lisa_mc's review
4.0
The Inspector Rostnikov novels start in the waning years of the Soviet Union with “Death of a Dissident” and follow the main characters through the transition to a post-communist society. Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov (who shares his first and middle names with the police inspector in “Crime and Punishment”) leads a group of police detectives slogging through murders, robberies, arsons and the like, while dodging the political ambitions of the higher-ups and working within a broken system as best they can, which often isn’t very effectively at all. They develop as professionals and as people through out the series, which also gives an accurate, intimate look at daily life in a changing Russia. Intertwining plots, a host of interesting characters and a spot-on look at corruption and politics lift this sometimes gritty, sometimes hopeful series above the fray.
martyfried's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, although I think I would have liked it better if it was not an audiobook. I found it a little hard to follow some of the characters due to the unusual names, and I think I may have missed a little of what happened because of this, and also due to not paying attention part of the time as I listened while doing other things. But I think the KGB was involved behind the scenes in ways nobody suspected, including me. There was a lot of politics and resulting intrigue that was probably common in Russia during those times.
Reading this book gave me a better understanding of what it must have been like back then. Things were not easy in those days. People did what they had to do to get by, and the police often overlooked the petty crimes in order to solve the bigger ones.
Reading this book gave me a better understanding of what it must have been like back then. Things were not easy in those days. People did what they had to do to get by, and the police often overlooked the petty crimes in order to solve the bigger ones.
lberestecki's review
2.0
I was disappointed in this book. I studied Russian language and literature in college, and I love reading books that take place in Russia. I had a few problems with this book - first, it felt like the author was trying too hard to make the book seem "Russian" by trying to adopt typical Russian style. This served to make it obvious that the book was written by someone who didn't grow up in Russia. However, the biggest problem I had with the book was that I felt little to no suspense throughout the story, which was an issue considering it is a mystery - I just really didn't care much about what happened.
avid_d's review against another edition
3.0
My ebook copy was poorly proof-read.
The story was very enjoyable. Certainly it has tempted me to seek out the next in the series.
The story was very enjoyable. Certainly it has tempted me to seek out the next in the series.
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