A blog reviewing mystery books, with a listing of Saskatchewan mysteries, and a sprinkling of non-fiction books, especially history and biographies
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Saturday, January 1, 2011
Red Square by Edward Topol and Fridrikh Neznansky
The Alphabet in Crime Fiction meme hosted by Kerrie Smith at her blog Mysteries in Paradise rolls on to the letter "N". I have chosen a book co-authored by Fridrikh Neznansky. Written in 1982 it is a superb mystery/thriller which is remarkable, as stated in my review, with how it "presaged" the economic decisions of the late 1980's in the U.S.S.R. Neznansky, trained as a lawyer, was reported to have been a criminal investigator for Moscow prosecutors before he left Russia. The book is not easy to find but is worth the hunt.
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12. - 327.) Red Square by Edward Topol and Fridrikh Neznansky (1982) – Leonid Brezhnev’s brother-in-law, Semyon Tvisgun, has been found dead in an apartment with a bullet through his head. Brezhnev summons Special Investigator, Igor Shamrayev, to investigate the official verdict of suicide. Sharmrayev soon discovers it was murder. With his new Georgian girfriend, Nina Makarycheva, and devoted fellow investigator, Marat Svetlov, he relentlessly pursues the truth. Tvisgun and Brezhnev’s family have profited handsomely from corruption in the economy. A special investigation is rounding up their friends and business acquaintances. Is a coup in sight? An investigator has unlimited power in a totalitarian state when he bears a personal letter of authority from the head of state. The end was as uncompromising as Le Carre’s Absolute Friends a generation later. It is amazing how the book presages the decisions of the late 1980’s to partially open up the Russian economy to try to save the Communist state. Excellent. (Feb. 27/06)
I see there is another one called RED SNOW and yet another called RED GAS Bill. Thanks for this contribution to the CFA with yet another author to track down
Kerrie: Thanks for the comment. I have read Red Snow and it is a remarkable story set in northern Russia. I will have a post about some time in the future. I think you would find yourself gripped by either book. I appreciate your hosting of the Alphabet in Crime Fiction. The posts have provided me interesting information and encouragement to try new authors.
The Alphabet in Crime Fiction meme hosted by Kerrie Smith at her blog Mysteries in Paradise rolls on to the letter "N". I have chosen a book co-authored by Fridrikh Neznansky. Written in 1982 it is a superb mystery/thriller which is remarkable, as stated in my review, with how it "presaged" the economic decisions of the late 1980's in the U.S.S.R. Neznansky, trained as a lawyer, was reported to have been a criminal investigator for Moscow prosecutors before he left Russia. The book is not easy to find but is worth the hunt.
12. - 327.)
Thanks for showcasing a crime fiction author I never heard about till date
ReplyDeleteHere is my Npost!
guatami - Thank you for the comment. I find it interesting to hear about new authors.
ReplyDeleteI see there is another one called RED SNOW and yet another called RED GAS Bill. Thanks for this contribution to the CFA with yet another author to track down
ReplyDeleteKerrie: Thanks for the comment. I have read Red Snow and it is a remarkable story set in northern Russia. I will have a post about some time in the future. I think you would find yourself gripped by either book. I appreciate your hosting of the Alphabet in Crime Fiction. The posts have provided me interesting information and encouragement to try new authors.
ReplyDelete