Bequest

by A.K. Shevchenko

History can be a powerful and ruthless enemy. In Moscow, ambitious Lieutenant Taras Petrenko stumbles across file N1247, a case opened by the Russian secret police more than two centuries ago. Three crucial documents are missing which, if found, could change the lives of millions. One country would come crashing down. A second country would never forgive the discovery, and a third would never forget. Taras is determined not let this happen -- but others believe it should. Kate, a young solicitor in London, is thrust into the mystery of an eighteenth-century bequest when she meets a secretive Ukrainian. He has three documents he claims would alter the balance of power in Europe. As a treacherous race to uncover the truth becomes a harrowing journey into the shadowy side of power, what price will be paid?

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Ukraine

418 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Asya Shestopal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Книжка хороша, але не вау.

Це якщо коротко і по суті 😝

У романі "Спадок" авторка розповідає своє бачення легенди про золото гетьмана Павла Полуботка.

Якщо хто не знає - є легенда, що у 18 столітті Полуботок поклав у банк Англії купу золота. За заповітом це золото повинен отримати його нащадок, коли Україна стане незалежною, і передати більшу частину цих грошей на розбудову держави.

І от Анна Шевченко розповідає, що було б якби...

Є молодий історик Андрій. Він хоче отримати для України ось це золото. Є британка українського походження Кейт, юристка, яка допомагає йому в цьому. Є ФСБшник Тарас, за походженням українець, який має завдання не дати їм повернути це золото до України.

Читати було цікаво, дійсно. Від самого початку, коли Кейт заходить до моргу і когось там впізнає. Потім нас відносить трішки в минуле, до початку історії. Місцями є флешбеки в історію, до останніх днів гетьмана Полуботка, потім до його нащадків, які вже кілька разів намагались отримати золото.

Загалом, початок був інтригуючий. А от фінал мене розчарував. Вау не сталося. За жанром це детектив, здається, але от такої шокуючої розв'язки, яка повинна бути за законами жанру - її я не побачила.

Та й іноді було неприємне відчуття, що я заплуталась. Не завжди розуміла, наприклад, хто зараз говорить з Кейт: Тарас чи Андрій. Ніби-то читаю я завжди уважно, розумію що й до чого, а тут от трішки чіткості мені бракувало.

Які враження, такий і відгук - заплутаний. Ну, який вже є 🤷‍♀️

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be an amazing book. I was wrong. The story line was interesting but the writing is very poor. I couldn't finish it, maybe one day I'll look at it again...

[Eugène L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In fact, it’s a concise history of Ukraine in a form of a mystery novel,” I thought after reading a half of it.

Now that I finished the book it is clear that the adjective “concise” is misleading: the author obviously tried to write a kind of encyclopedia on all things Ukrainian :)

If you’d like to know more about the country’s history, culture, sightseeing, its life in 1990s and early 2000s, its diaspora abroad, and the like, all in 352 pages, then this novel might help

The author knows the subject fairly well. Her description of Ukraine, of Russia and USSR are very realistic. And not very flattering either. Personally, I was impressed: even the most minor details correspond to the post-soviet world where I grew up.

I should mention though that during the period she describes (1990s-early 2000s) Ukraine suffered a major economic and social crisis. By now, the country became much more prosperous, comfortable and friendly.

I really enjoyed the first 75% of the book: the novel seemed dynamic and easy to read (you open it on the first page – and you only “wake up” some 50 pages later :) ). But the last quarter was a bit too messy. There were lots of details which, while interesting, were not necessarily relevant to the story (e.g., Marina’s biography, description of Edmonton). Ok, Taras’ past gives us a better understanding of this character… but why don’t to tell it earlier?

As for the love story, it could be stronger. Andriy is too ideal to be true: never scared, never hesitating, never shy, and never quarreling. Or, maybe, that’s how Kate sees him? After all, she only spent with him a couple of days when he was at his best. So, she falls in love (the True Love, so to say) for the rest of the book.

But the Kate’s character is well-developed, and so is Taras’ character, and a number of minor characters as well (like Sara, for example).

[LaDawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Soul destroying. I tried to understand this baffling tale but it would appear that everything happens in April, that the same characters are in multiple places at the same time, and everything is bleak and grey. Long episodes are repeated and basically I lost the will to live.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting thriller but a bit bitty at times.

[Richard Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this a great read. A level above your bog-standard spy and conspiracy novels.

[Anna JK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the storyline. Easier to follow if you know Ukrainian culture/history.

[Sherman Berry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hopeful that I would really enjoy this after a couple of chapters but I didn't.
The story should've been really tense and exciting but somehow felt disjointed and clunky.

[Julie Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had so much potential. The story line is intriguing and the characters are well written, however I found the structure of the book clumsy and confusing to read.