Life With Stalin
Interesting read for the description of life with Stalin. The story was not much of a mystery. The characters were fairly stereotypical. If one happens to be interested in the particular period in Russia under Stalin, it is a good read. For mystery readers not so much....
Rated of 5
by Gerald R. (pompton lakes, NJ)
Martin Cruz Smith wannabee.
This Russian police procedural, in the style of Martin Cruz Smith, was a bit disappointing. I found the plot to be pretty standard issue for the USSR in the late Thirties. The characters, although numerous, were not fleshed out. I never got the feeling that I knew any of them. Thank goodness there was a list of them at the beginning of the book that I had to keep referring to. I did like the author's way with words and his descriptions of life in Russia just prior to WWII. Captain Alexi Korolev has a way to go to be compared with Arkady Renko.
Rated of 5
by J W. (Davis, CA)
Editing required
This story is fascinating because of the time period and the location. Those two factors turn in into a psychological study as well as a mystery. And those two factors are what kept me reading. The writing, itself, was disjointed in presenting thoughts, conversations and actions. I found myself wondering if it was a translation...but it isn't. The author praises his editor but, I don't think her work is done. This could be a great story instead of only an average one. I won't be hurrying to read his next installment.
Rated of 5
by Katherine T. (Atlanta, Georgia)
Darkening field
It was very difficult to get through this book. I wanted to like it; mystery, Russian History. Sounded good. Two issues; I had a hard time figuring out the detective, Alexei Korolev. Maybe if I had the first book staring him. Not sure his motivations and what he feels. The second issue is the idea of the murder itself. Hard to feel sympathetic towards the dead woman in the mist of so much other tragedy and depression. Looking for the culprit of one murder when the book mentions the mass killings. Not that the death of one is less important, but it feels that way in the book. Some interesting facts on Russia.
Rated of 5
by Gunta K. (Glens Falls, NY)
Old Tactics of Former Soviet Union
I did not like the book. Tactics of the old Soviet Union rehashed in a slow moving tale. Those readers who are of a certain age, know Soviet history, even they will not find the plot interesting enough to hold their attention. Readers born after 1960 will be put off by descriptions of incidents mired in Soviet history known only to those who are history buffs of that time or, have some familial connection to that area. The continuous plot within a plot is quite confusing as it is all built on Soviet politics, restrictions of the population, rules and regulations which change with each day or whichever military official is in power on any given week. The intent of the author is to show the Soviet undermining of the citizenry by various government threats, corruption, secret spying of and among families, creating constant fear. The author does not pull this feeling off in this reader. This is not a page turner
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of 5
by William E. (Honolulu, HI)
of 5
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