Rating: 
Summary: Rarely, a Modern Russian Book Worth Western Readers.
Review: Having read all of the original Fandorin novels, I was a bit skeptical about the first installment translated into English. Having great use of Russian language as one of his strongest assets, Akunin did an excellent job presenting a good view into the late 19th century Russian literature and the life of the late 19th century Moscow "Beaumont" - money, love, lust, dirty secrets - and a hero who has never lost a gamble!All that rendered in English could be, I was afraid, like a bad Rambo movie -- a bunch of pseudo "Russian"-dressed people who speak gibberish and look as fake as a seven-rouble bill. Andrew Bromfield, however, did an excellent job of bringing the tale of Fandorin to the English-speaking crowd. A great story in conjunction with a good writing style, it kept the feel of the "Leo Tolstoy"-style writing with frequent though not exuberant foreign quotations and footnotes. Although knowledge of Russian is not required for this reading, if you're not a fluent Russian reader - keep a dictionary (or a Russian-speaking buddy) handy - some terms, probably to accentuate the feeling of true Russian writing, were left transliterated rather than translated, so dacha was used instead of an easier to understand yet less eclectic "summer house".
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing. A Russian Perils of Pauline
Review: Despite some interesting characters and occasionally rich and lovely language, this book was irretrieveably brought down by a frankly silly plot. One reviewer accurately described it as a penny dreadful-type story. For a time I thought the writer might be using the old-fashioned style to write a clever book, but the last few chapters fatally undermined that hope. I have heard that later on the series improves, but I can't see sticking it out.
Rating: 
Summary: Starts well ...
Review: After an arresting start, and a nice conceit -- a Tsarist policeman as the good guy -- this devolves into what used to be called a 'penny dreadful'. This could have been written by Edgar Wallce or Leslie Charteris. Secret societies and non-descript writing. A disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: The Winter Queen was lauded by critics, calling it a refreshing and engrossing mystery. After having read this thin novel, I have to admit that I found very little freshness in it, and was far from enthralled with the story. Erast is a young Russian police officer who, as he's still in the early parts of his career, comes face to face with a cross-nation intrigue that could very well result in his death. From Russia, he travels to London and other European countries to stop a beautiful woman from sending total havoc across the nations. Erast has more lives than a cat. Every time he ends up in a situation he can't possibly get himself out of, someone (or some divine intervention) comes and saves his life. By the end, you never really do feel as if the character's in danger because you know that, the moment danger shows its dirty nose, he'll find some way to get out of the mess he placed himself in. I have to admit that I was truly disappointed by The Winter Queen. I had heard great things about this book and, sadly, I have to admit that it did not live up to my expectations. The prose is flowery and often laughable, and the story often stalls when characters go through long moments of unnecessary exposition (do we really need another character to tell us everything that happened when we were ablet to connect the dots by ourselves?) Maybe I'll have to give this one another try one of these days. As it stands now, The Winter Queen is a very plain and uneventful read that just didn't grab my attention.
Rating:
Summary: Welcome, Erast!
Review: I've always enjoyed a well-written historical detective story, and always eagerly grabbed the latest Cadfael, Falco, Gordianus and Justin deQuincy as soon as I could. It was not only the writing that interested me, but the total immersion in another time and place that was fascinating. With this new book I have found another favorite, Erast Fandorin, and now will be following his actions throughour Czarist Russia in the late 19th century. That's one of my favorite historical periods and countries, so this series of books will only add to my enjoyment and knowledge. The main character begins the tale as a callow youth, but with great potential, and we follow him throughout the unraveling of an intricate mystery until the final, albeit tragic, conclusion. I hope that my wait for the next book in this series will not be long!
Rating:
Summary: A new Candide?
Review: Written in a delightfully archaic style, this little story is as exuberant as a Eugène Sue, as smooth and tasteful as a Gogol, and as ironic as Voltaire's Candide. And the young inspector Erast Fandorin makes me think of that character, Candide, smart and earnest but also innocent and reckless. The poor boy appears to be constricted between a drowsy tsarist society and a new, modernist utopian organization. One is brought to think of present-day Russians, who are somewhat disoriented after a stagnant old-Russia tradition and a much too modern communist delusion. Highly recommended for both young and mature readers.
Rating: 
Summary: Different
Review: A change of pace from a typical thriller. Nice historical details and interesting characters. The ending was shocking, and felt a bit gratuitous. But then again, I can't say it didn't have impact. Definitely worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: I dont believe the ending
Review: I cant believe the ending. After reading the book I'm in shock and seriously contemplating learning to speak Russian just so i can read the next book. aahhh......
Rating:
Summary: An original debut historical mystery
Review: In Moscow, 1876, a young man walks up to a young woman on a park bench, asks for a kiss and after being rebuffed puts a gun to his head and commits suicide. Why? Detective Erast Fandorin is assigned the case. With Fandorin, the reader travels throughout Europe of that time especially the streets of Moscow in both the highest and the lowest elements of society as a worldwide conspiracy is slowly uncovered that threatens the world.
THE WINTER QUEEN gets high marks for originality. Written in the style of a golden age mystery, it actually reads more like a modern day thriller. Given that it is translated from Russian into English, there are some clunky passages and certain episodes that could have been edited. Fandorin's search goes on a bit too long and, at times, borders on tedious. I never got the feeling the characters are well fleshed out. The ending pays homage to a certain James Bond movie but really seems to come out of nowhere. Recommended but with some mild reservations.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome novel, awful translation
Review: I love B.Akunin's novels. They are much more than just mystery books, they bring you into 19th century Russia and show you the people and the way of life wonderfully. And this one, the 1st of Fandorin series is one of the best. Now, the translation on the other hand... It just destroys the book. Terrible! Still worth reading, but keep in mind: when you think "the language is difficult to follow and understand" it's not the author's fault, it's - translation.
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