Bukhara, 1899. Amidst palace intrigues, Sufi wisdom, and the relentless pursuit of ancient knowledge, young Firuz-begim becomes the unwitting keeper of a powerful secret. The Flask of the Crystal Hookah - an artifact said to hold the key to unlocking the past and altering the future - disappears, taking with it the last chance to uncover the Emir's long-lost treasures.
Tashkent, late 20th century. Art historian Shahlo discovers fragments of an old manuscript that pull her deep into history's hidden corridors. Soon, she realizes she is not the only one seeking answers. Why is a British agent so interested in her work? And what does a mysterious Eastern scholar know that she doesn't?
Her journey takes her across Bukhara, Tashkent, Moscow, and Paris, where ancient symbols conceal secrets of the past, and the scents of the East whisper stories long forgotten.
The Flask of the Crystal Hookah - I or The Sacrament of the Treasures of Emir Bukhara by Gulchekhra-begim Makhmudova is a mesmerizing historical thriller where the aroma of spices masks conspiracies, and the intricate patterns of the East hold the key to a legend waiting to be revealed.