Comments (22)

What did you think about this title?
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Apr 09, 2023evilicious1 rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
A fictionalization of serial killer Andrei Chikatilo whose story is FAR more interesting than this histrionic melodrama. The writing itself isn't bad but the premise and plot devices are extremely ham-fisted.
Aug 25, 2020alecbussott rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
A book that just can't stay interesting with a twist that just doesn't pay off.
Aug 11, 2020andreabilyeu rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Hmmm... I wasn't expecting the end. I guess I didn't know what to expect.
Sep 22, 2017culka rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Good mystery book, but history????
Dec 22, 2016jbee33 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Interesting read. I was surprised I could barely put the book down. Moving on to the second book in the series, hoping it's just a great!
Sarah1984
May 05, 2016Sarah1984 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
SPOILERS THROUGHOUT!! Reading this book is making me HATE a country (I'm not sure if that's the right word, maybe it should be state). Of course the Soviet Union no longer exists and I believe life is better in Russia and the other…
Dec 04, 2015PearlyKayAm1 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This book grabbed my attention and held it so well that I finished it in 2 sittings - every time I tried to put it down, I'd turn the page and just keep reading. I hope the next 2 books in the series are as interesting and well-written.
Nov 06, 2015R_2 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Definitely a compelling read. For quite a while, the reader has little idea where it's going. There are many barriers to answering the mystery, and as the story proceeds it follows predictable lines toward its end.
Sep 13, 2015
wow.. what an excellent read.. and this is the authors first book ?.. Unreal... couldn't put it down... started the day before..and read til the next day til 5;30 am...
Aug 10, 2015InsJavert rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This is a book worth the read. Set in Soviet Russia near the end of Stalin, a police investigator finds that he must not only conduct and unsanctioned investigation, but must fight a system that works completely against him, while as the…
May 02, 2015MillieBT rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
fantastic read
Apr 11, 2015cheadlebeagle rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I finally got round to reading this and I'm glad I did. It's a fantastic and disturbing picture of life under Stalin and also a murder mystery. Looking forward to reading the other 2 in the series.
671books
Dec 15, 2014671books rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Outstanding book. The description of life in Russia is very well done. And the mystery is excellent. Full review here: http://671books.net
Aug 27, 2014JCLHelenH rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Despite the graphic violence (there's a serial killer...I shouldn't have been surprised), I couldn't stop reading. In telling Leo Demidov's story, Smith puts Soviet Russia under a microscope. And the complexity of surviving in that culture…
Diell
Apr 24, 2014Diell rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I own this book by Rob Smith, heard about it on CBC, picked it up that day. Great read. If you enjoyed this book you may want to read The Child Thief by Dan Smith.
Dec 16, 2013gloryb rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Set in the Soviet Union, the book details not only the capture of a psychopathic child killer, but also a behind the scenes look at family life in the Soviet Union. I think that description is about as fascinating as the main plot of the…
Oct 14, 2011
Based on a real story of a serial killer in Russia this is a great mystery and a facinating look at life in the Soviet Union. A cop stalks a killer in a society whose government will not admit murders even happen. A former hero of the…
Sep 10, 2011Patricia03 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
I must say I didn't finish this but I did enjoy his sequel, the Secret Speech. Child 44 was just too violent for me
kjuwono
Feb 05, 2011kjuwono rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Definitely a page turner. Like my professor says, it's airport fiction. However, the ending could have been better (more realistic). All in all, an easy/good read, though there were many grammatical errors. Recommended for those who want…
Aug 03, 2010gwinegarden rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Engrossing. The background of the Stalinist Soviet Union is even more disturbing than the crimes.
Sep 09, 2008
Book club.
Jun 23, 2008conehead rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Interweaves life in Soviet Russia at the time of Krushchev's death with the "investigation" of a series of grisly child murders. The description of life behind the Iron Curtain is as intriguing (if not more so) than the plot line and, in…