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Nadia Tesla #2
The Boy Who Stole from the Dead
The guardian of a boy from the Arctic Circle with a secret that might change the world risks her life to prove he’s innocent of murder in New York City.
Bobby Kungenook, a mysterious seventeen-year-old hockey phenom from the Arctic Circle is accused of murder in New York City. Bobby’s guardian, Nadia Tesla, knows his true identity. If his secret gets out, it could cost him his life. Sports journalist Lauren Ross is in hot pursuit of Bobby’s story. Where did the boy with the blazing speed and magical hands come from? Why has no one heard of him before?
Nadia’s certain the boy is innocent, but the police have a signed confession and an eyewitness. To discover the truth about that night in New York, Nadia must dig into the boy’s past. Her international investigation—in New York, London, and Ukraine—will make her an unwitting pawn in a deadly game and reignite her quest for a priceless treasure, one that could alter mankind forever.
366 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2014
104 people are currently reading
1414 people want to read
About the author
Orest Stelmach
13 books183 followersOrest Stelmach is the Kindle#1 bestselling author of six novels. His Nadia Tesla Series has been optioned for film development and translated into numerous foreign languages. He's a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Orest lives in Weatogue, Connecticut, with his wife and rescue cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
May 5, 2019
I am very much enjoying this Connecticut-New York-Ukraine-Russian (and Alaska)-set Nadia Tesla series. Different settings; unusual but engaging characters. Plenty of twists.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
September 23, 2017
A follow up to the first Tesla book, when Nadia managed to evade Ukrainian criminal gangsters to get her young cousin, star ice-hockey player, into New York under a new identity. This story starts with him imprisoned for murder, and involves a further trip to Ukraine with Nadia trying to evade a group of Russian criminals intent of revenge. Not the crispest plot, but a decent enough thriller
March 11, 2014
Bobby Kungenook, a seventeen-year-old hockey prodigy burdened by secrets he must keep, is accused of—and may have committed—murder. For reasons that are as shocking as they are satisfying when eventually revealed, Bobby refuses to say anything in his own defense. It falls to Nadia Tesla, his savvy cousin and legal guardian, to sort it all out before a dogged reporter does and shares Bobby’s secrets with the world.
So begins a captivating descent into darkness, into a world of Russian oligarchs, aging Soviet apparatchiks, Ukrainian gangsters, and kids stuck in wastelands, struggling to survive. The story hurtles through Alaska, New York City, London, my home state of New Jersey, and Ukraine.
Along the way we learn about what makes Nadia tick—which, given her history, means we also learn about Ukraine, and the thorny relationship between Russia and Ukraine, and what it was like for Nadia to grow up as, yes, an American—but an American with deep ties to a culture that has often been under siege. I loved these parts, as I did learning about Nadia’s lawyer-friend Johnny, and the way Stelmach wove themes of family and forgiveness into the story. I also loved the way my expectations were constantly upended; the shifting meaning of the phrase “stole from the dead”, and the menace those words suggest, had me reading the last half of the novel as fast as I could.
This is the second in the series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone. It’s a suspenseful, intelligent, well-written, multilayered read. Highly recommended.
So begins a captivating descent into darkness, into a world of Russian oligarchs, aging Soviet apparatchiks, Ukrainian gangsters, and kids stuck in wastelands, struggling to survive. The story hurtles through Alaska, New York City, London, my home state of New Jersey, and Ukraine.
Along the way we learn about what makes Nadia tick—which, given her history, means we also learn about Ukraine, and the thorny relationship between Russia and Ukraine, and what it was like for Nadia to grow up as, yes, an American—but an American with deep ties to a culture that has often been under siege. I loved these parts, as I did learning about Nadia’s lawyer-friend Johnny, and the way Stelmach wove themes of family and forgiveness into the story. I also loved the way my expectations were constantly upended; the shifting meaning of the phrase “stole from the dead”, and the menace those words suggest, had me reading the last half of the novel as fast as I could.
This is the second in the series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone. It’s a suspenseful, intelligent, well-written, multilayered read. Highly recommended.
July 10, 2014
Downloaded this to my Kindle unaware of the series status. Having not read book 1, I discovered it's OK, the story is strong enough to stand on it's own.
I was a bit confused in the beginning as "the boy" is referred to by three different names. Once that became clear, a complex internatoinal tale takes off with two very gutsy females leading the way. We begin in America, a murder has been committed and "the boy" has confessed. Nadia, his guardian knows that this can not be. So she sets out to prove his confession counter factual. Instinct tells Lauren, our sleuthing journalist, "the boy" is someone other than who he claims to be. Uncovering these truths proves risky business for these determined ladies. To reveal the truth while keeping some facts hidden becomes quite the shuffle.
From America to the Ukraine to Russia the trust no one tensions build. Events around the Chernobyl nuclear facility and aftermath are stirring.
The time I spent immersed within these pages was rewarded with a rapidly moving, efficiently crafted original offering by very skilled author,
Openly obvious set up at the end for the coming of book 3 and counting. And so I leave it here.
I was a bit confused in the beginning as "the boy" is referred to by three different names. Once that became clear, a complex internatoinal tale takes off with two very gutsy females leading the way. We begin in America, a murder has been committed and "the boy" has confessed. Nadia, his guardian knows that this can not be. So she sets out to prove his confession counter factual. Instinct tells Lauren, our sleuthing journalist, "the boy" is someone other than who he claims to be. Uncovering these truths proves risky business for these determined ladies. To reveal the truth while keeping some facts hidden becomes quite the shuffle.
From America to the Ukraine to Russia the trust no one tensions build. Events around the Chernobyl nuclear facility and aftermath are stirring.
The time I spent immersed within these pages was rewarded with a rapidly moving, efficiently crafted original offering by very skilled author,
Openly obvious set up at the end for the coming of book 3 and counting. And so I leave it here.
August 26, 2021
just as good as the first book in this series and i cant wait to read the next, im really loving this series so far and i also like the writing style of the author. very fast paced, nerve wrecking book !
August 30, 2025
It's been a bit since I read the first two books in this series, but it was easy to fall back into this world and these mysterious characters. The odds felt very much stacked against Nadia and (especially) Bobby. I was so curious to know how the events would unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of story threads running through this one and slowly revealing some tightly kept secrets. Many of the scenes definitely had my hackles up and my anxiety in overdrive. I found the flow and eventual outcome to be quite brilliant. And that ending! Truly a fantastic and well-written story. I can't wait to continue the series.
August 24, 2017
I won this book on Goodreads and didn't know it was the second in a series. I only found out by reading what other people have said.
It is a book that can stand alone as I felt I understood what was going on and didn't feel like I was missing anything by not reading the first book. Bobby Kungenook is a 17-year-old hockey star who escaped from the Ukraine and his guardian/cousin Nadia Tesla helped him escape. The book is about Bobby killing someone and confessing but Nadia and Bobby's lawyer Johnny don't believe him. Nadia then goes on a journey to find out who the victim was and why Bobby would be in the meatpacking District to begin with. This is the start of a journey for Nadia that takes her back to the Ukraine and fighting for her life as she is chased by some of the people she is investigating. The author does a great job with details but gets to the point quickly. It's a fast-paced story where you learn a lot about Ukraine's customs, culture and food while you follow along with all the twists and turns the story takes. There is also a sports reporter, Lauren, who is hell bent on finding out who Bobby really is even though she promised Nadia she would wait a few more months for the full story, which causes Lauren lots of heartache. I would recommend this book.
It is a book that can stand alone as I felt I understood what was going on and didn't feel like I was missing anything by not reading the first book. Bobby Kungenook is a 17-year-old hockey star who escaped from the Ukraine and his guardian/cousin Nadia Tesla helped him escape. The book is about Bobby killing someone and confessing but Nadia and Bobby's lawyer Johnny don't believe him. Nadia then goes on a journey to find out who the victim was and why Bobby would be in the meatpacking District to begin with. This is the start of a journey for Nadia that takes her back to the Ukraine and fighting for her life as she is chased by some of the people she is investigating. The author does a great job with details but gets to the point quickly. It's a fast-paced story where you learn a lot about Ukraine's customs, culture and food while you follow along with all the twists and turns the story takes. There is also a sports reporter, Lauren, who is hell bent on finding out who Bobby really is even though she promised Nadia she would wait a few more months for the full story, which causes Lauren lots of heartache. I would recommend this book.
May 21, 2024
#cookiereads Featuring Wasabi 🐈⬛ The Boy Who Stole From the Dead by Orest Stelmach 🇺🇦
Ukrainian American Nadia Tesla (this is book 2) adopted Bobby Kungnook hockey player phenomenon from Chernobyl. Bobby is living the good life playing hockey but one day he is arrested for murder 😳 It is up to Nadia to prove Bobby’s innocence. 🇺🇦
Furiends this is another fast read and this book takes you all over the world such as Ukraine and London. 🇺🇦
Two out of four paws. #oreststelmach #nadiatesla #ukrainebooks #bookstagram #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #tuxedokitty #tuxedocatsofinstagram #tuxedocatsrule #tuxedomask
Ukrainian American Nadia Tesla (this is book 2) adopted Bobby Kungnook hockey player phenomenon from Chernobyl. Bobby is living the good life playing hockey but one day he is arrested for murder 😳 It is up to Nadia to prove Bobby’s innocence. 🇺🇦
Furiends this is another fast read and this book takes you all over the world such as Ukraine and London. 🇺🇦
Two out of four paws. #oreststelmach #nadiatesla #ukrainebooks #bookstagram #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #tuxedokitty #tuxedocatsofinstagram #tuxedocatsrule #tuxedomask
March 27, 2014
5 stars
**I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
At first I thought this story would go something like this:
There was a boy who was raised by a thief father who taught him how to steal from rich dead people in the graveyard. When his father died, his uncle took him in and changed his identity so he could live a normal life.
Then I was wrong.
Plot Summary:
The story was in New York when young Bobby, a hockey player, was accused of murder of a young business man named Valentine. He went straight to the police station with a screwdriver as a murder weapon and with only one shoe on. Bobby's guardian, Nadia - her cousin, did everything to help with the case of Bobby even if it meant sacrificing her life to reveal the truth of what happened that night. And Jonathan, his lawyer, will do everything as well to free Bobby and to give the woman he adores the peace of mind she deserves. While they're all on a mission, sports journalist Lauren Ross, is also doing her best to open up the secret about Bobby past and his true identity.
This story. It's a work of genius.
This book is an easy, captivating read. It's a masterpiece of Stelmach. And let me just say that I hope every author is like him. This is one of the very few books that I will most definitely treasure and re-read over and over again. He made he researched very well about the natives and places, and he very well read a lot of books before he delicately write this story. The suspense in the first half of the story is just amazing, it kept me reading until I learned of the truth - about Bobby's past life, about his connection with Valentine and about the connection of the locket with Nadia.
Characters:
Bobby Kungenook - also known as Adam Tesla, is a 17 year old boy who came from Chernobyl and lived a life in New York City with his cousin who stands as her legal guardian. He plays hockey and is good at what he's doing. Then one night, he turned himself for murder of Valentine using a screwdriver.
Nadia Tesla - she's Bobby's legal guardian, and one of the very few people who knew about Bobby's real identity. She also runs a forensic security analyst for a business. And for me, she did a very good work uncovering the connection between Bobby and Valentine. Better than the sports journalist.
Johnny Tanner - Bobby's lawyer whose relationship with him and Nadia came from a very long way.
- she's the sports journalist who was promised by Nadia to interview Bobby for her special edition news. But because she's fierce to always be ahead of her game, she didn't wait for June to come and dig up background files to support her story about Bobby. But what she didn't know was that people from Chernobyl will never sell their fellow people not to mention their family. She met a lot of unfortunate experiences along the way but she still didn't gave up even when she was terminated by her boss.
Victor Bodner - the uncle of Iryna, Bobby's supposed girlfriend, who put her in Bobby's life to spy on him. His story with the Teslas has came from a very long way as well. He's the one who's in pursuit of Nadia and Bobby from Chernobyl because of the locket that he believed to hold a very important formula.
The Valentines - so this is where all the story has started. A couple of years ago in Chernobyl, he, his wife and others used to hunt men - criminals in a place where all old vehicles and trucks were dumped. It so happened that Bobby and Eva (his coach's niece) was in that place. When the hunters saw them, they started to run but was cornered by Valentine's wife, they were supposed to run as per the wife's discretion that they're just kids, but Bobby accidentally shoved her and she was off balanced and fell on a water with radio active chemicals. she died five months later. When the senior Valentine was on his deathbed, his son promised him (or maybe not) that he will pursue his mother's killer and will not stop until she was avenged.
The story was really amazing. And I was so pissed off with Lauren and thinking that whatever happened to her, she brought it onto herself. Although maybe she's doing what she's doing because that's what journalists do. But if you're going to think about it, maybe give yourself like up to three. If nothing happens after that then stop digging onto someone's grave or else you'll be digging up your own grave. But I admire Nadia the most, she's better that Lauren when it comes to digging. She went to places and was able to use her charm to people even if it meant lying. She's doing it for her cousin. Lauren is doing it for her career. Although I don't have any idea about the written formula on the book, I assume that that was really important given that it was a formula for 5-Androstenediol.
I hope there's a third book about Nadia and Bobby going to Japan with Johnny. And then I hope Johnny would have the courage to tell Nadia of his feelings.
Also on my blog.
**I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
At first I thought this story would go something like this:
There was a boy who was raised by a thief father who taught him how to steal from rich dead people in the graveyard. When his father died, his uncle took him in and changed his identity so he could live a normal life.
Then I was wrong.
Plot Summary:
The story was in New York when young Bobby, a hockey player, was accused of murder of a young business man named Valentine. He went straight to the police station with a screwdriver as a murder weapon and with only one shoe on. Bobby's guardian, Nadia - her cousin, did everything to help with the case of Bobby even if it meant sacrificing her life to reveal the truth of what happened that night. And Jonathan, his lawyer, will do everything as well to free Bobby and to give the woman he adores the peace of mind she deserves. While they're all on a mission, sports journalist Lauren Ross, is also doing her best to open up the secret about Bobby past and his true identity.
This story. It's a work of genius.
This book is an easy, captivating read. It's a masterpiece of Stelmach. And let me just say that I hope every author is like him. This is one of the very few books that I will most definitely treasure and re-read over and over again. He made he researched very well about the natives and places, and he very well read a lot of books before he delicately write this story. The suspense in the first half of the story is just amazing, it kept me reading until I learned of the truth - about Bobby's past life, about his connection with Valentine and about the connection of the locket with Nadia.
Characters:
Bobby Kungenook - also known as Adam Tesla, is a 17 year old boy who came from Chernobyl and lived a life in New York City with his cousin who stands as her legal guardian. He plays hockey and is good at what he's doing. Then one night, he turned himself for murder of Valentine using a screwdriver.
Nadia Tesla - she's Bobby's legal guardian, and one of the very few people who knew about Bobby's real identity. She also runs a forensic security analyst for a business. And for me, she did a very good work uncovering the connection between Bobby and Valentine. Better than the sports journalist.
Johnny Tanner - Bobby's lawyer whose relationship with him and Nadia came from a very long way.
- she's the sports journalist who was promised by Nadia to interview Bobby for her special edition news. But because she's fierce to always be ahead of her game, she didn't wait for June to come and dig up background files to support her story about Bobby. But what she didn't know was that people from Chernobyl will never sell their fellow people not to mention their family. She met a lot of unfortunate experiences along the way but she still didn't gave up even when she was terminated by her boss.
Victor Bodner - the uncle of Iryna, Bobby's supposed girlfriend, who put her in Bobby's life to spy on him. His story with the Teslas has came from a very long way as well. He's the one who's in pursuit of Nadia and Bobby from Chernobyl because of the locket that he believed to hold a very important formula.
The Valentines - so this is where all the story has started. A couple of years ago in Chernobyl, he, his wife and others used to hunt men - criminals in a place where all old vehicles and trucks were dumped. It so happened that Bobby and Eva (his coach's niece) was in that place. When the hunters saw them, they started to run but was cornered by Valentine's wife, they were supposed to run as per the wife's discretion that they're just kids, but Bobby accidentally shoved her and she was off balanced and fell on a water with radio active chemicals. she died five months later. When the senior Valentine was on his deathbed, his son promised him (or maybe not) that he will pursue his mother's killer and will not stop until she was avenged.
The story was really amazing. And I was so pissed off with Lauren and thinking that whatever happened to her, she brought it onto herself. Although maybe she's doing what she's doing because that's what journalists do. But if you're going to think about it, maybe give yourself like up to three. If nothing happens after that then stop digging onto someone's grave or else you'll be digging up your own grave. But I admire Nadia the most, she's better that Lauren when it comes to digging. She went to places and was able to use her charm to people even if it meant lying. She's doing it for her cousin. Lauren is doing it for her career. Although I don't have any idea about the written formula on the book, I assume that that was really important given that it was a formula for 5-Androstenediol.
I hope there's a third book about Nadia and Bobby going to Japan with Johnny. And then I hope Johnny would have the courage to tell Nadia of his feelings.
"You know what my husband said to me on his deathbed?" Nadia shook her head. "Bury me at Harrods. That way I know you'll visit me at least once a week." Natasha tightened her jaw. "I didn't bury him at Harrods."
Also on my blog.
January 28, 2018
Ahh, it's back. That glorious, edge-of-your-seat tension that makes these books impossible to put down. Orest Stelmach has captured it once again.
Bobby has been accused of murder and is thrown in prison. He confessed to the crime and refuses to talk to Nadia, even though she knows he's innocent. So she heads back to Ukraine to dig into the background of the victim. Meanwhile, a reporter is digging a little too deep into Bobby's background. Throw in a lifelong thief and crime boss trying to get his hands on Bobby's locket and you've got a quality thriller on your hands.
Bobby has been accused of murder and is thrown in prison. He confessed to the crime and refuses to talk to Nadia, even though she knows he's innocent. So she heads back to Ukraine to dig into the background of the victim. Meanwhile, a reporter is digging a little too deep into Bobby's background. Throw in a lifelong thief and crime boss trying to get his hands on Bobby's locket and you've got a quality thriller on your hands.
January 30, 2018
Orest Stelmach is a treasure found and definitely worth keeping. I've read all the books in the Nadia Tesla series, and am eagerly waiting for the next release. His ability to deftly weave history, politics, and the details of nuclear science into a rich background against which his characters and relationships blossom and grow is the work of a talented artist. His plots are complex but believable, and twist and turn enough to keep any adrenaline junkie happy, without compromising the elegance of his prose.
June 9, 2022
Not as good as the first book
There just wasn't any flow to this story. It jumped around a lot and things didn't always tie together. The first book in this series kept me on the edge of my seat; this one I could hardly wait to finish, and not in a good way,
There just wasn't any flow to this story. It jumped around a lot and things didn't always tie together. The first book in this series kept me on the edge of my seat; this one I could hardly wait to finish, and not in a good way,
September 15, 2017
Interesting read and very gripping. Yu always want to know what will happen next with all the characters.
April 2, 2019
Not a crazy an adventure as the first of the series. Still I enjoyed it very much and I look forward to the next one
December 26, 2019
This was a fairly easy read. I enjoyed it more than the first book in this series, situations were a bit more believable.
April 8, 2020
Riverting
This is a story hard to put down and the ending is nothing like you expect. A must read for those interested in mystery. Nothing like your usual mystery
This is a story hard to put down and the ending is nothing like you expect. A must read for those interested in mystery. Nothing like your usual mystery
August 15, 2020
Intrigued
So intense and gripping. I didn't know who to trust or believe. And it hasn't ended yet! Can I take it?
So intense and gripping. I didn't know who to trust or believe. And it hasn't ended yet! Can I take it?
June 18, 2018
Perfect follow up to The Boy From Reactor 4. As with the first book I enjoyed Stelmach's writing style and found myself not able to put the book down!
March 2, 2014
The Boy Who Stole from the Dead by Orest Stelmach is a very highly recommended mystery/thriller and the second book, after 2011's The Boy from Reactor 4, in what will be a three book series.
Reporter, Lauren Ross is up in Alaska trying to investigate seventeen year old hockey sensation Bobby Kungenook's true identity - or at least dig up some background information (or dirt) on him. Once again Nadia Tesla, the guardian of Bobby Kungenook, aka Adam Tesla, needs to save him, but Nadia has bigger problems than Lauren. While Lauren is trying to uncover the truth, Bobby has been arrested for murder.
"The depth of her fear for Bobby surprised Nadia. It shouldn’t have. He was her cousin, not her son, and she’d only known him for a year. But they’d shared a harrowing journey when she’d helped him escape from Chornobyl to New York. The experience had created a bond of such depth that here, in the police station, she wished she could swap places with him. For he was all she had, just as she was all he had." Location 237
Nadia needs to uncover the truth behind the man Bobby is accused of killing and find out what happened. Bobby isn't talking and he's locked up. She knows that for the time being the story about Bobby's past should stay intact. Bobby has a valid birth certificate, and a driver’s license, so the district attorney shouldn't go digging that deep into Bobby's past because he's already in custody. Nadia has no idea what information Bobby is trying to hide from her, but she is sure it is a misguided attempt to protect her from some information.
With help from her friend and attorney, Johnny, and heavily relying on her own intelligence and intuition, Nadia needs to turn to her own skill set to discover some answers - even if those answers send her back to the Ukraine.
While I have been planning to read the first book The Boy from Reactor 4, I haven't had a chance to read it yet. That didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this second book in what will be a three book series. Enough background information is included along with the current story that I had no problem in understanding the salient points concerning what had happened in the first book and how that carried on into the plot in this second novel. The storylines between Lauren, the annoying reporter, and Nadia's search to uncover the truth were nicely balanced. At first it seems that Lauren is the real threat, but soon, as Nadia begins to investigate, the concern shifts to others. There are plenty of suspicious characters and as more questions are raised about what really happened and why, the intrigue and suspense also increase.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for review purposes
Excerpt
oreststelmach.com/boy-who-stole-from-...
Reporter, Lauren Ross is up in Alaska trying to investigate seventeen year old hockey sensation Bobby Kungenook's true identity - or at least dig up some background information (or dirt) on him. Once again Nadia Tesla, the guardian of Bobby Kungenook, aka Adam Tesla, needs to save him, but Nadia has bigger problems than Lauren. While Lauren is trying to uncover the truth, Bobby has been arrested for murder.
"The depth of her fear for Bobby surprised Nadia. It shouldn’t have. He was her cousin, not her son, and she’d only known him for a year. But they’d shared a harrowing journey when she’d helped him escape from Chornobyl to New York. The experience had created a bond of such depth that here, in the police station, she wished she could swap places with him. For he was all she had, just as she was all he had." Location 237
Nadia needs to uncover the truth behind the man Bobby is accused of killing and find out what happened. Bobby isn't talking and he's locked up. She knows that for the time being the story about Bobby's past should stay intact. Bobby has a valid birth certificate, and a driver’s license, so the district attorney shouldn't go digging that deep into Bobby's past because he's already in custody. Nadia has no idea what information Bobby is trying to hide from her, but she is sure it is a misguided attempt to protect her from some information.
With help from her friend and attorney, Johnny, and heavily relying on her own intelligence and intuition, Nadia needs to turn to her own skill set to discover some answers - even if those answers send her back to the Ukraine.
While I have been planning to read the first book The Boy from Reactor 4, I haven't had a chance to read it yet. That didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this second book in what will be a three book series. Enough background information is included along with the current story that I had no problem in understanding the salient points concerning what had happened in the first book and how that carried on into the plot in this second novel. The storylines between Lauren, the annoying reporter, and Nadia's search to uncover the truth were nicely balanced. At first it seems that Lauren is the real threat, but soon, as Nadia begins to investigate, the concern shifts to others. There are plenty of suspicious characters and as more questions are raised about what really happened and why, the intrigue and suspense also increase.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for review purposes
Excerpt
oreststelmach.com/boy-who-stole-from-...
September 16, 2014
The second book in the Nadia Tesla series, THE BOY WHO STOLE FROM THE DEAD starts out in Alaska with a sports journalist Lauren Ross in pursuit of the story of a mysterious young hockey player who seems to have appeared out of nowhere. He's certainly noticeable now though, having been charged with the death of a man in New York City.
From Alaska to New York City, onto Ukraine and other locations, there is a real attempt at pace and tension in THE BOY WHO STOLE FROM THE DEAD. To start out, the plot pushes forward in bursts, unfortunately getting bogged down by back-story which, presumably, harks back to events in the first book. It's a tricky prospect obviously, but, particularly in a thriller, that need to flesh out a lot of details really does slow things down, often at the wrong time. There are also a couple of dangling elements, such as the sports journalist who appears, and then strangely sort of fades away or becomes less of a focus. On the other hand, it was particularly timely to find out some of the background to Russian / Ukraine animosity.
Strangely for something with that much harking back, there were still elements to some of the characters which didn't quite seem to add up. Although I will admit that could be specific to this reader who was really struggling at points - connecting with some of these characters was elusive, and I'm not talking "like" but understand. So many things didn't make a lot of sense, not helped by the fact that I also found myself struggling with some of the dialogue which seemed very formal, stilted even.
To be fair, this could very well be a series that you absolutely must read from the start. The plot here is so intricate that keeping up with it, and working out who is who at the same time was a big undertaking. Have added the first book to the read list though, just to see if things make a bit more sense when you start at the very beginning.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
From Alaska to New York City, onto Ukraine and other locations, there is a real attempt at pace and tension in THE BOY WHO STOLE FROM THE DEAD. To start out, the plot pushes forward in bursts, unfortunately getting bogged down by back-story which, presumably, harks back to events in the first book. It's a tricky prospect obviously, but, particularly in a thriller, that need to flesh out a lot of details really does slow things down, often at the wrong time. There are also a couple of dangling elements, such as the sports journalist who appears, and then strangely sort of fades away or becomes less of a focus. On the other hand, it was particularly timely to find out some of the background to Russian / Ukraine animosity.
Strangely for something with that much harking back, there were still elements to some of the characters which didn't quite seem to add up. Although I will admit that could be specific to this reader who was really struggling at points - connecting with some of these characters was elusive, and I'm not talking "like" but understand. So many things didn't make a lot of sense, not helped by the fact that I also found myself struggling with some of the dialogue which seemed very formal, stilted even.
To be fair, this could very well be a series that you absolutely must read from the start. The plot here is so intricate that keeping up with it, and working out who is who at the same time was a big undertaking. Have added the first book to the read list though, just to see if things make a bit more sense when you start at the very beginning.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
February 27, 2014
I received this book as an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews, check out my blog: http://ageekybookworm.tumblr.com/
The Boy who Stole from the Dead is a suspenseful sequel to the equally page turning The Boy from Reactor 4. I read through the first novel in a matter of a couple days and same with this book. This book picks up very quickly after the first book ends. Adam Tesla now Bobby Kungenook escaped from Ukraine with his cousin now guardian Nadia Tesla and is living in New York City and playing hockey being a normal teenager. But he is arrested for murder and will be charged as an adult as a 17 yr old. Nadia believes he is innocent and starts on her own investigation to find out what happened when he clams up, by traveling first to London then back to Ukraine. Johnny, her friend, and an attorney, is helping out by defending Bobby and conducts his own investigation to help out.
The story includes other points of view, including Lauren, a pushy tv journalist, I found extremely annoying. To me, personally, it’s a sign of a good book when there are characters you can love and ones you can’t stand.
Another thing I loved about this story is the history and culture you learn about Chornobyl and Ukraine. I love reading a book where I can learn something new. And the added bonus of great suspense that keeps you turning pages makes this a fantastic book to read. You don’t have to read the first book to understand what happens in this book, but I’d recommend it just because it is also a great story. Also the open ending leads me to hope that there will be a third novel. I can’t wait!
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The Boy who Stole from the Dead is a suspenseful sequel to the equally page turning The Boy from Reactor 4. I read through the first novel in a matter of a couple days and same with this book. This book picks up very quickly after the first book ends. Adam Tesla now Bobby Kungenook escaped from Ukraine with his cousin now guardian Nadia Tesla and is living in New York City and playing hockey being a normal teenager. But he is arrested for murder and will be charged as an adult as a 17 yr old. Nadia believes he is innocent and starts on her own investigation to find out what happened when he clams up, by traveling first to London then back to Ukraine. Johnny, her friend, and an attorney, is helping out by defending Bobby and conducts his own investigation to help out.
The story includes other points of view, including Lauren, a pushy tv journalist, I found extremely annoying. To me, personally, it’s a sign of a good book when there are characters you can love and ones you can’t stand.
Another thing I loved about this story is the history and culture you learn about Chornobyl and Ukraine. I love reading a book where I can learn something new. And the added bonus of great suspense that keeps you turning pages makes this a fantastic book to read. You don’t have to read the first book to understand what happens in this book, but I’d recommend it just because it is also a great story. Also the open ending leads me to hope that there will be a third novel. I can’t wait!
March 10, 2014
The Boy who Stole from the Dead is well written, engaging and fast paced. This is the second book in the Boy series from Orest Stelmach. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, The Boy from Reactor Four, but I actually liked this book even more. You do not need to read the first book to understand the storyline of this book; in The Boy who Stole from the Dead, you will come to understand the storyline of the first book.
The Boy who Stole from the Dead has well developed characters I grew to understand. I don’t want to give away the story but it centers on a boy originally from the Ukraine, who has a mysterious past and carries around a valuable secret in a locket. The boy is accused of murder in New York and that starts everything in motion. The plot moves with a fast pace across continents, with some unexpected twists. This is not the typical formulaic action mystery novel. Orest Stelmach writes with vivid detail but gets to the point quickly. You will understand the characters’ flaws and motivations. You will root for some, laugh at others and relish the downfall of a few. Plus, the author gives you a deep sense of the customs, food and culture of the Ukrainian people. The Ukraine is a fascinating place. From reading this book I understand the conflict between the native Ukrainians and Russians much better. It is very timely given the historic events unfolding in the Ukraine today.
In summary, it was a fun and engaging book and I learned something along the way: just the kind of novel I enjoy. Now I’m looking forward to the third book in the series. Well-done, Mr. Stelmach.
The Boy who Stole from the Dead has well developed characters I grew to understand. I don’t want to give away the story but it centers on a boy originally from the Ukraine, who has a mysterious past and carries around a valuable secret in a locket. The boy is accused of murder in New York and that starts everything in motion. The plot moves with a fast pace across continents, with some unexpected twists. This is not the typical formulaic action mystery novel. Orest Stelmach writes with vivid detail but gets to the point quickly. You will understand the characters’ flaws and motivations. You will root for some, laugh at others and relish the downfall of a few. Plus, the author gives you a deep sense of the customs, food and culture of the Ukrainian people. The Ukraine is a fascinating place. From reading this book I understand the conflict between the native Ukrainians and Russians much better. It is very timely given the historic events unfolding in the Ukraine today.
In summary, it was a fun and engaging book and I learned something along the way: just the kind of novel I enjoy. Now I’m looking forward to the third book in the series. Well-done, Mr. Stelmach.
September 12, 2014
Kindle/audio
Narrator is fair.
I liked this second in what appears to be a trilogy, with the third book appearing this December. This book could slide to 3.5 stars, but that still means I liked it.
Stelmach has clearly done his research and shares quite a bit of Ukranian and Russian history in his books. Like the first, the chapters are short, but something happens in every one of them, it is an action film waiting to happen. Nadia Tesla is kinda bad-ass, definitely a strong and smart female protagonist. The story, while including interpersonal relationships and as a series, with continuing characters, but it doesn't get bogged down in sentimentality or inane dialogue breaking up the action. I found that refreshing. Another cliff-hanging surprise at the end, I'm looking forward to the next installment of the trilogy, The Boy That Glowed In The Dark.
The editing stinks, so I'm not sure who to blame for a paragraph of phrases with sentences at the end of each. Commas would have been better, and I don't know how often that happens because I think the narrator compensated for it. I only noticed it when I was reading it and it may be something to do with the kindle version. Again in this book an editor should have picked up on a reference to a woman dressing to impress at her husband's funeral when the occasion being spoken of was the step-son's funeral. In the previous book a father's name (not the father just mentioned in this review, another) was written when the passage was clearly speaking of his son. I had to reread those sections several times before I decided it was an error.
Narrator is fair.
I liked this second in what appears to be a trilogy, with the third book appearing this December. This book could slide to 3.5 stars, but that still means I liked it.
Stelmach has clearly done his research and shares quite a bit of Ukranian and Russian history in his books. Like the first, the chapters are short, but something happens in every one of them, it is an action film waiting to happen. Nadia Tesla is kinda bad-ass, definitely a strong and smart female protagonist. The story, while including interpersonal relationships and as a series, with continuing characters, but it doesn't get bogged down in sentimentality or inane dialogue breaking up the action. I found that refreshing. Another cliff-hanging surprise at the end, I'm looking forward to the next installment of the trilogy, The Boy That Glowed In The Dark.
The editing stinks, so I'm not sure who to blame for a paragraph of phrases with sentences at the end of each. Commas would have been better, and I don't know how often that happens because I think the narrator compensated for it. I only noticed it when I was reading it and it may be something to do with the kindle version. Again in this book an editor should have picked up on a reference to a woman dressing to impress at her husband's funeral when the occasion being spoken of was the step-son's funeral. In the previous book a father's name (not the father just mentioned in this review, another) was written when the passage was clearly speaking of his son. I had to reread those sections several times before I decided it was an error.
March 28, 2014
I think the most interesting thing about this book concerns the timing. When I read it theRussia/Crimea/Ukraine situation was still in progress, and the referendum had not yet passed. Now that the referendum has passed, the UN has declared it invalid. The international situation has not improved.
How much do you know about the Ukraine? I knew nothing until reading this novel, but the novel and some subsequent research have increased my knowledge somewhat, especially since the Ukraine has had such a large presence in the news lately.
The Boy Who Stole from the Dead (the Nadia Tesla series, Book 2) continues the story begun in The Boy from Reactor Four. I have not read the first novel in the series, but although I was missing some background, it didn't impact my understanding of this novel.
From the book description:
Bobby Kungenook, a mysterious seventeen-year-old hockey phenom
from the Arctic Circle, is accused of murder in New York City.
Bobby’s guardian, Nadia Tesla, knows his true identity.
If his secret gets out, it could cost him his life....
The book is suspenseful, as Nadia Tesla carries out an international investigation to find evidence that will exonerate Bobby.
Some interesting things mentioned in the novel that I Googled to find out whether or not they existed:
Plast
The Priest's Grotto
The Priest's Grotto and the Holocaust Survivors
Documentary about Survivors
An ARC ebook from Thomas & Mercer. Read in March; rev. scheduled for April.
Suspense/Mystery/Thriller. 2014. Print version: 368 pages.
How much do you know about the Ukraine? I knew nothing until reading this novel, but the novel and some subsequent research have increased my knowledge somewhat, especially since the Ukraine has had such a large presence in the news lately.
The Boy Who Stole from the Dead (the Nadia Tesla series, Book 2) continues the story begun in The Boy from Reactor Four. I have not read the first novel in the series, but although I was missing some background, it didn't impact my understanding of this novel.
From the book description:
Bobby Kungenook, a mysterious seventeen-year-old hockey phenom
from the Arctic Circle, is accused of murder in New York City.
Bobby’s guardian, Nadia Tesla, knows his true identity.
If his secret gets out, it could cost him his life....
The book is suspenseful, as Nadia Tesla carries out an international investigation to find evidence that will exonerate Bobby.
Some interesting things mentioned in the novel that I Googled to find out whether or not they existed:
Plast
The Priest's Grotto
The Priest's Grotto and the Holocaust Survivors
Documentary about Survivors
An ARC ebook from Thomas & Mercer. Read in March; rev. scheduled for April.
Suspense/Mystery/Thriller. 2014. Print version: 368 pages.
May 18, 2014
Unfortunately, I did not read the first book in this series. "The Boy Who Stole From the Dead" is the second book, and it feels like the middle chapters of a long book telling the story of Bobby, a teenaged hockey phenom, and his guardian, Nadia Tesla. Without reading the first book in the series and the third book (not yet published) you will not get the complete story. I think that a standalone book in a series is one that may have continuing characters from prior books, but tells a self contained story. In this book, there are so many references to occurrences in the prior book that they get in the way of the current action. You can either try to ignore the info dump from the first book or you can expend way too much energy trying to make sense of it.
On the positive side, this book has a unique and interesting plot. The suspense and action really pick up in the last third of the book. You also learn a lot about the animosities between Russians and Ukrainians. On the negative side, I thought the storyline of the female sports reporter was pointless. Maybe it was a buildup for the next book. It also looks like the big reveal about the "priceless treasure that could alter mankind forever" that is referred to in the publisher's description will have to wait for the next book. I feel a little mislead by this description. This is a pretty good thriller, but it's only part of the story.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
On the positive side, this book has a unique and interesting plot. The suspense and action really pick up in the last third of the book. You also learn a lot about the animosities between Russians and Ukrainians. On the negative side, I thought the storyline of the female sports reporter was pointless. Maybe it was a buildup for the next book. It also looks like the big reveal about the "priceless treasure that could alter mankind forever" that is referred to in the publisher's description will have to wait for the next book. I feel a little mislead by this description. This is a pretty good thriller, but it's only part of the story.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
September 6, 2016
I think I felt this way about this book because I didn't realize it was the second in this series...
The Boy Who Stole From The Dead
By
Orest Stelmach
My " in a nutshell" summary...
A young hockey star...Bobby...is accused of murdering a man on the street in NYC.
My thoughts after reading this book...
Oh my...what started off good...sort of lost its intensity and its spark for me almost smack dab in the middle of the book. Bobby is accused of murdering Jonathan...a businessman. Bobby's cousin and guardian Nadia believes he didn't do it. There is also a journalist...Lauren...who is trying to find out who this Johnny is...he has had a very mysterious short life.
The book seemed interesting at first...Johnny wouldn't talk...he turned himself in...he has this cousin/guardian worrying about him and hovering over him. It was kind of fun that the book is all over the place...Alaska, London, the Ukraine...but I really kind of just could not get into this book.
And I really wanted to. I wanted to be carried away by the adventure and mystery and I wasn't carried away...sigh.
Final thoughts...
This was a character driven action driven novel...each chapter revealed yet one more piece of this puzzle. I was not caught up in the mystery...it was just a little too weird for me. But...there was a lot of international action so readers who enjoy this kind of writing should enjoy this book.
The Boy Who Stole From The Dead
By
Orest Stelmach
My " in a nutshell" summary...
A young hockey star...Bobby...is accused of murdering a man on the street in NYC.
My thoughts after reading this book...
Oh my...what started off good...sort of lost its intensity and its spark for me almost smack dab in the middle of the book. Bobby is accused of murdering Jonathan...a businessman. Bobby's cousin and guardian Nadia believes he didn't do it. There is also a journalist...Lauren...who is trying to find out who this Johnny is...he has had a very mysterious short life.
The book seemed interesting at first...Johnny wouldn't talk...he turned himself in...he has this cousin/guardian worrying about him and hovering over him. It was kind of fun that the book is all over the place...Alaska, London, the Ukraine...but I really kind of just could not get into this book.
And I really wanted to. I wanted to be carried away by the adventure and mystery and I wasn't carried away...sigh.
Final thoughts...
This was a character driven action driven novel...each chapter revealed yet one more piece of this puzzle. I was not caught up in the mystery...it was just a little too weird for me. But...there was a lot of international action so readers who enjoy this kind of writing should enjoy this book.
June 9, 2016
In The Boy Who Stole From the Dead, we re-enter the world of Nadia Tesla after she has become guardian to her young cousin, now going by the name of Bobby Kungenook.
Bobby is a rising star in high school hockey and has garnered national attention for his talent on the rink. Sports reporter Lauren Ross thinks there is more to Bobby than meets the eye and she is determined to uncover his unknown background.
When Bobby is accused of murder, he refuses to talk to Nadia or her friend and lawyer, Johnny. Bobby has confessed and there is a witness to the crime. Nadia refuses to believe that Bobby is guilty and returns to the Ukraine to uncover more of Bobby's past and find out the truth behind the alleged murder.
Once again, I found myself enjoying the history given between the Ukraine and Russia. If this is not a region you know much about, this series gives you great background on the current conflicts happening between these two countries. I got a much better feel for the characters themselves in this book than I did in the first book. They seem to be slowly coming into focus. The relationship between Nadia and her family members is drawn in a little more and we learn that Johnny has the hots for her. A quick adventurous read!
Bobby is a rising star in high school hockey and has garnered national attention for his talent on the rink. Sports reporter Lauren Ross thinks there is more to Bobby than meets the eye and she is determined to uncover his unknown background.
When Bobby is accused of murder, he refuses to talk to Nadia or her friend and lawyer, Johnny. Bobby has confessed and there is a witness to the crime. Nadia refuses to believe that Bobby is guilty and returns to the Ukraine to uncover more of Bobby's past and find out the truth behind the alleged murder.
Once again, I found myself enjoying the history given between the Ukraine and Russia. If this is not a region you know much about, this series gives you great background on the current conflicts happening between these two countries. I got a much better feel for the characters themselves in this book than I did in the first book. They seem to be slowly coming into focus. The relationship between Nadia and her family members is drawn in a little more and we learn that Johnny has the hots for her. A quick adventurous read!
June 13, 2014
The Boy Who Stole from the Dead by Orestes Stelmach is a very unique book. It is a little difficult to tag. It's about a seventeen year old boy called Bobby Kungecook who is an ice hockey phenom at Forenamed Prep School. His real name is Adam Tesla. His cousin Nadia Tesla is his guardian. Bobby's been accused of murdering a man named Valentine, the son of a Russian mob fgure. Bobby is sent to Rikers Island prison in New York City. He refuses to talk to Nadia or Johnny, his attorney. Laurent Ross is an investigative sports reporter doing a story on Bobby. Trying to figure out who he is. She gets tricked into getting herself in trouble. Canned by the tv station, she continues to investigate upon her own. Meanwhile, Bobby finally breaks down to Johnny only after Johnny tells him Nadia and her brother Mario travel to the Ukraine trying to unravel Valentine s true identity. Nadia's new employer arranges for VIP treatment for her and Mario. See what Nadia discovers, her closeness to death and how she turns Lauren's thinking around in their favor.
Read
April 14, 2014The Boy Who Stole from the Dead,by Orest Stelmach, B-plus, Narrated by Tanya Edy, Produced by Brilliance Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
Bobby Kungenook, a mysterious 17-year-old hockey phenomenon from the Arctic Circle, is accused of murder in New York City. Bobby’s guardian, Nadia Tesla, knows
his true identity. If his secret gets out, it could cost him his life. Sports journalist Lauren Ross is in hot pursuit of Bobby’s story. Where did the
boy with the blazing speed and magical hands come from? Why has no one heard of him before? Nadia is certain the boy is innocent, but the police have a
signed confession and an eyewitness. To discover the truth about that night in New York, Nadia must dig into the boy’s past. Her international investigation
- in New York, London, and Ukraine - will make her an unwitting pawn in a deadly game.The narrator did a very good job. The story was interesting but a little confusing to follow.
Bobby Kungenook, a mysterious 17-year-old hockey phenomenon from the Arctic Circle, is accused of murder in New York City. Bobby’s guardian, Nadia Tesla, knows
his true identity. If his secret gets out, it could cost him his life. Sports journalist Lauren Ross is in hot pursuit of Bobby’s story. Where did the
boy with the blazing speed and magical hands come from? Why has no one heard of him before? Nadia is certain the boy is innocent, but the police have a
signed confession and an eyewitness. To discover the truth about that night in New York, Nadia must dig into the boy’s past. Her international investigation
- in New York, London, and Ukraine - will make her an unwitting pawn in a deadly game.The narrator did a very good job. The story was interesting but a little confusing to follow.
May 14, 2016
Another really great story about Nadia Tesla and Adam. Bobby Kungenook (Adam) is accused of murder in New York City and Nadia must keep his true identity secret while also protecting him from a murder charge. At the same time, Lauren Ross, sports journalist is hot on the trail of who Bobby really is. Where did he come from? Why hasn't anyone heard of him before?
Nadia has to find out the truth behind the murder while also keeping Lauren from the true story of Bobby. Nadia goes from New York City to London to the Ukraine one step ahead of the bad guys while also knowing that Adam's priceless treasure is still out there. Great story, fast paced, a definite page turner.
Make sure you read these four books in this order:
The Altar Girl: A Prequel
The Boy from Reactor 4 (Nadia Tesla, #1)
The Boy Who Stole from the Dead (Nadia Tesla, #2)
The Boy Who Glowed in the Dark (Nadia Tesla, #3)
Nadia has to find out the truth behind the murder while also keeping Lauren from the true story of Bobby. Nadia goes from New York City to London to the Ukraine one step ahead of the bad guys while also knowing that Adam's priceless treasure is still out there. Great story, fast paced, a definite page turner.
Make sure you read these four books in this order:
The Altar Girl: A Prequel
The Boy from Reactor 4 (Nadia Tesla, #1)
The Boy Who Stole from the Dead (Nadia Tesla, #2)
The Boy Who Glowed in the Dark (Nadia Tesla, #3)
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