Product Description

This is the first book featuring Erast Fandorin, a gentleman sleuth who solves murders and mysteries in Tsarist Russia. Moscow 1876. A young law student commits suicide in broad daylight in Moscow's Alexander Gardens. But this is no ordinary death, for the young man was the son of an influential industrialist and has left a considerable fortune. Erast Fandorin, a hotheaded new recruit to the Criminal Investigation Department, is assigned to the case. Brilliant, young, and sophisticated, Fandorin embarks on an investigation that will take him from the palatial mansions of Moscow to the seedy backstreets of London in his hunt for the conspirators behind this mysterious death.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51463 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

GOOD BOOK GUIDE (1.4.04)
'A stylized literary thriller.'

Review
'Joy is not a word usually associated with Russian literature, but in its shameless dash through Victoria villainy, this is a joyful read executed with panache and a skilful re-imagining of 1870s London and Russian.' (INK (April '04) )

'Akunin...weaves a plot laced with twists and turncoats, the increasingly likable Fandorin dodging derringers, daggers and devilish beauties to the end. Racy, predictable and charmingly funny - as long as it's taken with tongue firmly in cheek. From Russia - with love.' (Daisy Foster JACK (April) )

'A stylized literary thriller.' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE (1.4.04) )

'a series of unputdownable novels.' (Will Dyke CHICHESTER OBSERVER (22.4.04) )

'an intriguing, original and thoroughly enjoyable detective story.' (SUNDAY TIMES (25.4.04) )

SUNDAY TIMES (25.4.04)
'an intriguing, original and thoroughly enjoyable detective story.'

Customer Reviews

Translate them quicker please!!!
The Winter Queen and Turkish Gambit are the best of Erast Fandorin books so far, (I own them all). I wish the British publisher would translate them quicker!

All the little children
In Germany it was student duelling - with sabres, as Mark Twain so vividly described. In late 19 century Russia it was suicide, sometimes performed in bizarre ways - one loaded chamber in a revolver [the reference to "American Roulette" is delicious]. In this case, the victim is a new orphan, having inherited a vast fortune. He doesn't leave life intestate, however. His will stipulates the property and money go to a British aristocrat who operates an international network of "progressive" orphanages. This raises a host of questions which will be sorted out by a new member of Moscow's Criminal Investigation Department.

In this rollicking story of a Moscow generally beyond our ken, Akunin introduces Erast Fandorin. He's a young man of aristocratic lineage lacking the financial security of Kokorin, the youthful suicide. Erast must make his way with his skills, and these are many. Language, in particular, is a significant talent, which is why he's sent to London seeking more information. He stakes out The Winter Queen - a down at heels hotel - because one of his contacts, the gorgeous Amalia Bezhetskaya seems to be using the hotel as a "drop". Tracking down people in London is risky at the best of times, but Fandorin, who is clearly too trusting, falls into one trap after another in his quest. He's also, in the best Russian tradition, too respectful of the nobility - until they prove unworthy of it.

Akunin is able to mix plot and characters with seamless talent. He builds this story and those involved with a deft touch. At less than 250 pages, to incorporate so much into such a limited space takes a rare skill. Nor, even with the economy of words, does Akunin leave anything out. The story flows and builds, starting from an incident in a Moscow park and culminating in a global conspiracy. It's a stimulating read and one which any "mystery" reader would enjoy - as would nearly everybody. stephen a. haines - [Ottawa, Canada]]

A Russian Bond - more of an Indiana Jones type for me!
19th Century Russia and young policeman Erast Fandorin gets a lucky break in a case which gets him entangled in a conspiracy which crosses the continent, allows him to travel, gamble and use guns - indeed it nearly gets him killed several times, and he meets and loses the love of his life. A 19th century Bond? - In this first novel, I see him more as an Indiana Jones type, but I'm sure he'll mature into a more suave, cynical and hardened special agent.
As with almost all novels set in 19th century Russia, the sense of place and sheer 'Russian-ness' makes them so attractive. This is a fab novel, brilliantly translated, can't wait to read the others now.