Books by Leigh Turner
I've written both fiction and non-fiction books. My best-seller is the non-fiction "Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties". But I also love writing fiction. This includes thrillers set in places I served as a diplomat, such as "Blood Summit" (Berlin) and "Palladium" (Istanbul). I also write darkly comic short stories about hotels (my partner is a hotel manager) including "Seven Hotel Stories" and "Seven More Hotel Stories".
IBSN: 978-1447373926
Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties
Is a diplomat’s life really as glamorous as a royal visit, or as dramatic as a coup d’état in Turkey?
Leigh Turner is a former British ambassador who held posts in Ukraine, Turkey and Austria. In this witty globe-trotting adventure through one of the most intriguing careers a person can have, Leigh relates his interactions with royalty of both the aristocratic and celebrity kinds, and with brilliant and extraordinary people who bestowed valuable lessons. Offering astute reflections on Brexit, Russia’s war with Ukraine and the chaos of modern politics, he sheds new light on the intricacies of modern statecraft, including what we all can learn from a good diplomat or ambassador.
In this entertaining and accessible first-hand account, you’ll discover how diplomats really work with spies, how immunity allows killers to escape justice, how Russia broke up the Soviet Union and then nursed its resentment at the consequences -- and how to throw, and be invited to, a great cocktail party.
IBSN:
Blood Summit
"Show me the head of the President."
Counter-terrorism expert Helen Gale has one job: to protect world leaders at a summit in the Berlin Reichstag.
But terrorists take hostage presidents, prime ministers, one hundred innocent children - and Helen’s journalist husband.
Then the executions start.
Helen's life implodes. Yet she alone can see the truth. As special forces plan a deadly assault, she must enter the shattered hulk of the Reichstag to stop a bloodbath.
IBSN:
Palladium
Legend tells that the Palladium, a powerful talisman dropped from heaven by the goddess Athena, protects modern Istanbul.
What if it falls into the wrong hands?
Moments after archaeology professor Elif Mutlu finds a mysterious relic in a tomb in Istanbul, terrorists kidnap her and slaughter the rest of her team.
Elif's former lover, disgraced MI6 agent John Brown, races through the city in search of Elif with the help of her brother Orhan, a proud Turkish cop who hates foreigners.
As bombs explode, Elif's captors announce they will destroy Istanbul. While she fights to stay alive, John and Orhan, pursued by cops and threatened by terrorists, must find the Palladium to save Istanbul, a living symbol of 20 million people that East and West can co-exist.
IBSN: 979-8807439536
Seven Hotel Stories
This is the first volume of The Hotel Stories, featuring the world's most glamorous, brilliant and mischievous hotel manager, referred to as Ms N to protect her anonymity. Ms N loves to solve problems - especially when they are caused by men. The tales are chronicled by her young colleague, Tatiana, in the manner of Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes.
The stories have a strong sense of place. The first three are set in a luxury hotel in the historic capital of Tatiana's beautiful but not yet fully developed homeland. The White Blouse is set in a nearby, equally chaotic country. Gents is set in Florida. The last two stories are set later, after Tatiana has become the manager of her own luxury eco-hotel set in a hollowed-out mountain overlooking a relic-strewn plain. Given the nature of the stories, none of these locations can be named - except Florida.
All the stories are inspired by real events, recounted to Leigh Turner by hoteliers.
IBSN: 979-8244213430
Seven More Hotel Stories
This is the second volume of The Hotel Stories, featuring the world's most glamorous, brilliant and mischievous hotel manager, referred to as Ms N to protect her anonymity. Ms N loves to solve problems - especially when they are caused by men. The tales are chronicled by her young colleague, Tatiana, in the manner of Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes.
The stories have a strong sense of place. Sausages takes place in the Ultra Platinum Paradise Beach Resort, to which Ms N has been transferred for three months to sort out certain deep-seated problems. Stories 9-13, including Mr Smith Sees Red, Chateau d'Yquem and Sense of Arrival are set in a luxury hotel in the historic capital of Tatiana's beautiful but not yet fully developed homeland. Luxury Spa is set in the HealCol 2000 weight loss spa, high in the Austrian Alps. Given the nature of the stories, none of these locations can be named - except Austria.
All the stories are inspired by real events, recounted to Leigh Turner by hoteliers.
Upcoming events
Saturday, 05 Sept 2026: How to write and publish a novel
