Among the Ruins

Esa Khattak wanted Justice. Now he just needs to stay alive.

The murder of renowned political filmmaker, Zahra Sobhani, brings Esa Khattak's cultural holiday in Iran to a sudden halt.

Dissidents are being silenced and Khattak's mere presence in Iran is a risk. Yet when asked to unofficially investigate the activist's death, he cannot resist. Soon, he finds himself embroiled in Iran's tumultuous politics and under surveillance by the government.

When the trail leads back to Zahra's family in Canada, Khattak calls upon his partner, Detective Rachel Getty, for help. As Khattak gets caught up in the fate of Iran's political prisoners, Rachel sees through to the heart of the matter: Zahra's murder may not have been quite what it seemed.

Steeped in suspense, Among the Ruins is a powerful, provocative mystery exploring the interplay of politics and religion, and the intensely personal ripple effects of one woman's murder.

• Third book in the Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty mystery series, following The Unquiet Dead, and The Language of Secrets
• In each novel in the Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty series, Khan throws a light on an important human rights issue, this time the tumultuous political regime in Iran and the suffering of political prisoners.
• Author is the previous winner of the Barry Award, the Arthur Ellis Award and the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best First Novel
• Author was the founder of Muslim Girl magazine, the first magazine in North America to reflect the lives of young Muslim women
• Author appeared on BBC Woman's Hour and BBC World Service for her debut novel, The Unquiet Dead
• TV series adaptation underway by Lionsgate, with Allison Shearmur Productions (The Hunger Games) attached to produce

"Among the Ruins" was written by Ausma Zehanat Khan.

Ausma Zehanat Khan holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law with a specialisation in military intervention and war crimes in the Balkans. She has practised immigration law and taught human rights law at Northwestern University and York University. Formerly, she served as Editor in Chief of Muslim Girl magazine, the first magazine to reflect the lives of young Muslim women. Her debut novel, The Unquiet Dead, won the Barry Award, the Arthur Ellis Award and the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best First Novel. She is a longtime community activist and writer. Born in Britain, Ausma lived in Canada for many years before recently becoming an American citizen. She lives in Colorado with her husband.

Yes, "Among the Ruins" is part of the "A Detective Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty Mystery" series. It's book 3 in the series.