|
It is the first day of the new year, 1917, and the first day of Chief Investigator Ruzsky's return to St. Petersburg from exile in Siberia. It should have been a chance at a fresh beginning. But amid the bitter winds and relentless snow of a hostile Russian winter, he finds himself burdened with the unwanted investigation of a double murder. The victims, a young woman and a slightly older man, are found on the ice in the shadow of the Tsar's Winter Palace. Naturally, this leads Ruzsky to wonder whether the killings are politically motivated. When one of the victims is identified as a Palace employee, his hunches seem to be on track. He and his Deputy Chief Investigator set to work doggedly ferreting out the murderer. But an arm of the secret police is working to derail them at every turn, while the Tsarina is personally demanding that he wrap up the case.
In wartime Russia, a very shaky period in history --- indeed, for the world --- trusting the wrong allies could be fatal. Ruzsky's highborn status as son of the Minister of Finance would seem to be a position that would open some doors to help streamline his investigation. However, in the prevailing political climate, he finds it slams many shut on his inquiries.
To complicate matters further, Chief Inspector Ruzsky's thorny family past --- and, for that matter, present --- can't help but distract him. The death of his youngest brother many years ago still greatly pains his father, who continues to blame Ruzsky. Dmitri, Ruzsky's surviving sibling, enthusiastically welcomes him home, despite the disapproving looks from their father. But while Dmitri appears very much in control of himself, he nonetheless is a man tormented by heavy guilt. Ruzsky's wife left him while in exile, taking his only son with her back to St. Petersburg and moving in with his father, brother and sister-in-law. She blatantly dares him to compete for his father's affection. As much as he would like to repair the marriage, if only for the sake of his beloved son, his fondness for the lovely ballerina, Maria, is growing into love. With all of this going on, it is a wonder the Chief Investigator has the time or the inclination to solve the murders. Facing the roadblocks thrown up from some rather unlikely sources, many policemen would throw in the towel. But then another body turns up, and then another. There is no stopping now.
THE WHITE RUSSIAN is, first and foremost, a novel of mystery. But Tom Bradby intersperses plenty of historical snippets and multi-dimensional facets to build a vividly real tale. Then, when you add in an undercurrent --- a very strong one --- of romantic entanglements, you have the makings of a deliciously rich story. Bradby has a knack for moving his stories along. The action is unrelenting, and the characters are culturally distinct and full. Once you open this book, you will not put it down until you reach the last satisfying line.
--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers
• Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.
© Copyright 1996-2008, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.
Back to top.
|
