I've yet to read a Fandorin novel that I didn't enjoy, and this did not disappoint. The mystery was suitably convoluted and Fandorin suitably super-heroic for me to be entirely satisfied. The development of the villain and his back-story was a welcome addition to Fandorin's adventures and I enjoyed the relationship between him and his new Japanese companion, Masa, which provided some marvellous comic moments. I'm looking forward to the next one! ( )

A little disappointing. Several elements stretch belief to the limit - and coincidence is a too frequent contributor.
I did enjoy earlier Fandorin outings but this is starting to get a little formulaic.
The best character is the villain - and there 'Akunin' managed to provide some serious interest.
The 'in-jokes' - like the price of re-building the Cathedral in Moscow and several references to 'England' I'm sure will be lost on most people.
Worth a read, but not a repeat. ( )

Lite blek jämfört med de tidigare delarna i serien, som jag läst, men inte recenserat. Kanske är det för att jag läst de andra på engelska, den här fanns på biblioteket på svenska. Det är som om det engelska språket passar extra bra för att framhäva det viktorianska och lite prudentliga draget både hos huvudpersonen och sättet boken är skriven på. Sedan har Erast Fandorin varit i Japan, börjat med kampsport och skaffat en funny sidekick, japanen Masa. Ingen utveckling som tilltalar mig. Men Masa stryker nog snart med, det brukar gå så med de som Erast tycker om. ( )

Boris Akunin is at the top of his form as Erast Fandorin uses guile and luck to solve a serious crime, the murder of a famous Russian General. This is an excellent and compelling novel! ( )

I will note that while you could feasibly read this as a stand alone, you really want to go back and read the entire series in this order (not necessarily in the published order):

the Winter Queen
The Turkish Gambit
Murder on the Leviathan

If you haven't met Erast Fandorin, then you definitely need to go back to the Winter Queen where he gets his start.

This book:
Our young hero has literally just returned to Russia from Japan after his duties there are completed. He comes to Moscow, where he is supposed to work under the auspices of one Prince Dolgoruski, who happens to be Moscow's governor. I believe the year is 1882. Fandorin is accompanied by his latest sidekick (he seems to have a different one in each story!) Masa, his Japanese companion. No sooner does Erast report for duty than he learns of the death of General Sobolev (who we met in The Turkish Gambit), beloved hero of Russia. The government orders an autopsy, finds no foul play, but of course, Erast thinks much differently. As he begins to investigate, he discovers that the bad guys (and there are many in this one) seem to be one step ahead of him; his work will draw him into conspiracies that threaten to put an end to his short but distinguished career.

Each book further develops Fandorin's character, and in this one is added a bonus of the character of Masa. In many ways, Masa adds a bit of comic relief when the tension starts building, and I hope this character stays for a while.

I highly recommend The Death of Achilles! Go get started on the others so you can read this one! ( )