Pashazade by Jon Courtenay Grimwood
First in a trilology, this novel blends alternative SF and hard-boiled mystery. ZeeZee, who has spent his youth largely in boarding schools and in trouble, is also Ashraf al-Mansur, though that identity is unknown to him. Whisked away from a Seattle prison by his Aunt Nafisa, who he never knew existed, ZeeZee (aka Raf) is transported to El Iskandryia, an exotic, exquisitely detailed North African city. Lady Nafisa explains to her nephew that her brother married American Sally Welham and though divorced five days later, he is a legitimate offspring of an Emir. Aunt Nafisa introduces Ashraf to her niece nine year old Hani and his future wife Zara daughter of wealth; both hate him because the fuss made over him interferes with their respective lives.

However, before his aunt can complete arrangements for his entrance into the elite of Ottoman society, she is killed. As a newcomer and the sole heir to her fortune, the police suspect Ashraf murdered his aunt. Based on his American experience with Chinese employers, Ashraf knows he must prove his innocence or be railroaded into prison or worse. His only help comes from two females who loath him. Built on an alternate historical foundation to include Germany winning World War I and the Ottoman Empire thriving in the early twenty-first century. Ashraf also known as ZeeZee struggles with what he has learned about his patriarchal ancestry (his mother could not provide two consistent responses as her version of the truth kept wavering) and with his aunt's death. Hani and Zara add depth to Ashraf's character.

Great cast of characters and an interesting story. It took me awhile to get into this novel as the main character seems to change his personality as well as his name at various intervuls making it difficult ot follow sometimes. Kind of like riding a roller coaster and not really able to focus on anything until the ride is over and you say "Wow!". This book is kind of like that, especially the final few chapters. There are two more books in the series so I need to read it and see how I feel then.