Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jul 2013
352 pages
Genre: Mysteries
Publication Information
Captain Alexei Korolev has nothing to complain about. He has his own room in an apartment, a job in the police force that puts food on the table, and his good health. In Moscow in 1937, that's a lot more than most people have to be grateful for. But for the first time in a long time, Korolev is about to be truly happy: his son Yuri is coming to visit for an entire week.
Shortly after Yuri's arrival, however, Korolev receives an urgent call from his boss - it seems an important man has been murdered, and Korolev is the only detective they're willing to assign to this sensitive case. In fact, Korolev realizes almost immediately that the layers of sensitivity and secrecy surrounding this case far exceed his paygrade. And the consequences of interfering with a case tied to State Security or the NKVD can be severe - you might lose your job, if you're lucky. Your whole family might die if you're not. Korolev is suddenly faced with much more than just discovering a murderer's identity; he must decide how far he'll go to see justice served ... and what he's willing to do to protect his family.
In The Twelfth Department, William Ryan's portrait of a policeman struggling to survive in one of the most volatile and dangerous eras of modern history is mesmerizing.
"Starred Review. Excellent…While the police work will keep readers engaged, the series' chief strength comes from Ryan's skillful evocation of everyday life under Stalin." - Publishers Weekly
"A strong sense of place, good contextualisation, and vivid atmosphere. Overall, an enjoyable read and a solid addition to what is shaping up to be a very good series." Rob Kitchin from The View from the Blue House blog
"An engrossing and satisfying follow up to its cracking predecessors The Holy Thief and The Bloody Meadow." - Paul Brazil
"As with the previous books, Korolev's moral wavering – caught between his duty as a good comrade and his conscience – remains one of the most compelling aspects of the novel, and the character." - Gareth of Killing Time blog
This information about The Twelfth Department was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
William Ryan is the author of The Holy Thief, which was a Barry Award Nominee for Best First Novel and shortlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and The Darkening Field.
Ryan attended Trinity College, Dublin and completed his Masters in Creative Writing at St. Andrews University. He lives in London.
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