Istanbul Intrigues is a book on war, diplomacy, and espionage that took place in Istanbul and the Balkans during World War Two. Based on extensive use of archives and dozens of interviews with participants, it tells the story of individuals, covers the Allied and Axis struggle over winning Turkey's support; the rise and fall of spy networks, and other events.

In addition, the book analyzes Turkish policy and the positions of the key Turkish leaders, using British, American, and German archives. The remarkable cast of characters in this true story includes: Stalin's chief murder expert, the young Vatican emissary who later became Pope John XXIII; Hungarian leaders secretly negotiating peace with the Allies; an eccentric American ex-governor who considered himself the world's greatest superspy; and the British ambassador's valet who became the greatest German agent of the war (though his information was ignored).

It includes material that has never previously been published about German intelligence efforts and also German and Austrian resistance activities during World War Two. The book is written in a popular style, with many anecdotes and individual stories.