Reviews

Eye of the Red Tsar by Sam Eastland

askatknits's review against another edition

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4.0

I can't believe I almost didn't borrow this book from my library! I loved it! The writing is good, the characters are intriguing and I loved how Eastland worked in Pekkala's background to the story. If you are looking for a new mystery series, this one delivers! I have already borrowed the second book of this series! I highly recommend!

erikstl's review against another edition

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5.0

Excellent book. Very excited to read the second in the series, and if it's as good as this one, I'm hoping Eastland will create even more in the Inspector Pekkala series.

I'm a fan of Russian history, and this historically-based novel takes legends of the assassination of the Romanov family and puts them into an engaging work of fiction based around the character Inspector Pekkala, The Emerald Eye, the most trusted inspector of Tsar Nicholas II.

p25n's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

em_emily_o's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

lilpeachy87's review against another edition

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adventurous informative mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

adrianjd's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

shirlee2024's review against another edition

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4.0

A historical thriller with a unique setting. The mystery surrounds the execution of the tsar and his family during the Russian Revolution. The hero is the tsar's former chief inspector who has survived torture and the gulag, only to be recruited by Stalin (no is not an acceptable answer) to investigate the tsar's death. I'm looking forward to the next Inspector Pekkala book.

krobart's review against another edition

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1.0

Among other problems I had with this book, I found it completely unbelievable, given the loyalty of the main character to the Romanovs, that he would willingly agree to work for Stalin at the end of the book. I forgive myself for revealing this turn of events, as it is easy to see it coming.

See my complete review here:

http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/eye-of-the-red-tsar/

beastreader's review against another edition

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5.0

Nicholas Romanov, Tsar of Russia was a very powerful man. With wealth and power comes the danger of people always wanting to kill you.

While training in the military, Pekkala met Romanov. They became friends, formed form their admiration for each other. Due to Pekkala amazing ability to remember things, even down to the smallest of things like how many buttons are on someone’s coat; Romanov brought Pekkala into his closest circle. Pekkala became known as “The Red Eye of the Tsar.
In 1917, Romanov and his family were murdered. Pekkala was charged and sent away. He would be forgotten and only known as prisoner 4745-P. Flash forward to the present. Pekkala’s help is needed.

Eye of the Red Tsar is the debut novel by Sam Eastland. This book really surprised me in a good way. I could not tear myself away from this book .Pekkala is the next Jason Bourne. This book started out with a bang and ended on a high note. I found all of the characters intriguing and memorizing. The storyline would flash back and forth between the past and present. It was so effortless. I found that every time the story would go back to the past, it would add that much more depth and intensity to the plot. Pekkala is both a great detective and assassin. I can’t wait to read the next Pekkala novel. Anyone who likes to read a good book needs to check out Eye of the Red Tsar!

jwoodsum's review against another edition

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5.0

Great book with a fascinating main character. Pekkala was the top cop for the last Russian tsar; spent 9 years in a Soviet gulag; brought out of prison to work for Stalin to find out what really happened to the Romonovs. Wonderful evocation of post-revolution Russia. Looking forward to reading the next in the series