Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog by Boris Akunin was a shelf replacement for one of the Erast Fandorin mysteries, and is another series of mysteries solved, in this case by a nun with a strong sense of self and an alter ego which her bishop allows her to use for solving crimes. There were sections which were very tedious about the politics of the time, but, in fairness, Akunin tells the reader upfront that fact—this chapter is about politics and not the mystery and can be skipped if the reader wishes to do so. Of course, then you may miss some of the implications of the resolution, but skipping the chapters will not diminish the fun of following Sister Pelagia around. The white bulldog of the title is really out of the picture about half-way through, but the murders go on to resolution. Sister Pelagia grew more interesting as the novel progressed, but it is a very slow read. ( )

In Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog, Boris Akunin introduces a new detective, an Orthodox nun. Like Akunin's Erast Fandorin series, this book takes place in 19th century Russia. Its setting is the province of Zavolzhie, a place apparently viewed as a provincial backwater by the rest of the country. It is a good place to live thanks to the influence of Bishop Mitrofanii and his ability to persuade the local political leaders to govern according to moral principles.

When Bishop Mitrofanii receives a letter from his aunt begging for his assistance in solving the poisoning of two of her beloved rare white bulldogs, he sends Sister Pelagia to investigate the domestic mystery. The setting is reminiscent of an English country house murder. The aunt is a very wealthy woman, who regularly changes her will based on her pleasure or displeasure with members of her household. The suspects include her grandson, granddaughter, the English former governess (and heir in the current will), the estate manager, an artist/photographer, and a neighbor. As a result of her investigation, Sister Pelagia uncovers secrets with a much broader reach, with the potential to affect the entire province.

I had a difficult time getting into this book, and it took me a long time to read it. I kept feeling like I was missing something in the first chapter, as it seemed to refer to previous investigations conducted by Sister Pelagia and the Bishop. Sometimes the characters are referred to by their first names and patronymics, and other times they are referred to by their surnames. I had a hard time keeping track of who was who, and exactly how many characters were a part of activities and conversations. I didn't enjoy this first series entry nearly as much as any of the Erast Fandorin novels. ( )

Four and a half stars. Boris Akunin has set off a new path with 'Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog'. (It appears that Erast Fandorin is a creature of the past. Akunin states that Fandorin had grown tired for him.) It is essential to start reading this series with this, the first book, as it introduces characters you will meet again in the Sister Pelagia and the Black Monk: A Novel (Mortalis).

The eponymous Pelagia is a nun in a late 19th century provincial Russian capital, but it is her detective work on behalf of Bishop Mitrofanii that interest Akunin's fans. Akunin weave a good mystery while introducing fascinating characters. Someone appears to be bumping off the beloved white bulldogs owned by the bishop's widowed and elderly and rich aunt - in an effort to push her into an early grave?

Pelagia is dispatched to get to the bottom of things. There's no shortage of suspects: the nihilist grandson, the devoted caretaker, an Englishwoman (recently named sole heiress), an "artistic" photographer, and the beautiful granddaughter. The imperial prosecutor is a nasty piece of work as well.

No mere mystery, Akunin delivers psychological profiles and a study of life in the Russian countryside in the tradition of Anton Chekov. Akunin also apparently includes references to contemporary Russian society that may make the book even more enjoyable to others more versed in the topic.

Highly recommended. ( )

J'aime décidemment bien le style de Boris Akounine. Pas tant pour l'intérêt d'intriques sophistiquées ou d'enquêtes particulièrement bien menées mais ce style typiquement russe de description drôle et caustique de leur société, les travers, les défauts mais aussi parfois les grandeurs des gens ordinnaires. Après le nécessaire temps d'adaptation au noms à rallonge (merci la liste des personnages en début de roman!) un vrai délice.
Quand à l"héroïne de cette série, elle n'est évidemment pas sans rappeler une autre enquêtrice rousse qui oeuvrait queques siècles plus tôt et beaucoup plus à l'ouest... soeur Fidelma. Une bonne recette! ( )

It's like Akunin's books about Erast Fandorin, but a with a crimesolving nun instead of a government offical. Amusig, but sometimes tedious when the plot gets lost i all the details. ( )