Istanbul Express

Rendezvous With Destiny #5

by T. Davis Bunn, Davis Bunn

In the years following World War II, Jake and Sally Burnes are dispatched to Istanbul to oversee a massive aid program for the Eastern Mediterranean and do their part to stop the expansion of Communist Russian influence

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction

205 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Also writes under the names Thomas Locke and Davis Bunn.

Reviews

[Nadine Keels · Rating 3 out of 5]

World War II is behind them, but now an ominous Iron Curtain is descending in Europe. American Jake Burnes, Frenchman Pierre Servais, and their two wives travel to Turkey to help set a defense against Communist expansion in Istanbul Express, a novel by author T. Davis Bunn.

I've enjoyed the Rendezvous with Destiny series, especially the first novel, Rhineland Inheritance. It was a pleasure to see the four main characters teamed up in this conclusion, and I gained a new favorite, an older character by the name of Phyllis. She brings some refreshing moments to the story, including a fair share of its humor.

While I'd say the suspense and tension in this historical series is on the low-key side in general, I imagined the series might still go out with more of a bang, especially considering some of the high moments in the first four books and the intriguing setup at the end of Berlin Encounter.

However, in this last story, I found the tension and mood so low-key and the pace so sedate that my interest wandered a few times through it, and I never got deeply engrossed in it. More than past the halfway point, I was still waiting for things to pick up, and the ending doesn't bring the series to a satisfying close so much as the story just seems to choose a place to stop, having nowhere else to go.

I also wondered about the number of punctuation errors in the edition I read (Books 4 and 5 combined in a hardback) and places where the recurring lack of conjunctions feels more awkward than stylish, as if the wording wasn't given a final polish.

But overall, I got what I was looking for when I decided to read some new-to-me books from the '90s by one of my longtime favorite authors.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series, Rendezvous With Destiny, is a very light and quick read but I learned about post WWII Europe and reconstruction. Though many decades have passed between the time setting and now, Russia's global plans are still pertinent and the lack of understanding of that period's politicians is mirrored in today's concerning Islam and its quest for world domination.

[Doris Leland · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story but stopped in the middle

The author was trying to write a James Bond type story with his characters. I don’t know why, but he stopped the story in the middle.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one in the series. It's a great reminder of the importance of knowing your faith and studying the Bible, and to always be prepared to speak about what you believe.

The characters are actually realistic people, and their relationships fit that, too. There's an urgency to the events--it all happens pretty quickly--but it's punctuated with wonderful description of the country, people, and culture where the main characters are visiting. There's a lot of history, which can get a little overwhelming, but it's not just there--it actually serves the story well.

This series is a good one because the way Christianity is presented isn't preachy or overly simplified. The main character has conversations with people of different beliefs, and the conversations are respectful. There's no unrealistic sudden conversions, but there are thoughtful considerations of what it means to believe and how to live a good, Christian life, all without unnecessary underlining or distracting from the main events.

I started in the middle of the series, and the books are good enough I want to go back and read them from the beginning. I would recommend these to people who like historical suspense or are looking for more substantive Christian fiction.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting setting and historical period, and good to continue w/ 4 main characters from previous books. Realistic, well that would be a stretch, but fun, light listening. Pleasant enough until weak, unfinished sort of ending. Did he plan to write a bk 6 and never did? In any case, it was a peculiarly unsatisfying way to end the series!

[Dorothy J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dangerous time

Jake and Pierre struggle with subterfuge, Russian aggression, and dishonest political appointees. On the other hand, their wives meet Phyllis, who helps them all figure out a way forward.

[Pat Raab · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing look at a fragment of Turkish history and the stalwarts who fought against threatening Soviet dominion.

[Danae · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is post-WWII and international events are pointing towards difficulties with former ally Russia. When Jake Burnes is reassigned to Turkey as an American Intelligence Agent, he and his wife Sally, along with longtime friends Pierre Servais, from the French government, and his wife Jasmyn, travel via the Orient Express. After a grueling journey across the continent, they arrive in Turkey only to find their best efforts to understand their new assignments thwarted. Jake and Pierre must figure out how to keep their posts and understand what the Russians have planned for Turkey before time runs out. They can only lean on their faith, their wives, and each other in this uncertain time.

It's an exciting novel that shares the history and culture of Turkey while also portraying the difficulties foreigners will encounter in such a land. The subterfuge required by foreign personnel is interesting. The tricky politics involved in such a dangerous time are to be expected. These plot points are the main focus of the book as our characters look out for the best interests both of the locals and their home countries against a common enemy.

Part spy thriller, part mystery, this Christian-based novel also explores the nuances of faith and its personal nature by putting Jake, a Christian, in philosophical discussions with both Jewish and Muslim characters. It was an obvious and appropriate thing to bring into the conversation - the Middle East has been rife with conflict between the three religions since the birth of Christ. They have coexisted for centuries, sometimes peacefully but often not, and there can be no denying that daily in this environment you will work with someone who does not share the same faith. The nudges of faith are subtle but clear, and my favorite quote is "Faith is not something that can be shared through intellectual debate. You can't hold it out at arm's length and analyze it and come away understanding anything." None of the faiths are decried or lambasted here, it is only that Jake is clearly sure of his faith, and willing to share it with others if they choose to listen. In none of the interactions was there a clear "aha" moment for characters of other faiths, but only the message that you should hold onto your faith as your own, and share it as a piece of yourself rather than something to be foisted upon others. I thought it was a nice message, because although in religion we are taught to share our faith, often people do so in an aggressive manner which leaves no space for someone to accept it as a part of you, but only as a weapon you are using against them.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I didn't think this book was as good as the previous one in the series, I am truly sad to see them end. The potential clearly exists for a continuation of the series, but it's doubtful that Bunn will attempt it after so many years. Virtually visiting Istanbul and feeling the majesty and history of the country, we see the newlyweds enjoying their new diplomatic posts... and finding themselves embroiled in the midst of cloak and dagger risks as Stalin tries to back-door and scam their way into Turkey. What was most interesting to me was the side characters of the Jewish family in Turkey and how the war affected them. In the history of the war, one often forgets that there were Jews in other countries who suffered, not just the Germans. It would be nice to hear more about that family's growing friendship with Jake and follow the years perhaps even up to the Berlin Wall coming down. One can hope.

[Merit-lee Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

this whole series was great suspense and they got married in the first book and continued on their adventure really made you understand some on the history and intrigue of that culture also giving glory to God

[Joanna Said · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book, Book 5 in a series, and it left me wanting more.
Very interesting, from post world war, in Turkey. Quite a mix of people and cultures, and times.

[Maxine Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent read and I found it interesting learning more about World War 2 and its aftermath.