site.btaTurkish Writer Ahmet Umit Hints at Future Novel Set in Bulgaria, Says Sofia Inspired Latest Work

Turkish crime novelist and political thriller writer Ahmet Umit, one of Turkiye's most widely read and internationally translated authors, expressed the hope that his books will be available in every language and suggested one of his future novels could take place in Sofia. Speaking to BTA in Istanbul ahead of the publication of his new novel in late September, Umit said Bulgaria is among the countries where his work has been translated the most.

Eleven of his 27 novels, translated into 37 languages, are available in Bulgarian, including the recently published Red Snow, whose story was partly inspired by his experiences in Sofia.

Asked whether future novels could move to other countries, Umit said Bulgaria was a possibility. "Why not? One of my next novels could take place in Bulgaria," he said, citing the shared history and cultural ties between Turkiye and former Ottoman territories.

Best known for creating Istanbul police detective Chief Commissioner Nevzat, whom critics describe as a distinctly Turkish detective figure, Umit said crime fiction allows him to examine corruption, social change and collective memory while combining history, mythology and archaeology with contemporary mysteries.

The author also praised his translators, describing them as essential collaborators who "rewrite" his novels in other languages. He plans to host translators from abroad, including Bulgaria, in Istanbul this autumn for a symposium on the challenges of translating his work.

"My dream is for my books to be available in all the languages of the world," said Umit.

Bulgarian Turkologist and translator Elen Ivanova, who translated four of Umit's novels, told BTA that his books are both challenging and rewarding to translate because of their style, intricate plots and suspense.