The Darkening Field
I really enjoyed the combination of murder mystery and political intrigue. We got to follow the leads as the detectives uncovered them. The pre-World War II setting in Russia was well described along with the conflicts some people felt with their government. The distrust of others, the fear of appearing disloyal to the government, the worry of the detectives about how high in the government the leads would take them, all were ever present in the story. I will read the author's first book now and definitely recommend this book to others. It would provide many avenues of discussion for a book club.
Rated of 5
by Patricia H. (Norman, OK)
And We Think Politics Can Make Life Difficult!
In 1937 Russia, Captain Alexei Korolev is caught between his party loyalties and his sense of justice, while investigating the murder of an actress. What makes the job more difficult is the one secret condition under which he must perform the investigation. With endless possible suspects, Ryan writes an intriguing crime fiction drawn from history. Rated good versus very good because occasionally a bit stilted but a fascinating story none-the-less.
Rated of 5
by Daniel A. (Naugatuck, CT)
The Darkening Field
I liked this book very much. It had a good plot with lots of twists and turns, and the Russian detective is a fascinating protagonist.
I like the list of characters at the beginning of the book, just like in an Agatha Christie novel; it helped me with the Russian names.
Overall, this was a good read, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Rated of 5
by Eileen P. (Pittsford, NY)
Second in series
This is the second book in the series featuring Captain Alexei Korolev. My pleasure in reading it was somewhat dimmed by not having read the first book in the series. However, the book captured my imagination, and raised all sorts of interesting questions about the strength of individuals’ loyalties and the compromises that must be made in oppressive societies. It would make a daring, but rewarding book club selection.
Rated of 5
by Norman G. (Diamond Bar, CA)
Grows on you
Book started off as a typical foreign who-dun-it but the characters and the plot expanded nicely. The lead Soviet era investigator took on a full life and the plot had enough twists to keep the interest. Especially well written details about how some factions in The Soviet Union must have viewed their lives add an interesting historical touch. Not a great book but worth the time.
Rated of 5
by WDH (New Port Richey, FL)
Action & Intrigue
The characters were interesting and the plot has lots of twists and turns adding to the suspense. The author has a descriptive writing style that helps envision people and places throughout the book such as the extreme cold and the barren landscape of the steppes. He also does a good job with the dialogue - exposing the intrigue of an environment where you can't say what you really mean and must express yourself carefully to survive. I did feel the wrap-up was a bit long. Overall a good read - I will look for his first book to catch up on the adventures of Alexei Korolev.
Rated of 5
by Kenneth T. (Houston, TX)
Almost Very Good
William Ryan has chosen as his milieu a most difficult period, the Soviet Union during the 1930s. What we know in hindsight of this period raises the bar considerably for the novelist, the "willing suspension of disbelief." He almost pulls it off with a clever plot, the death of a young woman, a Party member who is a "close" friend of a high ranking commissar. The mood is dark and the chill soon enters the readers bones as the Captain Alexi Korolev tired and worried about his role in the investigation navigates the treachery of the warring sides, the counter-revolutionaries, the Thieves, and his bosses. His character is sympathetic, but he is the only one even minimally fleshed out. The dialogue often sounds like a poor translation to depression-era American idiom. This is a shame because the blurring of good guys and bad, heroes and terrorists, winners and losers could have been terrific, just not quite there.
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by Chris W. (Temple City, CA)
of 5
by Patricia H. (Norman, OK)
