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Porfiry Rostnikov #12
The Dog Who Bit a Policeman
An international gang war chooses Moscow as its battlefield
Moscow police inspector Porfiry Rostnikov has adapted well to life without Communism. But under the Soviets, blood feuds were pursued in the dark halls of bureaucracy, and now they take place in the streets. An international drug ring has chosen Moscow as its next port of call, and the only thing standing in its way is the budding Russian mob, headed by a young man whose brutality is matched only by his madness. In a gang war of this magnitude, no civilian is safe. As Rostnikov tries to stop an army of two-legged killers, his cohorts at the Moscow police department take on the four-legged variety. Dogfighting in Moscow is big business, and interests in this illegal sport stretch to the highest reaches of their corrupt department. In the new Moscow, death and profit go hand in hand.
Moscow police inspector Porfiry Rostnikov has adapted well to life without Communism. But under the Soviets, blood feuds were pursued in the dark halls of bureaucracy, and now they take place in the streets. An international drug ring has chosen Moscow as its next port of call, and the only thing standing in its way is the budding Russian mob, headed by a young man whose brutality is matched only by his madness. In a gang war of this magnitude, no civilian is safe. As Rostnikov tries to stop an army of two-legged killers, his cohorts at the Moscow police department take on the four-legged variety. Dogfighting in Moscow is big business, and interests in this illegal sport stretch to the highest reaches of their corrupt department. In the new Moscow, death and profit go hand in hand.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1998
147 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Stuart M. Kaminsky
159 books214 followersStuart M. Kaminsky wrote 50 published novels, 5 biographies, 4 textbooks and 35 short stories. He also has screenwriting credits on four produced films including ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, ENEMY TERRITORY, A WOMAN IN THE WIND and HIDDEN FEARS. He was a past president of the Mystery Writers of America and was nominated for six prestigious Edgar Allen Poe Awards including one for his short story “Snow” in 1999. He won an Edgar for his novel A COLD RED SUNRISE, which was also awarded the Prix De Roman D’Aventure of France. He was nominated for both a Shamus Award and a McCavity Readers Choice Award.
Kaminsky wrote several popular series including those featuring Lew Fonesca, Abraham Lieberman, Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, and Toby Peters. He also wrote two original "Rockford Files " novels. He was the 50th annual recipient of the Grandmaster 2006 for Lifetime Achievement from the Mystery Writers of America.
Received the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievement award) in 2007.
His nonfiction books including BASIC FILMMAKING, WRITING FOR TELEVISION, AMERICAN FILM GENRES, and biographies of GARY COOPER, CLINT EASTWOOD, JOHN HUSTON and DON SIEGEL. BEHIND THE MYSTERY was published by Hot House Press in 2005 and nominated by Mystery Writers of America for Best Critical/Biographical book in 2006.
Kaminsky held a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in English from The University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Speech from Northwestern University where he taught for 16 years before becoming a Professor at Florida State. where he headed the Graduate Conservatory in Film and Television Production. He left Florida State in 1994 to pursue full-time writing.
Kaminsky and his wife, Enid Perll, moved to St. Louis, Missouri in March 2009 to await a liver transplant to treat the hepatitis he contracted as an army medic in the late 1950s in France. He suffered a stroke two days after their arrival in St. Louis, which made him ineligible for a transplant. He died on October 9, 2009.
Kaminsky wrote several popular series including those featuring Lew Fonesca, Abraham Lieberman, Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, and Toby Peters. He also wrote two original "Rockford Files " novels. He was the 50th annual recipient of the Grandmaster 2006 for Lifetime Achievement from the Mystery Writers of America.
Received the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievement award) in 2007.
His nonfiction books including BASIC FILMMAKING, WRITING FOR TELEVISION, AMERICAN FILM GENRES, and biographies of GARY COOPER, CLINT EASTWOOD, JOHN HUSTON and DON SIEGEL. BEHIND THE MYSTERY was published by Hot House Press in 2005 and nominated by Mystery Writers of America for Best Critical/Biographical book in 2006.
Kaminsky held a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in English from The University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Speech from Northwestern University where he taught for 16 years before becoming a Professor at Florida State. where he headed the Graduate Conservatory in Film and Television Production. He left Florida State in 1994 to pursue full-time writing.
Kaminsky and his wife, Enid Perll, moved to St. Louis, Missouri in March 2009 to await a liver transplant to treat the hepatitis he contracted as an army medic in the late 1950s in France. He suffered a stroke two days after their arrival in St. Louis, which made him ineligible for a transplant. He died on October 9, 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 11, 2025
Just completed, The Dog Who Bit The Policeman, the best I’ve yet read in series. My 1st read according to my Kindle library, which contains 6 in the series? This obviously is ignoring a distinct recollection of having read at least one in paperback form- sometime in the prior century. Chief Inspector Rostnikov is certainly memorable. His humanity struck a cord, and a hard to forget recollection with me. This particular story takes place 1990, as Russia struggles with its democracy experiment— crime, corruption and degradation soars.
I am a long-time fan of the police procedural. American noir tends more to the private eyes, and the bad guys, see Parker, Bosch being a notable exception. European noir however leans most heavily on the police inspectors and Commissario — see Maigret, Wallander, Dailgliesh, Montalbano, Brunetti, Ricciardi, Rebus, Banks, etc. And Kaminsky’s highly acclaimed long running police procedural series —Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, a Moscow police inspector (spanning 1981-2010) certainly is a must for readers of the police procedural. Next up for me A Cold Red Sunrise, 1989 Edgar Award winner for best novel. I find Rostnikov to be quite unique in the genre -both endearing and enduring. His quixotic views amidst corruption and decay, on both life and homeland, is noble and uplifting to those he encounters, be it gangsters, women and children, or dogs. The inspector’s soul sings out mother Russia. Kaminsky does a remarkable job depicting Russian character and heart through his oddball creation. To the story…
Moscow. “the number of registered weapons in Moscow, whose population hovers at nine million, was over three hundred thousand. Adding in the nonregistered weapons, the police estimated that there was one gun for every three Moscow residents, including babies and babushkas. [not quite up to US #’s I suspect] Also gone to the dogs— “ It was inevitable that enterprising criminals would find a way to reap profits from the wild dogs. First, some small-time dealers in stolen goods had captured the fiercest of the wild dogs and had organized dogfights —The newly rich, government bureaucrats, and a rabid assortment of bored tourists and Muscovites came to the illegal fights and wagered huge sums. The Armenian Mafia took over the original enterprise after persuading the four leading arrangers of such fights to sell out for a very reasonable price. selling out to a group of Muscovites reported to be heavily financed by international investors.”
Police Response. “No one in the Office of Special Investigation had any idea of why the Yak, Director Igor Yaklovev, had taken on the dogfight problem. Sasha Tkach and Elena Timofeyeva had been assigned to track down those who were running the illegal fights. They had dutifully taken on the identities of Kolk and Lyuba, and for several days Sasha had enjoyed the rich life and the four-hundred-dollar-a-night room. Elena would have preferred her own identity. —This pit bull is named Tchaikovsky. He was shipped to Kiev and then shipped here to me. You should have come to see him.” “I prefer cats,” said Elena. “You have the address where they told me to come,” he said, adjusting his hair. “If I am not back by morning …”
Subplot. “Elena was being pursued by Iosef Rostnikov, Inspector Rostnikov’s son — Iosef was smart, handsome, and, in spite of being considered Jewish, looking toward a promising future. Iosef had proposed several times to her — she did not want to come home each night to anything but the emotions she had earned during the day. Still, Iosef was wearing her down…”
Elsewhere. “The naked, rather hairy body of a large man floated facedown in the Moscow River. His massive buttocks rose and bobbed like twin pale balloons. The body was corpse white and bore a tattoo on the left arm which, like the right, drifted outward from the dead man.” The River. “It had grown worse with the fall of the Soviet Union and the chaos that had overrun the city. “Others do it. So, I do it too,” was the often-spoken excuse of those who lived near enough to the river to defile it. There were those who said the river had taken on a new and not pleasant smell. “It has the stink of freedom,” Lydia Tkach had said. —The boat was on the northern bank of the meandering river, directly across from the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moskau. -on the other side of the hotel was St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, and the Kremlin. — “How did you get here, huh?” asked Rostnikov. “Well, my father …” “No, Igor. I was talking to our floating friend.” “He is dead,” “I was told once by a Inuit shaman in Siberia that it is a comfort to the souls of the dead to talk to them before they are taken by the spirits.” “I don’t believe either, but I find it helpful to speak to the dead even if they don’t answer. “What are you doing here? What happened to your clothes? Who are you?” A small undulation raised the body slightly. “Well, I’m sure you’ll talk to Paulinin,” said Rostnikov. “I’m comfortable talking to the dead, but he gets answers.” -Detective Emil Karpo known as “the Vampire” or “the Tatar” by criminals and law-enforcement officers. Karpo had been a completely dedicated Communist who had not overlooked the political system’s many shortcomings but who believed that eventually the system would succeed. The sudden transition from corrupt Communism to corrupt democracy had been difficult for Karpo, Emil Karpo spent all of his waking hours relentlessly pursuing criminals from both the past and the present. The man at his side, Paulinin, was shorter, disheveled, clad in a stained white laboratory coat, and decidedly uncomfortable.” Identification. “Tatar Mafia. The tattoo is theirs.” “A start,” said Rostnikov. “Paulinin?” My guess? He died last night. But …” —“We must turn him over,” said Paulinin. The dead man easily weighed two hundred fifty pounds. Rostnikov managed to grab the dead man under each arm. He took a deep breath and lifted the naked corpse from the water. “Yes,” said Paulinin, touching the man’s chest. “He is talking to me already. He will tell me much more in my laboratory.”
Sasha. “found myself in a big, high-ceilinged room with a wire-fenced square in the middle surrounded by about forty people, all men, standing. Two dogs were inside the wire fence. “‘You know dogs?’ asked Boris. “‘A bit,’ I said. “‘What do you say about these two?’ Two fresh dogs were led into the fenced square. One, tall, black and brown, a Doberman —The second dog, smaller than the Doberman, was, by his look, part terrier, part wolfhound, an odd-looking creature neither thirsting for blood nor afraid. He showed dignity. “‘I’ll take that one,’ I said, pointing at the part wolfhound. “‘Two hundred American dollars,’ “You bet two hundred dollars?” Elena said incredulously. “You needn’t worry. I wound up six hundred dollars ahead for the night.” “I told Boris and his friends that I had a dog I was interested in having fight in Moscow. I told him I had other dogs, all great fighters, in Kiev and that I could send for them. Perhaps we could arrange a cooperative venture.”
Rostnikov meets mafia chief and imparts an instructional tale on importance. “ ‘What do you see?’ asked the god. “‘Beetles,’ said the emperor. “‘Each of these beetles was once an emperor even more powerful than you,’ said the god.” “Is life so meaningless?” “It’s just a myth,” said Shatalov. “Policeman, you are mad.” “I suddenly felt relieved. That I might be insignificant is not to be feared but embraced. It frees us in this life. It demands that we make our own meaning, that we are not above the morality that we must create if life is to have any meaning.” — “Dream,” said Rostnikov, “of miles of twisting pipes in dark walls, or millions of beetles walking slowly on marble floors, their tiny legs scratching in unison. Good morning.”
Karpo. “Humor has no function for me. I was fortunate to be born without the ability to see humor in anything. I recognize irony, as I have just done with your joke, but it does not amuse me. It does not distract me.” “That is unfortunate,” said Rostnikov. “Distraction is my solace.”
A child’s fascination. “Can I touch your leg?” Pulcharia asked. “You may knock upon it if it pleases you.” He looked down at her as she was about to rap at his leg. “The other one,” he said. She nodded and tapped at the leg with her tiny fist. “Is it strong?” she said. “Very. A dog bit it yesterday. He was very disappointed.” Pulcharia laughed.”
Yak clarifies. “our work follows a simple principle. We take one step forward and one step back. We are always in the same place we started. Our hope for success is to plan carefully, taking what we might be able to use, as we step forward and back in a simple two-step.”
Rostnikov’s new acquaintance. “I would value your opinion, dog. What were you before? Who were you before? I doubt if one remembers when one is reincarnated. Rostnikov looked down at the dog who was looking back up at him, his head cocked to the left. No one had ever spoken to him this way before. “The truth is that I don’t believe in reincarnation. Atheism when taught from an early age is a difficult religion from which to escape. Perhaps we’ll talk again, dog.”
And such are the methods of Chief Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov… I encourage you to read the book.
I am a long-time fan of the police procedural. American noir tends more to the private eyes, and the bad guys, see Parker, Bosch being a notable exception. European noir however leans most heavily on the police inspectors and Commissario — see Maigret, Wallander, Dailgliesh, Montalbano, Brunetti, Ricciardi, Rebus, Banks, etc. And Kaminsky’s highly acclaimed long running police procedural series —Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, a Moscow police inspector (spanning 1981-2010) certainly is a must for readers of the police procedural. Next up for me A Cold Red Sunrise, 1989 Edgar Award winner for best novel. I find Rostnikov to be quite unique in the genre -both endearing and enduring. His quixotic views amidst corruption and decay, on both life and homeland, is noble and uplifting to those he encounters, be it gangsters, women and children, or dogs. The inspector’s soul sings out mother Russia. Kaminsky does a remarkable job depicting Russian character and heart through his oddball creation. To the story…
Moscow. “the number of registered weapons in Moscow, whose population hovers at nine million, was over three hundred thousand. Adding in the nonregistered weapons, the police estimated that there was one gun for every three Moscow residents, including babies and babushkas. [not quite up to US #’s I suspect] Also gone to the dogs— “ It was inevitable that enterprising criminals would find a way to reap profits from the wild dogs. First, some small-time dealers in stolen goods had captured the fiercest of the wild dogs and had organized dogfights —The newly rich, government bureaucrats, and a rabid assortment of bored tourists and Muscovites came to the illegal fights and wagered huge sums. The Armenian Mafia took over the original enterprise after persuading the four leading arrangers of such fights to sell out for a very reasonable price. selling out to a group of Muscovites reported to be heavily financed by international investors.”
Police Response. “No one in the Office of Special Investigation had any idea of why the Yak, Director Igor Yaklovev, had taken on the dogfight problem. Sasha Tkach and Elena Timofeyeva had been assigned to track down those who were running the illegal fights. They had dutifully taken on the identities of Kolk and Lyuba, and for several days Sasha had enjoyed the rich life and the four-hundred-dollar-a-night room. Elena would have preferred her own identity. —This pit bull is named Tchaikovsky. He was shipped to Kiev and then shipped here to me. You should have come to see him.” “I prefer cats,” said Elena. “You have the address where they told me to come,” he said, adjusting his hair. “If I am not back by morning …”
Subplot. “Elena was being pursued by Iosef Rostnikov, Inspector Rostnikov’s son — Iosef was smart, handsome, and, in spite of being considered Jewish, looking toward a promising future. Iosef had proposed several times to her — she did not want to come home each night to anything but the emotions she had earned during the day. Still, Iosef was wearing her down…”
Elsewhere. “The naked, rather hairy body of a large man floated facedown in the Moscow River. His massive buttocks rose and bobbed like twin pale balloons. The body was corpse white and bore a tattoo on the left arm which, like the right, drifted outward from the dead man.” The River. “It had grown worse with the fall of the Soviet Union and the chaos that had overrun the city. “Others do it. So, I do it too,” was the often-spoken excuse of those who lived near enough to the river to defile it. There were those who said the river had taken on a new and not pleasant smell. “It has the stink of freedom,” Lydia Tkach had said. —The boat was on the northern bank of the meandering river, directly across from the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moskau. -on the other side of the hotel was St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, and the Kremlin. — “How did you get here, huh?” asked Rostnikov. “Well, my father …” “No, Igor. I was talking to our floating friend.” “He is dead,” “I was told once by a Inuit shaman in Siberia that it is a comfort to the souls of the dead to talk to them before they are taken by the spirits.” “I don’t believe either, but I find it helpful to speak to the dead even if they don’t answer. “What are you doing here? What happened to your clothes? Who are you?” A small undulation raised the body slightly. “Well, I’m sure you’ll talk to Paulinin,” said Rostnikov. “I’m comfortable talking to the dead, but he gets answers.” -Detective Emil Karpo known as “the Vampire” or “the Tatar” by criminals and law-enforcement officers. Karpo had been a completely dedicated Communist who had not overlooked the political system’s many shortcomings but who believed that eventually the system would succeed. The sudden transition from corrupt Communism to corrupt democracy had been difficult for Karpo, Emil Karpo spent all of his waking hours relentlessly pursuing criminals from both the past and the present. The man at his side, Paulinin, was shorter, disheveled, clad in a stained white laboratory coat, and decidedly uncomfortable.” Identification. “Tatar Mafia. The tattoo is theirs.” “A start,” said Rostnikov. “Paulinin?” My guess? He died last night. But …” —“We must turn him over,” said Paulinin. The dead man easily weighed two hundred fifty pounds. Rostnikov managed to grab the dead man under each arm. He took a deep breath and lifted the naked corpse from the water. “Yes,” said Paulinin, touching the man’s chest. “He is talking to me already. He will tell me much more in my laboratory.”
Sasha. “found myself in a big, high-ceilinged room with a wire-fenced square in the middle surrounded by about forty people, all men, standing. Two dogs were inside the wire fence. “‘You know dogs?’ asked Boris. “‘A bit,’ I said. “‘What do you say about these two?’ Two fresh dogs were led into the fenced square. One, tall, black and brown, a Doberman —The second dog, smaller than the Doberman, was, by his look, part terrier, part wolfhound, an odd-looking creature neither thirsting for blood nor afraid. He showed dignity. “‘I’ll take that one,’ I said, pointing at the part wolfhound. “‘Two hundred American dollars,’ “You bet two hundred dollars?” Elena said incredulously. “You needn’t worry. I wound up six hundred dollars ahead for the night.” “I told Boris and his friends that I had a dog I was interested in having fight in Moscow. I told him I had other dogs, all great fighters, in Kiev and that I could send for them. Perhaps we could arrange a cooperative venture.”
Rostnikov meets mafia chief and imparts an instructional tale on importance. “ ‘What do you see?’ asked the god. “‘Beetles,’ said the emperor. “‘Each of these beetles was once an emperor even more powerful than you,’ said the god.” “Is life so meaningless?” “It’s just a myth,” said Shatalov. “Policeman, you are mad.” “I suddenly felt relieved. That I might be insignificant is not to be feared but embraced. It frees us in this life. It demands that we make our own meaning, that we are not above the morality that we must create if life is to have any meaning.” — “Dream,” said Rostnikov, “of miles of twisting pipes in dark walls, or millions of beetles walking slowly on marble floors, their tiny legs scratching in unison. Good morning.”
Karpo. “Humor has no function for me. I was fortunate to be born without the ability to see humor in anything. I recognize irony, as I have just done with your joke, but it does not amuse me. It does not distract me.” “That is unfortunate,” said Rostnikov. “Distraction is my solace.”
A child’s fascination. “Can I touch your leg?” Pulcharia asked. “You may knock upon it if it pleases you.” He looked down at her as she was about to rap at his leg. “The other one,” he said. She nodded and tapped at the leg with her tiny fist. “Is it strong?” she said. “Very. A dog bit it yesterday. He was very disappointed.” Pulcharia laughed.”
Yak clarifies. “our work follows a simple principle. We take one step forward and one step back. We are always in the same place we started. Our hope for success is to plan carefully, taking what we might be able to use, as we step forward and back in a simple two-step.”
Rostnikov’s new acquaintance. “I would value your opinion, dog. What were you before? Who were you before? I doubt if one remembers when one is reincarnated. Rostnikov looked down at the dog who was looking back up at him, his head cocked to the left. No one had ever spoken to him this way before. “The truth is that I don’t believe in reincarnation. Atheism when taught from an early age is a difficult religion from which to escape. Perhaps we’ll talk again, dog.”
And such are the methods of Chief Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov… I encourage you to read the book.
March 19, 2012
Although I had read some books by Stuart Kaminsky in the past few years, I had not read one of his Rostnikov books for over 10 years. I guess I had caught up with the serices when I stopped reading them and fortunately for me, I now have several more to read. This is a great series but probably not for everyone. Kaminsky certainly seems to do a great job of making the reader feel the struggles of the Russian and the Russian police in this series and has allowed for the growth of the many characters through the years. What is also interesting is to see the impact of democracy to Russia and in particular the resulting rise in crime as this books shows. Although the series does have one main character in inspector Rostnikov, the books are really police procedurals with many investigations taking place at one time, most under the direction of Rostnikov. Of course, Kaminsky keeps personal relationships among the characters key as the main backstory through the series.
This books has many different investigations ongoing with the key ones including an undercover investigation by Sasha Tkach and Elena Timofeyeva into an illegal Russian dog fighting events and an investigation into killings among rival Russian mafia membes by Emil Karpo. Rostnikov's son Iosef also helps to locate a Russian politician who becomes involved in a murder.
Kaminsky throughout the series makes reference to Rostnikov's enjoyment of Ed McBain and the 87th precinct books and this series by Kaminsky is certainly another excellent police procedural collection.
This books has many different investigations ongoing with the key ones including an undercover investigation by Sasha Tkach and Elena Timofeyeva into an illegal Russian dog fighting events and an investigation into killings among rival Russian mafia membes by Emil Karpo. Rostnikov's son Iosef also helps to locate a Russian politician who becomes involved in a murder.
Kaminsky throughout the series makes reference to Rostnikov's enjoyment of Ed McBain and the 87th precinct books and this series by Kaminsky is certainly another excellent police procedural collection.
January 12, 2009
This was one of the first Rostnikov mysteries I read. It took me awhile to get into it, as you have to get used to the names. I confess I'm not good with names and that makes this series one where I have to pay more attention to the details. But oh, the pictures Kaminsky paints! The atmosphere in this whole series is one that everyone should witness to be reminded of how much we need to appreciate being Americans and having the freedoms we have. I will re-read this again very soon, as just looking at the cover reminded me of how much I enjoyed it.
May 13, 2017
There's a feeling that this is almost a real Russian book that has been translated, perhaps because it seems so authentic. But if that were the case, the author would surely be locked up by the authorities.
The characters are amazingly likable, even some of the bad ones. The atmosphere is thick with irony and the dialog crisp and enjoyable. Mr. Kaminsky, much like Cruz Smith, brings post communist 1990s Russia right into one's lap.
The characters are amazingly likable, even some of the bad ones. The atmosphere is thick with irony and the dialog crisp and enjoyable. Mr. Kaminsky, much like Cruz Smith, brings post communist 1990s Russia right into one's lap.
March 19, 2024
Probably my favorite of this series so far. Good, strong mysteries, but also some pretty heavy character development. There are still some issues with the author's grasp of Russian language, names, etc. (for example, Zelach's first name is probably Arkady - which is a real Russian name, not Akrady or Akardy, and women's last names usually end in a feminine ending), but his grasp of the atmosphere of post-Soviet Russia seems to be really solid.
August 19, 2018
Great noir crime story. Russia. What history, what despair and what a sense of irony you must have to live there. Set in Moscow, this fascinating thriller is full of corruption, gangsters, mafia but also honour, humour, civility and love. And lots of tidbits about Russia, a country I am fascinated by but wouldn't want to live in, or even visit.
A wonderful cast of characters led by inspector Porfiry Rostnikov, now a one legged man having had his poor bad leg finally amputated.
Several cases going on at once, all intriguing but particularly the dog fight under cover case where two of Rostnikovs agents are in deep. The theme of dog fighting is brutal but written with care and clearly respect for the dogs. It is a very cruel world.
Rostnikov is a highly respected officer, considered a little odd, and a family man of simple, yet excellent taste.
Loved this book.
A wonderful cast of characters led by inspector Porfiry Rostnikov, now a one legged man having had his poor bad leg finally amputated.
Several cases going on at once, all intriguing but particularly the dog fight under cover case where two of Rostnikovs agents are in deep. The theme of dog fighting is brutal but written with care and clearly respect for the dogs. It is a very cruel world.
Rostnikov is a highly respected officer, considered a little odd, and a family man of simple, yet excellent taste.
Loved this book.
March 17, 2015
I enjoyed it thoroughly!! There's a lovely simplicity to the writing. The characters are very well drawn and very interesting and unique. The book was
well plotted and ended on a happy note which I always appreciate. It was very Russian and gave a good sense of what it means to live in Russia today.
well plotted and ended on a happy note which I always appreciate. It was very Russian and gave a good sense of what it means to live in Russia today.
April 6, 2012
I am always amazed at how Kaminsky can write with such simple language, and yet convey so much emotion. The title sounds downright simplistic, but after you've read the book, it is meaningful. What a talent.
July 19, 2021
It seems to me that Kaminsky gets better as this series moves forward. The added characters, along with the old cast, continue to fight crime and attempt justice in a very flawed system. And Porfiry Petrovich continues to be the guiding light.
June 4, 2019
love all books about Profiry Rostnkiov!!
January 29, 2021
Weird. I had trouble keeping people straight - might have helped if I had read previous ones in this series.
May 29, 2021
Read this to find out what happens to the dog who bites Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, senior investigator in the Office of Special Investigation in Moscow.
April 22, 2022
Really captures the Russian pathos.
November 21, 2022
Um cão morde o Inspector Rostnikov e corre mal para o cão.
Começam a aparecer temas da actualidade, como sendo as lutas de cães.
Começam a aparecer temas da actualidade, como sendo as lutas de cães.
August 10, 2023
The Refrigerator strikes again!!
March 13, 2024
A library find.
March 2024.
Not my cup of tea.
March 2024.
Not my cup of tea.
August 23, 2024
I just fell out of his writing style
August 6, 2014
This is not a mystery but a chronicle of a few days in the lives of the members of the Office of Special Investigations. Rostinkov still leads his small team, and his home life is mostly settled as he and Sarah have taken in a grandmother whom Rostinkov helped to get released from prison and her granddaughters. Karpo has nothing left but his work. Sasha is finally putting the finishing touches on destroying his marriage.
Aa all of this goes on, the crimes they are working feel that they more in the background, but nonetheless are in themselves well written and interesting. Sasha and Elena are investigating a Russian Mafia that is running a viscous dog fighting ring. Rostinov and Karpo are solving the murders of members of two different Mafias, while preventing a shooting war breaking out between them that will kill innocents on Moscow's streets. Iosef, Rostinkov's son, has decided to beocme policeman and he learns his lesson about Russian politics and justice.
Aa all of this goes on, the crimes they are working feel that they more in the background, but nonetheless are in themselves well written and interesting. Sasha and Elena are investigating a Russian Mafia that is running a viscous dog fighting ring. Rostinov and Karpo are solving the murders of members of two different Mafias, while preventing a shooting war breaking out between them that will kill innocents on Moscow's streets. Iosef, Rostinkov's son, has decided to beocme policeman and he learns his lesson about Russian politics and justice.
August 5, 2016
In a time in a world where crime underlies all society along comes a set of heroes who do what they can to make their world better. Porfiry and the other inspectors work at solving crimes against a system founded in corruption trying to evolve into a reasonable Democracy. These stories are a good read with our heroes getting some good in their lives. There are times when you cringe and times that you can smile at while you follow each character.
September 19, 2012
I'm very pleased to say thatI've finally gotten accustomed to
Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov. IT took ahile with unfamiliar names and locales.
I'm now on #3.
I just obtained 5 old Toby Peters (I mean really old).
I'm pleased to have re-discovered Stuart Kaminsky.
Perfect "clearing the head" reading.
Escape with all caps.
PS I still love Lieberman and company.
Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov. IT took ahile with unfamiliar names and locales.
I'm now on #3.
I just obtained 5 old Toby Peters (I mean really old).
I'm pleased to have re-discovered Stuart Kaminsky.
Perfect "clearing the head" reading.
Escape with all caps.
PS I still love Lieberman and company.
July 11, 2022
This is a very good edition in the series of Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov mysteries. He is a policeman in Moscow and the stories involve him, several officers and their families. In this novel, they are investigating a missing politician, gang murders and dog fighting. The characters are likeable and the story pulled me in.
November 3, 2012
Did not hold my interest as intently as previous Kaminsky books. Too many stories with no connection other than characters. Hope the next one is better as I am getting near the end of Stuart Kaminsky's novels.
March 16, 2016
Average police mystery. Three completely separate crimes being solved by separate but related police teams. I expected them to come together by the end, but they didn't. And all of the very long Russian names were really confusing.
November 29, 2012
I've jumped into the middle of it, but I'm thoroughly enjoying the series thus far both for the continuity and growth of characters as well as the mysteries solved in each book.
January 31, 2014
Kaminsky does a particularly good job with all the characters in keeping them distinct, real, interesting and interacting. Plots go all over but are coherent in the end and told well.
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February 27, 2016Liked this book about a corrupt dog fighting group and the Russian Mafia. Also gave a good description of Russians and their lives after the fall of Communism.
May 12, 2023
Writing was lean and smart. Kaminsky's dialog creates living, believeable characters. Plot involves the reader, never boring. Was a surprisingly delicious read.
June 1, 2016
Good, but, I like the Lieberman and Toby Peters series more. The Russian series has no humor and you need to breathe every so often. And dog fighting is not my thing. It's too cruel.
February 19, 2020
Re-reading the whole series and loving the books once again.
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