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Death Of A Princess
'Morris has outdone himself with this riveting thriller. Parts of it were so gripping I had to stop reading so I could catch my breath... Characters, setting, plotting and pacing are immaculate. I cannot recommend this engrossing book too highly.' Peter Tonkin, author of Shadow of Poison
'A novel that vibrates with atmosphere and intrigue; imperial Russia is brought to life once more, and in all its grim and magnificent glory.' Steven Veerapen, author of The Queen's Gold
Summer 1880.
Lipetsk, a spa town in Russia.
The elderly and cantankerous Princess Belskaya suffers a violent reaction while taking a mud bath at the famous Lipetsk Sanatorium. Soon after, she dies.
Dr Roldugin, the medical director of the sanatorium, is at a loss to explain the sudden and shocking death.
He points the finger at Anna Zhdanova, a medical assistant who was supervising the princess’s treatment.
When Anna disappears, it looks to some like an admission of guilt.
Suspicion also falls on the princess’s nephew Belsky, who appears far from grief-stricken at his aunt’s death.
He now stands to inherit the entire family fortune, which will enable him to marry his fiancée Amélie Damour.
Meanwhile, investigating magistrate Pavel Pavlovich Virginsky arrives in Lipetsk from St Petersburg, seeking treatment after a nervous breakdown.
Virginsky is befriended by the Babkins, an elderly couple staying at the sanatorium.
Learning that he is a detective, they urge him to investigate the suspicious circumstances of the princess’s death.
But Virginsky is unwilling to be drawn in.
Then, while wandering the streets, Virginsky overhears a conversation that he is unable to ignore.
Believing he now has information about the whereabouts of the missing woman, he tries to alert the local magistrate but is dismissed as a fantasist.
And so he reluctantly undertakes his own investigation, alone.
But is Virginsky getting closer to the truth or walking straight into a deadly trap?R. N Morris is the author of the Porfiry Petrovich series of historical crime novels, featuring the investigating magistrate from Dostoevsky’s masterpiece Crime and Punishment.
Praise for Roger
'The Raleigh of Fortune’s Hand is a seasick sailor, a sentimental war criminal, and a courtier of trouble as much as royalty. In this vivid, fast-moving account R. N. Morris captures the contradictions of the age in visceral descriptions and soaring flights of fancy - and all meticulously researched.' Lawrence Norfolk, author of Lempriere’s Dictionary
'Morris’ recreation of the seamy side of 19th-century St Petersburg is vivid and convincing … As to who did it, Morris keeps the reader guessing until the end.' The Independent
'Morris has created an atmospheric St Petersburg, and a stylish set of intellectual problems, but what makes A Gentle Axe such an effective debut is its fascination with good and evil.' Times Literary Supplement
'Morris’s descriptions of the horrors of insanitary slum dwellings in St Petersburg are extraordinarily vivid, but the most striking feature of the novel is the way in which Porfiry’s sophisticated understanding of human nature compensates for the limited investigatory tools at his disposal.
'A novel that vibrates with atmosphere and intrigue; imperial Russia is brought to life once more, and in all its grim and magnificent glory.' Steven Veerapen, author of The Queen's Gold
Summer 1880.
Lipetsk, a spa town in Russia.
The elderly and cantankerous Princess Belskaya suffers a violent reaction while taking a mud bath at the famous Lipetsk Sanatorium. Soon after, she dies.
Dr Roldugin, the medical director of the sanatorium, is at a loss to explain the sudden and shocking death.
He points the finger at Anna Zhdanova, a medical assistant who was supervising the princess’s treatment.
When Anna disappears, it looks to some like an admission of guilt.
Suspicion also falls on the princess’s nephew Belsky, who appears far from grief-stricken at his aunt’s death.
He now stands to inherit the entire family fortune, which will enable him to marry his fiancée Amélie Damour.
Meanwhile, investigating magistrate Pavel Pavlovich Virginsky arrives in Lipetsk from St Petersburg, seeking treatment after a nervous breakdown.
Virginsky is befriended by the Babkins, an elderly couple staying at the sanatorium.
Learning that he is a detective, they urge him to investigate the suspicious circumstances of the princess’s death.
But Virginsky is unwilling to be drawn in.
Then, while wandering the streets, Virginsky overhears a conversation that he is unable to ignore.
Believing he now has information about the whereabouts of the missing woman, he tries to alert the local magistrate but is dismissed as a fantasist.
And so he reluctantly undertakes his own investigation, alone.
But is Virginsky getting closer to the truth or walking straight into a deadly trap?R. N Morris is the author of the Porfiry Petrovich series of historical crime novels, featuring the investigating magistrate from Dostoevsky’s masterpiece Crime and Punishment.
Praise for Roger
'The Raleigh of Fortune’s Hand is a seasick sailor, a sentimental war criminal, and a courtier of trouble as much as royalty. In this vivid, fast-moving account R. N. Morris captures the contradictions of the age in visceral descriptions and soaring flights of fancy - and all meticulously researched.' Lawrence Norfolk, author of Lempriere’s Dictionary
'Morris’ recreation of the seamy side of 19th-century St Petersburg is vivid and convincing … As to who did it, Morris keeps the reader guessing until the end.' The Independent
'Morris has created an atmospheric St Petersburg, and a stylish set of intellectual problems, but what makes A Gentle Axe such an effective debut is its fascination with good and evil.' Times Literary Supplement
'Morris’s descriptions of the horrors of insanitary slum dwellings in St Petersburg are extraordinarily vivid, but the most striking feature of the novel is the way in which Porfiry’s sophisticated understanding of human nature compensates for the limited investigatory tools at his disposal.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2024
2 people want to read
About the author
R.N. Morris
27 books45 followersR. N. Morris's most recent book is the historical novel, Fortune's Hand.
He is the author of the St Petersburg Mysteries Series featuring Porfiry Petrovich, the detective from Dostoevsky's masterpiece Crime and Punishment: A Gentle Axe, A Vengeful Longing, A Razor Wrapped in Silk and The Cleansing Flames.
He also wrote the Silas Quinn series, set in London in 1914: Summon Up The Blood, The Mannequin House, The Dark Palace, The Red Hand of Fury, The White Feather Killer and The Music Box Enigma.
He has written a standalone dystopian thriller, Psychotopia and, writing as Roger Morris, the contemporary thriller Taking Comfort.
He is the author of the St Petersburg Mysteries Series featuring Porfiry Petrovich, the detective from Dostoevsky's masterpiece Crime and Punishment: A Gentle Axe, A Vengeful Longing, A Razor Wrapped in Silk and The Cleansing Flames.
He also wrote the Silas Quinn series, set in London in 1914: Summon Up The Blood, The Mannequin House, The Dark Palace, The Red Hand of Fury, The White Feather Killer and The Music Box Enigma.
He has written a standalone dystopian thriller, Psychotopia and, writing as Roger Morris, the contemporary thriller Taking Comfort.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 2, 2025
Death of a Princess is an intriguing and quite complex mystery set in the 1880s in Russia. It is the third book in the series, and I've not read the earlier two, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment, and readers will easily be able to start with this title.
It has a wide cast of characters and follows them as they interact with one another and resolve other issues before fully resolving how the princess's death came about.
It feels very 'Russian.' All the characters have delightful Russian names and attitudes, and the story well depicts the social structure of society. It's an engaging read, pulling the reader along with some very tense moments until reaching the grand finale.
I very much enjoyed the mystery and look forward to reading more in the series.
It has a wide cast of characters and follows them as they interact with one another and resolve other issues before fully resolving how the princess's death came about.
It feels very 'Russian.' All the characters have delightful Russian names and attitudes, and the story well depicts the social structure of society. It's an engaging read, pulling the reader along with some very tense moments until reaching the grand finale.
I very much enjoyed the mystery and look forward to reading more in the series.
April 10, 2025
Death of a Princess by R.N. Morris is a gripping historical mystery set in 19th-century Russia, woven with suspense, atmosphere, and a slow-burning sense of intrigue. Rather than relying on fast-paced action, the novel draws you in with its richly detailed setting and complex characters, especially the reluctant investigator Virginsky.
What stands out is how Morris blends subtle tension with elegant storytelling, all while capturing the grandeur and decay of imperial Russia. The novel touches on themes of justice, mental strain, and hidden motives, making it more than just a classic whodunit.
This is a thoughtful, immersive read for those who enjoy crime fiction with historical depth and psychological layers.
What stands out is how Morris blends subtle tension with elegant storytelling, all while capturing the grandeur and decay of imperial Russia. The novel touches on themes of justice, mental strain, and hidden motives, making it more than just a classic whodunit.
This is a thoughtful, immersive read for those who enjoy crime fiction with historical depth and psychological layers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews