#istanbul

#istanbul

Glimpse them chatting in a restaurant or posing on Instagram, and you might think they have it all. The pair live in London but often travel, drawing the eyes of other guests, their skin glowing, their limbs artfully at ease. She writes affirmations on hotel stationery; he claims to taste notes of bark and tobacco in his chianti. As Sean Gilbert's dark, observant debut opens in Istanbul, this apparently perfect couple bicker and sweat, for secrets lurk behind their facade and one of them might be murder.

Housed in a bespoke armoire at least six feet tall, it is filled with curated delights of every kind. Mine, for instance, was stocked with an expansive tea selection requisite of a non-coffee-drinker, as well as a host of healthy-ish snack options, like pea chips and protein bars (though I couldn't resist the gourmet Turkish delight or gummy bears either).

The view from any of Istanbul's rooftop bars and restaurants back down its sloping streets is a sight to behold. Situated on the banks of the Bosphorus river and the Golden Horn estuary, the undulating landscape of the City on the Seven Hills rises dramatically from the waters' edge, its streets dotted with glittering skyscrapers and astonishing historical landmarks. And, naturally, there are plenty of places to eat, drink, and take in the phenomenal views.

Turkish coffee, introduced in the 16th century, became an essential part of daily life and led to the emergence of social coffeehouses known as kıraathanes.

The clashes occurred after Istanbul's chief prosecutor ordered the arrest of the editors at LeMan magazine for publishing a cartoon that publicly insulted religious values.

"We have had a good role here, especially with Syrian restaurants and food," Habesh says.