Rating: 
Summary: Excellant debut of a series...
Review: Akunin's "Winter Queen" is a wonderful addition to the mystery genre. We meet Erast Fandorin in 1876 Moscow, as he attempts to solve a mysterious suicide. Soon, while he is investigating, a murder is committed, and Erast knows he is on to something. Frankly, Erast is quite lucky here, as fate prevents him from dying at least three times. That is why this book is only 4 stars instead of five. Good background on "Russian" roulette, and on the moody fatalism of Russians. I really liked how the conspiracy was found, and its purpose. The book should have kept its "Azazel" title for America, as it is much more relevant to the story. Count Hippolyte is an intriguing sidekick type, and I hope to see him again in an another Fandorin novel. Great shocker of an ending. Goes out literally in a bang.
Rating:
Summary: A good start to the series
Review: We learn from the book-jacket (and from the description above) that Akunin has sold millions of books in Russia, and that The Winter Queen is the first in a series of novels involving 19th century criminal investigator Erast Fandorin. I stumbled across this book on a table in Harrod's, and if the rest of the series are as fast-paced, witty and well-written as this one I am a new Akunin fan. The book takes place in 1876 Moscow, where a good-looking, wealthy young gentleman approaches some ladies in the park and shoots himself in the head. Some in the Criminal Investigation Department wish to close the file immediately, an obvious suicide by a lovesick youth, but young Fandorin, a newcomer to the department, takes the investigation seriously. He starts uncovering all sorts of interesting secrets and conspiracies, taking him to London and back. Along the way he must deal with attempts on his life, learn how to gamble for high stakes, preserve his honor by issuing a challenge to a duel, and decide whether an agent in London is trust-worthy or a double-agent. Some here have likened Fandorin to James Bond, or a Russian Sherlock Holmes, but he doesn't really fit either bill since he is too young, naive, eager to please and vulnerable compared to those classic characters. At various times in the novel Fandorin prepares to meet his maker, including one chilling scene in London where he gets to take a swim in the Thames, Harry Houdini style. We know he must make it to the next book in the series, but he seems to make it by the skin of his teeth. I agree with the reviewer who likens him more to the young protaginist from Caleb Carr's The Alienist, a much closer match in my opinion. The language of the novel can get a little wooden at times, common especially with translated works, but the dialogue occasionally sparkles, and Akunin is trying to emulate a late 19th century style. Overall I enjoyed this book immensely, and will have to look for some of the later books in the series. Four stars.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely more Holmes or Bond than Poirot; Shocking Ending
Review: Erast Fandorin is still wet behind the ears, but both the character and the series of books he will live in show signs of becoming unforgettable.
Fandorin is a 20-year-old orphan recently joined a detective corps in 1870s Russia. His first simple case - a suicide - turns complex and baffling. Fandorin is shy and tentative at first (he blushes constantly), but proves clever and even fearless as he chases villains across Europe, unmasks an international conspiracy, and risks death many times.
As others have noted, Fandorin's adventures more closely resemble Sherlock Holmes or James Bond than the more cerebral Hercule Poirot. While there are Holmesian brilliant deducation and matchless archvillains, there are also James-Bond-like dangerous romance, conspiracy, and physical danger.
I was truly shocked by the ending. It took me a while to accept it, actually. But in retrospect the end of "Winter Queen" sets up Fandorin - and Akunin's coming series of books about him - to be a much deeper, troubled, and thus more interesting character.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow moving. Dull.
Review: Disappointed that this story didn't give me an image of the culture in Russia. This story could have been is Spain or US or any European country. The mystery was slow moving - it took me 6 weeks to finish. It was easy to put down and not pick up for a week.
Rating:
Summary: excellent detective mystery
Review: The author had me guessing till the very end.
The book is filled with various strange characters and twists and turns - taking the reader on an enjoyable and interesting adventure through late 19th century Russia.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, well-constructed historial romp
Review: This is a great thriller, though I think it's being sold as brainier than it actually is. Set in 1876 in Russia and England and featuring a fresh-faced young detective who learns the difference between hearts and diamonds in the afternoon and beats the house at cards in the evening, speaks English and French fluently, studies Indian breathing techniques and occasionally wears a false moustache to hide his involuntary youthful blushes. It builds nicely until you work out what's happening about twenty pages before the hero does; after that, you sit there expecting to be more twists as good as the ones there've been already, and being surprised when there aren't any. Loved the period detail and the fusty yet enthusiastic writing.
Rating:
Summary: Slow to start but wonderful finish
Review: Akunin builds his story by deconstucting the psyches of his characters. I found the narrative style reminscent at times to Crime and Punishment though neither as complex and sadly not always as compelling as Dostoevsky's classic. Once Fandorin goes to London the plot picks up, revealing layers of intrigue and world wide plots.
Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: I thought this was a good read and I look forward to more of this authors books being translated into english. I recommend it without reservation.
Rating: 
Summary: "Perfect atomosphere, rewarding twists ... a delight"
Review: Set in Moscow in 1876, this crime mystery is the first in a series about the young Erast Fandorin, a sort of Russian Sherlock Homes with emotions. And it is fabulous, and Akunin's Erast Fandorin series have been a huge hit in Russian for years and this is the debut in English. The characters are so realized, the atmosphere so perfect and the twists of the plot so rewarding, you can hardly wait for more. What begins as the mystery of why a wealthy, talented student from a rich family would shoot himself in public turns evolves into a larger tale of worldwide anarchist conspiracy. This book is a delight.
Rating:
Summary: great character! formulaic ending
Review: Erast Fandorin is part Inspcector Cluseau, part Hercule Poirot in a somewhat predictable, but thoroughly enjoyable mystery. The intrepid slueth is a young detective working in Moscow in the late 19th century solving his first murder. The murder, as it happens, grows into a much wider (and deeper) conspiracy that reaches to the pinnalce of political power on an international scale.
The earnest Fandorin is somewhat a bumbler, with average intelligence who manages to stumble his way across, into (and out of) a number of comic - and serious - situations. This was enjoyable to read. Yet I can only give it four stars because of the cliched ending. (No, the butler did not do it.) Those who are avid mystery readers should be able to piece the plot together mid-way through the book - but will keep on reading out of the sheer joy of witnessing Fandorin work.
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