Rated of 5
by Harriette K. (Northbrook, IL) The Darkening Field
A police detective from Moscow is sent to the Odessa area to investigate a suspicious death, and we are plunged into 1937 Communist U.S.S.R. I started reading with low expectations, and then the plot, the time in history and the frightening world the characters lived in grabbed me. The book was totally engrossing, and left me wanting to know more about the protagonist, Alexei Korolev. He is interested in doing the right thing, but also fears for his safety and that of his son in a world where intrigue is the norm. I will now go on to read the author's first book featuring this character. I recommend this book to all lovers of suspense.
Rated of 5
by Susan F. (Rabun Gap, GA) Unique Thriller
As a history buff and recent visitor to the Odessa catacombs, I found The Darkening Field a unique thriller with the backdrop, ever present, of life in Soviet Russia in 1937. It was the time of the Great Terror, a time of a series of campaigns by Joseph Stalin to purge the unloyal and repress and execute many. No one was safe and no one could be trusted.
Such is the atmosphere in which Alexei Korolev, a moral man, must operate as a detective with the Moscow Criminal Investigation Department. This time, he must find the murderer of Maria Lenskaya, a production assistant on a new propaganda film being made in Ukraine. As the story twists and turns, I enjoyed the portrayal of Korolev as he must evaluate each suspect not only on their personal relationship to the victim, but also on their, often hidden, political persuasion as well. An invaluable aid was a listing of the book's characters which helped me sort out the many Russian names.
I highly recommend this second tale of Detective Alexei Korolev. Hopefully, a third is in the making.
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 Trezeline B. (Columbia, MD) The Darkening Field
A very riveting book. Korolev, a Soviet detective is called upon to investigate a murder. There is a possibility that what he discovers could offend or involve higher ups in the Soviet structure in a very dangerous 1937 in the Russian history. This possibility makes for an exciting read.
Rated of 5
by Judith M. (San Diego, CA) The Darkening Field
From the very first I was engrossed in this story. It certainly helped refresh my memory of post revolution Russian history and set it on a more human level. The main character was well developed, and the interaction with the new young female detective will be worth reading in future books.
Yes, the mystery does seem like a minor part of the bigger political intrigue. But, I for one want to go back and read the first Captain Alexei Korolev book, and will eagerly await the next.
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.
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of 5
by Harriette K. (Northbrook, IL) 
of 5
by WDH (New Port Richey, FL) 
