Eye of the Red Tsar

I was rather disappointed by this. As a basic thriller, it was a good page turner. However, the basic premise and plot were just too implausible. Pekkala as a kind of Tsarist version of some untouchable superhero, just because he happens to have a supposedly infallible memory, was in my view a ridiculous concept. How was he fooled about the mistaken identity of Grodek near the end? And just why would he (or anyone) believe that Stalin would really grant an amnesty to a member of the Romanov family who had turned out to have survived? There were also some basic historical errors, ignoring some of the facts about the killing of the Romanovs (no-one disputes that a number of people must have been involved in the murders, yet here one lone show more killer carries them out) and lesser examples, such as a reference to the Bolsheviks not having yet changed the currency, while at the time in question (the late spring/summer of 1917), they were not even in Government; and a reference to the great famine, mainly in the early 30s, that followed collectivisation, though the main action of the novel is set in 1929. These things jarred, as did, for me at least, the constant flitting back and forth between 1917 and 1929. show less

At one time, Pekkala was The Emerald Eye-- Tsar Nicholas II's most trusted personal investigator. For the past nine years, he has been Prisoner 4745-P in a Siberian prison camp. Given the job of tree marker which carried with it a life expectancy of six months, Pekkala has proven much tougher than anyone expected, and that is a good thing for Stalin.

Human remains have been found in an abandoned mine shaft, and Stalin wants Pekkala to identify them. If they are indeed the bodies of the Romanov family, Stalin wants Pekkala to find the royal family's killers. Even before spending nine years in a Siberian prison camp, Pekkala is no fool, and he knows that Stalin's agenda has more on it than that, but even The Emerald Eye isn't prepared for show more all the twists and turns this investigation will throw at him. All he knows for sure is that he will investigate because Stalin has promised Pekkala his freedom if the case is concluded successfully.

For anyone who loves tsarist Russian history, the beginning of this novel is memorable, and as I read the opening pages, I hoped that this new perspective would mean that I was in for a reading treat. Even so I was surprised by how much I didn't want to stop reading this book. If I could have ignored all obligations, I would've happily read Eye of the Red Tsar in one sitting, proving without doubt that I can be the worst biblio-glutton.

As I learned more about Pekkala's childhood in Finland, as I learned how he met Tsar Nicholas, as I watched him follow each lead and talk to anyone who might have the slightest bit of information, I was in Siberia in 1929. The plot moved quickly and was full of switchbacks, only some of which were easily deduced, and when I read that Eastland's next Inspector Pekkala novel is expected in 2011, I got a huge smile on my face.

Even the thought of another Pekkala novel makes me smile right now. show less

Ten years after the Russian Revolution, the Tsar's trusted investigator, Pekkala, is abruptly released from confinement and called into service by the new government. The combination of Pekkala's skills and his knowledge of the Tsar's inner circle uniquely qualifies him to track down the killer(s) of the Tsar and his household.

The author gradually reveals Pekkala's history by interweaving flashbacks with the current investigation. The flashbacks provide essential background information without interrupting the pace of the story. Eastland avoids the mistake made by many other writers who over-tell their stories by including descriptions and scenes that divert the reader's attention from the central thrust of the novel. Eastland's writing show more is focused. He provides just the right amount of detail to build tension and reach a satisfying conclusion within a reasonable number of pages.

Pekkala's re-introduction to society after a decade of isolation wasn't quite convincing. Pekkala seems to quickly shake off his initial awkwardness. I couldn't help comparing him to Dickens's Dr. Manet in A Tale of Two Cities, who was permanently scarred after his time in the Bastille and who suffered a number of relapses during his recovery. I think Dickens's portrayal is probably the more realistic of the two.

Pekkala's background in osteology is an interesting twist for the historical suspense genre. If the author develops that aspect of Pekkala's investigative technique in subsequent books, the series might appeal to quite a few readers who enjoy the forensic novels and television series that are so popular right now. Enthusiastically recommended. show less

I enjoyed this new to me series starring Inspector Pekkala. The time period was fascinating. I liked the new twist on a surviving Romanov family member. Pekkala was an interesting character and I liked how Eastland went back and forth between past and present in his life. It really helped you understand him as a character. I especially loved the dynamic Eastland built between Pekkala and his brother. I wish that could have been developed even more. The ending was a tad of a let down, but it does allow for the series to continue, so I can forgive it.

Now this is more like it. A well-written and wonderfully intriguing tale of (just) post-revolutionary Russia. Full of incident and clues and what might be clues and what might not be clues. You never know.

I've no idea if Sam Eastland is in any way part-Russian, but I can imagine after reading this one, he just might be. He really does capture what I can (also) imagine must have been the optimism shot through with (possibly) typical Russian fatalism. Of the promise to the ordinary Russian that the revolution gave, but that became not just a struggle to survive the suspicion, the culls and the secret police informers, but a struggle to survive.

It is presented in rather a nice way, as what are really two stories, running side by side. The show more one, is an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the Romanov family, the Tsar of the title and his family, and of course, his treasure - if it exists, if it ever existed - that is taking place in the here and 'now'. Then the other, is flashbacks of the former life of the titular Pelukka, 'The Eye of the Tsar', from his childhood in Finland, when Finland was a part of the Russian empire, his work for and close relationship to Николай II, Николай Александрович Романов, that's Tsar Nikolay II, Nikolay Alexandrovich Romanov, to you and me, to his first 'encounters' with Stalin and his particular brand of Communism in post-Imperial Russia. It's perhaps not giving all that much away, to say Pekkala comes off second best. By a long way. For a long time. Each narrative interweaves and illuminates the other and you really get a good feel for how Russia was and was developing, in the years following the revolution.

'Eye of the Red Tsar' is much better than The Red Coffin, the second one in the series. Which I read first. Though that might have been a fortunate, happy accident - quite possibly the right thing to do. I did feel 'Coffin' was a little lacklustre, and I could well have said 'ok, this is where I stop. I'll get off the Inspector Pekkala train here thanks.' I can well imagine a few people will. However, there was at least enough that was intreguing in 'Red Coffin', to make me search out 'Red Tsar.' Having read this one, I'm ready to reappraise the whole thing and am looking forward to seeing if Sam Eastland can get it back on the rails with 'Siberian Red' and others. show less

I thoroughly enjoyed the early portion of Eye of the Red Tsar and was less than impressed with the latter half. Given the expectation set on the back cover, that Pekkala is a brilliant detective, why did it seem that he never did much to further the investigation? Rather, people just came to him (because of his reputation?) and spilled their portion of the story. No brilliant deductions especially - no remarkable insights. The story unfolded in front of Pekkala, not because of Pekkala.

This was not a bad book. It was a pleasant diversion. Not great literature, not a compelling story. It had its moments. I am not going to count down the days to the next installment - but I might very well borrow a copy from a library when it is released. show more How's that for a lukewarm endorsement of this Pekkala debut? I wish I could be more enthusiastic. I was actually looking forward to reading this book. Maybe my expectations were unrealistically high. show less

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating Glimpse into Post-Revolutionary Russia Wrapped in a Murder Mystery!, March 21, 2010

A trusted friend and confidant of Tsar Nicholas II, Pekkala was a detective with unlimited power and unlimited public appeal. But his relationship with the tsar caused him to be imprisoned following the murder of the tsar and his family. Only the lure of untold wealth could have caused the red tsar (Stalin) to bring him back from confinement.

Here's my take on Sam Eastland's first novel:

PROS:

1. For me, this novel was a fascinating introduction to life after the revolution. Although I cannot say I'm surprised, I had no idea that villages were created to give journalists false ideas about conditions in the Soviet Union.

2. The show more character development is excellent. While there's still a lot to be discovered about Pekkala (in Eastland's next novel I suspect), we learn a lot about who and what he is as the novel progresses. We learn how he came to be such a skilled observer of details. We learn about the tragic riff between Pekkala and his brother. We learn what the Emerald Eye means to him, both professionally and emotionally.

Added to this cast of characters is the Tsar himself, and, this is the first time I'd really thought about him as a human being rather than simply as a tragic victim of a revolution he could not see coming until it was too late.

3. Suspense? Here aplenty, as the protagonist leads us into creepy settings and deals with men of less than sterling character. Hints to the final solution are blessedly few and far between.

CONS:

The Eye of the Red Tsar ended before I was ready. I wanted More, More!

OVERALL:

The Product Description was right on target . . . if you're a fan of Gorky Park, or if you, like me, thoroughly enjoyed Child 44, this novel's a great pick for you. I highly recommend it! show less