a church, then a museum and now a mosque, is another of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. The building’s soaring dome and intricate mosaics are a testament to the skill and artistry of the Byzantine architects who created it. Standing beneath the dome, you can’t help but look skyward and imagine the prayers and hymns that have filled the space for over 1,500 years.
Istanbul’s unique position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia is perhaps best exemplified by the Bosporus Strait, which divides the city into its European and Asian sides.
As it stands, this is the final book in this series, and for me is something of a closure. This series has so far marked over five years of my life.
In the last few days of 2017, I started writing the story which would be Kathmandu in a café in Madrid, Spain. I was there visiting friends for a New Years celebration, and with a day or two on my own, thought it would be a great opportunity to attempt to start that story which had been buzzing around my head.
On the 4th of May 2019 I hit publish on that book. Originally titled Kathmandu, and now re-titled Kathmandu Killers, I spent over 18 months working on it. I was, and remain to this day, really proud of it.
By the way, that version or Kathmandu in its original form is still available (should you be interested). You can only get it from my website, though: www.lukerichardsonauthor.com/kathmanduoriginal
It’s strange to think back over everything that has changed in that time. In 2017 I was still a high school English teacher, waking up early to write my books in the mornings before school. Now (in 2024 as I update this book) I’m lucky enough that this is a job. I’ve released several books, had numerous Amazon Bestseller tags, and (most importantly) connected with so many adventure lovers (like you).
I’ll say that again, because it’s important. I can say with certainty, without doubt, a one-hundred-percent iron clad factoid from planet fact, that the thing I’ve loved most about this big author experiment is connecting with readers like you. Thank you for picking up my books. Thank you for your reviews, and comments. Thank you for being here.
What the future holds for me, Leo or Allissa, I don’t know. As you’ll have realized, I’ve left the series open so that I can revisit it in the future if the inspiration strikes. I’ve got so many ideas about possible adventures for them.
In the meantime… I want you to know that although the words here are my own, the characters, experiences and some of the events described are wholly inspired by the people I’ve traveled beside.
If we ever shared noodles from a street-food vendor, visited a temple together, played cards on a creaking overnight train, or had a beer in a back-street restaurant, you are forever in this book, and for that, I thank you too!
Again, thank you for coming on the adventure with me. I hope to see you again.
Luke
If you enjoyed this look behind the scenes, you’ll find the full story in Istanbul Icarus (International Detectives Book 6).
I write books that blend history, adventure, and suspense, taking you on a journey to foreign and exotic places like the Pyramids of Giza, the skyscrapers of Hong Kong, and the backstreets of Kathmandu. Whether you’re a history buff, a travel addict, or just looking for excitement, my stories are for you.
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