First published 2000
Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov travels to a distant outpost where a Soviet commissar lies dead. The commissar had arrived to solve an earlier murder but became a victim himself. Rostnikov begins his investigation knowing that Moscow officials track his progress from afar. The remote location offers few witnesses and fewer allies. Local residents guard their secrets while party officials demand quick answers. Rostnikov must navigate between solving the crime and satisfying his superiors who question his methods. The inspector faces pressure from multiple directions as he uncovers connections between the two killings. Trust becomes a luxury he cannot afford when everyone around him serves different masters.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, mystery, crime, detective, political-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, political-intrigue
Setting: Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union
Period: 20th Century
288 pages · Hardcover · Center Point Pub