Review
'Intricate, incredible, pleasurable.' (Jessica Mann LITERARY REVIEW )
'Fandorin is a delightful creation - a quirky gentleman sleuth who cuts an impeccably groomed dash through the courts and political intrigues of 19th century Russia...With an eccentric cast of supporting characters and a fleeting romance, Akunin's whodunit formula is irresistible.' (EASY LIVING (February) )
'a double treat for fans.' (Omer Ali TIME OUT (10-17 January) )
'Akunin brilliantly ratchets up the tension...and Fandorin's unveiling of the clues will keep you enthralled.' (Richard Mead FQ (January/February) )
'an excellent read.' (Laura Wilson GUARDIAN (13.1.07) )
'This...demonstrates Akunin's underlying seriousness of purpose in writing the Fandorin novels, whose clever devices and mischievous tricks disguise a determination to strip bare the extremes of human behaviour.' (Joan Smith SUNDAY TIMES (14.1.07) )
'The perfect Sunday afternoon read.' (Kath Murphy SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY (21.1.07) )
'ingenious and craftily plotted exploits.' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE (February) )
'this elegantly written book is fast-moving, witty and compulsively readable...The story packs a surprisingly powerful emotional punch, proving there's more to Akunin than jolly pastiche. Highly recommended.' (GLOSS MAGAZINE (March 2007) )
'Whether in skittish or sombre mood, Akunin is immensely readable (and excellently translated by Andrew Bromfield); the beguiling, super-brainy, sexy, unpredictable Fandorin is a creation like no other in crime fiction.' (Marcel Berlins TIMES (10.2.07) )
'Fandorin [is] a debonair combo of Sherlock Holmes, D'Artagnan and most of the soulful heroes of Russian literature...Andrew Bromfield's translation is key to maintaining the entertaining period pastiche...Fandorin is very much a figure from the time of his creation: an all-knowing yet taciturn functionary with a past in espionage and a love of Japanese martial arts working in a Russia beset by internal division.' (Roger Perkins SUNDAY TELEGRAPH (19.2.07) )
'Fandorin is a delightful creation - a quirky gentleman sleuth who cuts an impeccably groomed dash through the courts and political intrigues of 19th century Russia...With an eccentric cast of supporting characters and a fleeting romance, Akunin's whodunit formula is irresistible.' (EASY LIVING (February) )
'a double treat for fans.' (Omer Ali TIME OUT (10-17 January) )
'Akunin brilliantly ratchets up the tension...and Fandorin's unveiling of the clues will keep you enthralled.' (Richard Mead FQ (January/February) )
'an excellent read.' (Laura Wilson GUARDIAN (13.1.07) )
'This...demonstrates Akunin's underlying seriousness of purpose in writing the Fandorin novels, whose clever devices and mischievous tricks disguise a determination to strip bare the extremes of human behaviour.' (Joan Smith SUNDAY TIMES (14.1.07) )
'The perfect Sunday afternoon read.' (Kath Murphy SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY (21.1.07) )
'ingenious and craftily plotted exploits.' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE (February) )
'this elegantly written book is fast-moving, witty and compulsively readable...The story packs a surprisingly powerful emotional punch, proving there's more to Akunin than jolly pastiche. Highly recommended.' (GLOSS MAGAZINE (March 2007) )
'Whether in skittish or sombre mood, Akunin is immensely readable (and excellently translated by Andrew Bromfield); the beguiling, super-brainy, sexy, unpredictable Fandorin is a creation like no other in crime fiction.' (Marcel Berlins TIMES (10.2.07) )
'Fandorin [is] a debonair combo of Sherlock Holmes, D'Artagnan and most of the soulful heroes of Russian literature...Andrew Bromfield's translation is key to maintaining the entertaining period pastiche...Fandorin is very much a figure from the time of his creation: an all-knowing yet taciturn functionary with a past in espionage and a love of Japanese martial arts working in a Russia beset by internal division.' (Roger Perkins SUNDAY TELEGRAPH (19.2.07) )
Review
"Pure escapist fun that has, in Russia, outsold Harry Potter" London Review of Books
