Our Love Is an Old Novel (Book)

Our Love Is an Old Novel is a book by Ahmet Ümit, published in 2019, consisting of three crime stories featuring the character Chief Commissioner Nevzat as the protagonist. Each story explores murders committed in different corners of Istanbul and the social and personal dynamics behind them.

Through three distinct stories, the book illustrates how human passions and weaknesses can lead to tragic outcomes. The first story, "Our Love Is an Old Novel", centers on the mysterious murder of a literature enthusiast at the Pera Palas Hotel. The second story, "The Overlokçu Girl", recounts the killing of a young woman in a textile workshop and the secrets concealed beneath it. The third story, "What Happened to Sergey Nikolayeviç Jerkovski?", deals with the disappearance of a Russian intellectual who arrived in Istanbul and the mysteries surrounding the event.

• Chief Commissioner Nevzat: An experienced and highly principled police officer serving at the Istanbul Homicide Bureau, known for his ability to delve into the depths of the human psyche to solve crimes.
• Ali: A dynamic and courageous officer in Chief Commissioner Nevzat’s team, who contributes practical intelligence to solving cases.
• Zeynep: Another key member of the team, Zeynep stands out for her analytical thinking and meticulous attention to detail.
• Evgenia: A close friend of Chief Commissioner Nevzat and a character who occasionally supports him.

1. Our Love Is an Old Novel: A wealthy literature enthusiast is found dead at the Pera Palas Hotel. A witness claims the killer was dressed as Agatha Christie. Chief Commissioner Nevzat and his team investigate the obsessive literary fixation and psychological depth behind the murder.
2. The Overlokçu Girl: A young woman is murdered in a textile workshop. Initial evidence suggests her brother committed the crime, but Chief Commissioner Nevzat suspects the case is more complex and launches a thorough investigation.
3. What Happened to Sergey Nikolayeviç Jerkovski?: A renowned Russian scientist vanishes suddenly after arriving in Istanbul. The case mobilizes intelligence services, while Chief Commissioner Nevzat considers the possibility of a forbidden love behind the disappearance and focuses his inquiries accordingly.

Our Love Is an Old Novel examines how human passions and flaws can lead to tragic consequences through three separate narratives. Literary obsession, social class differences, family relationships, and ban forbidden loves serve as the thematic backdrop to the murders. Ahmet Ümit masterfully explores the darker facets of the human psyche and social dynamics in these stories, inviting readers into a profound introspection.