Child 44

This is probably the best mystery I have read in years. The background - Stalin's Russia, changing over the years to end in Kruschev's Russia - is perfectly, chillingly drawn. It gives a great but not arty or self-consciously literary sense of the Kafkaesque feel of life in an all- encompassing dictatorship, where the State is all and the individual nothing.

It begins during the famines caused by collectivization, a period rarely (ok, never) dealt with by modern writers. The characters are well-drawn, interesting, and you care what happens to them, particularly the protagonist as he sorts out the moral complexities of his life as an agent of the state. But it's not a preachy novel: the action moves right along, and it didn't surprise me to read that the movie rights have already been bought.

Highly recommended!

This is a wonderful first novel. The setting of Stalinist Russia is very well conveyed throughout; the tone and characters very much like the writings of Solzhenitzyn. The crimes are horrible, of course, and the chapter dealing with the luring and murder of the small boy who is collecting stamps is memorable. There are a few irritations with the novel: the characters come off rather flat, one-dimensional. We never really understand emotions because they are never fully explored; Leo and Raisa's relationship is central to the story but it is never developed. Also, the dialog sounds in many places like a very stilted translation from Russian. I am sure that in future novels Mr. Smith will work through these two things and be providing more intriguing stories like "Child 44" in the future.

A serial killer whose MO never seems to change, preying on the children Soviet people dote on, versus one of the State Security's finest...a former sharp shooter in the Great Patriotic war, known for his athletic prowess, good judgment and brilliance. Just the detective to solve these terrible crimes and keep the next family from the grief of losing a child.

There is one problem: In Stalin's Russia, there *is* no crime. To suggest otherwise and question the perfection of the Worker's Paradise, will certainly earn the accuser a change in lifestyle...which will impede any hope he has of ever catching the killer.

Tom Rob Smith has crafted a fast paced, smart story featuring a crime that would be unthinkable in any setting; a skillful description of a culture infused with the deep, dark colors of Dostoevsky and Moussorgsky, trapped within the confines of Stalin and his henchmen; great characters; and a double twist that will leave you dizzy but immediately searching Amazon for the next Leo Demidov book...where is it, Tom???? Don't keep us waiting too long!

Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended.

Tom Rob Smith writes Stalinist Russia so well, I kept checking the jacket picture to make sure he wasn't an 80 year old man. Incredible tension keeps you turning pages from start to finish. Compelling central character who actually learns and grows, as do the supporting characters. Somehow, this book qualifies as both "high" literature and genre fiction--the best combination. This book just may have one teeny tiny flaw, but I wouldn't dare discuss what I think it is for fear of giving away the ending. But if it is a flaw, it's so teeny tiny it's not even worth mentioning. Read this book!

Child 44 - I have a taste for a good epic fantasy novels such as "A Song of Fire and Ice" series, "The Name of the Wind", "The Lies of Locke Lamora" etc. I needed something crude, thrilling. So one day I decided to find different sort of reading and that's when I came across Child 44, the first novel written by Mr. Tom Smith.

Let me be clear about this. You will be entertained. A great thriller, good plot and fast rhythm.

I'm the first to admit that I don't know NOTHING about the former Soviet Union and their Security Agencies. But Mr. Smith did a hell of a job describing a rare atmosphere, a place where you cannot trust even your wife, neighbor, friend or co-workers. A place where you are guilt, period. You don't even need to know what are you guilt of. A place where you need to play the blame game and betrayal hides on every corner, all in the name of Mother Country.

Add a serial killer to the mix, performing brutal killings upon children all over the country. Add a wife who doesn't love you at all, or does she? A co-worker agent that want to see you suffer at all cost. Now betrayed, you lost all that you have gained thru blind "work" for a cruel regime that you believe is correct. Then, with no gain at sight or hope of survival, try to resolve these misterious murders while being chased with high chances to get shot, arrested, tortured and or simply killed by your former colleagues.

All of these ingridients will have one result: CHILD 44.

Extremely well written book. As a result you will turn pages like a maniac.

A great read.

Cheers.