Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 1-4000-6049-4

THE WINTER QUEEN is the first book in the Erast Fandorin series. Erast Fandorin is a 19 year old whose father lost the family fortune and then died, leaving Erast to make his own way in the world in Moscow in 1876. He has joined the police as a clerk and, while writing up reports, is intrigued by an account of an unusually showy suicide. The case is strange enough that his superior allows Erast to look into it.

Erast is a young man with a lot to learn, but he is intelligent and realizes that several unusual events are connected. The young police clerk learns questioning and investigative techniques by trial and error as he travels around Moscow speaking to the persons involved in the strange happenings. He begins to uncover an international plot and pursues the conspirators across Europe. As the book unfolds, Erast becomes more adept and more respected by his superiors and those with whom he interacts. You begin to see that he has a promising future as a detective ahead of him.

THE WINTER QUEEN is a delightful read. Akunin is Russian and the book has a foreign flavor and philosophy. But it also has a very familiar feel. THE WINTER QUEEN reads very much like classic British mysteries written in the period between WWI and WWII. International conspiracies, spies, mysterious beautiful women, and perplexing clues were in vogue at the time and are a joy to revisit here.

Favorite character? It is wonderful to watch Erast Fandorin evolve in this book. Did I guess it? Yes. Will I read another? Absolutely. In addition to several other Fandorin books, Akunin has other detectives I will try out, too.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007

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