'The Stolen Heart' is a follow up to Andrey Kurkov's strange but likeable 'Silver Bone', following accidental policeman Samson Kolechko as he ambles his way through the confusing maze of newly-Soviet Kyiv. It wouldn't be correct to call these 'whodunnits' or 'crime' fiction. They're more about the bizarreness of navigating life at that place and time, and that's really where the interest lies. In this sequel, Samson and his fellow copper Kholodny are assigned to investigate the illegal selling of meat. The fact selling meat had only just been made illegal, possibly even after the 'crime' took place, and those involved had no idea about the changed law, is not considered relevant. Samson also faces challenges at home when his fiance is kidnapped by rogue railway workers who object to taking part in the census, and his friend Dr Varutkhin is made homeless.

There's a slight magical realist element to these books, in that Samson keeps his severed ear in a box, and can hear perfectly (or better than perfectly) through it even when he is somewhere else entirely. A useful tool for a policeman - although he doesn't deploy in a particularly deliberate way. Other than that, the only strangeness is from the world of newly minted Communism, and that 'real' bizarreness is more than enough. More than any other book, this novel made me really think about how it would have felt to live in a society that was so precarious and unpredictable, and the long term effect that would have on people and societies even after changes were made.

Samson is a likeable character, as are most of the characters around him. It's still quite a dark and unsettling story, but his small acts of kindness and those he receives prevent it being utterly depressing.

Although it's atmospheric, it is quite slow and I did feel it dragged. The central mystery - whilst making a good point - is not particularly exciting. I kept expecting it to evolve into something unexpectedly dramatic. The main action happens relatively early on, before even the halfway point. After that it plodded a bit as Samson and Kholodny wandered around Kyiv without any sense of rush, interviewing one suspect a day about the buying of meat. There were several really promising starts to subplots that fizzled out without delivering much.

It gets ten out of ten for social commentary and characterisation, but I need more of a plot to really love a book, and I don't like books that I feel are an effort to pick up and carry on with, which sadly did apply to this one at times. So a three star effort. If you enjoyed the first, it is worth reading this one, and I do intend to carry on with the series as I think it has great promise. I just hope we get some slightly meatier (no pun intended!) plots in future instalments.

The Stolen Heart is the second book in The Kyiv Mysteries series by Andrey Kurkov and like its predecessor it is a slightly quirky offbeat book which is underpinned by some excellently described characters and subtle humour.

Overall I found the book very enjoyable and look forward to future books.

The second book in this quite unique series of books set in Kyiv following the aftermath and necessary adjustment after the Soviet revolution.

The book is character driven with eccentric situations and black humour throughout. The confusion of the unfolding drama for the people and their renunciation of the tsarist system is cleverly drawn out. With the fear of different factions, of waging bandits and competing regimes for influence over the capital and surrounding countryside, the novel approaches the nascent republic with comic touches.

The confusion is increased in the books approach to the mysteries our protagonist, Samson, as a criminal investigator undertaken at the state’s police station. Each book to date adds additional uncertainty for the reader, as in the epilogue we meet unspecified characters ‘investigating’ Samson himself, in an almost beneficial style but authoritarian manner.

These growth pains reflects the evolving struggle for nationhood and the enduring strength of its people. Samson is a bright and sincere role model stuck between the old and the new, trying to be a good policeman and a loyal husband and friend.

I love the light-hearted approach to the story. These are written with fictional licence but within a historical context that is fascinating and entertaining. The story telling is gently revealing and maintains interest throughout. I enjoyed the backdrop of Kyiv and its street life, the struggle for the basic needs of life and the good fortune needed to avoid conflict, conscription or death.

At times, I feel the criminal investigations, the lack of justice and various power struggles seem nonsensical but as this is my second book in this series I think you have to set normal police procedural reading aside. I think they are stories within the development of an idealism that wasn’t fully evolved upon birth. They are more like parables that reflect the evils and corruption prevalent. Illustrations of the struggle necessary to bring about a profound revolution and prepares us for why atrocities happened and large scale purges and the genocide that occurred.

What is doesn’t do is call out the population; there is no judgment of personality or prejudice of race and creed. Rather it champions the integrity of the Ukrainian people and the wider population coalescing into a common future.
For this reason these are quite different books. Full of ideas, wonderful language and memorable imagery. This was a satisfying read that left me moved, thrilled but with an enduring smile on my face.