The Peacock Angel

David Chacko
Foremost Press (2005)
ISBN 0974892149
Reviewed by Lynn O’Connell for Reader Views (4/06)

American spy, Jason Ender, accepts a contract with the U.S. State Department which takes him through Western Europe and into Turkey in this latest novel by David Chacko. The book begins as Ender is hired to follow Leyla Pamir, Kurdish mistress to an enemy of America and other countries, during her visit to Zurich. Ender assumes he’s looking for oil money. Part One of the book concludes as Leyla is severely injured by her lover.

In Part Two, “The Color of Passion,” Ender digs deep into the world of Swiss jewelers, particularly that of Franz Hermann who deals in rubies among other fine gems. Finally, in Part Three, the search turns to art and Ender learns that he is in pursuit of the peacock angel – also known as Melek Taus and Ezrail. This angel which Ender pursues is apparently the primary religious symbol of the Yezidi sect of the Kurds and dates back to at least 2000 B.C. Meanwhile, Ender pursues this treasure into the mountains of Italy and then on into Turkey until the book reaches its surprise conclusion.

“The Peacock Angel” is Chacko’s eleventh novel and is a sequel to “Less than a Shadow.” Chacko creates his niche here because he lives in Istanbul and has traveled a great deal in this part of the world. I have rarely seen a fiction writer with such knowledge of Middle Eastern culture. Also, I appreciated the in-depth character development that he provided for several of the key characters, including Leyla and Franz Hermann.

The book will appeal to basically two types of fiction readers. First, readers of action and spy novels will enjoy this book. Second, readers interested in the Middle East with its diverse cultures will enjoy this work of fiction which includes a lot of realistic elements about the region’s history, art and economics. Those elements of the book are what particularly made the book appealing to me. I felt Chacko did a good job of defining some of the unique aspects of Islam. And, I was fascinated to go online after finishing the book and read in more detail about the peacock angel.

In all, a fast read that takes you to some fascinating locations throughout the world.

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