A well written suspenseful mystery from the Cambodian series it keeps you guessing until the end. I can't wait to read more

This book is wonderful and it made me work to fact check what things were like in Russia before the Bolshevik Revolution.
As for the detective Fandorin, he is resourceful, athletic, a master of disguises, insightful, is plagued by a nemesis, is a master of logic, and has a very useful sleuthing partner. Sound somewhat familiar? But he is definitely his own character, just as Russia is quite dissimilar from England even in this time of the final days of the tsars.
The investigation of the kidnapping mastermind, evil as he is, is full of twists and red herrings as well as action and adventure and is related by the chief butler to the royals who involves himself even more than he expects to.
This is one in a series ably translated by Andrew Bromfeld, but any floundering by this reader is not the fault of the author or translator, but my own ignorance of Russian history.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Grove Atlantic via NetGalley. Thank you!

Akunin's world is like no other--a deep immersion into a time and place, with unforgettably crafted characters and haunting themes.