From AudioFile
Erast Fandorin, a government clerk turned detective, makes for an unlikely but gifted sleuth in late nineteenth-century Russia. The latest Akunin mystery spans the European continent and involves a major conspiracy. Campbell Scott reads with a composed and collected voice befitting the protagonist's calm and intellect. As Scott subtly alters his voice, his even pace and enthusiasm bring each character to life. His low-key reading is the perfect pairing for the character of Fandorin, bringing to light the hero's naïveté and indignation over the crimes committed and the people involved. Even Akunin's sly humor is highlighted through Scott's rendition, bringing to the U.S. a welcome introduction to the Russian sleuth. H.L.S. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Three million copies of Akunin's Erast Fandorin historical mystery series have been sold in Russia, where the author is a celebrity. This volume--the first of nine installments so far--should get the series off to a rousing start in the U.S. It's set in Czarist Russia and stars the naive but eager Fandorin as a young investigator with the Moscow police. Why would a university student shoot himself in the middle of the Alexander Gardens? Fandorin sets out to find the answer and soon lands in the middle of a far-reaching international conspiracy. Yakunin effectively juxtaposes the comical innocence of his hero against the decadence of nineteenth-century Moscow--aristocrats idling in gambling clubs while the winds of revolution freshen. In his debut, Fandorin comes across as an odd but appealing mix of Holmesian brilliance and Inspector Clousseauian bumbling. Occasionally, Akunin's style seems a bit affected, aping the manner of, say, Thackeray, commenting on the foibles of his characters, but at the same time, that nineteenth-century tone is part of the book's appeal. Anne Perry fans, in particular, will enjoy this series. Bill Ott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Moscow, May 1876: What would cause a talented young student from a wealthy family to shoot himself in front of a promenading public in the Alexander Gardens? Decadence and boredom, most likely, is what the commander of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Moscow Police thinks, but still he finds it curious enough to send the newest member of the division, Erast Fandorin, a young man of irresistible charm, to the Alexander Gardens precinct for more information.

Fandorin is not satisfied with the conclusion that this is an open-and-shut case, nor with the preliminary detective work the precinct has done — and for good reason: The bizarre and tragic suicide is soon connected to a clear case of murder, witnessed firsthand by Fandorin. There are many unresolved questions. Why, for instance, have both victims left their fortunes to an orphanage run by the English Lady Astair? And who is the beautiful "A.B.," whose signed photograph is found in the apparent suicide￯﾿ﾽs apartment? Relying on his keen intuition, the eager sleuth plunges into an investigation that leads him across Europe, landing him at the deadly center of a terrorist conspiracy of worldwide proportions.

In this thrilling mystery that brings nineteenth-century Russia to vivid life, Akunin has created one of the most eagerly anticipated novels in years.

FROM THE CRITICS

The Washington Post

With a narrative style this extravagant, Akunin makes a reader wonder what tricks he can possibly have left up his sleeve in the nine Fandorin novels that follow. — Maureen Corrigan

The Boston Globe

Ludlum would probably take about a thousand turgid pages to work it all out; Akunin does it in under 250 pages that race along but that find room for a fair amount of social history. Fandorin, his friends, and his enemies are also as literate as Robert Parker's Spenser (Fandorin attacks an eclair while his boss quotes the poet Nikolay Nekrasov; a biblical reference gave the book its Russian title; Dostoevski is invoked). Akunin knows how to build suspense, but he also enjoys himself; he shows the reader a good time.—Richard Dyer

The New York Times

If Pushkin had tried his hand at detective fiction, it might have turned out something like this. In fact, the narrative's combination of impulsive passion and cool ratiocination, with its touches of self-mockery and the demonic, suggests the early years of the 19th century rather than the period in which the novel takes place. (The Winter Queen is set in fin-de-siecle Russia, according to a press release, and in 1876 according to the author.) — Richard Lourie

Library Journal

The Moscow-based Akunin is a best-selling author internationally, and it's easy to see why: his American debut is atmospheric, smartly plotted, and driven by a host of finely etched characters. Our hero is Erast Fandorin, a na f in 19th-century Moscow who lost his standing in society upon his father's death and has joined the police force. His first case involves a dandy's dramatic suicide in the Alexander Gardens, which he instinctively senses is more complicated than it looks. His investigations soon lead him to the dramatic Amalia Kazimirovna, whom he dubs Cleopatra; as he trails her to England and a shabby hotel called the Winter Queen, he starts uncovering a plot of truly grandiose proportions to upend the current social order. Fittingly, these schemers aren't after wealth or glory but a sort of twisted social justice-this is the Russia of Dostoevsky and Decembrist plots, after all-and as Erast follows the breathtaking (but blessedly convincing) twists and turns of his investigation, he finally faces an enemy who is a real surprise. Highly recommended for public libraries. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/03.]-Barbara Hoffert, "Library Journal" Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

AudioFile

Erast Fandorin, a government clerk turned detective, makes for an unlikely but gifted sleuth in late nineteenth-century Russia. The latest Akunin mystery spans the European continent and involves a major conspiracy. Campbell Scott reads with a composed and collected voice befitting the protagonist's calm and intellect. As Scott subtly alters his voice, his even pace and enthusiasm bring each character to life. His low-key reading is the perfect pairing for the character of Fandorin, bringing to light the hero's na￯﾿ﾽveté and indignation over the crimes committed and the people involved. Even Akunin's sly humor is highlighted through Scott's rendition, bringing to the U.S. a welcome introduction to the Russian sleuth. H.L.S. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Mystery readers should enjoy this story. It is as Russian, and as international, as caviar and vodka! A crafty tale full of atmosphere, character, and action. I look forward to hearing more about the young detective Erast Fandorin. — Anne Perry

Atmospheric and engrossing, The Winter Queen is a historical thriller from the world of the czar. Boris Akunin is Russia's answer to Caleb Carr. — Kevin Baker