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Inspector Pekkala #2
The Red Coffin
The sequel to Eye of the Red Tsar. It is 1939. Facing the secret threat of Nazi Germany, Stalin has placed his hopes on the F-34 tank, a 30-ton steel monster known as the 'Red Coffin' to those men who will soon be using it. But the design is not yet complete. And when the weapon's secretive and eccentric architect is found murdered, Stalin sends for Pekkala, his most trusted investigator. However, Pekkala is not the only one whose loyalty is divided....
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First published February 1, 2011
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December 14, 2018
We begin our story about a decade+ past from the prior book in 1939, which came as a bit of a surprise as I thought we’d have a story (or two) set within the period 1928-38 when Stalin purged the Army amongst many other things. My immediate thought was we’ve missed a trick here skipping so many years!
As to our story, it’s a fast engaging start to the book. Inspector Pekkala is front & centre along with a “victim” & the many protagonists/colleagues involved with said murder. It’s not much to give away that the story revolves around the design of the T34 tank, hence the book title of the “Red Coffin” which was their nickname, the explanation as to why is given early on. The NKVD (Soviet secret police) are involved & Joe Stalin has a bit part too, to great effect too, with some of his mannerisms & obvious threat over those that surround him, with a fair hint of paranoia to his character. In some ways he’s quite a good foil to Inspector Pekkala & I hope we see more of this develop in the series as it has with the Tsar.
Talking of the Tsar..... the short flashback chapters used to flesh out Pekkala’s backstory in his days with the Tsar are again utilised to great effect as that part of the story holds as much interest for this reader as the present day.
As to the mystery it’s really no great shakes but does hold the interest, again the soviet machinations are present without any real detail or depth. Its a fairly quick read & not too taxing & i found myself wanting to read longer into the night with it which is always a good sign.
A 3.75 for me with the round upto a 4 & a series I’ll continue forward with.
As to our story, it’s a fast engaging start to the book. Inspector Pekkala is front & centre along with a “victim” & the many protagonists/colleagues involved with said murder. It’s not much to give away that the story revolves around the design of the T34 tank, hence the book title of the “Red Coffin” which was their nickname, the explanation as to why is given early on. The NKVD (Soviet secret police) are involved & Joe Stalin has a bit part too, to great effect too, with some of his mannerisms & obvious threat over those that surround him, with a fair hint of paranoia to his character. In some ways he’s quite a good foil to Inspector Pekkala & I hope we see more of this develop in the series as it has with the Tsar.
Talking of the Tsar..... the short flashback chapters used to flesh out Pekkala’s backstory in his days with the Tsar are again utilised to great effect as that part of the story holds as much interest for this reader as the present day.
As to the mystery it’s really no great shakes but does hold the interest, again the soviet machinations are present without any real detail or depth. Its a fairly quick read & not too taxing & i found myself wanting to read longer into the night with it which is always a good sign.
A 3.75 for me with the round upto a 4 & a series I’ll continue forward with.
April 12, 2017
If you want an uncomplicated, undemanding read this may be the book for you. It is set in pre-war Russia and Stalin sets Pekkala on the hunt for a spy who has leaked details of a top secret tank (the Red Coffin of the title) but as he sets about investigating someone kills the tank's designer. I, personally, found it all a bit cozy given the era and the setting. There is no sense of the pervasive fear or the real shortages that were part of everyday life and Uncle Joe seems almost reasonable. It all makes me wonder how historically accurate it all is. As to the plot itself I guessed almost immediately whodunit.
April 12, 2011
Ended up being disappointed by this book. Enjoyed the first,
Eye of the Red Tsar
, much more. The flashbacks that provide history and perspective were fewer and not as interesting; they seemed almost contrived to fit the circumstances. I still like Inspector Pekkala and will read the next book about him, but will be looking for more character development about Pekkala, his assistant Kirov, and his relationship to Stalin. Stalin was an imposing historical figure, but in this book he seems like cardboard, only 1-dimensional. Pekkala seemed less confident about his status and investigative authority in this story. There is more buildup of Lysenkova in the plot summary than there is about the character in the story. Her involvement remains somewhat of a mystery and definitely a distraction to the main plot. Will she keep her job and appear in a later novel, or simply disappear? Look forward to another outing with Pekkala, a character reminiscent of Smith's moody detective, Arkady Renko, still quintessentially Russian.
June 15, 2013
This is an interesting read even if the main character is implausible. The chief engineer in charge of developing the T34 tank is killed and it is up to Inspector Pekkala to investigate both the death and security at the research base. The story flows easily though it is interrupted by reminiscences which I failed to see the point of (it actually feels like the story is being padded here). Stalin is presented a a very nice fatherly figure (as if!) and there is little (if any) of the neurotic quality of Stalinist Russia in evidence. I was also disappointed that very little of the background story is based on fact - it is a genuine work of fiction into which the words "Stalin". "T34" and a few city names have been inserted.
September 4, 2025
♥ Originál povznesl příběh na vyšší level a konečně jsem pochopila, proč mi tam tolik věcí přišlo nelogických - ztratilo se v překladu (abych tedy šetřila se slovy).
Sam Eastland má taky problémy s udržením logiky (jestli spí Pekkala na zemi nebo na posteli, v kterém patře mají kancelář, při útěku po revoluci se Pekkala chystal „navštívit rodiče“, i když jeho otec zemřel pouhé 2 roky potom, co Pekkala odjel do Ruska atd.)
Ale vyvážil to skvělým příběhem, u kterého jsem se rozplývala, že jsem se div nerozplynula.
s. 317 Uvnitř byly tři vinné láhve
s. 331 Z auta si každý vzal dvě láhve (…) Kirov beze slova popadl PTRD
I kdyby Kirov nic nenesl, tak 2x2 je pořád 4.
s. 184 Kirov tyto pocty sbíral od doby, kdy mu bylo pět; tehdy vyhrál cenu Pionýrské organizace za týden veřejně prospěšných prací.
No, že by v Rusku kolem roku 1915 fungoval Pionýr?
Sam Eastland je jediný autor, kterému jsem ochotná to tolerovat.
Ale rozhodně nejsem ochotná tolerovat zmršený překlad. I automatický překladač by byl lepší než tohle. Jan Podzimek je ostuda překladatelů. A to jsem nešla větu po větě :-(
a) věc, která mi vadila úplně nejvíc - špatný překlad naprosto mění SMYSL příběhu + překladatel beze studu překládá „cousin“ jako synovec, „north-east“ jako severozápadně, „evening“ jako ráno, „unloaded“ jako nakládat, „bare feet“ jako ruce atd.
b) jsou tam pasáže, které v mé originální knížce nejsou - čemuž nerozumím
c) chybí věty, které v originále jsou - tomu taky nerozumím
d) zatímco většina překladatelů vynechává „asked X, said X“ atd., v tomto případě překladatel dodává „zeptal se X, řekl X“ navíc + mění pořadí vět, ale to je ve světle zbytku překladu zanedbatelné
ad a)
Tady jsem se nestačila ani divit, kam lze překladem posunout logiku příběhu.
s. 306
“Udělám pro toho chlapce, co bude v mých silách, ale SPÁCHAL vraždu a vlastizradu, nemluvě o tom, že se mi pokusil ustřelit hlavu--”
s. 313 “I'll do what I can for the boy, but YOU are guilty of murder and treason, not to mention trying to blow my head off--“
s. 309 “Jeho přiznání JSTE ZÍSKAL stejným způsobem jako jindy?”
“Ne,” řekl Pekkala. “Násilí nebylo zapotřebí.”
s. 316 “This confession, WAS IT obtained in the same manner as the other?”
“No,” said Pekkala. “It did not require force.”
[imho se otázka týká přiznání, které získala major Lysenková, která ho z obviněného vymlátila, a ne vyšetřovacích metod Pekkaly.]
s. 11 Druhý muž ochotně počítal peníze a RTY se mu přitom hýbaly spolu s prsty
s. 7 Obligingly, the man counted money, walking the TIPS of his fingers through the bills.
s. 23 ..od svého SYNOVCE, britského krále Jiřího V.
s. 18 from his COUSIN King George V.
s. 24 Nagorski zakašlal a zasmál se
s. 20 Nagorski caughed out a laugh
s. 31 “A kolik let PRO MĚ už vlastně pracujete?
s. 27 “And how many years have WE been working TOGETHER now?
s. 34 …o nemoc carova nejmladšího SYNA Alexeje
s. 30 …about the illness of the Tsar's youngerst CHILD, Alexei.
Není rozumné použít výraz “nejmladší syn”, když měli jen jednoho.
s. 34 PRO HESENSKÝ PŮVOD jí říkali Němka…
s. 30 They called her Nemka, the German Woman…
s. 52 “Kumquat,” řekl Kirov HRDĚ.
s. 49 “Kumquats,” Kirov CORRECTED him.
s. 79 Přitom zapadl až po kolena do jámy plné bahnité vody, ZTRATIL BOTU a také zakopl(...) a zmizel pod hladinou jakéhosi jezírka.
s. 76 Along the way, he sank up to his knees in craters of water, LOST HIS FOOTING and stumbled WITH ARMS OUTSTRETCHED beneath the surface.
s. 85 Když se znovu PODÍVALI...
s. 82 As HE stared...
s. 93 Bylo letní RÁNO
s. 91 It was summer EVENING
s. 93 NAKLÁDALI zeleninu a ovoce na korby
s. 91 UNLOADED vegetables and fruit
s. 100 zeptala se a její hlas zněl náhle nakřáple.
s. 99 she asked. She spat out the words as if her mouth was filled with shards of glass.
s. 101 kůži na RUKOU měl flekatou od hmyzích štípanců
s. 101 and his BARE FEET were speckled with bug bites.
s. 108 Znovu přehodil pláštěnku přes Nagorského tělo. A PAK Z JEHO KAPSY VYNDAL KAPESNÍK a otřel si krev z rukou.
s. 108 He pulled the rain cape back over Nagorsky body, THEN wiped the gore from his hands ON A CORNER OF THE CAPE.
s. 109 “I NEED to know”
s. 109 “MOHU vědět”
s. 110 “Ten člověk mi nahání hrůzu.”
s. 109 “That man makes me NERVOUS.”
s. 111 Pekkalu vzbudilo něčí ZAKLEPÁNÍ na dveře.
s. 111 Pekkala woke to the sound of someone BANGING on the door.
s. 113 co vás VYHODIL?
s. 113 THEY threw you out?
s. 114 “To není zrovna blízko.” “Jel jsem TAM autem.”
s. 113 “That's nowhere near THIS place.” “I drove HERE in my car.”
Není mi jasné, proč se Dr Lazovert (s. 117,178 ) změnil v překladu (s. 118,175 ) na doktora Puriškeviče. Ctila bych autora, i když se může mýlit.
s. 116,229 jeden (po)divnější než druhý. Jenom car nás zná všechny.
s. 233 --each one a stranger to the other. Only the Tsar knows us all.
s. 123 tři nebo čtyři dny
s. 123 five or six days
s. 133 [Stalin] Natáhl ruku a podržel papír, aby si jej PEKKALA mohl přečíst.
s. 134 [Stalin] He held the paper our at arm's length so he could read it.
s. 134 Pekkala zmateně VYKULIL OČI.
s. 135 Pekkala's eyes NARROWED with confusion.
s. 137 NA SIBIŘI přežíval Pekkala tak dlouho s tak málem, že si po návratu do normálního světa nemohl odvyknout.
s. 138 Pekkala had survived on so little for so long that he couldn not get used to doing othervise.
s. 137,138 Otočil se a pode dveřmi viděl na chodbě něčí NOHY.
s. 139 He turned and saw the SHADOW of a pair of feet out in the hallway.
S. 143 “Jsem ráda, že mám konečně k dispozici vaše... smaragdové oko,” řekla carevna, VSTALA a ukázala rukou ke dveřím.
s. 144 “I'm glad we are finally able to see-“ the Tsarina held out her hand towards the door- “eye to emerald eye.”
s. 143 “Copak jsi mi přinesla dneska?”
s. 145 “And WHAT has brought you here this evening?”
s. 147 --ve které se v letních měsících skladuje POVLEČENÍ.
s. 150 --which might have stored BLANKETS in the summer months.
s. 150 --a Pekkala pokaždé POHLÉDL na sklenku s patřičným obdivem.
s. 152 --and every time Pekkala TOOK the glass from her with the reverence it deserved.
s. 151 “Niky O NĚM často mluví.”
s. 155 “Nicky has often spoken about YOU.”
s. 155 Přitiskl rostlinu k hrudi, jako by se JI snažil schovat.
s. 159 He hugged the plant to his chest as if trying to take cover BEHIND IT.
s. 167 --jejichž příčetnost shořela jako sirka.
s. 168 Whose sanity had folded u like paper aeroplanes.
s. 167, 168 Z jeho hnědých očí zářilo cosi podivně stříbřitého.
Kropotkin? Snad Pekkala. Navíc v mé kopii originálu ta věta vůbec není.
s. 168 Kropotkin vedl jekatěrinburskou policii ještě před revolucí a tuto práci se mu kupodivu dařilo udržet I poté, co se moci chopili komunisti; právě v té době se seznámili. [matoucí, seznámili se až v roce 1929]
s. 170 Krokoptkin had been in charge of the Ekaterinburg police department before the Revolution and when Pekkala first met him, after the Communist had come to power, he was still managing to hold on to his job.
s. 170 --ponuře zařízené místnosti v Alexandrovském palace, kde Romanovci žili, NEBO NA Carské selo.
s. 172 --drearily furnished rooms in the Alexander Palace, where the Romanovs lived AT Tsarskoye Selo.
s. 177 “Bůh nás chraň.” Pekkala přemýšlel, CO K NÍ CÍTIL ten muž v rakvi.
s. 179 “God protect us.” Pekkala wondered WHAT THAT MEANT FOR man in the box.
s. 201 Pekkala pozvedl OBOČÍ
s. 205 Pekkala raised his HEAD
s. 206 Při třetí z jejich schůzek--
s. 210 On the third YEAR OF their meetings--
s. 208 - když jsem BYLA malá, kopl ho kůň.
s. 212 He had been kicked by horse when HE was young.
s. 208 Když jsme se dostali k Mamlinu--
s. 212 When we got to Borodok--
s. 208 VĚDĚL, že se nevrátí--
s. 213 I knew HE wasn't coming back
s. 209 --abych tam žila jako sirotek.
s. 213 --to live IN a orphanage.
s.- 209 Pekkala VSTAL Z postele. Zmateně tam seděl.
s. 214 Pekkala sat up IN bed. (...) He sat there.
s. 213 --neutrácíte ani za šaty, ani za OBLEČENÍ--
s. 214 --you dont' spend it on clothes or FOOD--
s. 213 Kirov svraštil obočí
s. 218 Kirov's eyes narrowed.
s. 219 --a ON už--
s. 223 --and YOU are already--
s. 231 severozápadně
s. 235 north-EAST
s. 231 muž s podezřívavým pohledem
s. 235 angry-looking man
s. 242 “Zalka?” “Zdá se, jako byste ho znal.”
s. 246 “Zalka!” “That sounds as if you know him.”
s. 244 “Nechte nás být,” odsekl Konstantin.
s. 248 “I wish you would leave us alone, Inspector,” replied Konstantin.
s. 245 rozbušilo srdce
s. 249 heart CLENCH
s. 251 NÁS předem informovala
s. 254 informing ME first
s. 251 Stál čelem ke zdi a nevěřícně zíral na Lysenkovou.
s. 255 He stood against the wall, staring in disbelief at Lysenkova.
s. 252 Co Gorenko udělal
s. 256 What did Gorenko SAY
s. 253 “Jděte.”
s. 256 “You have to go now.”
s. 253 VÁŠ problém
s. 257 OUR problem
s. 253 “VÍTE, co se tam děje.”
s. 257 “I know what happens there.”
s. 255 “Chápu správně, o co mě žádáte?”
s. 258 “YOU understand what we are talking about?”
s. 256 O PÁR minut později
s. 260 FIVE minutes later
s. 257 Když se za Pekkalou zavřely brány Lubjanky.
s. 261 FIFTEEN MINUTES later, as the gates of the Lubyanka closed behind him.
s. 257 Emka byla pryč. Kirov poslechl jeho příkaz. Pekkala se proto vydal pěšky do kanceláře. NIC NEBYLO STEJNÉ JAKO PŘEDTÍM.
s. 261 The Emka was gone. Kirov had followed his orders. Now Pekkala set off on foot towards the office. BUT THAT WASN'T WHERE HE ENDED UP.
s. 258 “Jestli ji necháte odjet-“
s. 261 “If you let her GET AWAY--“
[troufám si tvrdit, že se Ilja nechystala nikam jet, ale šlo o to, aby se Pekkala konečně vyjádřil.]
s. 258 Krokoptkin kouřil cigaretu (...) a RUCE složené za zády.
s. 262 Kropotkin has smoking a cigarette (...) ONE HAND tucked behind the back.
s. 260 měl pocit, jako by se ocitl VE snu
s. 264 felt as if he were WAKING FROM a dream
s. 261 Pekkala JÍ VYŠEL VSTŘÍC OTEVŘENOU BRÁNOU
s. 265 Pekkala REACHED OUT TO OPEN the gate
s. 264 --flíčky od ZASCHLÉ krve
s. 270 --flecked with blood
s. 267 --zeptal se Kirov.
“Nevím. Kolik lidí jsem už dostal za mříže, Kirove?”
“Desítky.” ZARAZIL SE. “Ještě víc.”
s. 272 --asked Kirov, BEWILDERED.
“WHETHER HE WAS OR NOT, HE CAME PRETTY CLOSE TO FINISHING ME OFF. How many people have I put behind bars, Kirov?”
“Dozens.” HE SHRUGGED. “More.”
s. 268 “A všechno uznání shrábne major Lysenková.”
s. 273 “And Major Lysenkova WON'T be taking all the credit.”
s. 269 Pak jednu PODAL Kirovovi
s. 274 Then he SLID one over to Kirov.
s. 269 “--tohle [slivovice] je jediný tvrdý alkohol, který pil car.”
“Zdá se nevlastenecké,” odpověděl Kirov hlasem chraplavým od slivovice, “být Rus a nepít občas trochu SLIVOVICE.”
s. 274 “--this was the only liquor the Tsar would touch.”
“It seems unpatriotic,” replied Kirov, his voice gone hoarse from the drink, “to be Russian and no to like a drop of VODKA now and then.”
s. 271 --zítra mám výročí SVATBY.
s. 277 “Tomorrow is the anniversary of my CORONATION.
s. 271 V den carovy SVATBY seděli car a carevna--
s. 277 On the day of the Tsar's CORONATION IN MAY OF 1896, the Tsar and Tsarina--
s. 272 svatební průvod, svatební obřad
s. 277 coronation cortege, coronation ceremony
s. 272 Nebyla.
s. 272 Wasn't it?
s. 276 O chvíli později
s. 283 FIFTEEN MINUTES later
s. 280 --když se mu ZAČALO ZDÁT, že celé přední sklo exploduje
s. 286 When the entire windshield exploded.
s. 285 Vylezl jsem a utekl jsem do LESA.
s. 291 Then I got out and ran to the SUPPLY BUILDING
s. 286 Najděte HO
s. 292 Find THEM
s. 293 O NECELÝ ROK později--
s. 300 LESS THAN FIVE YEARS later--
s. 309 --s pípnutím
s. 316 --with a click
s. 310 “Ale ten tank je v rukou toho jednoho člověka stejně nebezpečný JAKO CELÁ POSÁDKA... Kolik to má mužů?”
s. 317 “But the tank is just as dangerous in the hands of one person as is it WITH an entire crew of... how many is it?”
s. 313 “Stejně střílejte,” odpověděl Pekkala.
s. 319 “You hit it, anyway,” replied Pekkala.
s. 314 “Tenhle tank jsem nenavrhoval.”
s. 321 “WE did not design this machine.”
s. 316 --jakoby ho do hrudi kopl kůň.
s. 323 --if he had been kicked in the chest.
s. 321 Potom POLOŽIL ruku NA prázdné sedadlo řidiče--
s. 328 When he HELD OUT his hand TOWARDS the empty driver's seat--
s. 321 --měly chuť SKOŘICE
s. 328 - nutmeg powder
s. 322 Její chování, PŘESTOŽE ani nezvedla zrak, Pekkalovi napovědělo, že je musela očekávat.
s. 329 The fact that SHE DID NOT LOOK UP made Pekkala realize that she must have been expecting them.
S. 322 OPŘENÝ o plot zahrady
s. 330 STANDING on the OTHER SIDE of her garden fence
s. 323 “Jestli se stane co?”
s. 331 “If anything happens?”
s. 328 Spal. Ležel na předních sedadlech s RUKAMA zkroucenýma a s hlavou položenou na sedadle spolujezdce.
s. 335 He had been asleep, LEGS twisted down into the seat well and head resting on the passenger seat.
s. 329 --protože si uvědomil, že se v Maximovovi NAPROSTO MÝLIL.
s. 336 --stubbornly refusing to believe that Maximov had DESERTED THEM.
s. 331 --a začínal mít poškrábané holeně od hustého podrostu.
s. 338 --CURSING SOFTLY as he scraped his skins against the limbs of fallen trees.
s. 329, 330 KIROV pomalu zvedl hlavu z příkopu a vytáhl pistoli.
PEKKALA udělal totéž.
s. 336 Slowly, PEKKALA reached up to the edge of the ditch and eased his gun out of its holster.
KIROV did the same.
s. 341 “Dobře, že S SEBOU MÁM to nové oblečení, které jsem vám koupil.”
s. 349 “Good thing YOU have those new clothes I bought you.”
s. 342 “Kam jedete z Ruska?”
s. 350 “Where are you going, Russian?”
A k tomu korektura, která pustí ven věty typu
s. 188 se objevilo několik dveří dveře
s. 205 Stáhl ze zpět do stínů
Sam Eastland má taky problémy s udržením logiky (jestli spí Pekkala na zemi nebo na posteli, v kterém patře mají kancelář, při útěku po revoluci se Pekkala chystal „navštívit rodiče“, i když jeho otec zemřel pouhé 2 roky potom, co Pekkala odjel do Ruska atd.)
Ale vyvážil to skvělým příběhem, u kterého jsem se rozplývala, že jsem se div nerozplynula.
s. 317 Uvnitř byly tři vinné láhve
s. 331 Z auta si každý vzal dvě láhve (…) Kirov beze slova popadl PTRD
I kdyby Kirov nic nenesl, tak 2x2 je pořád 4.
s. 184 Kirov tyto pocty sbíral od doby, kdy mu bylo pět; tehdy vyhrál cenu Pionýrské organizace za týden veřejně prospěšných prací.
No, že by v Rusku kolem roku 1915 fungoval Pionýr?
Sam Eastland je jediný autor, kterému jsem ochotná to tolerovat.
Ale rozhodně nejsem ochotná tolerovat zmršený překlad. I automatický překladač by byl lepší než tohle. Jan Podzimek je ostuda překladatelů. A to jsem nešla větu po větě :-(
a) věc, která mi vadila úplně nejvíc - špatný překlad naprosto mění SMYSL příběhu + překladatel beze studu překládá „cousin“ jako synovec, „north-east“ jako severozápadně, „evening“ jako ráno, „unloaded“ jako nakládat, „bare feet“ jako ruce atd.
b) jsou tam pasáže, které v mé originální knížce nejsou - čemuž nerozumím
c) chybí věty, které v originále jsou - tomu taky nerozumím
d) zatímco většina překladatelů vynechává „asked X, said X“ atd., v tomto případě překladatel dodává „zeptal se X, řekl X“ navíc + mění pořadí vět, ale to je ve světle zbytku překladu zanedbatelné
ad a)
Tady jsem se nestačila ani divit, kam lze překladem posunout logiku příběhu.
s. 306
“Udělám pro toho chlapce, co bude v mých silách, ale SPÁCHAL vraždu a vlastizradu, nemluvě o tom, že se mi pokusil ustřelit hlavu--”
s. 313 “I'll do what I can for the boy, but YOU are guilty of murder and treason, not to mention trying to blow my head off--“
s. 309 “Jeho přiznání JSTE ZÍSKAL stejným způsobem jako jindy?”
“Ne,” řekl Pekkala. “Násilí nebylo zapotřebí.”
s. 316 “This confession, WAS IT obtained in the same manner as the other?”
“No,” said Pekkala. “It did not require force.”
[imho se otázka týká přiznání, které získala major Lysenková, která ho z obviněného vymlátila, a ne vyšetřovacích metod Pekkaly.]
s. 11 Druhý muž ochotně počítal peníze a RTY se mu přitom hýbaly spolu s prsty
s. 7 Obligingly, the man counted money, walking the TIPS of his fingers through the bills.
s. 23 ..od svého SYNOVCE, britského krále Jiřího V.
s. 18 from his COUSIN King George V.
s. 24 Nagorski zakašlal a zasmál se
s. 20 Nagorski caughed out a laugh
s. 31 “A kolik let PRO MĚ už vlastně pracujete?
s. 27 “And how many years have WE been working TOGETHER now?
s. 34 …o nemoc carova nejmladšího SYNA Alexeje
s. 30 …about the illness of the Tsar's youngerst CHILD, Alexei.
Není rozumné použít výraz “nejmladší syn”, když měli jen jednoho.
s. 34 PRO HESENSKÝ PŮVOD jí říkali Němka…
s. 30 They called her Nemka, the German Woman…
s. 52 “Kumquat,” řekl Kirov HRDĚ.
s. 49 “Kumquats,” Kirov CORRECTED him.
s. 79 Přitom zapadl až po kolena do jámy plné bahnité vody, ZTRATIL BOTU a také zakopl(...) a zmizel pod hladinou jakéhosi jezírka.
s. 76 Along the way, he sank up to his knees in craters of water, LOST HIS FOOTING and stumbled WITH ARMS OUTSTRETCHED beneath the surface.
s. 85 Když se znovu PODÍVALI...
s. 82 As HE stared...
s. 93 Bylo letní RÁNO
s. 91 It was summer EVENING
s. 93 NAKLÁDALI zeleninu a ovoce na korby
s. 91 UNLOADED vegetables and fruit
s. 100 zeptala se a její hlas zněl náhle nakřáple.
s. 99 she asked. She spat out the words as if her mouth was filled with shards of glass.
s. 101 kůži na RUKOU měl flekatou od hmyzích štípanců
s. 101 and his BARE FEET were speckled with bug bites.
s. 108 Znovu přehodil pláštěnku přes Nagorského tělo. A PAK Z JEHO KAPSY VYNDAL KAPESNÍK a otřel si krev z rukou.
s. 108 He pulled the rain cape back over Nagorsky body, THEN wiped the gore from his hands ON A CORNER OF THE CAPE.
s. 109 “I NEED to know”
s. 109 “MOHU vědět”
s. 110 “Ten člověk mi nahání hrůzu.”
s. 109 “That man makes me NERVOUS.”
s. 111 Pekkalu vzbudilo něčí ZAKLEPÁNÍ na dveře.
s. 111 Pekkala woke to the sound of someone BANGING on the door.
s. 113 co vás VYHODIL?
s. 113 THEY threw you out?
s. 114 “To není zrovna blízko.” “Jel jsem TAM autem.”
s. 113 “That's nowhere near THIS place.” “I drove HERE in my car.”
Není mi jasné, proč se Dr Lazovert (s. 117,178 ) změnil v překladu (s. 118,175 ) na doktora Puriškeviče. Ctila bych autora, i když se může mýlit.
s. 116,229 jeden (po)divnější než druhý. Jenom car nás zná všechny.
s. 233 --each one a stranger to the other. Only the Tsar knows us all.
s. 123 tři nebo čtyři dny
s. 123 five or six days
s. 133 [Stalin] Natáhl ruku a podržel papír, aby si jej PEKKALA mohl přečíst.
s. 134 [Stalin] He held the paper our at arm's length so he could read it.
s. 134 Pekkala zmateně VYKULIL OČI.
s. 135 Pekkala's eyes NARROWED with confusion.
s. 137 NA SIBIŘI přežíval Pekkala tak dlouho s tak málem, že si po návratu do normálního světa nemohl odvyknout.
s. 138 Pekkala had survived on so little for so long that he couldn not get used to doing othervise.
s. 137,138 Otočil se a pode dveřmi viděl na chodbě něčí NOHY.
s. 139 He turned and saw the SHADOW of a pair of feet out in the hallway.
S. 143 “Jsem ráda, že mám konečně k dispozici vaše... smaragdové oko,” řekla carevna, VSTALA a ukázala rukou ke dveřím.
s. 144 “I'm glad we are finally able to see-“ the Tsarina held out her hand towards the door- “eye to emerald eye.”
s. 143 “Copak jsi mi přinesla dneska?”
s. 145 “And WHAT has brought you here this evening?”
s. 147 --ve které se v letních měsících skladuje POVLEČENÍ.
s. 150 --which might have stored BLANKETS in the summer months.
s. 150 --a Pekkala pokaždé POHLÉDL na sklenku s patřičným obdivem.
s. 152 --and every time Pekkala TOOK the glass from her with the reverence it deserved.
s. 151 “Niky O NĚM často mluví.”
s. 155 “Nicky has often spoken about YOU.”
s. 155 Přitiskl rostlinu k hrudi, jako by se JI snažil schovat.
s. 159 He hugged the plant to his chest as if trying to take cover BEHIND IT.
s. 167 --jejichž příčetnost shořela jako sirka.
s. 168 Whose sanity had folded u like paper aeroplanes.
s. 167, 168 Z jeho hnědých očí zářilo cosi podivně stříbřitého.
Kropotkin? Snad Pekkala. Navíc v mé kopii originálu ta věta vůbec není.
s. 168 Kropotkin vedl jekatěrinburskou policii ještě před revolucí a tuto práci se mu kupodivu dařilo udržet I poté, co se moci chopili komunisti; právě v té době se seznámili. [matoucí, seznámili se až v roce 1929]
s. 170 Krokoptkin had been in charge of the Ekaterinburg police department before the Revolution and when Pekkala first met him, after the Communist had come to power, he was still managing to hold on to his job.
s. 170 --ponuře zařízené místnosti v Alexandrovském palace, kde Romanovci žili, NEBO NA Carské selo.
s. 172 --drearily furnished rooms in the Alexander Palace, where the Romanovs lived AT Tsarskoye Selo.
s. 177 “Bůh nás chraň.” Pekkala přemýšlel, CO K NÍ CÍTIL ten muž v rakvi.
s. 179 “God protect us.” Pekkala wondered WHAT THAT MEANT FOR man in the box.
s. 201 Pekkala pozvedl OBOČÍ
s. 205 Pekkala raised his HEAD
s. 206 Při třetí z jejich schůzek--
s. 210 On the third YEAR OF their meetings--
s. 208 - když jsem BYLA malá, kopl ho kůň.
s. 212 He had been kicked by horse when HE was young.
s. 208 Když jsme se dostali k Mamlinu--
s. 212 When we got to Borodok--
s. 208 VĚDĚL, že se nevrátí--
s. 213 I knew HE wasn't coming back
s. 209 --abych tam žila jako sirotek.
s. 213 --to live IN a orphanage.
s.- 209 Pekkala VSTAL Z postele. Zmateně tam seděl.
s. 214 Pekkala sat up IN bed. (...) He sat there.
s. 213 --neutrácíte ani za šaty, ani za OBLEČENÍ--
s. 214 --you dont' spend it on clothes or FOOD--
s. 213 Kirov svraštil obočí
s. 218 Kirov's eyes narrowed.
s. 219 --a ON už--
s. 223 --and YOU are already--
s. 231 severozápadně
s. 235 north-EAST
s. 231 muž s podezřívavým pohledem
s. 235 angry-looking man
s. 242 “Zalka?” “Zdá se, jako byste ho znal.”
s. 246 “Zalka!” “That sounds as if you know him.”
s. 244 “Nechte nás být,” odsekl Konstantin.
s. 248 “I wish you would leave us alone, Inspector,” replied Konstantin.
s. 245 rozbušilo srdce
s. 249 heart CLENCH
s. 251 NÁS předem informovala
s. 254 informing ME first
s. 251 Stál čelem ke zdi a nevěřícně zíral na Lysenkovou.
s. 255 He stood against the wall, staring in disbelief at Lysenkova.
s. 252 Co Gorenko udělal
s. 256 What did Gorenko SAY
s. 253 “Jděte.”
s. 256 “You have to go now.”
s. 253 VÁŠ problém
s. 257 OUR problem
s. 253 “VÍTE, co se tam děje.”
s. 257 “I know what happens there.”
s. 255 “Chápu správně, o co mě žádáte?”
s. 258 “YOU understand what we are talking about?”
s. 256 O PÁR minut později
s. 260 FIVE minutes later
s. 257 Když se za Pekkalou zavřely brány Lubjanky.
s. 261 FIFTEEN MINUTES later, as the gates of the Lubyanka closed behind him.
s. 257 Emka byla pryč. Kirov poslechl jeho příkaz. Pekkala se proto vydal pěšky do kanceláře. NIC NEBYLO STEJNÉ JAKO PŘEDTÍM.
s. 261 The Emka was gone. Kirov had followed his orders. Now Pekkala set off on foot towards the office. BUT THAT WASN'T WHERE HE ENDED UP.
s. 258 “Jestli ji necháte odjet-“
s. 261 “If you let her GET AWAY--“
[troufám si tvrdit, že se Ilja nechystala nikam jet, ale šlo o to, aby se Pekkala konečně vyjádřil.]
s. 258 Krokoptkin kouřil cigaretu (...) a RUCE složené za zády.
s. 262 Kropotkin has smoking a cigarette (...) ONE HAND tucked behind the back.
s. 260 měl pocit, jako by se ocitl VE snu
s. 264 felt as if he were WAKING FROM a dream
s. 261 Pekkala JÍ VYŠEL VSTŘÍC OTEVŘENOU BRÁNOU
s. 265 Pekkala REACHED OUT TO OPEN the gate
s. 264 --flíčky od ZASCHLÉ krve
s. 270 --flecked with blood
s. 267 --zeptal se Kirov.
“Nevím. Kolik lidí jsem už dostal za mříže, Kirove?”
“Desítky.” ZARAZIL SE. “Ještě víc.”
s. 272 --asked Kirov, BEWILDERED.
“WHETHER HE WAS OR NOT, HE CAME PRETTY CLOSE TO FINISHING ME OFF. How many people have I put behind bars, Kirov?”
“Dozens.” HE SHRUGGED. “More.”
s. 268 “A všechno uznání shrábne major Lysenková.”
s. 273 “And Major Lysenkova WON'T be taking all the credit.”
s. 269 Pak jednu PODAL Kirovovi
s. 274 Then he SLID one over to Kirov.
s. 269 “--tohle [slivovice] je jediný tvrdý alkohol, který pil car.”
“Zdá se nevlastenecké,” odpověděl Kirov hlasem chraplavým od slivovice, “být Rus a nepít občas trochu SLIVOVICE.”
s. 274 “--this was the only liquor the Tsar would touch.”
“It seems unpatriotic,” replied Kirov, his voice gone hoarse from the drink, “to be Russian and no to like a drop of VODKA now and then.”
s. 271 --zítra mám výročí SVATBY.
s. 277 “Tomorrow is the anniversary of my CORONATION.
s. 271 V den carovy SVATBY seděli car a carevna--
s. 277 On the day of the Tsar's CORONATION IN MAY OF 1896, the Tsar and Tsarina--
s. 272 svatební průvod, svatební obřad
s. 277 coronation cortege, coronation ceremony
s. 272 Nebyla.
s. 272 Wasn't it?
s. 276 O chvíli později
s. 283 FIFTEEN MINUTES later
s. 280 --když se mu ZAČALO ZDÁT, že celé přední sklo exploduje
s. 286 When the entire windshield exploded.
s. 285 Vylezl jsem a utekl jsem do LESA.
s. 291 Then I got out and ran to the SUPPLY BUILDING
s. 286 Najděte HO
s. 292 Find THEM
s. 293 O NECELÝ ROK později--
s. 300 LESS THAN FIVE YEARS later--
s. 309 --s pípnutím
s. 316 --with a click
s. 310 “Ale ten tank je v rukou toho jednoho člověka stejně nebezpečný JAKO CELÁ POSÁDKA... Kolik to má mužů?”
s. 317 “But the tank is just as dangerous in the hands of one person as is it WITH an entire crew of... how many is it?”
s. 313 “Stejně střílejte,” odpověděl Pekkala.
s. 319 “You hit it, anyway,” replied Pekkala.
s. 314 “Tenhle tank jsem nenavrhoval.”
s. 321 “WE did not design this machine.”
s. 316 --jakoby ho do hrudi kopl kůň.
s. 323 --if he had been kicked in the chest.
s. 321 Potom POLOŽIL ruku NA prázdné sedadlo řidiče--
s. 328 When he HELD OUT his hand TOWARDS the empty driver's seat--
s. 321 --měly chuť SKOŘICE
s. 328 - nutmeg powder
s. 322 Její chování, PŘESTOŽE ani nezvedla zrak, Pekkalovi napovědělo, že je musela očekávat.
s. 329 The fact that SHE DID NOT LOOK UP made Pekkala realize that she must have been expecting them.
S. 322 OPŘENÝ o plot zahrady
s. 330 STANDING on the OTHER SIDE of her garden fence
s. 323 “Jestli se stane co?”
s. 331 “If anything happens?”
s. 328 Spal. Ležel na předních sedadlech s RUKAMA zkroucenýma a s hlavou položenou na sedadle spolujezdce.
s. 335 He had been asleep, LEGS twisted down into the seat well and head resting on the passenger seat.
s. 329 --protože si uvědomil, že se v Maximovovi NAPROSTO MÝLIL.
s. 336 --stubbornly refusing to believe that Maximov had DESERTED THEM.
s. 331 --a začínal mít poškrábané holeně od hustého podrostu.
s. 338 --CURSING SOFTLY as he scraped his skins against the limbs of fallen trees.
s. 329, 330 KIROV pomalu zvedl hlavu z příkopu a vytáhl pistoli.
PEKKALA udělal totéž.
s. 336 Slowly, PEKKALA reached up to the edge of the ditch and eased his gun out of its holster.
KIROV did the same.
s. 341 “Dobře, že S SEBOU MÁM to nové oblečení, které jsem vám koupil.”
s. 349 “Good thing YOU have those new clothes I bought you.”
s. 342 “Kam jedete z Ruska?”
s. 350 “Where are you going, Russian?”
A k tomu korektura, která pustí ven věty typu
s. 188 se objevilo několik dveří dveře
s. 205 Stáhl ze zpět do stínů
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2022
I enjoyed this despite a relative lack of pace and a sequence of flashbacks that, although interesting, didn’t further the plot. But I loved the setting and the main character so I’ll definitely read more of the series. The first one looks really good.
March 7, 2012
Vuonna 1939 Eurooppa on uuden maailmanpalon partaalla. Stalinin rautaisessa otteessaan pitämä Neuvostoliitto ei ole vielä valmis sotaan, ja niinpä uuden T-34-panssarivaunun pääinsinöörin murha herättääkin erityistä kiinnostusta Kremlissä. Tapausta lähetetään tutkimaan suomalaissyntyinen tarkastaja Pekkala, jolla on kokemusta niin Nikolai II:n palvelemisesta kuin Siperian vankileireiltäkin.
Sam Eastlandin kirjoittama "Puna-arkku" (Schildts, 2011) lienee tullut käännetyksi juuri Suomi-kytkentänsä takia. Syystä tai toisesta työ on kuitenkin aloitettu Tarkastaja Pekkala -sarjan toisesta osasta, mistä ei nyt suurempaa haittaa kirjan lukemisen kannalta ole, sen verran hyvin päähenkilön elämänvaiheita taustoitetaan muun muassa erilaisin takaumin, joissa törmätään muun muassa munkki Rasputiniin ja muihin tsaari Nikolain aikaisiin silmäätekeviin.
Meikäläisestä näkökulmasta Pekkala onkin kohtalaisen kiinnostava päähenkilö, joka ilmaisee teoksessa suomalaisuuttaan muun muassa lueskelemalla Kalevalaa ja kiroilemalla äidinkielellään. Lienee sitten toinen juttu, voidaanko moista pitää erityisen uskottavana - tuntuu nimittäin aika epätodennäköiseltä että Stalin ottaisi tsaarin suomalaissyntyisen luottomiehen lähipiirinsä.
Stalinin aikakauden Neuvostoliitto tarjoaa kiinnostavan miljöön sinänsä melko simppelille murhamysteerille. Eastland käyttääkin sivuja terrorin, ilmiantojen ja Siperian-karkoitusten kyllästämän ilmapiirin kuvaamiseen. Jonkinlaista mustaa huumoriakin aiheesta saadaan irti.
Kuului kalinaa kun Stalin laski kuulokkeen ja tarttui toiseen puhelimeen. "Ottakaa puheli majuri Derevjankolle Kiovaan", hän määräsi. "Miksi ei? Milloinka? Oletteko varma? Minä vai?" Stalin löi puhelimen kiinni. Sitten hän palasi taas langalle Pekkalan kanssa. "Derevjanko onkin likvidoitu. Poikkeavan sodankäynnin joukko-osasto lakkautettiin". (s.287)
Lukukokemuksena "Puna-arkku" jää unohdettavaksi, mutta kuitenkin ihan viihdyttäväksi välipalaksi. Luulisin, että kirja voisi kiinnostaa esimerkiksi kaikkia Tom Rob Smithin Leo Davidov -romaaneista pitäneitä dekkarien ja jännityskirjallisuuden ystäviä.
Sam Eastlandin kirjoittama "Puna-arkku" (Schildts, 2011) lienee tullut käännetyksi juuri Suomi-kytkentänsä takia. Syystä tai toisesta työ on kuitenkin aloitettu Tarkastaja Pekkala -sarjan toisesta osasta, mistä ei nyt suurempaa haittaa kirjan lukemisen kannalta ole, sen verran hyvin päähenkilön elämänvaiheita taustoitetaan muun muassa erilaisin takaumin, joissa törmätään muun muassa munkki Rasputiniin ja muihin tsaari Nikolain aikaisiin silmäätekeviin.
Meikäläisestä näkökulmasta Pekkala onkin kohtalaisen kiinnostava päähenkilö, joka ilmaisee teoksessa suomalaisuuttaan muun muassa lueskelemalla Kalevalaa ja kiroilemalla äidinkielellään. Lienee sitten toinen juttu, voidaanko moista pitää erityisen uskottavana - tuntuu nimittäin aika epätodennäköiseltä että Stalin ottaisi tsaarin suomalaissyntyisen luottomiehen lähipiirinsä.
Stalinin aikakauden Neuvostoliitto tarjoaa kiinnostavan miljöön sinänsä melko simppelille murhamysteerille. Eastland käyttääkin sivuja terrorin, ilmiantojen ja Siperian-karkoitusten kyllästämän ilmapiirin kuvaamiseen. Jonkinlaista mustaa huumoriakin aiheesta saadaan irti.
Kuului kalinaa kun Stalin laski kuulokkeen ja tarttui toiseen puhelimeen. "Ottakaa puheli majuri Derevjankolle Kiovaan", hän määräsi. "Miksi ei? Milloinka? Oletteko varma? Minä vai?" Stalin löi puhelimen kiinni. Sitten hän palasi taas langalle Pekkalan kanssa. "Derevjanko onkin likvidoitu. Poikkeavan sodankäynnin joukko-osasto lakkautettiin". (s.287)
Lukukokemuksena "Puna-arkku" jää unohdettavaksi, mutta kuitenkin ihan viihdyttäväksi välipalaksi. Luulisin, että kirja voisi kiinnostaa esimerkiksi kaikkia Tom Rob Smithin Leo Davidov -romaaneista pitäneitä dekkarien ja jännityskirjallisuuden ystäviä.
December 30, 2021
Nell'URSS del 1939 Pekkala, un investigatore speciale alle dirette dipendenze di Stalin, indaga su una questione vitale per la guerra prossima ventura. Una volta preso atto della vaga implausibilita' del personaggio principale (prima longa manus dello zar e poi di Stalin), il romanzo (secondo della serie di Pekkala) ha un suo buon ritmo e una elevata godibilita'. I personaggi accattivanti e i dettagli dell'ambientazione curati compongono un ottimo romanzo di intrattenimento (non spensierato).
March 21, 2011
I feel like the character Pekkala changed from the first novel to this one, I'm not quite sure I like him as much anymore. As is so often the case with sequels, the author seemed unable to keep up the quality in the second story. I may pick up the third one if I happen to come across it when I have little else to be reading, but I won't seek it out as I did this one.
March 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this book.
The plot is fast, I like the 2 main characters :Pekkala and his assistant Kirov while their friendship is well portrayed.
Although the story is a thriller the author describes things with a real flare and originality.
I'd recommend it
The plot is fast, I like the 2 main characters :Pekkala and his assistant Kirov while their friendship is well portrayed.
Although the story is a thriller the author describes things with a real flare and originality.
I'd recommend it
August 1, 2020
I liked this one a little better than the other Inspector Pekkala books because it had a little more action with the chase scene at the end. But Pekkala is truly a haunted person, and the constant, painful flashbacks are unpleasant.
August 10, 2020
1939 with Stalin trying to delay war and not give Hitler any provocation, Pekkala is sent to Protect the new tank being developed, and whose originator is killed on the day he arrives. A twisting plot with some flashbacks to Pekkala’s earlier life working for the Tsar.
August 2, 2024
Haven’t read any of these god a while. Good romps.
April 3, 2016
Audible library
Pekkala: He was originally the Romanovs' most trusted investigator. Called back from Siberia by Stalin.
He operates in the shadows of one of history's most notorious regimes. He seeks the truth in a nation where finding it can mean death - or worse. His name his Inspector Pekkala, and this time he's taking on a case with implications far deadlier than anything he can imagine: a shattering revelation that was never meant to be unearthed.
Its official name is T-34, and this massive and mysterious new weapon is being developed in total secrecy in the Russian countryside, a thirty-ton killing machine. Its inventor, Colonel Rolan Nagorski, is a rogue genius whose macabre death is considered an accident only by the innocent.
And Josef Stalin is no innocent. Suspecting assassins everywhere, he brings in his best - if least obedient - detective to solve a murder that's tantamount to treason. Answerable to no one, Pekkala has the dictator's permission to go anywhere and interrogate anyone. But in Soviet Russia that's easily a death sentence. The closer Pekkala gets to the answers, the more questions he uncovers - first and foremost, why is the state's most dreaded female operative, Commissar Major Lysenkova, investigating the case when she's only assigned to internal affairs? Turns out that's it's political. One of the scientist gets reported by his friend and co worker and he is made to confess. Pekkala gives him his gun so he can kill himself as the is the humaine way rather than Siberia. This is Russia just before the World War II. The T34 in history was needed and made 80,000 in total.
Pekkala is on a collision course not only with the Soviet secret police but the USSR's deepest military secrets. For what he is about to learn could put Stalin and his Communist state under for good - and bury Pekkala with them. The traitor is Kropotkin who with temporary convert Maximov has destroyed Stalin's honey trap secret society the White Guild who pretended to be an organiseation to overthrow Stalin but was in reality a trap to lure malcontents and others out. And this is shat appears to have happened that someone stole the T34 plans and was selling them. That was the motorcyclist arriving from Germany but my guess is it was Kropotkin double bluff to ure out the White Guild members. He then successful using his truck pretending to be the factory to pick up a T34 whih he was going to use on the Polish border to incite the Germans to attack Russia before the tanks are produced and Russia is not ready
Brilliantly researched and rivetingly plotted, Shadow Pass is a superb story of suspense in a series growing only richer - and with a detective getting only better.
Former assasin Maximov was Colonel Rolan Nagorski body gueard. He has the hots for Nagorski's wife and is the protector of the son and family. One of the scirntist also has a year's relationship with the wife. Kropotkin tricks the boy into misunderstanding and he is the one who shoots his father because he is goaded by a letter he thinks is from Maximov but actually from Kropotkin impersonating Maximov. Also using the motorsysle Maximov attempted to murder Pekkala, Pekkala loyal and highly trained sharp shooter side kick is Kirov
Pekkala: He was originally the Romanovs' most trusted investigator. Called back from Siberia by Stalin.
He operates in the shadows of one of history's most notorious regimes. He seeks the truth in a nation where finding it can mean death - or worse. His name his Inspector Pekkala, and this time he's taking on a case with implications far deadlier than anything he can imagine: a shattering revelation that was never meant to be unearthed.
Its official name is T-34, and this massive and mysterious new weapon is being developed in total secrecy in the Russian countryside, a thirty-ton killing machine. Its inventor, Colonel Rolan Nagorski, is a rogue genius whose macabre death is considered an accident only by the innocent.
And Josef Stalin is no innocent. Suspecting assassins everywhere, he brings in his best - if least obedient - detective to solve a murder that's tantamount to treason. Answerable to no one, Pekkala has the dictator's permission to go anywhere and interrogate anyone. But in Soviet Russia that's easily a death sentence. The closer Pekkala gets to the answers, the more questions he uncovers - first and foremost, why is the state's most dreaded female operative, Commissar Major Lysenkova, investigating the case when she's only assigned to internal affairs? Turns out that's it's political. One of the scientist gets reported by his friend and co worker and he is made to confess. Pekkala gives him his gun so he can kill himself as the is the humaine way rather than Siberia. This is Russia just before the World War II. The T34 in history was needed and made 80,000 in total.
Pekkala is on a collision course not only with the Soviet secret police but the USSR's deepest military secrets. For what he is about to learn could put Stalin and his Communist state under for good - and bury Pekkala with them. The traitor is Kropotkin who with temporary convert Maximov has destroyed Stalin's honey trap secret society the White Guild who pretended to be an organiseation to overthrow Stalin but was in reality a trap to lure malcontents and others out. And this is shat appears to have happened that someone stole the T34 plans and was selling them. That was the motorcyclist arriving from Germany but my guess is it was Kropotkin double bluff to ure out the White Guild members. He then successful using his truck pretending to be the factory to pick up a T34 whih he was going to use on the Polish border to incite the Germans to attack Russia before the tanks are produced and Russia is not ready
Brilliantly researched and rivetingly plotted, Shadow Pass is a superb story of suspense in a series growing only richer - and with a detective getting only better.
Former assasin Maximov was Colonel Rolan Nagorski body gueard. He has the hots for Nagorski's wife and is the protector of the son and family. One of the scirntist also has a year's relationship with the wife. Kropotkin tricks the boy into misunderstanding and he is the one who shoots his father because he is goaded by a letter he thinks is from Maximov but actually from Kropotkin impersonating Maximov. Also using the motorsysle Maximov attempted to murder Pekkala, Pekkala loyal and highly trained sharp shooter side kick is Kirov
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2013
For a long time, I wasn't really sure which way to go on this one.
Was it long and dull and miserable, with not an awful lot of any consequence happening after the initial, interesting set-up?
Or was it a slow-burning, languid, subtle study of a police investigation in late '30's Russia? A Russia still remembering and indeed revering the rule of the Tsars, whilst feeling its way forward into the true terror of the workers paradise Stalin had in store. A story where all that goes before the final third, builds quite nicely, everything falling into place, making sense and almost excusing the rather misleading cover blurb.
In the end, I think the latter has won out. But with a hefty dose of the former.
So, as the cover blurb has it;
"A secret weapon. A suspicious death. A world on the edge of war."
Yes, that's all true. But if you're looking for a fast-moving, thrilling, tense war-time novel, look elsewhere. After the set-up and before the final conclusion in the forests on the Russia/Poland border, the story sags tremendously, gets lost in morbid reminiscences and descriptions of Russian life at the ourtbreak of WWII and generally moves at a snail's pace.
The saving grace is, that if you give up expecting it to be what it isn't, a fast-paced WWII espionage thriller, it actually works quite well. The languid descriptions of Inspector Pekkala's life under Stalin and his previous life working closely with the last Tsar, Tsarina and Rasputin, are actually very interesting. Though it must be something of a cliche, that Russians are always morose. But life at that time was bleak and Sam Eastland captures the feeling of hoplessnes and nothing to look forward to except possible impending doom, quite effectively. The snail's pace actually turns out to be a considered and reflective examination of the old and 'new' Russia and generally makes you very glad you weren't around at the time. Or if you were around at that time, that you weren't unfortunate enough to be around in Russia. And especially not around Stalin.
I've got to admit that in reading 'The Red Coffin', I didn't recognise the novel all the quoted reviewers seem to have read. Maybe they're describing what seems to be the other, the first Inspector Pekkala story? But I did finally think I enjoyed this one, and will look out for the first, 'Eye Of The Red Tsar', going cheap in my local bookstore, as this one was.
Was it long and dull and miserable, with not an awful lot of any consequence happening after the initial, interesting set-up?
Or was it a slow-burning, languid, subtle study of a police investigation in late '30's Russia? A Russia still remembering and indeed revering the rule of the Tsars, whilst feeling its way forward into the true terror of the workers paradise Stalin had in store. A story where all that goes before the final third, builds quite nicely, everything falling into place, making sense and almost excusing the rather misleading cover blurb.
In the end, I think the latter has won out. But with a hefty dose of the former.
So, as the cover blurb has it;
"A secret weapon. A suspicious death. A world on the edge of war."
Yes, that's all true. But if you're looking for a fast-moving, thrilling, tense war-time novel, look elsewhere. After the set-up and before the final conclusion in the forests on the Russia/Poland border, the story sags tremendously, gets lost in morbid reminiscences and descriptions of Russian life at the ourtbreak of WWII and generally moves at a snail's pace.
The saving grace is, that if you give up expecting it to be what it isn't, a fast-paced WWII espionage thriller, it actually works quite well. The languid descriptions of Inspector Pekkala's life under Stalin and his previous life working closely with the last Tsar, Tsarina and Rasputin, are actually very interesting. Though it must be something of a cliche, that Russians are always morose. But life at that time was bleak and Sam Eastland captures the feeling of hoplessnes and nothing to look forward to except possible impending doom, quite effectively. The snail's pace actually turns out to be a considered and reflective examination of the old and 'new' Russia and generally makes you very glad you weren't around at the time. Or if you were around at that time, that you weren't unfortunate enough to be around in Russia. And especially not around Stalin.
I've got to admit that in reading 'The Red Coffin', I didn't recognise the novel all the quoted reviewers seem to have read. Maybe they're describing what seems to be the other, the first Inspector Pekkala story? But I did finally think I enjoyed this one, and will look out for the first, 'Eye Of The Red Tsar', going cheap in my local bookstore, as this one was.
August 10, 2016
A quick and easy read but nothing special in the genre and will make anyone with historical knowledge of the time cringe with pain.
The historical issues are well covered in other reviews so I will skip them.
It is hard to care for the characters who all fit into a few fairly simple cliches and lack any real depth or personality. Case in point, the main character spent years in a gulag, works for the man responsible for sending people to these gulags, does a job which presumably sends more people to the gulags. Yet never does he seem to grapple with this or have any real thoughts or actions whatsoever relating to it (with one very brief exception, but only when forced upon him in a unique situation). There is a wooden board with a menu on it that gets more attention than the feelings and internal divisions of the main character despite his complex situation.
Just to reiterate that: there is a wooden sandwich board for a cafe which gets more word time devoted to it than the internal moral struggles of a man working a morally complex job for a ruthless regime with which he has a dark history. The sandwich board actually plays a bigger role in the story too....
The writing and language (especially considering the author is a native English speaker who went to Eton and Yale) is downright strange at times, especially with regard to similes which he tosses in at every opportunity - 'sleet lay on the ground like frogspawn' and 'his heart was heavy, like that of a man who's blood had turned to sand' were two of the strangest which stuck in mind as making little sense and adding nothing but minor confusion. The language is also often painfully patronising, you can almost feel the author pat you on the head when he used the line '"Hello inspector Pekkala" said the guard, showing that in addition to the greeting of hello that he also recognised the inspector'.
For 99p it was OK but certainly not worth spending anything more on.
The historical issues are well covered in other reviews so I will skip them.
It is hard to care for the characters who all fit into a few fairly simple cliches and lack any real depth or personality. Case in point, the main character spent years in a gulag, works for the man responsible for sending people to these gulags, does a job which presumably sends more people to the gulags. Yet never does he seem to grapple with this or have any real thoughts or actions whatsoever relating to it (with one very brief exception, but only when forced upon him in a unique situation). There is a wooden board with a menu on it that gets more attention than the feelings and internal divisions of the main character despite his complex situation.
Just to reiterate that: there is a wooden sandwich board for a cafe which gets more word time devoted to it than the internal moral struggles of a man working a morally complex job for a ruthless regime with which he has a dark history. The sandwich board actually plays a bigger role in the story too....
The writing and language (especially considering the author is a native English speaker who went to Eton and Yale) is downright strange at times, especially with regard to similes which he tosses in at every opportunity - 'sleet lay on the ground like frogspawn' and 'his heart was heavy, like that of a man who's blood had turned to sand' were two of the strangest which stuck in mind as making little sense and adding nothing but minor confusion. The language is also often painfully patronising, you can almost feel the author pat you on the head when he used the line '"Hello inspector Pekkala" said the guard, showing that in addition to the greeting of hello that he also recognised the inspector'.
For 99p it was OK but certainly not worth spending anything more on.
October 28, 2017
An enjoyable series set in the USSR in the 1930s told with flashbacks to the pre-revolutionary era when Inspector Pekkala was the Tsar's most trusted police investigator, wearing a special lapel pin to identify him called the Emerald Eye. Now he works for Stalin, depicted as something like a grumpily exacting uncle figure, which is disconcerting when you consider what the dictator was doing at this time, the Great Terror and starvation in the Ukraine as state policy.
Pekkala must investigate the grisly murder of the head designer of the vital Soviet tank programme. He's given a 'shadow pass' from Stalin, in effect freedom to go anywhere, interrogate anyone and do anything necessary to solve the case, no questions asked or permission necessary. Interference from secret police, suspicion and treachery among rival scientists, the fear induced by Stalin's paranoia make Pekkala's job difficult and dangerous. Dogged pursuit of truth and justice with stoical persistence is what he's about, however, and the stakes could not be higher: is someone working to take the T34 tank to the Germans, a formidable weapon to be turned against the Soviet Union in an apparently imminent invasion?
I like Pekkala and his almost fatherly relationship with young assistant, Major Kirov. There's enough grim detail of life under Stalin and pertinent reminiscences to Tsarist times to make a decent historical novel and the crime plot satisfies, too, though don't expect an all-action thriller as the novel has quite a slow pace. Digressions in the form of flashbacks to Pekkala's dealings with the Tsar and Tsarina, and Rasputin, might appear superfluous to some readers but are a useful way to compare and contrast differences and similarities between absolutist monarchy and Soviet totalitarianism.
These are fun, escapist reads that will appeal to those like me who grew up on John Buchan's Richard Hannay
Pekkala must investigate the grisly murder of the head designer of the vital Soviet tank programme. He's given a 'shadow pass' from Stalin, in effect freedom to go anywhere, interrogate anyone and do anything necessary to solve the case, no questions asked or permission necessary. Interference from secret police, suspicion and treachery among rival scientists, the fear induced by Stalin's paranoia make Pekkala's job difficult and dangerous. Dogged pursuit of truth and justice with stoical persistence is what he's about, however, and the stakes could not be higher: is someone working to take the T34 tank to the Germans, a formidable weapon to be turned against the Soviet Union in an apparently imminent invasion?
I like Pekkala and his almost fatherly relationship with young assistant, Major Kirov. There's enough grim detail of life under Stalin and pertinent reminiscences to Tsarist times to make a decent historical novel and the crime plot satisfies, too, though don't expect an all-action thriller as the novel has quite a slow pace. Digressions in the form of flashbacks to Pekkala's dealings with the Tsar and Tsarina, and Rasputin, might appear superfluous to some readers but are a useful way to compare and contrast differences and similarities between absolutist monarchy and Soviet totalitarianism.
These are fun, escapist reads that will appeal to those like me who grew up on John Buchan's Richard Hannay
January 25, 2014
When I find a book that I can't put down or look forward to finishing it is worth 5 stars to me. This book kept me interested and involved in the story. The detective story was well written and I didn't ever feel the need to skip a few pages to get to the end as I have done in other stories. I also learned a bit about life in Russia during Stalin.
I really did enjoy this book. I think that the author did a well job with the story and having its readers take an interest in the characters. I can't wait to read more of his book.
I really did enjoy this book. I think that the author did a well job with the story and having its readers take an interest in the characters. I can't wait to read more of his book.
October 25, 2017
The Red Coffin is Sam Eastland's second in the Inspector Pekkala series. It was very strong on character (Stalin himself makes an appearance or two) but less so on plot. Irritatingly there were numerous flash backs which slowed the pace of the novel a little.
Nevertheless Pekkala is a fascinating character and I shall resume reading the series in due course.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Two Families at War, Liberating Belsen and The Summer of '39
Nevertheless Pekkala is a fascinating character and I shall resume reading the series in due course.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Two Families at War, Liberating Belsen and The Summer of '39
March 26, 2014
I love the Inspector Pekkala book series, and Shadow Pass is no exception. Inspector Pekkala is so charming and engaging, he's one of my favorite characters of all time - any reader will fall in love with him and his interactions with his assistant and other characters in the books. I thought this was a great mystery from beginning to end, can't wait to read Archive 17.
May 26, 2014
Sam Eastland is the new Martin Cruz Smith. A Soviet Union-based detective picks at the bones of tough crimes while himself teetering on the edge of the political abyss.
The Red Coffin follows on nicely from Eastland's debut, Eye of the Red Tsar, and although not as intricately created as Smith's Renko novels at times, the author's passion for the history of his setting is impressive.
The Red Coffin follows on nicely from Eastland's debut, Eye of the Red Tsar, and although not as intricately created as Smith's Renko novels at times, the author's passion for the history of his setting is impressive.
October 22, 2013
It loses a star because I had figured it out around the 50-60% mark, and had my suspicions much sooner. Other than that, the character and writing is great and we even got a laugh at the expense of Stalin. Recommended reading, for sure.
December 19, 2014
Excellent series
I have really enjoyed this series. Really like this character of pekkala. I love the intermix of history of the tsar, Stalin and the gulags. Can't wait to start the next
I have really enjoyed this series. Really like this character of pekkala. I love the intermix of history of the tsar, Stalin and the gulags. Can't wait to start the next
June 22, 2015
Send me to Siberia - NOT!
Love this author. Though I appear to be reading them out of order each book has stood on its own. Excellent narrative putting me right there in Russia with Inspector Pekkala.
Love this author. Though I appear to be reading them out of order each book has stood on its own. Excellent narrative putting me right there in Russia with Inspector Pekkala.
August 7, 2018
Well, I’ll start by saying I really liked the first book in this series. This second book was a quick read, and not awful, but I found myself wanting to just get finished with it in the last 50 pages or so. I’ll try the third in the series and hope it is more on par with the first in the series.
May 29, 2011
I am really loving this series. I can't wait for the next one because I want to learn more about this character.
September 22, 2013
An excellent book, very well read.
Mainly set in 1939 when Pekkala is working for Stalin, it flashes back to his time as special investigator for the Tsar, and his time in a Gulag
Mainly set in 1939 when Pekkala is working for Stalin, it flashes back to his time as special investigator for the Tsar, and his time in a Gulag
January 9, 2018
Not as good as the first one, this time the going back and forth in time with Pekkala's memories got annoying.
January 20, 2018
It is 1938, and Inspector Pekkala's second case on Stalin's orders takes him into the remote Russian country-side to investigate the macabre death of Colonel Rolan Nagorski, an eccentric inventor whose latest creation is the most closely guarded secret in Russia. Is Nagorski's death connected to his invention? Pekkala arrives at the research facility to find shock at the manner in which Nagorski died, as well as mistrust and rivalry between some of the scientists working there. Nagorski was crushed under T-34, the monstrous and massive new tank being tested before mass-production for use in the feared war that many anticipate in Europe. Josef Stalin is not so much concerned about Nagorski, men can be replaced after all, but he is adamant that nothing be allowed to slow down the production of his dream tank. In order to find the murderer, Pekkala has to cut his way through the tangle of Nagorski family secrets, animosity between scientists, and the overall fear of speaking that has been part of the Russian psyche for generations. But finding the murderer is the least of Pekkala's worries as Stalin insists that the tank go into production, in spite of the fact that all the tests and trial runs have not been completed. Of course, nobody has the courage to tell Stalin that the tank was not ready. This book could be viewed as a metaphor for the fact that Russia was not ready for WW ll, the Molotov Ribbentrop Pact to the contrary.
January 21, 2019
The premise behind the Inspector Pekkala series is an interesting one: a detective protagonist so good at solving mysteries that his monstrous employers (first Tsar Nicholas II, then Josef Stalin) tolerate the fact that he actually has a conscience.
Of course, operating within the constraints of totalitarian systems like imperial autocracy and Stalinist dictatorship, one doesn't get many chances to do more with one's conscience than pay occasional mental or verbal homage to it-- which is the Pekkala series' concession to realism.
Anyway, this second book in the series, like the first, has a gripping central plot-- Who has murdered the designer of Russia's secret superweapon, and is the murder somehow related to Russia and Germany's pre-WWII game of geopolitical chicken?-- oodles of Soviet-period detail, and characters of varying degrees of likability and believability. The denouement is more anticlimactic than that of the first book, but on the other hand, the plot of this one (though not without weak moments) is much more tightly constructed than the first, and represents a promising improvement that left me anticipating the next book in the series.
Of course, operating within the constraints of totalitarian systems like imperial autocracy and Stalinist dictatorship, one doesn't get many chances to do more with one's conscience than pay occasional mental or verbal homage to it-- which is the Pekkala series' concession to realism.
Anyway, this second book in the series, like the first, has a gripping central plot-- Who has murdered the designer of Russia's secret superweapon, and is the murder somehow related to Russia and Germany's pre-WWII game of geopolitical chicken?-- oodles of Soviet-period detail, and characters of varying degrees of likability and believability. The denouement is more anticlimactic than that of the first book, but on the other hand, the plot of this one (though not without weak moments) is much more tightly constructed than the first, and represents a promising improvement that left me anticipating the next book in the series.
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