The Dog Who Bit a Policeman

Rating:
Summary: Kaminsky Stays in Top Form
Review: In his 13th Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov adventure, author Stuart Kaminsky once again takes us inside the "new" Russia with a realism that is at times stark, amusing, tragic, and even romantic. Kaminsky has the unique ability to write of modern day Russia with a "feel" that is at once real and compelling. The Curtain has fallen on the political system of the Soviet Union and out of the depths of the ashes rises not the Phoenix but a complex, confusing, and dangerous atmosphere that indeed is alarming to its citizens, who, naturally, long for breaths of freedom. Who will rule out of this rubble is the mystery! The collapse of communism merely has opened up another evil--organized crime. However, enter Inspector Rostnikov and his team of crime fighters of the Moscow police.. Throughout the series, readers have come to respect the wily, one-legged Inspector (known as "The Washtub," due to his weightlifting in his freetime), who is a realist at heart, yet both a sentimentalist and a romanticist. In "The Dog Who Bit A Policeman," Rostnikov's squad faces the destructive forces of two Mafia gangs, hell- bent to kill each other and to control the country, one precinct at a time. Kaminsky's books always carry parallel campaigns and Sasha Tkach and Elena Timofeyeva are assigned to hound out the perpetrators of illegal dog fighting, a fast rising and highly profitable "business." Elena's romantic interests with Rostnikov's policeman son continue to expand while the "Vampire" Emile Karpo's task follows more the political line of crime fighting. He and the Inspector try to solve a series of gang-related murders but which also involve high level political figures. Kaminsky has the ability to invoke the power of description and episode of modern Moscow and of the feelings of the general Muscovite. One doesn't have to know first-hand Mother Russia to appreciate this series as the author's ability to bring out the landscape and atmosphere is outstanding and noteworthy. For a great mystery read, this series, and especially this book, is superb. Dos vidanya!

Rating:
Summary: Kaminsky Stays in Top Form
Review: In his 13th Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov adventure, author Stuart Kaminsky once again takes us inside the "new" Russia with a realism that is at times stark, amusing, tragic, and even romantic. Kaminsky has the unique ability to write of modern day Russia with a "feel" that is at once real and compelling. The Curtain has fallen on the political system of the Soviet Union and out of the depths of the ashes rises not the Phoenix but a complex, confusing, and dangerous atmosphere that indeed is alarming to its citizens, who, naturally, long for breaths of freedom. Who will rule out of this rubble is the mystery! The collapse of communism merely has opened up another evil--organized crime. However, enter Inspector Rostnikov and his team of crime fighters of the Moscow police.. Throughout the series, readers have come to respect the wily, one-legged Inspector (known as "The Washtub," due to his weightlifting in his freetime), who is a realist at heart, yet both a sentimentalist and a romanticist. In "The Dog Who Bit A Policeman," Rostnikov's squad faces the destructive forces of two Mafia gangs, hell- bent to kill each other and to control the country, one precinct at a time. Kaminsky's books always carry parallel campaigns and Sasha Tkach and Elena Timofeyeva are assigned to hound out the perpetrators of illegal dog fighting, a fast rising and highly profitable "business." Elena's romantic interests with Rostnikov's policeman son continue to expand while the "Vampire" Emile Karpo's task follows more the political line of crime fighting. He and the Inspector try to solve a series of gang-related murders but which also involve high level political figures. Kaminsky has the ability to invoke the power of description and episode of modern Moscow and of the feelings of the general Muscovite. One doesn't have to know first-hand Mother Russia to appreciate this series as the author's ability to bring out the landscape and atmosphere is outstanding and noteworthy. For a great mystery read, this series, and especially this book, is superb. Dos vidanya!

Rating:
Summary: Kaminsky Stays in Top Form
Review: In his 13th Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov adventure, author Stuart Kaminsky once again takes us inside the "new" Russia with a realism that is at times stark, amusing, tragic, and even romantic. Kaminsky has the unique ability to write of modern day Russia with a "feel" that is at once real and compelling. The Curtain has fallen on the political system of the Soviet Union and out of the depths of the ashes rises not the Phoenix but a complex, confusing, and dangerous atmosphere that indeed is alarming to its citizens, who, naturally, long for breaths of freedom. Who will rule out of this rubble is the mystery! The collapse of communism merely has opened up another evil--organized crime. However, enter Inspector Rostnikov and his team of crime fighters of the Moscow police.. Throughout the series, readers have come to respect the wily, one-legged Inspector (known as "The Washtub," due to his weightlifting in his freetime), who is a realist at heart, yet both a sentimentalist and a romanticist. In "The Dog Who Bit A Policeman," Rostnikov's squad faces the destructive forces of two Mafia gangs, hell- bent to kill each other and to control the country, one precinct at a time. Kaminsky's books always carry parallel campaigns and Sasha Tkach and Elena Timofeyeva are assigned to hound out the perpetrators of illegal dog fighting, a fast rising and highly profitable "business." Elena's romantic interests with Rostnikov's policeman son continue to expand while the "Vampire" Emile Karpo's task follows more the political line of crime fighting. He and the Inspector try to solve a series of gang-related murders but which also involve high level political figures. Kaminsky has the ability to invoke the power of description and episode of modern Moscow and of the feelings of the general Muscovite. One doesn't have to know first-hand Mother Russia to appreciate this series as the author's ability to bring out the landscape and atmosphere is outstanding and noteworthy. For a great mystery read, this series, and especially this book, is superb. Dos vidanya!

Rating:
Summary: Rostnikov, the philosophical detective. Thumb's up!
Review: Stuart Kaminsky's characters are so real that I welcome their return as I would an old and dear friend. Life never seems to get easier in post-communist Russia, and crime still runs rampant, but our team of detectives (the only ones in the police department seemingly incorruptible) plod slowly along until the crimes are solved. Each character has his/her own style, but my favorite, is Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov -- philospher, master detective, solver of problems, lover of fine music, weight lifter, husband, father and friend. Intrigued with American mysteries (Ed McBain novels), he has the uncanny ability to tap into the minds of criminals to solve the crimes. This is a definite read for lovers of intelligent mystery books with interesting quirky characters.

Rating:
Summary: Rostinikov, the philosophical detective. Thumb's up!
Review: Stuart Kaminsky's characters are so real that I welcome their return as I wowuld an old and dear friend. Life never seems to get easier in post-communist Russia, and crime still runs rampant, but our team of detectives (the only ones in the police department seemingly incorruptible) plod slowly along until the crimes are solved. Each character has his or her style, but my favorite, is Inspector Porfity Rostnikov -- philospher, master detective, sometime psychologist, lover of fine music, weight lifter, husband, father and friend. Intrigued with American mystery books (Ed McBain is his favorite writer), he has the uncanny ability to tap into criminal minds to solve the crimes. This is a definite read for lovers of intelligent mystery books with interesting quirky characters.