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Leo Demidov #1-3
Tom Rob Smith Trilogy
Tom Rob Smith's Child 44 trilogy was an immediate publishing sensation and marked the arrival of a major new talent in contemporary fiction. Named one of top 100 thrillers of all time by NPR, Child 44 hit bestseller lists around the world, won the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and the ITW Thriller Award for Best First Novel, and was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Now, discover the entire trilogy, collected in one edition for the first time ever.
Child 44
In a country ruled by fear, no one is innocent.
Stalin's Soviet Union is an official paradise, where citizens live free from crime and fear only one the all-powerful state. Defending this system is idealistic security officer Leo Demidov, a war hero who believes in the iron fist of the law. But when a murderer starts to kill at will and Leo dares to investigate, the State's obedient servant finds himself demoted and exiled. Now, with only his wife at his side, Leo must fight to uncover shocking truths about a killer--and a country where "crime" doesn't exist.
The Secret Speech
Soviet Union, 1956. Stalin is dead, and a regime once held together by fear is beginning to fracture, creating a lawless society where the police have become the criminals. A series of murders now has all of Moscow on edge, and no one--no matter how powerful or connected--seems safe. With his new and secretive homicide department, Leo Demidov investigates--only to find that he, his wife, and his two adopted daughters may be in grave danger. To save his family, Leo must make a desperate choice and face an impossible journey that may bring his redemption...or shatter their fragile future.
Agent 6
Three decades. Two murders. One conspiracy. Who is Agent 6?
Leo Demidov is no longer a member of Moscow's secret police. But when his wife and daughters are invited on a "peace tour" to New York City, he is immediately suspicious. Forbidden to travel with his family, Leo watches helplessly as events in New York unfold and those closest to his heart are pulled into a web of political conspiracy, betrayal--and murder.
In the horrible aftermath, Leo demands only one to hunt down the killer who destroyed his family. His request is summarily denied. Crippled by grief and haunted by the need to find out exactly what happened in New York, Leo takes matters into his own hands. It is a quest that will span decades, and take Leo around the world--from Moscow, to the mountains of Soviet-controlled Afghanistan, to the backstreets of New York--in pursuit of the one man who knows the Agent 6.
Child 44
In a country ruled by fear, no one is innocent.
Stalin's Soviet Union is an official paradise, where citizens live free from crime and fear only one the all-powerful state. Defending this system is idealistic security officer Leo Demidov, a war hero who believes in the iron fist of the law. But when a murderer starts to kill at will and Leo dares to investigate, the State's obedient servant finds himself demoted and exiled. Now, with only his wife at his side, Leo must fight to uncover shocking truths about a killer--and a country where "crime" doesn't exist.
The Secret Speech
Soviet Union, 1956. Stalin is dead, and a regime once held together by fear is beginning to fracture, creating a lawless society where the police have become the criminals. A series of murders now has all of Moscow on edge, and no one--no matter how powerful or connected--seems safe. With his new and secretive homicide department, Leo Demidov investigates--only to find that he, his wife, and his two adopted daughters may be in grave danger. To save his family, Leo must make a desperate choice and face an impossible journey that may bring his redemption...or shatter their fragile future.
Agent 6
Three decades. Two murders. One conspiracy. Who is Agent 6?
Leo Demidov is no longer a member of Moscow's secret police. But when his wife and daughters are invited on a "peace tour" to New York City, he is immediately suspicious. Forbidden to travel with his family, Leo watches helplessly as events in New York unfold and those closest to his heart are pulled into a web of political conspiracy, betrayal--and murder.
In the horrible aftermath, Leo demands only one to hunt down the killer who destroyed his family. His request is summarily denied. Crippled by grief and haunted by the need to find out exactly what happened in New York, Leo takes matters into his own hands. It is a quest that will span decades, and take Leo around the world--from Moscow, to the mountains of Soviet-controlled Afghanistan, to the backstreets of New York--in pursuit of the one man who knows the Agent 6.
Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
65 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Tom Rob Smith
31 books2,176 followersTom Rob Smith (born 1979) is an English writer. The son of a Swedish mother and an English father, Smith was raised in London where he lives today. After graduating from Cambridge University in 2001, he completed his studies in Italy, studying creative writing for a year. After these studies, he worked as a scriptwriter.
His first novel, Child 44, about a series of child murders in Stalinist Russia, appeared in early 2008 and was translated into 17 languages. It was awarded the 2008 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for Best Thriller of the year by the Crime Writer's Association. It was recently a Barnes & Noble recommended book. On July 29, 2008 the book was named on the long list for the 2008 Man Booker Prize. In November 2008, he was nominated for the 2008 Costa First Novel Award (former Whitbread).
Child 44 followed-up by The Secret Speech (2009)and Agent 6 (2011).
Japanese: トム ロブ スミス
His first novel, Child 44, about a series of child murders in Stalinist Russia, appeared in early 2008 and was translated into 17 languages. It was awarded the 2008 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for Best Thriller of the year by the Crime Writer's Association. It was recently a Barnes & Noble recommended book. On July 29, 2008 the book was named on the long list for the 2008 Man Booker Prize. In November 2008, he was nominated for the 2008 Costa First Novel Award (former Whitbread).
Child 44 followed-up by The Secret Speech (2009)and Agent 6 (2011).
Japanese: トム ロブ スミス
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 7, 2014
I love the characters and they were the reason I read all 3 books but as far as the actual story, the 2 successors to Child 44 were not up to par. It gets 4-stars because Child 44 was one of the best books I'd read in a while.
February 5, 2017
I've read this trilogy in 2013 and I found this reaction about the books on my journal:
Smith was one of the best reads I've had; maybe the best trilogy.
It shows that there isn't a perfect system yet...not yet. And people's lives; their emotional responses and the way they deal with their personal lives are affected by this outer system. I've realized that history has a part in shaping a person's character. It is inevitable no matter how much you want to get away from it.
We are sometimes blinded by our beliefs or principles and the things history and school taught us. We do things out of these beliefs and we forget to be human. It becomes our foundation on what is right/wrong, true/false, good/bad. Once we are deep into the things we've done, our mistakes, we forget that there is still something good in us and that other people care. We forget to love and be loved. But once we see that we are capable of love, things will begin to stir. It will create a new and brighter view on what it is to be truly human. To care and love others and to become somebody else's strength.
You will find yourself fighting for this. For that person who showed you love. Some might do a new set of wrongs but this time for greater good. They say that the means do not justify the end, but I think a humane end could save you. But it is also a game of survival for the sake of your love ones. Contradicting, right? That's how i really feel. The books have given me so many things to take in. But you see, when we're done serving the principles we thought were right, we begin to fight for the only thing that matters and have made us feel that we matter...the things that made us feel loved and made us capable of doing right. It will become the piece that holds us together; the only thing that will make us whole again.
p.s. I'm sorry if I don't make sense. In reality, this world and this life is too complex to make sense at all.The Child 44 Trilogy: Child 44, The Secret Speech, and Agent 6 Omnibus
Smith was one of the best reads I've had; maybe the best trilogy.
It shows that there isn't a perfect system yet...not yet. And people's lives; their emotional responses and the way they deal with their personal lives are affected by this outer system. I've realized that history has a part in shaping a person's character. It is inevitable no matter how much you want to get away from it.
We are sometimes blinded by our beliefs or principles and the things history and school taught us. We do things out of these beliefs and we forget to be human. It becomes our foundation on what is right/wrong, true/false, good/bad. Once we are deep into the things we've done, our mistakes, we forget that there is still something good in us and that other people care. We forget to love and be loved. But once we see that we are capable of love, things will begin to stir. It will create a new and brighter view on what it is to be truly human. To care and love others and to become somebody else's strength.
You will find yourself fighting for this. For that person who showed you love. Some might do a new set of wrongs but this time for greater good. They say that the means do not justify the end, but I think a humane end could save you. But it is also a game of survival for the sake of your love ones. Contradicting, right? That's how i really feel. The books have given me so many things to take in. But you see, when we're done serving the principles we thought were right, we begin to fight for the only thing that matters and have made us feel that we matter...the things that made us feel loved and made us capable of doing right. It will become the piece that holds us together; the only thing that will make us whole again.
p.s. I'm sorry if I don't make sense. In reality, this world and this life is too complex to make sense at all.The Child 44 Trilogy: Child 44, The Secret Speech, and Agent 6 Omnibus
Read
January 10, 2014The whole trilogy was gripping from start to finish!
Can't wait for the film of Child 44
Can't wait for the film of Child 44
January 1, 2025
Wonderfully exciting yet also believable
October 9, 2014
A scaring insight of Russia during the cold war era. Terrifying and traumatic at some points, but very realistic. It explains why the current state of affairs is what it is and why the 'western world' finds it so hard to comprehend. We have so much learning and developing to do, and it starts with understanding the past. This trilogy is a great start for doing so.
November 30, 2016
One of the most gripping series I've read. I know, I might say that a bit often but really, I cant imagine not remembering this series years down the road. It's very memorable and I enjoyed it very much. Maybe I was a tad disappointed with book 3, but the series as a whole was fantastic. Not one bit sorry I read these.
August 24, 2014
I read all three of Tom Rob Smith's trilogy and thoroughly enjoyed each of them. Reading them took you back in time to the Soviet Union and made you feel you were actually living and experiencing those periods of history. They were an interesting, informative and exciting read.
July 23, 2012
Each book by this author is crisply written and completely engaging from start to finish.
March 2, 2013
This is an enthralling series. The location, Russia, and characters are extremely well described. All three have tight well developed plots which make them real page turners. Bring on the next.
May 14, 2014
Currently reading the last , agent 6, the first 2 are fun reads... A look back to the old USSR ...
February 12, 2015
Gripping plot and history lesson
January 31, 2018
I didn't think I would love these books, but I really did. They were actually pretty easy reads, and I was kept engaged the entire time.
Read
March 31, 2018I don’t read serial killers.
July 28, 2018
I loved these books. I like his writing style and the subject matter is compelling. thoroughly recommend.
October 13, 2021
Excellent insight into the mental challenges of dealing with the collapse of your foundational belief system. What do you do when your entire life is built on an ideology that suddenly proves false? When all of your personal relationships and interactions has to be reconsidered. When what you thought was right is somehow wrong, and what was wrong begins to seem increasingly rational?
The protagonist is a good man who has long adhered to and enforced the justice of the Soviet Union. But now in the face of a pattern of dead children, he finds that a political system he once saw as just and orderly is flawed. That his colleagues and superiors are willing to sacrifice the truth in the name of preserving its ideologies and reputation for "no crime." That any who suggests that crime might exist are in fact treated as the criminals.
How can he track and capture a serial killer that the police won't even acknowledge exists and in the face of witnesses who are more frightened of the police than of the killer himself?
The protagonist is a good man who has long adhered to and enforced the justice of the Soviet Union. But now in the face of a pattern of dead children, he finds that a political system he once saw as just and orderly is flawed. That his colleagues and superiors are willing to sacrifice the truth in the name of preserving its ideologies and reputation for "no crime." That any who suggests that crime might exist are in fact treated as the criminals.
How can he track and capture a serial killer that the police won't even acknowledge exists and in the face of witnesses who are more frightened of the police than of the killer himself?
March 8, 2020
Il loved the first 2 books, the third was also good but not too long but very different from Child 44 and Kolyma ( The secret speech ), these 2 first opus were more psychological thrillers with one story you couldn't stop reading! I read this 3rd book till the last page more because of the historical interest than the story itself! But I still rate it!
Child 44 made me think of Dan SMith's "The village", the 2 best psychological thrillers during the Staline period and I loved it! The secret speech too, you learn a lot about the goulags and how millions of people were tortured and killed, I don't understand why we never learned this at school!
I would have given a 5 stars for the first 2 books and a 3 stars for "Agent 6", so I give this triloly a 4 stars!
Child 44 made me think of Dan SMith's "The village", the 2 best psychological thrillers during the Staline period and I loved it! The secret speech too, you learn a lot about the goulags and how millions of people were tortured and killed, I don't understand why we never learned this at school!
I would have given a 5 stars for the first 2 books and a 3 stars for "Agent 6", so I give this triloly a 4 stars!
June 21, 2020
Not Only in America
Protesting is an expression of our freedom in the US. This would not happen in the days of Stalin, the confusion of Khrushchev through the Cold War. Having not covered much of this in school, these books are not only histrionic but valuable. This trilogy is difficult to process however a must read.
Protesting is an expression of our freedom in the US. This would not happen in the days of Stalin, the confusion of Khrushchev through the Cold War. Having not covered much of this in school, these books are not only histrionic but valuable. This trilogy is difficult to process however a must read.
August 28, 2019
The first book was amazing and left me wanting more but the 2nd and 3rd were more disappointing, especially the third. I was expecting a twist like in the first book but it just didn't live up to my expectations. The 2nd book was more of an adventure rather than a mystery type novel like the first.
July 9, 2020
I really enjoyed Child 44, but the Secret Speech was hard for me to get through. Agent 6 was good enough, but I was ready for the series to be over by the first 3rd of the book.
September 10, 2015
Absolutely fantastic collection. You need to read them in order otherwise they won't make sense but they're totally gripping from start to end. All 3 books are a great read and don't disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews