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Inspector Pekkala #4
The Red Moth
As Hitler's forces smash into Soviet territory, annihilating the Red Army divisions in its path, a lone German scout plane is forced down. Contained within the briefcase of its passenger is the seemingly inconsequential painting of a hyalophoria cecropia, otherwise known as a red moth.
Military Intelligence dismisses the picture as insignificant, but in the state of emergency Stalin suspects a German plot. He summons his old adversary, Inspector Pekkala - the elusive Finn who was once Tsar Nicholas II's personal detective - to discover the real significance of this strange wartime cargo.
As the storm gathers around them, Pekkala, together with his assistant from the shadowy Bureau of Special Operations, soon find themselves on the path of the most formidable art thieves in history. Those real target is a secret and prized possession of the Romanovs, once considered to be the eighth wonder of the world.
But as the Soviet Union crumbles in the face of the advancing cataclysm, and the chaos of war is everywhere, Pekkala realizes that to protect the Tsar's treasure he must break through enemy lines. His desperate mission is to outfox the German invaders, or face the wrath of Stalin himself.
Military Intelligence dismisses the picture as insignificant, but in the state of emergency Stalin suspects a German plot. He summons his old adversary, Inspector Pekkala - the elusive Finn who was once Tsar Nicholas II's personal detective - to discover the real significance of this strange wartime cargo.
As the storm gathers around them, Pekkala, together with his assistant from the shadowy Bureau of Special Operations, soon find themselves on the path of the most formidable art thieves in history. Those real target is a secret and prized possession of the Romanovs, once considered to be the eighth wonder of the world.
But as the Soviet Union crumbles in the face of the advancing cataclysm, and the chaos of war is everywhere, Pekkala realizes that to protect the Tsar's treasure he must break through enemy lines. His desperate mission is to outfox the German invaders, or face the wrath of Stalin himself.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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847 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
September 15, 2020
Back to a series I follow & enjoy with episode 4 of Inspector Pekkala.
Its August 1941 & the war between Germany & the Soviet Union is underway.
The title of the story is a painting of said insect which features early in the text in mysterious circumstances, reaching even Uncle Joe himself who needs to know the answer to the puzzle…. Que Inspector Pekkala!
Normally we have flashback scenes involving Pekkala & the Tsar but this time the past is relayed through a former Gardener’s son (now soviet army soldier) of the Tsar who worked at his Palace which all ties in with the story, very cleverly done it is too.
A fast-paced story where I won’t give anymore away but suffice to say another grand tale in the series.
5 Stars for me. (maybe a reflection of two prior DNF’s perhaps??!!) as I really needed this one!
Its August 1941 & the war between Germany & the Soviet Union is underway.
The title of the story is a painting of said insect which features early in the text in mysterious circumstances, reaching even Uncle Joe himself who needs to know the answer to the puzzle…. Que Inspector Pekkala!
Normally we have flashback scenes involving Pekkala & the Tsar but this time the past is relayed through a former Gardener’s son (now soviet army soldier) of the Tsar who worked at his Palace which all ties in with the story, very cleverly done it is too.
A fast-paced story where I won’t give anymore away but suffice to say another grand tale in the series.
5 Stars for me. (maybe a reflection of two prior DNF’s perhaps??!!) as I really needed this one!
September 12, 2018
The Inspector Pekkala series have been getting better and better as it goes on - as it should - and The Red Moth is a quite superb read. It is, quite possibly, the best of the series so far (I'm reading them in series order, this is where I'm at). I was hanging on each and every word and it had me thoroughly spell-bound all the way from start to cliff-hanged finish.
The whole of the 'current' events and Pekkala's rememberances of Catherine's Palace at St. Petersburg, is absolutely fascinating, very well recounted and evoked. I could really almost picture myself walking into the wonderous rooms as they surely must have been in their Imperial pomp and spectacular prime.
The figure of Stalin as portrayed here, is still a little worrying. He's not as much a comedy turn as he was previously, and does come over a little more threatening, even to Pekkala, but he doesn't conform to the murderous bastard, usurper of the Revolution that we've come to believe as the accepted image. I don't know why Paul/Sam has chosen to downplay the classical Stalin role, I really hope it isn't an attempt at reconciliation, as that would be a hard call for someone who deliberately murdered (had murdered) around 20 million of his own countrymen.
That aside, the whole 'Red,' Inspector Pekkala series is moving on up there to rank alongside David Downing's Station and Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels. Really, they're that good.
There's also, as an added bonus, a very strong link to Philip Kerr's The Other Side of Silence, of which I can't really go into much detail, for fear of giving the/both plot(s) away.
The Blog: Speesh Reads
The Facebook Page: Speesh Reads
The Pinterest Board for The Red Moth: Speesh Reads
The whole of the 'current' events and Pekkala's rememberances of Catherine's Palace at St. Petersburg, is absolutely fascinating, very well recounted and evoked. I could really almost picture myself walking into the wonderous rooms as they surely must have been in their Imperial pomp and spectacular prime.
The figure of Stalin as portrayed here, is still a little worrying. He's not as much a comedy turn as he was previously, and does come over a little more threatening, even to Pekkala, but he doesn't conform to the murderous bastard, usurper of the Revolution that we've come to believe as the accepted image. I don't know why Paul/Sam has chosen to downplay the classical Stalin role, I really hope it isn't an attempt at reconciliation, as that would be a hard call for someone who deliberately murdered (had murdered) around 20 million of his own countrymen.
That aside, the whole 'Red,' Inspector Pekkala series is moving on up there to rank alongside David Downing's Station and Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels. Really, they're that good.
There's also, as an added bonus, a very strong link to Philip Kerr's The Other Side of Silence, of which I can't really go into much detail, for fear of giving the/both plot(s) away.
The Blog: Speesh Reads
The Facebook Page: Speesh Reads
The Pinterest Board for The Red Moth: Speesh Reads
February 11, 2014
The Red Moth by Sam Eastland is the fourth book in the Inspector Pekkala series. Sadly, this book is not available in the U.S. at the current time and I ordered it from the Book Depository UK. The fifth book is also out but again not in this country. Books 1 through 3 in the series are here in the U. S. so why not the rest??? As I was reading reviews on Amazon, one reviewer stated this is a 6 book series so this reader wanted to finished what she considers an improving storyline with each edition.
In Red Moth, a painting is intercepted from a German courier trying to make a delivery into Russian territory during WWII. Clues are provided leading to some of the prized treasures of Tsar Nicolas and his family. The current interest in Nazi stolen art plays into this novel along with the continuing saga of Pekkala and his entanglement with Stalin who recruited him after years of captivity in a Siberian gulag for having been a personal aide-de-camp to the Tsar.
I think this series provides some fascinating historical fiction into the Stalin era, and Pekkala's story reveals some of the history of the Romanovs and the Russian revolution. Archive 17 was my favorite but I feel invested in this series and do not want to miss the conclusion.
In Red Moth, a painting is intercepted from a German courier trying to make a delivery into Russian territory during WWII. Clues are provided leading to some of the prized treasures of Tsar Nicolas and his family. The current interest in Nazi stolen art plays into this novel along with the continuing saga of Pekkala and his entanglement with Stalin who recruited him after years of captivity in a Siberian gulag for having been a personal aide-de-camp to the Tsar.
I think this series provides some fascinating historical fiction into the Stalin era, and Pekkala's story reveals some of the history of the Romanovs and the Russian revolution. Archive 17 was my favorite but I feel invested in this series and do not want to miss the conclusion.
June 8, 2022
Historically always interesting to read but I was a bit disappointed in the ending.
April 5, 2020
Absolutely fabulous read. I loved the new take on the Romanovs' Amber Room mystery, loved the development of the main characters and was again amazed at Eastland's level of familiarity with the smallest details of the history and culture of the period. Some of the was scenes depicting the character of Stefanov and what he goes through in the front against the Germans were truly masterful, touching and engrossing. I felt like I was right there with him. There was no sensationalism or sentimentality, the realism of the description and the quiet tone actually made these scenes much more powerful. I could experience the horror of the fear and utter loneliness, the loss and dissociation. Wonderfully written, doesn't fall far from some of the best classic was novels such as Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front and others. Went right on to the next novel in the series. I'm so thankful for Eastland for providing the best Corona-time read possible.
March 6, 2013
I have read all of the Inspector Pekkala books, and I have enjoyed them all! When is the next one coming out?
February 6, 2018
The Red Moth is the fourth in Sam Eastland’s imaginative and singular Inspector Pekkala series featuring the uncanny Pekkala who began as the Tsar’s “Emerald Eye” and is now Stalin’s chief investigator, holder of the “Shadow Pass” that allows him access to anyone and everywhere so long as he remains in Stalin’s favor. After years in the Gulag, he does his best to do his job for Stalin while remaining his own man.
In this installment of the series, a plane is shot down with a mysterious cargo, a painting that doesn’t seem worthy of the lives it cost. Stalin tells Pekkala to figure it out and sure enough, he discovers a hidden meaning, one that suggests Hitler’s advancing army might be trying to rob the Soviet Union of one of its most valuable and irreplaceable treasures, the Amber Room that readers may remember from earlier books. Foiling their plans would require going behind the front line, passing among the Germans.
Meanwhile, back in Moscow his assistant Kirov is working to solve the murder of a man who was supposed to go with them, an old friend from Pekkala’s academy days.
I enjoyed The Red Moth as much as I hoped I would. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the three books that precede it, “The Eye of the Tsar,” “Shadow Pass,” and “Archive 17.” Every book gives us a little more information from Pekkala’s past.
In this book, the mystery is less complex, but the jeopardy is more immediate. The Germans are advancing with alarming speed and the Soviet Army in retreat is absolute in its determination to leave them nothing. I liked that Kirov came a bit out of Pekkala’s shadow, working his own case, maybe finding romance. The ending of this book leaves us with a new mystery, one that makes me eager to read the next as soon as I can.
I like how Eastland creates this powerful sense of time and place. When it’s cold and wet and miserable, you can almost feel it in your bones. The menace of working for a tyrant like Stalin and living in a society where everyone may be ready to inform on you for something, where you never know how your secrets and your past can be used against you–the arbitrary and ever-present danger is almost suffocating and he makes it all real.
I received an Advance Reading Copy of The Red Moth from the publisher through a LibraryThing drawing.
The Red Moth at Faber & Faber and at Powell’s
Inspector Pekkala web site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
In this installment of the series, a plane is shot down with a mysterious cargo, a painting that doesn’t seem worthy of the lives it cost. Stalin tells Pekkala to figure it out and sure enough, he discovers a hidden meaning, one that suggests Hitler’s advancing army might be trying to rob the Soviet Union of one of its most valuable and irreplaceable treasures, the Amber Room that readers may remember from earlier books. Foiling their plans would require going behind the front line, passing among the Germans.
Meanwhile, back in Moscow his assistant Kirov is working to solve the murder of a man who was supposed to go with them, an old friend from Pekkala’s academy days.
I enjoyed The Red Moth as much as I hoped I would. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the three books that precede it, “The Eye of the Tsar,” “Shadow Pass,” and “Archive 17.” Every book gives us a little more information from Pekkala’s past.
In this book, the mystery is less complex, but the jeopardy is more immediate. The Germans are advancing with alarming speed and the Soviet Army in retreat is absolute in its determination to leave them nothing. I liked that Kirov came a bit out of Pekkala’s shadow, working his own case, maybe finding romance. The ending of this book leaves us with a new mystery, one that makes me eager to read the next as soon as I can.
I like how Eastland creates this powerful sense of time and place. When it’s cold and wet and miserable, you can almost feel it in your bones. The menace of working for a tyrant like Stalin and living in a society where everyone may be ready to inform on you for something, where you never know how your secrets and your past can be used against you–the arbitrary and ever-present danger is almost suffocating and he makes it all real.
I received an Advance Reading Copy of The Red Moth from the publisher through a LibraryThing drawing.
The Red Moth at Faber & Faber and at Powell’s
Inspector Pekkala web site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
April 17, 2017
Once again the Pekkala series provided another exciting read. For the first time the book hasn't been wrapped up and has ended with a cliff hanger; making you eager to pick up and start reading the next instalment.
This wasn't my favourite in the series (Siberian Red) but I'd say it was a very close 2nd. Very good from start to finish, with a few twists along the way!
This wasn't my favourite in the series (Siberian Red) but I'd say it was a very close 2nd. Very good from start to finish, with a few twists along the way!
September 9, 2020
4 STARS
November 12, 2017
Sam Eastland's Inspector Pekkala novels have been among my favorite historical mystery series since the first book, Eye of the Red Tsar. The books' setting of Stalinist Russia tends to be cold, bleak, and brutal (in other words quite truthful) so I don't read them like potato chips. No, these books I hoard, pulling one out to savor every so often. I don't even read the synopsis; I just pull the next book in the series from the shelf, open it, and begin to read. Opening The Red Moth was like sitting down to a banquet prepared just for me: a setting I can see and touch and hear and taste, a strong, memorable main character, a fast-paced "how's-he-going-to-do-it?" story, and a treasure that I've always hoped would be found.
The indomitable Pekkala is a Finn who-- you would think-- would not be employed by Stalin at all for he first came to be known as the Eye of the Tsar, Nicholas II's private investigator. For that particular crime, Pekkala spent nine years in Siberia doing a solitary job that killed everyone else who did it in six months or less. But regardless of his history, Stalin recognizes the man's worth. Pekkala has always been the one man who can never be bribed or bought or threatened. As his assistant Kirov says, "Sometimes I think the reason Stalin gives you the worst assignments is not only because no one else can solve them, but because nobody else could survive them."
While Kirov is kept in Moscow to solve a mystery there, Pekkala joins forces with Stefanov the Soviet anti-aircraft gunner, and cryptoanalyst Lt. Churikova in Tsarskoye Selo to keep the fabled Amber Room out of Nazi hands. The two-headed approach is a good one because those readers who have been following the series need to know if Kirov can actually solve crimes or if he's just been riding Pekkala's coattails the entire time. And Pekkala trying to keep seven tons of amber worth ten times its weight in gold out of the hands of the worst art thieves the world has ever known? Ah, the part of me who loves Indiana Jones savored every twist and turn of the adventure.
The first three books in Sam Eastland's series were published in the U.S., but to go further you may find yourself tracking down the U.K. editions (which isn't difficult). Believe me, they are well worth it for their fantastic sense of place, for Pekkala the man of granite, and for the stories. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you definitely need to give these a try.
The indomitable Pekkala is a Finn who-- you would think-- would not be employed by Stalin at all for he first came to be known as the Eye of the Tsar, Nicholas II's private investigator. For that particular crime, Pekkala spent nine years in Siberia doing a solitary job that killed everyone else who did it in six months or less. But regardless of his history, Stalin recognizes the man's worth. Pekkala has always been the one man who can never be bribed or bought or threatened. As his assistant Kirov says, "Sometimes I think the reason Stalin gives you the worst assignments is not only because no one else can solve them, but because nobody else could survive them."
While Kirov is kept in Moscow to solve a mystery there, Pekkala joins forces with Stefanov the Soviet anti-aircraft gunner, and cryptoanalyst Lt. Churikova in Tsarskoye Selo to keep the fabled Amber Room out of Nazi hands. The two-headed approach is a good one because those readers who have been following the series need to know if Kirov can actually solve crimes or if he's just been riding Pekkala's coattails the entire time. And Pekkala trying to keep seven tons of amber worth ten times its weight in gold out of the hands of the worst art thieves the world has ever known? Ah, the part of me who loves Indiana Jones savored every twist and turn of the adventure.
The first three books in Sam Eastland's series were published in the U.S., but to go further you may find yourself tracking down the U.K. editions (which isn't difficult). Believe me, they are well worth it for their fantastic sense of place, for Pekkala the man of granite, and for the stories. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you definitely need to give these a try.
February 24, 2015
Sam Eastland does a good job at intertwining Russian facts and history into the fictional story, which he always clarifies fact from fiction at the end. As my friends all know, I am a big fan of Russian history, specifically this time period. I really enjoyed the first three books in the series but I did not think this was as good as the others for majority of the book. Eastland does well with intrigue, throwing curve balls into the story line which is always appreciated. There's nothing worse in a mystery than being able to figure out the end result halfway through the book. One thing was different about this book compared to the others though. Cliff hanger at the end. The other three books all wrapped up completely at the end. While I may or may not have been originally interested in reading the next book in the series because I felt it was losing its luster, this completely changed my mind. The next book is already checked out and sitting on my coffee table!
May 2, 2022
This one is good for anyone who hasn't read the series before (or like me took a gap before coming back) it has enough background to enjoy the story. I love the historical details-the food, the clothes, you get a sense of the people living in the genesis of the Soviet Empire. If you want to understand the Russian people from that period, it's a good way to introduce yourself. The book is definitely character driven; the plot is interesting, but leisurely, even though there's the tension of living in a totalitarian regime. Part of that is knowing the main character is safe because it's a series. At the same time, anything can happen to any of the other characters in this environment. The writing is straight-forward, but there are also some lovely lyrical passages. This one had a cliff hanger ending so I'm glad I don't have to wait long to figure out what happens next.
January 22, 2021
I stumbled upon the Inspector Pekkala series of books while at my local library about two years ago. Inspector Pekkala has become a favorite friend that I visit every six months or so. I always enjoy reading his exploits. The Red Moth didn't disappoint.
If you like mystery novels that blend fictional characters with historical figures, I recommend the series. The books jump back and forth in time, between Pekkala's service to Tsar Nicholas and Stalin. Historical and cultural references abound. And in the case of The Red Moth, the Amber Room plays an important role.
If you like mystery novels that blend fictional characters with historical figures, I recommend the series. The books jump back and forth in time, between Pekkala's service to Tsar Nicholas and Stalin. Historical and cultural references abound. And in the case of The Red Moth, the Amber Room plays an important role.
January 28, 2025
Another good story - read a paper book this time and missed the narrator Steven Pacey who tells the tales so well. Never as good as the first but still interesting and will keep going with the series. Interesting vignettes of historical setting and events.
(Note to remind me what read and whether liked.)
(Note to remind me what read and whether liked.)
January 3, 2023
Really enjoying this series by Sam Eastland and seeing the characters develop with each story. Made convincing by detailed, researched locations and well thought out story lines. I very much look forward to reading the next book.
August 20, 2020
This series does not disappoint
March 1, 2023
A to jsem nešla jsem větu po větě.
s. 168 Pochybuju, že by Pekkala označil svého otce za "funebráka".
Ale chtít jemné odstíny od někoho, kdo je sotva půl kroku před překladačem Googlu by bylo pošetilé. Nicméně: Babetka ti očka vyškrááááábe!
s. 46 - chybí věta ze s. 45 Valentina did not look at him or speak.
s. 46 "A jste..." (...)
"Šťastni," napověděl Kirov.
"Šťastni (...) Mám z vás radost."
s. 46 "And you are..."
"Happy," prompted Kirov.
"Happy. (...) I´m happy for you."
Myslím si, že překlad by měl být:
"A vy jste..."
"Šťastný."
Kdyby se to týkalo Kirova a Elizavety, tak by snad stačila prostá věta oznamovací.
s. 111 z nichž některé váží dvakrát tolik co dospělý muž a jiné člověku sahají jen do pasu
s. 116 some about twice the height of a man and others which would come up to your waist
(Je zjevné, že význam slova "height" zná: s. 120 dvojnásobné výšce člověka, s. 126 twice the height of a man)
s. 114 co se z mapy dozvěděl
s. 119 what them had learned ABOUT the map
s. 128 A bylo třeba ochránit obří sochy, které nešlo převážet. A tak inženýři vytvořili pomocí výbušnin v zahradě krátery, do nichž vše zahrabali. Byl to náročný úkol a desítky obrazů, váz a nábytek tam nakonec byly TAKTO ponechány.
s. 136 Huge statues had to be protected. They couldn´t be moved, so engineers blasted craters in the palace ground and buried them. It was monumental task, but, in the end, dozen of paitings, priceless vases and entire rooms of furniture were left behind.
Podle překladatele zakopali obrazy, vázy a nábytek na zahradě? IMHO část prostě nechali v paláci.
s. 132 Chybí věty ze s. 140, 141
Semykin and I had taken the opportunity to view the palace collections for ourselves. Than was when we ran into the man I charge of the German delegation.
s. 143 Když odtamtud kurátoři odváželi Jantarovou komnatu
s. 15 when the curators were packing up the art work
Tvrdohlavě překládá "Ah" jako "Aha". Což mění význam vět. (s. 178/190 a 254/268)
s. 249 ležely plátky syrového rajčete, kus sušené ryby...
s. 264 lay a slice of raw potato, a piece of dried fish
Chápu, že syrová brambůrka není žádná delikatesa, ale během války se to snese. Ale "překladatel", který neumí přeložit "potato" je na pováženou.
Máme chutí na vybranou. A taky máme různé hodnosti. Přeložit "Lieutenant" i "Sergeant" jako "poručice"? (s. 130/138, 253/268 atd.)
s. 265 že může kdykoliv obdržet hodinovou výpověď a přijít o domov
s. 281 might be given half an hour´s notice to leave his home
Minimálně jednou musel číst druhý a třetí díl, takže by to měl pochopit. Pekkala se netají tím, že každou chvíli čeká, že ho Stalin nechá zatknout.
s. 15 Když byl Pekkala jedné mrazivé noci po revoluci na rusko-finské hranici zatčen.
s. 12 At the time of Pekkala´s arrest one freezing winter night in 1917 on the Russo-Finnish border.
Chvíli jsem přemýšlela, jaká že to revoluce byla na rusko-finské hranici.
s. 30 [Poskrebyšev] Otevřel dveře a pokynul Pekkalovi, ať vstoupí. Jakmile Pekkala vešel do místnosti, Poskrybyšev za sebou dveře zavřel.
s. 29 He swung the door open, nodded for Pekkala to enter. As soon as Pekkala had walked into the room, Poskrebychev shut the door behind him.
s. 32 postavil vlastní kremační pec
s. 31 had built a crematory oven
Vskutku vlastní?
s. 32 mu dala chleba
s. 31 given him a sandwich
s. 33 abych zhodnotil tento obraz
s. 32 to admire your painting
s. 33 Zeptal se ho na to někdo?
s. 33 Did anybody ask them?
s. 33 nicneříkající slabiky
s. 33 unfamiliar syllables
s. 45 v pátek večer ... taková večeře
s. 44 on Friday afternoon ... this food
s. 51 "Hello" je sice "ahoj", ale že by Pekkala nakráčel do vězení a zahlaholil "Ahoj, Valeriji?" (s. 51)
Prostě nee.
s. 56 "Jak jste se vlastně dostal do nepřízně toho muže?"
s. 56 "How exactly did you get on the wrong side of this man?"
s. 58 vyhrkl
s. 59 blustered
s. 68 kde žil sám inspektor Smaragdové oko
s. 69 where the Emerald Eye himself had lived
Řekla bych, že "inspektor Smaragdové oko" není v žádném díle originálu.
s. 73 Ve kterém Smaragdové oko údajně žilo... Hm.
s. 77 zavrčel
s. 79 muttered
s. 80 opasek se zbraní hodil na věšák.
Vskutku hodil? Na s. 104 ho "dával na věšák" (hung it on a coat peg - s. 108)
s. 82 hung it on the coat hook
s. 84 "To jsem já," přikývl major.
s. 86 "That would be me," admitted the Major.
s. 84 "Tady jste potřeba taky," oznámil jí Kirov. "Úřad pro zvláštní vyšetřování."
s. 86 "You are needed here as well," Kirov informed her, "BY Bureau of Special Operations."
s. 103 Cože jste to právě řekl?
s. 107 What are you talking about?
s. 106 "Nezahlédl jste snad další z těch hotelových židlí!"
s. 110 "You haven´t spotted another one of those hotel chairs, have you?"
s. 113 "Slezte dolů..."
s. 119 "Come down here and..."
s. 121 rukojeti nůžek a připomínaly dřevěného králíka
s. 128 the nadles of the shears poked like the ears of a wooden rabbit
s. 127 čekali v Poskrebyševově kanceláři
s. 135 waited in the outer office
s. 129 "Co se s nimi tedy stalo?"
s. 137 "So what did they do instead?"
s. 129 který potom zakryjí
s. 137 which were then papered over
s. 130 vysvětlovala zaujatě poručice Čurikovová
s. 138 explained Churikova
s. 131 napínala ho Čuriková
s. 139 said Churikova
s. 104 "A kdy se předpokládá, že vstoupí do města?"
"Nezdá se,"
s. 108 "When they are expected to enter the city?"
"They aren’t,"
s. 133 Při představě další návštěvy v Lubjance zalilo Pekkalovu mysl cosi podobného statické elektřině.
s. 142 The thought of another visit to Lubyanka sent a jolt of dread crackling like static elektricity across Pekkala´s mind.
s. 135 položil ruku na rameno
s. 145 touched on the arm
s. 138 Přemýšlel jste, co se stane, jestli Němci dobudou Moskvu?
s. 148 Have you considered what might happen to you if the Germans reach Moscow?
s. 143 Jako by chtěl ukázal hmyz lapený ve své krvi
s. 152 as if to show the insect embedded in his flesh
s. 169 shrnula svůj dojem E
s. 180 said E
s. 178 osud
s. 190 odds
s. 191 zážitek vzbuzující pokoru
byl v pravdě ponižující, s pokorou to nemělo co dělat
s. 203 a humbling experience
s. 200 Gratuluju, chlapi
Congratulations, boys.
Tady mělo být "chlapci", už z logiky věci.
s. 206 "Příteli?"
s. 219 "Kovalesky?"
s. 207 ječel Pekkala
s. 220 yelled Pekkala
Pekkala prostě neječí. Ne, ne a ne.
s. 207 "Může někdo zavolat policii?"
s. 220 "Will somebody find the police?"
s. 220 zaťukal prstem
s. 234 rapped a knucle
s. 220 Když jsme mluvili o Jelizavetě
s. 235 About Elizaveta
s. 222 Kirov se nevrátil do ticha své kanceláře. Místo toho se vydal přímo do práce.
s. 236 Rather than return to the silence of his office, Kirov went straight to work.
Není tím míněno, že se "dal do práce"? Kdyby se vydal přímo do práce, tak by skončil v kanceláři, ne?
s. 249 "Ha! Co vás ke mně přivádí?"
s. 264 "Ah. What have you brought me now?"
s. 284 ty výtvarné skvosty
s. 301 the art works
Ještě o pár řádků výš a na s. 316: art works=umělecká díla. Kde přišel na to, že jde pouze o díla výtvarná?
s. 377 10 km south of Leningrad
s. 354 10 kilometrů od Leningradu
s. 304 "Tohle přání vám možná můžu splnit."
s. 323 "Perhaps we can grant you that wish."
s. 308 než se dostanou k Engelovi
s. 327 before she gets to Engel
s. 314 ve třech samostatných polních kuchyních se vaří voda
s. 333 water is boiling on three separate field-kitchen stove
s. 317 A jestli mám aspoň trochu štěstí, jsou ti jezdci už daleko od Carského sela
s. 336 With any luck, those riders are already far from Tsarskoye Selo
s. 326 Tato koryta či odtoky patřily k charakteristickým rysům zdejší krajiny
s. 346 These stream beds, known as Rachels, were a common feature of the landscape.
s. 327 Step nad nimi zvučela, jako by napodobovala tekoucí vodu.
s. 347 Above them, the steppe grass rustled with a sound like running water.
s. 327 ale tím bychom se připravili o sebemenší naději, že je zastihneme nepřipravené
s. 347 but that would give away any hope of surprise
s. 334 obořil se na něj
s. 355 he asked
s. 360 under 400 degrees Fahrenheit
s. 339 nižší než 200 stupňů Celsia
Když už má touhu převádět, tak 400 F = 204,4 C. I když chápu, že "nižší než 204 stupňů Celsia" by tak nevyznělo.
Tykání/vykání
s. 41 Ty jsi-
Odkdy Pekkala Kirovi tyká? Ani v sedmém díle nee. I tady mu už v další větě vyká.
Na s. 91 dokonce Pekkalovi tyká i Valentina. To jsou mi věci.
Tady by se daly přimhouřit oči, ale kouzlo je pryč :-/
s. 35 Teď zpátky do Kremlu
s. 34 Now take us back to the Kremlin.
s. 42 Nakonec mě posadili na vlak na Sibiř
s. 41 finnaly they put me on another train, but this one was heading to Siberia
s. 97 To je pravda,
s. 96 That would be correct.
s. 63 Jenom jsem si to půjčil
s. 63 Borrowed it
s. 66 ale zažít bych to nechtěl
s. 67 but I doubt I would have wanted to
s. 138 Další konzultace?
Back for another consultation?
s. 155 "Proč to udělal?"
s. 165 "Why would he do that?"
s. 230 "To sedí."
s. 245 "That is correct."
Není daleko doba, kdy nám Pekkala bude vykřikovat věty typu: "To je v cajku, kámo."
s. 231 "Ne, ještě je se mnou jeden člověk. Je to žena."
s. 245 "No. One other. A woman."
s. 300 "Už zase?"
s. 319 "Not again!"
s. 341 "Víš, co potřebuješ udělat? Potřebuješ pirožky."
"Pirožky?"
s. 362 "What you need to do is make piroshky."
"Pastries?"
s. 168 Pochybuju, že by Pekkala označil svého otce za "funebráka".
Ale chtít jemné odstíny od někoho, kdo je sotva půl kroku před překladačem Googlu by bylo pošetilé. Nicméně: Babetka ti očka vyškrááááábe!
s. 46 - chybí věta ze s. 45 Valentina did not look at him or speak.
s. 46 "A jste..." (...)
"Šťastni," napověděl Kirov.
"Šťastni (...) Mám z vás radost."
s. 46 "And you are..."
"Happy," prompted Kirov.
"Happy. (...) I´m happy for you."
Myslím si, že překlad by měl být:
"A vy jste..."
"Šťastný."
Kdyby se to týkalo Kirova a Elizavety, tak by snad stačila prostá věta oznamovací.
s. 111 z nichž některé váží dvakrát tolik co dospělý muž a jiné člověku sahají jen do pasu
s. 116 some about twice the height of a man and others which would come up to your waist
(Je zjevné, že význam slova "height" zná: s. 120 dvojnásobné výšce člověka, s. 126 twice the height of a man)
s. 114 co se z mapy dozvěděl
s. 119 what them had learned ABOUT the map
s. 128 A bylo třeba ochránit obří sochy, které nešlo převážet. A tak inženýři vytvořili pomocí výbušnin v zahradě krátery, do nichž vše zahrabali. Byl to náročný úkol a desítky obrazů, váz a nábytek tam nakonec byly TAKTO ponechány.
s. 136 Huge statues had to be protected. They couldn´t be moved, so engineers blasted craters in the palace ground and buried them. It was monumental task, but, in the end, dozen of paitings, priceless vases and entire rooms of furniture were left behind.
Podle překladatele zakopali obrazy, vázy a nábytek na zahradě? IMHO část prostě nechali v paláci.
s. 132 Chybí věty ze s. 140, 141
Semykin and I had taken the opportunity to view the palace collections for ourselves. Than was when we ran into the man I charge of the German delegation.
s. 143 Když odtamtud kurátoři odváželi Jantarovou komnatu
s. 15 when the curators were packing up the art work
Tvrdohlavě překládá "Ah" jako "Aha". Což mění význam vět. (s. 178/190 a 254/268)
s. 249 ležely plátky syrového rajčete, kus sušené ryby...
s. 264 lay a slice of raw potato, a piece of dried fish
Chápu, že syrová brambůrka není žádná delikatesa, ale během války se to snese. Ale "překladatel", který neumí přeložit "potato" je na pováženou.
Máme chutí na vybranou. A taky máme různé hodnosti. Přeložit "Lieutenant" i "Sergeant" jako "poručice"? (s. 130/138, 253/268 atd.)
s. 265 že může kdykoliv obdržet hodinovou výpověď a přijít o domov
s. 281 might be given half an hour´s notice to leave his home
Minimálně jednou musel číst druhý a třetí díl, takže by to měl pochopit. Pekkala se netají tím, že každou chvíli čeká, že ho Stalin nechá zatknout.
s. 15 Když byl Pekkala jedné mrazivé noci po revoluci na rusko-finské hranici zatčen.
s. 12 At the time of Pekkala´s arrest one freezing winter night in 1917 on the Russo-Finnish border.
Chvíli jsem přemýšlela, jaká že to revoluce byla na rusko-finské hranici.
s. 30 [Poskrebyšev] Otevřel dveře a pokynul Pekkalovi, ať vstoupí. Jakmile Pekkala vešel do místnosti, Poskrybyšev za sebou dveře zavřel.
s. 29 He swung the door open, nodded for Pekkala to enter. As soon as Pekkala had walked into the room, Poskrebychev shut the door behind him.
s. 32 postavil vlastní kremační pec
s. 31 had built a crematory oven
Vskutku vlastní?
s. 32 mu dala chleba
s. 31 given him a sandwich
s. 33 abych zhodnotil tento obraz
s. 32 to admire your painting
s. 33 Zeptal se ho na to někdo?
s. 33 Did anybody ask them?
s. 33 nicneříkající slabiky
s. 33 unfamiliar syllables
s. 45 v pátek večer ... taková večeře
s. 44 on Friday afternoon ... this food
s. 51 "Hello" je sice "ahoj", ale že by Pekkala nakráčel do vězení a zahlaholil "Ahoj, Valeriji?" (s. 51)
Prostě nee.
s. 56 "Jak jste se vlastně dostal do nepřízně toho muže?"
s. 56 "How exactly did you get on the wrong side of this man?"
s. 58 vyhrkl
s. 59 blustered
s. 68 kde žil sám inspektor Smaragdové oko
s. 69 where the Emerald Eye himself had lived
Řekla bych, že "inspektor Smaragdové oko" není v žádném díle originálu.
s. 73 Ve kterém Smaragdové oko údajně žilo... Hm.
s. 77 zavrčel
s. 79 muttered
s. 80 opasek se zbraní hodil na věšák.
Vskutku hodil? Na s. 104 ho "dával na věšák" (hung it on a coat peg - s. 108)
s. 82 hung it on the coat hook
s. 84 "To jsem já," přikývl major.
s. 86 "That would be me," admitted the Major.
s. 84 "Tady jste potřeba taky," oznámil jí Kirov. "Úřad pro zvláštní vyšetřování."
s. 86 "You are needed here as well," Kirov informed her, "BY Bureau of Special Operations."
s. 103 Cože jste to právě řekl?
s. 107 What are you talking about?
s. 106 "Nezahlédl jste snad další z těch hotelových židlí!"
s. 110 "You haven´t spotted another one of those hotel chairs, have you?"
s. 113 "Slezte dolů..."
s. 119 "Come down here and..."
s. 121 rukojeti nůžek a připomínaly dřevěného králíka
s. 128 the nadles of the shears poked like the ears of a wooden rabbit
s. 127 čekali v Poskrebyševově kanceláři
s. 135 waited in the outer office
s. 129 "Co se s nimi tedy stalo?"
s. 137 "So what did they do instead?"
s. 129 který potom zakryjí
s. 137 which were then papered over
s. 130 vysvětlovala zaujatě poručice Čurikovová
s. 138 explained Churikova
s. 131 napínala ho Čuriková
s. 139 said Churikova
s. 104 "A kdy se předpokládá, že vstoupí do města?"
"Nezdá se,"
s. 108 "When they are expected to enter the city?"
"They aren’t,"
s. 133 Při představě další návštěvy v Lubjance zalilo Pekkalovu mysl cosi podobného statické elektřině.
s. 142 The thought of another visit to Lubyanka sent a jolt of dread crackling like static elektricity across Pekkala´s mind.
s. 135 položil ruku na rameno
s. 145 touched on the arm
s. 138 Přemýšlel jste, co se stane, jestli Němci dobudou Moskvu?
s. 148 Have you considered what might happen to you if the Germans reach Moscow?
s. 143 Jako by chtěl ukázal hmyz lapený ve své krvi
s. 152 as if to show the insect embedded in his flesh
s. 169 shrnula svůj dojem E
s. 180 said E
s. 178 osud
s. 190 odds
s. 191 zážitek vzbuzující pokoru
byl v pravdě ponižující, s pokorou to nemělo co dělat
s. 203 a humbling experience
s. 200 Gratuluju, chlapi
Congratulations, boys.
Tady mělo být "chlapci", už z logiky věci.
s. 206 "Příteli?"
s. 219 "Kovalesky?"
s. 207 ječel Pekkala
s. 220 yelled Pekkala
Pekkala prostě neječí. Ne, ne a ne.
s. 207 "Může někdo zavolat policii?"
s. 220 "Will somebody find the police?"
s. 220 zaťukal prstem
s. 234 rapped a knucle
s. 220 Když jsme mluvili o Jelizavetě
s. 235 About Elizaveta
s. 222 Kirov se nevrátil do ticha své kanceláře. Místo toho se vydal přímo do práce.
s. 236 Rather than return to the silence of his office, Kirov went straight to work.
Není tím míněno, že se "dal do práce"? Kdyby se vydal přímo do práce, tak by skončil v kanceláři, ne?
s. 249 "Ha! Co vás ke mně přivádí?"
s. 264 "Ah. What have you brought me now?"
s. 284 ty výtvarné skvosty
s. 301 the art works
Ještě o pár řádků výš a na s. 316: art works=umělecká díla. Kde přišel na to, že jde pouze o díla výtvarná?
s. 377 10 km south of Leningrad
s. 354 10 kilometrů od Leningradu
s. 304 "Tohle přání vám možná můžu splnit."
s. 323 "Perhaps we can grant you that wish."
s. 308 než se dostanou k Engelovi
s. 327 before she gets to Engel
s. 314 ve třech samostatných polních kuchyních se vaří voda
s. 333 water is boiling on three separate field-kitchen stove
s. 317 A jestli mám aspoň trochu štěstí, jsou ti jezdci už daleko od Carského sela
s. 336 With any luck, those riders are already far from Tsarskoye Selo
s. 326 Tato koryta či odtoky patřily k charakteristickým rysům zdejší krajiny
s. 346 These stream beds, known as Rachels, were a common feature of the landscape.
s. 327 Step nad nimi zvučela, jako by napodobovala tekoucí vodu.
s. 347 Above them, the steppe grass rustled with a sound like running water.
s. 327 ale tím bychom se připravili o sebemenší naději, že je zastihneme nepřipravené
s. 347 but that would give away any hope of surprise
s. 334 obořil se na něj
s. 355 he asked
s. 360 under 400 degrees Fahrenheit
s. 339 nižší než 200 stupňů Celsia
Když už má touhu převádět, tak 400 F = 204,4 C. I když chápu, že "nižší než 204 stupňů Celsia" by tak nevyznělo.
Tykání/vykání
s. 41 Ty jsi-
Odkdy Pekkala Kirovi tyká? Ani v sedmém díle nee. I tady mu už v další větě vyká.
Na s. 91 dokonce Pekkalovi tyká i Valentina. To jsou mi věci.
Tady by se daly přimhouřit oči, ale kouzlo je pryč :-/
s. 35 Teď zpátky do Kremlu
s. 34 Now take us back to the Kremlin.
s. 42 Nakonec mě posadili na vlak na Sibiř
s. 41 finnaly they put me on another train, but this one was heading to Siberia
s. 97 To je pravda,
s. 96 That would be correct.
s. 63 Jenom jsem si to půjčil
s. 63 Borrowed it
s. 66 ale zažít bych to nechtěl
s. 67 but I doubt I would have wanted to
s. 138 Další konzultace?
Back for another consultation?
s. 155 "Proč to udělal?"
s. 165 "Why would he do that?"
s. 230 "To sedí."
s. 245 "That is correct."
Není daleko doba, kdy nám Pekkala bude vykřikovat věty typu: "To je v cajku, kámo."
s. 231 "Ne, ještě je se mnou jeden člověk. Je to žena."
s. 245 "No. One other. A woman."
s. 300 "Už zase?"
s. 319 "Not again!"
s. 341 "Víš, co potřebuješ udělat? Potřebuješ pirožky."
"Pirožky?"
s. 362 "What you need to do is make piroshky."
"Pastries?"
April 28, 2021
I've read all the Pekkala books and they've become a comfort read, one of those historical series you know will provide an intriguing plot with tension and suspense, further development of familiar characters, and well researched background: war and invasion, of course, and the dangerous, shadowy world of gulags, secret police, and betrayal. Not that they're lightweight or easy, far from it, as you'd expect from a series set mostly in Russia that has now reached the aftermath of Hitler's invasion in 1941, when the Germans reached within sight of Moscow and just outside Leningrad.
Pekkala has another dangerous mission under orders by Stalin, to discover the significance of a painting and stop whatever plans the Germans have for plundering precious works of Russian art. This while the Red Army is in retreat, steam-rolled by the relentless German war machine.
I love Pekkala, the Emerald Eye, former personal agent of Tsar Nicolas now working, not by choice, for Stalin, and his relationship with assistant Kirov, though they're apart much of this story. The narrative is told from their pov and that of a young Russian soldier with connections to Tsarskoye Selo, summer residence of the Romanovs where Pekkala served the Tsar. Pekkala survived the Revolution and a Siberian labour camp. Can he cross through enemy lines and complete his mission? Not hard to guess the price of failure to fulfil a Stalin order, but he has enemies on the Russian side too.
I raced through the book, needing to know what happened next. The ending is explosive and more a setup for the next book than anything, a slight disappointment but it means I want to read the sequel NOW and at least I don't have to wait.
Pekkala has another dangerous mission under orders by Stalin, to discover the significance of a painting and stop whatever plans the Germans have for plundering precious works of Russian art. This while the Red Army is in retreat, steam-rolled by the relentless German war machine.
I love Pekkala, the Emerald Eye, former personal agent of Tsar Nicolas now working, not by choice, for Stalin, and his relationship with assistant Kirov, though they're apart much of this story. The narrative is told from their pov and that of a young Russian soldier with connections to Tsarskoye Selo, summer residence of the Romanovs where Pekkala served the Tsar. Pekkala survived the Revolution and a Siberian labour camp. Can he cross through enemy lines and complete his mission? Not hard to guess the price of failure to fulfil a Stalin order, but he has enemies on the Russian side too.
I raced through the book, needing to know what happened next. The ending is explosive and more a setup for the next book than anything, a slight disappointment but it means I want to read the sequel NOW and at least I don't have to wait.
October 31, 2020
Roter Schmetterling
Der 4. Band der Inspektor Pekkala Reihe spielt im Sommer 1941. Den sowjetischen Truppen fällt eine ungewöhnliche Zeichnung in die Hände - eine kodierte Karte. Pekalla erhält von Stalin den Befehl hinter den deutschen Linien im ehemaligen Zarskoje Selo - der Sommerresidenz des Zaren - zu ermitteln. Sein Auftrag lautet, einen SS Obersturmbannführer, der für das Requirieren russischer Kunstschätze verantwortlich ist, zu entführen und das legendäre Bernsteinzimmer notfalls zu zerstören. Ein Himmelfahrtskommando, welches Pekalla an bekannte Orte seiner Vergangenheit führt. Zugleich dringen Geheimnisse aus Stalins engsten Umfeld nach außen, hier muss Major Kirow - Pekkalas Assistent - ermitteln, der seinen Chef dieses Mal nicht begleiten darf.
Wieder ist es Sam Eastland gelungen, ein mitreissendes Bild Russlands am Beginn des Krieges zu zeichnen und zwei spannende Handlungsstränge aufzubauen. Während sich Pekkala nach Westen durchschlägt, ermittelt Kirow in Moskau in höchsten Kreisen. Immer wieder ergeben sich überraschende Wendungen und bis zum Schluss liegt Pekkalas Schicksal im Dunkeln.
Das Buch ist flüssig geschrieben, hat keinerlei "Hänger" und hält die Spannung stets aufrecht. Wie schon in den Vorgängern wird viel Interessantes zur Zeitgeschichte mitgeliefert. Aus meiner Sicht ist es empfehlenswert die Bücher chronologisch zu lesen und nicht mittendrin in die Reihe einzusteigen, da mit diesem Wissen vieles im Verhalten der Protagonisten verständlicher ist.
Von mir gibt es 5 Sterne - ich schätze diese Reihe und kann sie nur weiter empfehlen.
Der 4. Band der Inspektor Pekkala Reihe spielt im Sommer 1941. Den sowjetischen Truppen fällt eine ungewöhnliche Zeichnung in die Hände - eine kodierte Karte. Pekalla erhält von Stalin den Befehl hinter den deutschen Linien im ehemaligen Zarskoje Selo - der Sommerresidenz des Zaren - zu ermitteln. Sein Auftrag lautet, einen SS Obersturmbannführer, der für das Requirieren russischer Kunstschätze verantwortlich ist, zu entführen und das legendäre Bernsteinzimmer notfalls zu zerstören. Ein Himmelfahrtskommando, welches Pekalla an bekannte Orte seiner Vergangenheit führt. Zugleich dringen Geheimnisse aus Stalins engsten Umfeld nach außen, hier muss Major Kirow - Pekkalas Assistent - ermitteln, der seinen Chef dieses Mal nicht begleiten darf.
Wieder ist es Sam Eastland gelungen, ein mitreissendes Bild Russlands am Beginn des Krieges zu zeichnen und zwei spannende Handlungsstränge aufzubauen. Während sich Pekkala nach Westen durchschlägt, ermittelt Kirow in Moskau in höchsten Kreisen. Immer wieder ergeben sich überraschende Wendungen und bis zum Schluss liegt Pekkalas Schicksal im Dunkeln.
Das Buch ist flüssig geschrieben, hat keinerlei "Hänger" und hält die Spannung stets aufrecht. Wie schon in den Vorgängern wird viel Interessantes zur Zeitgeschichte mitgeliefert. Aus meiner Sicht ist es empfehlenswert die Bücher chronologisch zu lesen und nicht mittendrin in die Reihe einzusteigen, da mit diesem Wissen vieles im Verhalten der Protagonisten verständlicher ist.
Von mir gibt es 5 Sterne - ich schätze diese Reihe und kann sie nur weiter empfehlen.
February 16, 2018
Inspector Pekkala has been assigned to investigate the real meaning to a painting of a hyalophora cecropia, a red moth. It was found in a downed German scout plane and Stalin wants to know why it is so important.
It is a brutal time in history as Hitler crushes Russian troops while taking over the country. Life has no value to Hitler and his army. The only thing he is focused on is the accumulation of any and all art objects. His Linz Museum will be a world masterpiece, when finished, and will hold all the most prized art in the world.
The red moth is not the prize but it is directly linked to the art treasure that Hitler's army is out for. The question is what is particular artwork that was owned by the tsar that is so important?
I read "The Beast in the Red Forest" in 2016. It was a gift from a friend, and honestly not a book I would see myself reading due to the setting and topic. It is war and it is bloody. Eastland does have scenes of this, but only as it pertains to the plot and the situation. His writing is solid and his characters believable. I figure I will read more in this series. It is interesting that this is book #4 and the first one I read is book #5. Order doesn't matter as each stands alone.
It is a brutal time in history as Hitler crushes Russian troops while taking over the country. Life has no value to Hitler and his army. The only thing he is focused on is the accumulation of any and all art objects. His Linz Museum will be a world masterpiece, when finished, and will hold all the most prized art in the world.
The red moth is not the prize but it is directly linked to the art treasure that Hitler's army is out for. The question is what is particular artwork that was owned by the tsar that is so important?
I read "The Beast in the Red Forest" in 2016. It was a gift from a friend, and honestly not a book I would see myself reading due to the setting and topic. It is war and it is bloody. Eastland does have scenes of this, but only as it pertains to the plot and the situation. His writing is solid and his characters believable. I figure I will read more in this series. It is interesting that this is book #4 and the first one I read is book #5. Order doesn't matter as each stands alone.
January 28, 2018
At first, the setting of this fast-paced wartime thriller seems a little odd. Stalinist Russia is not your typical environment for this sort of book. However, about halfway through the reader sees the pertinence of placing a spy-type war novel in the USSR: its rich Tsarist history provides many beautiful settings as well as fabulous treasures to hunt down and preserve.
I also understand positing the Russians as the moral opponents of the Nazis. However, the author gets into murky ethical territory by setting up Stalin himself as the moral opposite of Hitler. Stalin was a brutal, ruthless murderer of millions, and it made me more than a little uncomfortable that the author portrayed him with no negative nuances. In addition, the "good guys" of Kirov and Pekkala are Soviet secret police thugs. They happen to be upstanding guys, averse to killing and far from using the brutal tactics we know were (are?) common to secret police organizations. That also leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Other than that, this is a fast read, with lots of great action and suspense, and a nice true mystery to go along with it.
I also understand positing the Russians as the moral opponents of the Nazis. However, the author gets into murky ethical territory by setting up Stalin himself as the moral opposite of Hitler. Stalin was a brutal, ruthless murderer of millions, and it made me more than a little uncomfortable that the author portrayed him with no negative nuances. In addition, the "good guys" of Kirov and Pekkala are Soviet secret police thugs. They happen to be upstanding guys, averse to killing and far from using the brutal tactics we know were (are?) common to secret police organizations. That also leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Other than that, this is a fast read, with lots of great action and suspense, and a nice true mystery to go along with it.
May 4, 2018
The Red Moth is the best of the four Inspector Pekkala novels that I've read.
Our hero finds himself behind German lines at the siege of Leningrad. Back in Moscow, a traitor threatens to sabotage his mission.
The Red Moth is a very dark tale and captures the horrors of the Eastern Front in 1941 very well. Stalin, in a sympathetic portrayal of the dictator, plays a big part in the unfolding narrative. Pekkala looks almost vulnerable at times. A gripping story, superbly told.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
Our hero finds himself behind German lines at the siege of Leningrad. Back in Moscow, a traitor threatens to sabotage his mission.
The Red Moth is a very dark tale and captures the horrors of the Eastern Front in 1941 very well. Stalin, in a sympathetic portrayal of the dictator, plays a big part in the unfolding narrative. Pekkala looks almost vulnerable at times. A gripping story, superbly told.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
May 29, 2022
Of all the "Inspectors" kicking around in mystery/thriller/crime land, Inspector Pekkala is in the lead for the toughest, most bewildering of them all. And Sam Eastland (a pseudonym) rates as one of the top erudite, informed, and historically correct authors.
We pick the good Inspector up here, about midway through his literary career. This was a hole I had to fill, an installment I missed in the normal course of events---if anything about Pekkala can approach 'normal'. A fine adventure, plenty of history slipped in, and a promise of more Pekkala to come
(My edition is the first Farber & Ferber trade paperback.)
Recommended.
We pick the good Inspector up here, about midway through his literary career. This was a hole I had to fill, an installment I missed in the normal course of events---if anything about Pekkala can approach 'normal'. A fine adventure, plenty of history slipped in, and a promise of more Pekkala to come
(My edition is the first Farber & Ferber trade paperback.)
Recommended.
April 23, 2018
Interesting mainly for the story of the amber and the timeline of what really happened. Some of the secondary charaters are good (Stefan) but Inspector Pekkala remains inaccessible. The little bit about his experiences in Siberia was intriguing. Quite a risk to include Stalin as a character, surely that is not at all what he was really like.....
I am not inspired to read the other books in this series.
I am not inspired to read the other books in this series.
October 26, 2022
A good book once again. I listened again on audiobook. I’m starting to miss the post revolution Russia of the original book. It’s starting to feel a lot more of a depressing setting despite the knowledge that Russia will beat Nazi Germany. It was a really interesting plot, but I expected it to be a little more twisty than it was. I am enjoying Sam Eastland as a author. I will continue to follow his Pekala series.
March 7, 2024
Every Pekkala novel is a gem, full of twists and turns along the way. The characters are beautifully developed and the atmosphere created by the writer transports the reader back in time. The author depicts Stalin wonderfully too. One to one Stalin comes across as passionate and single minded but the main characters subtly remind us of the consequences of crossing him, not least with references to the death camps. A wonderful series I don't want to end.
March 21, 2018
I was hoping for more from the novel. The story was a little too linear with only a modest amount of intrigue. Eastland's writing style is clipped with no embellishment but in this case a sub plot would have added greatly to the overall project. The pacing was off here as well with the conclusion of the story feeling condensed.
February 20, 2018
Pekkala returns and dives headlong into a mystery involving a painting of a moth, an advancing German army, and some old colleagues. This is a thrilling adventure in World War II Soviet Union.
Free review copy.
Free review copy.
April 29, 2020
I recieved this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and while this is not a book I would normally pick up I did enjoy it. Also, even though this is the fourth book in the series at no point was I confused having not read the first three.
March 19, 2017
This was a solid entry in the series. Pekkala is a very interesting character and his relationship with Stalin makes this series fun to read.
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