The Winter Queen : A Novel (Erast Fandorin Mysteries) | Boris Akunin, Andrew Bromfield

The Winter Queen : A Novel (Erast Fandorin Mysteries) | Boris Akunin, Andrew Bromfield | Interesting opening book

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The Winter Queen :...

	The Winter Queen : A Novel (Erast Fandorin Mysteries) Boris Akunin, Andrew Bromfield, 2003 - 256 pages average customer review:based on 76 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

This is the first book featuring Erast Fandorin, a gentleman sleuth who solves murders and mysteries in tsarist Russia. A 23-year-old law student commits suicide in broad daylight in Moscow's Alexander Gardens. Fandorin is put on the case to find out what drove him to it, a case that deepens as he discovers that the young man was the son of a rich and influential factory owner. The story is enhanced by its authentic backdrop of nineteenth-century Russia. After all, it's difficult to keep your mind on a case when the new Dostoyevsky novel has just hit the shops. Fandorin has been described as 'the James Bond of the 19th century' and Akunin has been compared to Gogol, Tolstoy and Conan Doyle. The UK publication of these books will be an international literary event and mark the arrival of a startling new voice in the thriller marketplace.

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All the little children

In Germany it was student duelling - with sabres, as Mark Twain so vividly described. In late 19 century Russia it was suicide, sometimes performed in bizarre ways - one loaded chamber in a revolver [the reference to "American Roulette" is delicious]. In this case, the victim is a new orphan, having inherited a vast fortune. He doesn't leave life intestate, however. His will stipulates the property and money go to a British aristocrat who operates an international network of "progressive" orphanages. This raises a host of questions which will be sorted out by a new member of Moscow's Criminal Investigation Department.

In this rollicking story of a Moscow generally beyond our ken, Akunin introduces Erast Fandorin. He's a young man of aristocratic lineage lacking the financial security of Kokorin, the youthful suicide. Erast must make his way with his skills, and these are many. Language, in particular, is a significant talent, which is why he's sent to London seeking more information. He stakes out The Winter Queen - a down at heels hotel - because one of his contacts, the gorgeous Amalia Bezhetskaya seems to be using the hotel as a "drop". Tracking down people in London is risky at the best of times, but Fandorin, who is clearly too trusting, falls into one trap after another in his quest. He's also, in the best Russian tradition, too respectful of the nobility - until they prove unworthy of it.

Akunin is able to mix plot and characters with seamless talent. He builds this story and those involved with a deft touch. At less than 250 pages, to incorporate so much into such a limited space takes a rare skill. Nor, even with the economy of words, does Akunin leave anything out. The story flows and builds, starting from an incident in a Moscow park and culminating in a global conspiracy. It's a stimulating read and one which any "mystery" reader would enjoy - as would nearly everybody. stephen a. haines - [Ottawa, Canada]]

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Interesting opening book

I knew nothing of Erast Fandorin nor of Boris Akunin, nor of Grigory Shalvovich Chkhartishvili, the actual author of the series until this first book. I had heard of it from LibraryThing discussions. I had asked for recommendations from the peopl on that web site for an intriguing mystery read. Someone suggested the Erast Fandorin series. I have been reading motly police procedural mysteries that are st in the modern day world. This was kind of stretching it for me. I was glad I took the chance.

The book begins with a very young very green Erast, our hero. The author puts him through a number of predicaments, as ll mystery writers are bound to do, but he does so in a very Russian and a very different way. The key attraction to this book is that no one is as they seem they are, in other mysteries, one can almost always discern the villains from the allies by the way they are described. Some obfuscation are always present, but the usual modus operandi is to inject doubt into every character. In this case the characters are written in a neutral enough or a generally positive manner. So much so that when the characters do turn, one is shocked by the turn of events.

The other attractive thing about this particular book is in its descriptions of imperial Russia and its description of the people who populate this landscape. It is all quite intersting and pulled me into the narrative.

My only probleminvolves the last little tidbit at the end of the mystery. I thought that last little episode was patched on and felt very forced and extemporaneous. The mood and the tempo of the story was disrupted unnecessarily bu the addition of the last 10-15 pages. I would assume that this last bit is going to affect the rest of the series, or else I would be quite ticked at Boris Akunin for adding that last bit.

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A young policeman investigates deaths in nineteenth century Czarist Russia.

This period novel is mostly to be appreciated for its atmosphere. It is set in Czarist Russia with a brief detour to nineteenth century London. Erast Fandorin, a minor functionary in the Imperial police, investigates a series of curious suicides/murders. Successes lead to rapid advancement and promotion within the service. It is the first book in a series about Fandorin's adventures. The style reminded me a little of The Three Musketeers and other Dumas novels, with regard to the use of helpful coincidences. It also resembles some of the writing of Arturo Perez-Reverte which captures the atmosphere of period Spain. Most fascinating was the description of the hierarchy of Russian society. An appendix lists thirteen ranks with civil and military equivalents, so readers do not get lost. The international conspiracy elements, on the other hand, struck me as anachronistic, speaking more to a modern paranoia. Interestingly, the book is politically disengaged. Perhaps avoiding politics and religion is the best way to retain readers. The Soviet Revolution is looming yet neither rich nor poor express monarchist, revolutionary or any religious sentiments. Apart from these criticisms it is a fine read for lovers of historic novels and international literature.

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