- Paperback: 464 pages
- Publisher: Faber and Faber; Open Market Edition edition (1 July 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0571250580
- ISBN-13: 978-0571250585
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,669,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Eye of the Red Tsar
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Product Description
Review
`A rollicking debut ... it's written with flair and has plenty of stand-out sequences, among them a slow, surreal drive through a Potemkin village and a descent into a disused mine to look for bodies.' --Guardian
`The see-saw narrative is a perfect ploy for a thriller, taking in both the dying embers of the Romanov era and the wake-up call that would follow with the purges and the famines, the assassinations and torture chambers ... What can you say . . . except a hearty Na zdorovye!' --Independent on Sunday
`A great debut which introduces a detective whose morals are tested to the limit as he works for his former enemies in the pursuit of justice.' --Waterstone's Books Quarterly
'A disgraced detective is called back to investigate the most famous murder in Russian history. A fantastic premise [and] what elevates this Russian period thriller above the ranks of the average potboiler is its mad, brilliant hero ... So far, the lead contender for beach book of the summer.' --Kirkus, US
`An absolute gem of a book - a riveting historical thriller with a fascinating protagonist . . . Pekkala is one of the most interesting characters I've come across in a long time. This is a smart, assured, impeccably-researched page-turner.'
--David Liss, author of The Whiskey Rebels and The Devil's Company --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
`The see-saw narrative is a perfect ploy for a thriller, taking in both the dying embers of the Romanov era and the wake-up call that would follow with the purges and the famines, the assassinations and torture chambers ... What can you say . . . except a hearty Na zdorovye!' --Independent on Sunday
`A great debut which introduces a detective whose morals are tested to the limit as he works for his former enemies in the pursuit of justice.' --Waterstone's Books Quarterly
'A disgraced detective is called back to investigate the most famous murder in Russian history. A fantastic premise [and] what elevates this Russian period thriller above the ranks of the average potboiler is its mad, brilliant hero ... So far, the lead contender for beach book of the summer.' --Kirkus, US
`An absolute gem of a book - a riveting historical thriller with a fascinating protagonist . . . Pekkala is one of the most interesting characters I've come across in a long time. This is a smart, assured, impeccably-researched page-turner.'
--David Liss, author of The Whiskey Rebels and The Devil's Company --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Book Description
First in a gripping new series of detective novels set at the birth of Stalin's Russia
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A few chapters into 'The Eye of The Red Tsar', I thought I had found a new crime masterpiece. Its premise was sound, and the writing effortless to read. As the novel continued however, cracks began to appear; the novel was no longer flawless. Whilst still a pleasure to read, the plot became farcical, and serious questions arose about the validity of both the setting and the central protagonist.
Inspector Pekkala was the Tsar's finest policeman. A man with a flawless memory and an attention-to-detail that was second to none. The Tsar's right hand man, he had executive powers to arrest anybody he wanted, including the royal family. Conveniently, after the fall of Tsar and the formation of the Soviet Union, Pekkala was not executed, but kept in isolation in Siberia. Now, Stalin has a need for him. Pekkala is recalled from exile to discover the truth of The Romanovs' the final moments. The Eye of the Tsar must investigate his own master's death.
From start to finish this is a very readable novel, but ultimately, as a whole, it lacks substance. Much is made of Pekkala's infallibility, but in order for dramatic tension to be created, the master of memory does the equivalent of forgetting his own mother's name. (I don't want to give away, what he actually fails to notice, lest it spoil the book.) Then there is the whole question of his acceptance of Stalin's orders, and the assurances that any surviving Romanovs will not be executed. He just accepts his persecutors' word for it; such a naïvety from a master detective is nonsensical.
Generally, the sense of paranoia that one associates with Stalin's reign of terror, is absent from this book. Despite the novel's title, the presence of the 'Red Tsar' is barely felt. The Soviet Union depicted here is a sterile place, lacking the realism of both Child 44 and The Holy Thief. This is a shame because of the three novels, Eastland's writing is the strongest.
I also have to question the mystery itself. Many great fictions have been written between the gaps in history and 'TEOTRT' attempts to do so. Here though, instead of using history's ambiguities to spin a story, Eastland changes physical and known facts. To some this may be a trivial point, but for me it robbed the story of credibility.
All that said, on the whole I enjoyed 'The Eye of The Red Tsar' and for a début thriller, it has much to recommend it. Eastland is an author to watch.
Inspector Pekkala was the Tsar's finest policeman. A man with a flawless memory and an attention-to-detail that was second to none. The Tsar's right hand man, he had executive powers to arrest anybody he wanted, including the royal family. Conveniently, after the fall of Tsar and the formation of the Soviet Union, Pekkala was not executed, but kept in isolation in Siberia. Now, Stalin has a need for him. Pekkala is recalled from exile to discover the truth of The Romanovs' the final moments. The Eye of the Tsar must investigate his own master's death.
From start to finish this is a very readable novel, but ultimately, as a whole, it lacks substance. Much is made of Pekkala's infallibility, but in order for dramatic tension to be created, the master of memory does the equivalent of forgetting his own mother's name. (I don't want to give away, what he actually fails to notice, lest it spoil the book.) Then there is the whole question of his acceptance of Stalin's orders, and the assurances that any surviving Romanovs will not be executed. He just accepts his persecutors' word for it; such a naïvety from a master detective is nonsensical.
Generally, the sense of paranoia that one associates with Stalin's reign of terror, is absent from this book. Despite the novel's title, the presence of the 'Red Tsar' is barely felt. The Soviet Union depicted here is a sterile place, lacking the realism of both Child 44 and The Holy Thief. This is a shame because of the three novels, Eastland's writing is the strongest.
I also have to question the mystery itself. Many great fictions have been written between the gaps in history and 'TEOTRT' attempts to do so. Here though, instead of using history's ambiguities to spin a story, Eastland changes physical and known facts. To some this may be a trivial point, but for me it robbed the story of credibility.
All that said, on the whole I enjoyed 'The Eye of The Red Tsar' and for a début thriller, it has much to recommend it. Eastland is an author to watch.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The good things for this first outing of a promising new detective series are : an interesting set-up - the Tsar's former special detective is released from the gulag by Stalin to find out who really killed the royal family, and where the Tsar hid his treasure - and the interesting setting of Stalin's Russia, of course; the well fleshed-out persona of the detective, Pekkala, and the other characters, and the general high standard of the writing.
However, some things disappoint : the identity of the killer is obvious early on, as is the location of the Tsar's 'treasure map'; the way the treasure has been hidden uses an element of the Romanovs' terrible fate that is fairly common knowledge now, and Pekkala's attitude towards Stalin in the end scene is frankly incredible.
Also, several of the main characters have been given names that have great resonance in this period - Kirov, Kropotkin, Kolchak, Mayakovsky etc. Why? Why not use nondescript names? You wouldn't expect to read a crime novel set in Nazi Germany, with a group of characters who happen to be called Rommel, Bormann, Doenitz etc. And despite a good sense of the period, there are some basic errors that could have easily been avoided - the 'Emka' car didn't exist in 1929, the Tokarev wasn't general issue then either, the Nagant's special cartridge is mentioned, but not the more significant cylinder to barrel connection vis-a-vis gas sealing, an automatic is called a revolver, and the author confuses the term 'White Army' with the Czech Legion.
The above quibbles are minor, but without wishing to give anything away, there's an incident where Pekkala fails to recognize someone that is simply unbelievable.
Having said all that, there is a lot to recommend in this book, and I would be interested to try the next instalment in the series.
However, some things disappoint : the identity of the killer is obvious early on, as is the location of the Tsar's 'treasure map'; the way the treasure has been hidden uses an element of the Romanovs' terrible fate that is fairly common knowledge now, and Pekkala's attitude towards Stalin in the end scene is frankly incredible.
Also, several of the main characters have been given names that have great resonance in this period - Kirov, Kropotkin, Kolchak, Mayakovsky etc. Why? Why not use nondescript names? You wouldn't expect to read a crime novel set in Nazi Germany, with a group of characters who happen to be called Rommel, Bormann, Doenitz etc. And despite a good sense of the period, there are some basic errors that could have easily been avoided - the 'Emka' car didn't exist in 1929, the Tokarev wasn't general issue then either, the Nagant's special cartridge is mentioned, but not the more significant cylinder to barrel connection vis-a-vis gas sealing, an automatic is called a revolver, and the author confuses the term 'White Army' with the Czech Legion.
The above quibbles are minor, but without wishing to give anything away, there's an incident where Pekkala fails to recognize someone that is simply unbelievable.
Having said all that, there is a lot to recommend in this book, and I would be interested to try the next instalment in the series.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Whilst lacking in the gripping tension of say Tom Rob Smith's 'Child 44' I was nevertheless quite intrigued by this. The whole backdrop of Stalinist Russia and the inherent climate of fear and suspicion was vividly brought to life and add to that the mystery surrounding the murders of the Romanovs this was a tasty little opener to a new series. I look forward to the next one in 2011.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
good adventure but no great mystery
The tsars infallible detective eds up working for Stalin. As if Stalin would trust him and he trust Stalin. Read more
Published 4 days ago by A. Browne
There Never Was A Minute Where I Contemplated Putting This Book Down
My wife saw this on the quick choice shelf at Pimlico library and it was also a book I had read about, can't remember where. Read more
Published 21 days ago by John H Glen
Really good
Bought this on a whim and because I had run out of anything really good to read - what a revelation. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alex Lang
A very enjoyable read.
I don't often pick up books by new authors as I don't want to be let down, especially when I first see them on a bookshelf at a Service Station. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Richard S Burne
So good to discover a new author!
Reading this on my Kindle - and thoroughly enjoying it. A refreshingly different story line, subject matter & style of writing. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Greenergrass
Eastland definitely has a way about him
First Sentence: Through blood-dimmed eyes, the Tasr watched the man reload his gun.
Pekkala was once a highly respected, and feared, secret agent trusted by both the... Read more
Pekkala was once a highly respected, and feared, secret agent trusted by both the... Read more
Published 11 months ago by L. J. Roberts
Atmospheric
This book set at the time after the Russian Revolution explains why
Russian are so inscrutable. Read more
Russian are so inscrutable. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Pat Walden
A decent thriller
Inspector Pekkala is an interesting guy, set before and after the Revolution, with chapters alternating from both times. Read more
Published 14 months ago by M. Jones
Red Tsar
Great start to what will be a good series.
I've already got the next one "The Red Coffin". Not quite as good, but you find out a lot more about the history of Insp Pekkala so... Read more
I've already got the next one "The Red Coffin". Not quite as good, but you find out a lot more about the history of Insp Pekkala so... Read more
Published 15 months ago by A. Fox
A Decent Debut -- But I'd Position It As A Mystery Rather Than A Novel...
Sam Eastland's debut novel, Eye Of The Red Tsar, is a worthwhile, but not great, read; which introduces an interesting main character in Pekkala -- formerly the most trusted... Read more
Published 15 months ago by bobbewig
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