Why a Booktrail?
1876: Erast Fandorin, the famous gentleman sleuth from Moscow
The Winter Queen ( Erast Fandorin 1)
What you need to know before your trail
A young law student commits suicide in broad daylight in Moscow’s Alexander Gardens. But this is no ordinary death, for the young man was the son of an influential industrialist and has left a considerable fortune.
Erast Fandorin, a hotheaded new recruit to the Criminal Investigation Department, is assigned to the case. He embarks on an investigation that will take him from the palatial mansions of Moscow to the seedy backstreets of London in his hunt for the conspirators behind this mysterious death.
Locations
ResetTravel Guide
1870s Moscow
The book gives a depiction of Russian Empire at the turn of 19th century. The streets, lampposts, alleyways and the walks in the Alexander Gardens. Much of the book locations probably ressemble those of the 1870s – the architecture and the colourful buildings for one.
The city is one of two halves; rich and poor,those with privilege and those without. Russia before communism, its people, class system and innocence are all described in wonderful detail.
The way the city is policed and how the investigations are carried out is interesting since these are the days before the internet and feels old fashioned and nostalgic as a result.
A great plus of this book is the insight into Russian history, culture as well as russian mentality. It is a classic ‘who dunnit’ style novel and a great detective story long before the days of modern technology.
Great that this example of Russian literature has been translated. The banter between characters about famous Russian novelists and poets – even reciting some Russian poetry is a nice touch.
The novel really gives you a taste of Russian history, its culture and way of thinking and suspecting others…and added to a ripping plot, makes for the perfect setting for intrigue!
In the author’s note at the back of the book, it explains that “Akunin” is Japanese for “villain”, so is a perfect name for an author who writes crime and detective novels in Russia!
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Winter Queen ( Erast Fandorin 1)
Destination: Moscow, London Author/Guide: Boris Akunin Departure Time: 1876
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