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Porfiry Rostnikov #5
Alba siberiana
La quinta avventura dell'ispettore Rostnikov, lo porta a Tumsk, un piccolo centro nel cuore della Siberia, dove, nelle belle giornate, la temperatura è di quaranta gradi sotto lo zero. Due persone sono morte in circostanze sospette la giovane figlia di un dissidente, precipitata da una roccia e un commissario della polizia moscovita inviato per investigare sul caso e colpito a morte da un punteruolo di ghiaccio A Tumsk, Rostnikov comincia gli interrogatori dei sospetti e si trova di fronte a un campionano umano alquanto strano: un ex prete ortodosso con un debole per le donne, un generale mandato in pensione perchè scomodo al sistema, Il custode della casa del popolo che sa qualcosa ma si guarda bene dal rivelarlo, il dissidente stesso. un tipo bizzoso e intrattabile e persino uno sciamano della foresta siberiana. testimone , pare, del delitto del commissario.
Tutti sanno qualcosa ma tutti tacciono.
E poi Rostnikov sfugge per miracolo a un attentato Stringendo i denti non solo per Il freddo, con la carriera e la vita privata messe a repentaglio, Rostnikov. dovrà attraversare un terreno minato prima di arrivare a smascherare il colpevole.
Tutti sanno qualcosa ma tutti tacciono.
E poi Rostnikov sfugge per miracolo a un attentato Stringendo i denti non solo per Il freddo, con la carriera e la vita privata messe a repentaglio, Rostnikov. dovrà attraversare un terreno minato prima di arrivare a smascherare il colpevole.
191 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
196 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Stuart M. Kaminsky
160 books215 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 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 23, 2021
Another Excellent Episode.
Although still in the doghouse with the KGB, Inspector Rostnikov is still given the task of finding the murderer of Comrade Rutkin.
Having to work with Inspector Skolov, who was sent along to spy on him, Rostnikov is sent to the wilds of Siberia.
With the “vampire,” Emil Karpo assisting him, Rostnikov is also tasked with appeasing the dissident Samoronov, who is furious about the murder of his little girl.
With all of this going on, someone attempts to take his life; fortunately, the shooter misses.
Kaminsky takes us away from Moscow to the tiny village of Tumsk, where forty below is normal weather.
Also normal, is the incompetence of most officials and the paranoia that runs rampant through society.
Although still in the doghouse with the KGB, Inspector Rostnikov is still given the task of finding the murderer of Comrade Rutkin.
Having to work with Inspector Skolov, who was sent along to spy on him, Rostnikov is sent to the wilds of Siberia.
With the “vampire,” Emil Karpo assisting him, Rostnikov is also tasked with appeasing the dissident Samoronov, who is furious about the murder of his little girl.
With all of this going on, someone attempts to take his life; fortunately, the shooter misses.
Kaminsky takes us away from Moscow to the tiny village of Tumsk, where forty below is normal weather.
Also normal, is the incompetence of most officials and the paranoia that runs rampant through society.
December 7, 2012
The old saying "red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky in morning, sailors take warning," apparently has some scientific validity. It even appears in the Bible (Matthew XVI:2-3) Something to do with the refraction of sunlight through dust particles at night meaning a high pressure and fair weather is on the horizon whereas in the morning, deep red means it's shining through a lot of water content in the clouds. Or something like that.
Whether Kaminsky had anything like that in mind with this title I have no idea, but it certainly reflects the trouble Inspector Rostnikov is headed for when he's sent to look into the murder of another inspector in outermost Siberia who was killed while investigating the killing of a dissident's child.
Kaminsky writes with great authority of Russia: its culture and history. While some readers may find the little historical snippets of Siberia distracting, I did not. I love that kind of background and setting. Kaminsky does it well: informative without being intrusive. The insertion of numerous Russian words I'll have to take on faith as being correct since I know no Russian at all.
My favorite character, I think is Emil Karpo who totally buffaloes the KGB masters with his totally PC responses to their queries and they have no idea if he's making fun of them or not. The scene where his supervisor accuses him of visiting a prostitute is classic. "That I meet this woman is true. That our meeting is intimate is also true. That it represents a weakness I also confirm. I find that I am not completely able to deny my animalism and that I can function, do the work of the state to which I have been assigned, with greater efficiency if I allow myself this indulgence rather than fight against it."
Both he and Rostnikov have been demoted and transferred to the traffic division, but the KGB knows Rostnikov to be a talented detective, but one who bears a lot of watching. In some respects, Rostnikov reminded me a little of Leon's Brunetti, a thoroughly honest cop surrounded by corruption and idiotic bureaucracy run by the clueless. There's a side plot involving another Rostnikov mentor, but I'll not reveal the plot.
Note: I remain a little puzzled why this book was distributed as an ARC, which is how I got it, since it's been available for several years. (Publishers Weekly reviewed it in 1988.) The same was true of another book, Crashed by Hallinan. There would seem to be plenty of reviews out there, so I'm not sure why more would be needed.
Then again, never look a gift horse in the mouth and I was pleased to read this and am happy to provide a review. I certainly enjoyed the book and will read more in the Rostnikov series. It has also encouraged me to purchase several other Rostnikov titles for my Kindle.
Whether Kaminsky had anything like that in mind with this title I have no idea, but it certainly reflects the trouble Inspector Rostnikov is headed for when he's sent to look into the murder of another inspector in outermost Siberia who was killed while investigating the killing of a dissident's child.
Kaminsky writes with great authority of Russia: its culture and history. While some readers may find the little historical snippets of Siberia distracting, I did not. I love that kind of background and setting. Kaminsky does it well: informative without being intrusive. The insertion of numerous Russian words I'll have to take on faith as being correct since I know no Russian at all.
My favorite character, I think is Emil Karpo who totally buffaloes the KGB masters with his totally PC responses to their queries and they have no idea if he's making fun of them or not. The scene where his supervisor accuses him of visiting a prostitute is classic. "That I meet this woman is true. That our meeting is intimate is also true. That it represents a weakness I also confirm. I find that I am not completely able to deny my animalism and that I can function, do the work of the state to which I have been assigned, with greater efficiency if I allow myself this indulgence rather than fight against it."
Both he and Rostnikov have been demoted and transferred to the traffic division, but the KGB knows Rostnikov to be a talented detective, but one who bears a lot of watching. In some respects, Rostnikov reminded me a little of Leon's Brunetti, a thoroughly honest cop surrounded by corruption and idiotic bureaucracy run by the clueless. There's a side plot involving another Rostnikov mentor, but I'll not reveal the plot.
Note: I remain a little puzzled why this book was distributed as an ARC, which is how I got it, since it's been available for several years. (Publishers Weekly reviewed it in 1988.) The same was true of another book, Crashed by Hallinan. There would seem to be plenty of reviews out there, so I'm not sure why more would be needed.
Then again, never look a gift horse in the mouth and I was pleased to read this and am happy to provide a review. I certainly enjoyed the book and will read more in the Rostnikov series. It has also encouraged me to purchase several other Rostnikov titles for my Kindle.
January 4, 2022
Stuart Kaminsky won the Edgar for Best Novel for A Cold Red Sunrise, and it’s easy to see why. The four books that precede it in his long-running series featuring Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov are all excellent. But he outdoes himself with this fascinating excursion into a murder above the Arctic Circle. We follow Rostnikov 2,000 miles east of Moscow to the frozen wastes of a tiny Siberian village in 1987. There, surprise piles atop surprise. Meanwhile, we gain insight into the dysfunction of the Soviet state and learn about the indigenous culture of the area. It’s a tour de force, surely among the best novels in the detective genre.
THREE EXILES IN A SIBERIAN VILLAGE
The village of Tumsk exists for two reasons, and two only. “Tumsk had not resisted change,” Kaminsky writes. “Tumsk had not even been threatened by it. No one had cared.” It’s the site of a Soviet naval weather research station near the massive Yenisei River and the home of three men who proved troublesome for the state. General Krasnikov, who is outspoken in his opposition to the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. A dissident physician named Lev Samsonov, who is scheduled for deportation to the West along with his beautiful young wife. And Dimitri Galich, a renegade ex-priest who found life west of the Urals both in and outside the Church too difficult to bear. All three exiles, both voluntary and not, are among the suspects Rostnikov finds for the murder of the police Commissar who preceded him in the village.
A POLICE PROCEDURAL SET IN GORBACHEV’S RUSSIA
The four novels that precede A Cold Red Sunrise are police procedurals, but his one is a little different. In the earlier books, Rostnikov and his two subordinates, Emil Karpo and Sasha Tkach, all pursue different cases, which may prove to be interconnected. Now the KGB has snatched Karpo from an investigation in Moscow into two “economic criminals”—muggers, in this case—and assigned him to accompany Rostnikov to Tumsk. His assignment is to spy on his boss and mentor. And Tkach is yanked from another active investigation and reassigned to resume the stakeout Karpo was forced to abandon.
MURDER ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
Rostnikov’s assignment is to identify and arrest the person who killed Commissar Ilya Rutkin and not to be diverted by any distractions. But the case isn’t so simple. Rutkin was investigating the death of the dissident physician’s eight-year-old daughter when he himself was murdered. Naturally, Rostnikov suspects that the two cases are linked. But his orders are to avoid questions about the little girl. Which he is constitutionally incapable of doing.
Within short order of arriving in the village, Rostnikov manages to focus his suspicions on the three exiles. And he’s certain that the aged caretaker of the People’s Hall of Justice overlooking the village square witnessed the Commissar’s murder. In fact, when he eventually manages to coax a confession from the old man, a fourth suspect turns up. He’s a man named Kurmu, a shaman of the indigenous Evenki people who live in the taiga (forest) surrounding the village. And, to complicate matters further, Rostnikov suspects that Dr. Samsonov’s young wife, Lyudmila, knows more than she’s saying about what happened.
Still, with Emil Karpo’s able assistance, and despite the interference and constant complaints of the KGB officer sent to find fault with his investigation, Rostnikov successfully wraps up the case within the three days he’s given himself as a deadline. But there are many surprises along the way—more for us readers than for Rostnikov, to be sure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stuart M. Kaminsky (1934-2009) wrote four series of detective novels in a career spanning three decades, including eighteen novels featuring Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov. He held BS and MA degrees from the University of Illinois and a PhD in Speech from Northwestern University. Kaminsky taught film studies at Northwestern and Florida State University for a total of 22 years.
THREE EXILES IN A SIBERIAN VILLAGE
The village of Tumsk exists for two reasons, and two only. “Tumsk had not resisted change,” Kaminsky writes. “Tumsk had not even been threatened by it. No one had cared.” It’s the site of a Soviet naval weather research station near the massive Yenisei River and the home of three men who proved troublesome for the state. General Krasnikov, who is outspoken in his opposition to the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. A dissident physician named Lev Samsonov, who is scheduled for deportation to the West along with his beautiful young wife. And Dimitri Galich, a renegade ex-priest who found life west of the Urals both in and outside the Church too difficult to bear. All three exiles, both voluntary and not, are among the suspects Rostnikov finds for the murder of the police Commissar who preceded him in the village.
A POLICE PROCEDURAL SET IN GORBACHEV’S RUSSIA
The four novels that precede A Cold Red Sunrise are police procedurals, but his one is a little different. In the earlier books, Rostnikov and his two subordinates, Emil Karpo and Sasha Tkach, all pursue different cases, which may prove to be interconnected. Now the KGB has snatched Karpo from an investigation in Moscow into two “economic criminals”—muggers, in this case—and assigned him to accompany Rostnikov to Tumsk. His assignment is to spy on his boss and mentor. And Tkach is yanked from another active investigation and reassigned to resume the stakeout Karpo was forced to abandon.
MURDER ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
Rostnikov’s assignment is to identify and arrest the person who killed Commissar Ilya Rutkin and not to be diverted by any distractions. But the case isn’t so simple. Rutkin was investigating the death of the dissident physician’s eight-year-old daughter when he himself was murdered. Naturally, Rostnikov suspects that the two cases are linked. But his orders are to avoid questions about the little girl. Which he is constitutionally incapable of doing.
Within short order of arriving in the village, Rostnikov manages to focus his suspicions on the three exiles. And he’s certain that the aged caretaker of the People’s Hall of Justice overlooking the village square witnessed the Commissar’s murder. In fact, when he eventually manages to coax a confession from the old man, a fourth suspect turns up. He’s a man named Kurmu, a shaman of the indigenous Evenki people who live in the taiga (forest) surrounding the village. And, to complicate matters further, Rostnikov suspects that Dr. Samsonov’s young wife, Lyudmila, knows more than she’s saying about what happened.
Still, with Emil Karpo’s able assistance, and despite the interference and constant complaints of the KGB officer sent to find fault with his investigation, Rostnikov successfully wraps up the case within the three days he’s given himself as a deadline. But there are many surprises along the way—more for us readers than for Rostnikov, to be sure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stuart M. Kaminsky (1934-2009) wrote four series of detective novels in a career spanning three decades, including eighteen novels featuring Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov. He held BS and MA degrees from the University of Illinois and a PhD in Speech from Northwestern University. Kaminsky taught film studies at Northwestern and Florida State University for a total of 22 years.
April 9, 2013
A Cold Red Sunrise represents my first adventure with Russian Police Inspector, Porfiry Rostnikov, one of several of Stuart Kaminsky's on going characters.
Rostnikov is a fifty plus year old cop with a bum leg married to a Jewish woman. As an additional item of interest, their only son is a soldier in the Russian army stationed in Afghanistan. Throughout the story we are treated to not only the development of the mystery Rostnikov is sent to investigate in Siberia, but to snatches of ordinary middle class life in Moscow.
Kaminsky sets his story during the Cold War years and the growing influence of the KGB, and through Rostnikov is able to subtly comment on the difficulties of living in a country where fear of government was so readily accepted by some, and so routinely circumvented by others. Mostly, I was intrigued by Rostnikov's personality and his approach to his job, his life in Russia and his apparent shaky relationship with the Communist Party.
My sense of the story is that it was written as a chapter in Porfiry Rostnikov's life, and although it could be read as a stand alone mystery, it was basically about the Inspector and the people in his life. I like this approach and I like Rostnikov. I think Porfiry and I are about to become imaginary friends.
Rostnikov is a fifty plus year old cop with a bum leg married to a Jewish woman. As an additional item of interest, their only son is a soldier in the Russian army stationed in Afghanistan. Throughout the story we are treated to not only the development of the mystery Rostnikov is sent to investigate in Siberia, but to snatches of ordinary middle class life in Moscow.
Kaminsky sets his story during the Cold War years and the growing influence of the KGB, and through Rostnikov is able to subtly comment on the difficulties of living in a country where fear of government was so readily accepted by some, and so routinely circumvented by others. Mostly, I was intrigued by Rostnikov's personality and his approach to his job, his life in Russia and his apparent shaky relationship with the Communist Party.
My sense of the story is that it was written as a chapter in Porfiry Rostnikov's life, and although it could be read as a stand alone mystery, it was basically about the Inspector and the people in his life. I like this approach and I like Rostnikov. I think Porfiry and I are about to become imaginary friends.
March 16, 2024
The more I read from Stuart Kaminsky, the more I like him. So far, I've read several of the Rostnikov series, and several of the Abe Lieberman books. Although they are very different, they have similarities; the characters are entertaining and well-developed. And both Rostnikov and Lieberman are cops, but very likable, respectful even of the criminals, and there is a subtle humor throughout the books.
Rostnikov is very good, but his methods are not always politically correct for Russia during the era it takes place. He's a believer in doing what's right, not always what is politically correct. This has held him back, but he isn't ambitious. He's prefer to leave Russia, but trying too hard is not a good idea, especially for his Jewish wife and his grown son who is in the army in Afghanistan. So he makes the best of the situation.
Much of this story takes place in Siberia. There are a lot of interesting people, as you might expect in a place where they send supposed trouble-makers. Most of the residents are suspicious of Rostnikov, as they would be of any government official, but he manages to become friends with many and is respected by others. I found it pretty interesting to read about life in Siberia, and even life in Moscow during these times. I've heard Kaminsky is pretty accurate in his depiction of conditions there, even though he's not from there.
There are a lot more books from Kaminsky, which makes me happy. I hope to read them all, and I am going to make an effort to read more of them.
Rostnikov is very good, but his methods are not always politically correct for Russia during the era it takes place. He's a believer in doing what's right, not always what is politically correct. This has held him back, but he isn't ambitious. He's prefer to leave Russia, but trying too hard is not a good idea, especially for his Jewish wife and his grown son who is in the army in Afghanistan. So he makes the best of the situation.
Much of this story takes place in Siberia. There are a lot of interesting people, as you might expect in a place where they send supposed trouble-makers. Most of the residents are suspicious of Rostnikov, as they would be of any government official, but he manages to become friends with many and is respected by others. I found it pretty interesting to read about life in Siberia, and even life in Moscow during these times. I've heard Kaminsky is pretty accurate in his depiction of conditions there, even though he's not from there.
There are a lot more books from Kaminsky, which makes me happy. I hope to read them all, and I am going to make an effort to read more of them.
May 9, 2025
This is a wonderful series. Read start to finish, they make a history of Soviet Russia and its decadence into a terrible ungoverned capitalism. The USA lasted a little longer, now we are in that same state of ungoverned capitalism and these are guidebooks to what to expect.
December 24, 2017
A Cold Red Sunrise is the fifth book of the Inspector Rostnikpov series set in Russia. This outing, published in 1988, shows slight hints of the Glasnost era, though the Soviet regime is very much in place. Rostnikpov is an interesting character – a stoic, cunning man with an injured leg, who is obsessed with weight-lifting and solving crimes, and manages to maintain high principles yet survive the political machinations of the Soviet policing and intelligence services. In this tale, Rostnikpov is sent to Siberia to investigate the death of a commissar who had been investigating the suspicious death of the daughter of a soon-to-be political exile. Nobody in the small village seems happy with his presence and his prime tactic is to subtly unsettle the locals to try and provoke a reaction. It’s a dangerous move given what happened to the commissar. Like Rostnikpov and Siberia, the storytelling is spartan, being all show and no tell. There’s a strong sense of place and contextualisation as to the politics of living and working in the Soviet regime. At one level the story seems relatively straightforward and uncomplicated, but as it nears its conclusion Kaminsky reveals some nice twists that make perfect sense but are nonetheless surprising. Overall, an engaging and entertaining police procedural.
November 17, 2019
On my October, November, December journey this year (2019), I decided I would read a mystery set in each country I visited while I was in that country.
While in Russia, I read this and Gorky Park. On the basis of which one stuck with me most, I think I have to say this one did. Both were excellent and worth reading even if your trip to Russia is in your easy chair next to the fire. Or on a beach.
I read the e-book, not the paperback. You can find it here and support an independent business:
https://untethered.papertrell.com/id0...
While in Russia, I read this and Gorky Park. On the basis of which one stuck with me most, I think I have to say this one did. Both were excellent and worth reading even if your trip to Russia is in your easy chair next to the fire. Or on a beach.
I read the e-book, not the paperback. You can find it here and support an independent business:
https://untethered.papertrell.com/id0...
July 18, 2012
Boring, ultimately pointless, and the mystery is completely unsatisfying (both obvious and impossible to figure out at the same time). The only thing going for this is the Soviet setting, and the author has nothing interesting to say on that score. The only saving grace is that the book was short, so I didn't waste very much time. Skip it.
November 2, 2016
I'm a big fan of Martin Cruz Smith (all books beginning with Gorky Park) and I was hoping Kaminsky might measure up. I'm curious now why this author didn't since he's a very respected writer in the genre. The story was okay but no wow factor. There was a subplot, another case besides the main one, and I never understood why. In the end, they had no connection. Odd ..to me.
July 28, 2021
This is a 1988 crime mystery by American mystery author Stuart Kaminsky and is the fifth book in his long running Moscow police inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov series. In addition to the Rostnikov series, Kaminsky has also created other successful series such as Hollywood private detective Toby Peters (with a setting in 1940s Los Angeles) and Chicago police officer Abe Lieberman. This book won the 1989 Edgar Award for Best Novel. It is very well written and moves at a good clip. The setting is in late 1980s Soviet Union, mainly in Siberia with some scenes in Moscow. That is the glasnost period when Russia was trying to improve relationship with the west. Like all books in the Rostnikov series, Kaminsky provides a lot of political and social color of Soviet Union at the time (with a lot of episodes dealing with shortages and difficult living conditions during the period), as well as Rostnikov’s constant conflict and disagreement with the KGB. This book should really be read as a historic mystery at this point. It is not a clue-based mystery where the readers can solve the crime. The end came with more a pronouncement by Rostnikov of his conclusions without Kaminsky giving the clues to allow us to solve the case ourselves. Despite of that, it is still a very enjoyable and interesting book to read.
Spoiler Alert. Lev Samsonov is a world-renowned physician and scientist and is a Soviet dissident. He and his family (his second wife Ludmilla and young daughter Karla) were exiled to the village of Tumsk in Siberia. Tumsk was one of many exile towns in Siberia where the Soviet Union disperse its dissidents. In late 1980s, as part of glasnost and purportedly in response to Western pressure, the Soviet Union agreed to let Samsonov and his family emigrate to the west. Days before they were to leave, Lev’s daughter Karla was found dead, apparently from falling down a rock. Lev was distraught and demanded an investigation before he will leave Siberia. Commissir Illya Rutkin was sent to investigate. Soon, Rutkin himself was murdered in Tumsk, stabbed through the eye by a spear made with frozen ice.
Subsequently, Rostnikov was sent to investigate the murder of Rutkin. Although he has been expressly instructed only to investigate the Rutkin murder and not to investigate the suspicious death of Karla Samsonov, Rostnikov felt the two cases might be connected so he decided to disregard his superior’s instructions (which he did frequently). Rostnikov started interviewing key players in the very small village. As he was investigating, an attempt was made on his life but it failed. Later, Rostnikov was able to solve the case. It turns out what happened was Karla Samsonov’s death was indeed an accident. Rutkin (an incompetent investigator) was originally sent to investigate the case with the expectation that he would just find it an accident and close the case quickly so that Samsonov would leave the country. Rutkin, however, threw a curveball. He mistakenly thought the wife of Lev Samsonov, Ludmilla, was having an affair with a local man Dimitri Galich. He also thought Karla Samsonov discovered the affair and therefore Galich and Ludmilla killed her. He was happy with his conclusion and was about to publicly announce his faulty findings. What he did not realize was he has accidentally walked into a KGB spy operation. Ludmilla was a KGB undercover agent. The KGB plan was to get her married to Lev, then allow Lev to emigrate to the west and get integrated into the western scientific community. That would allow Ludmilla to be exposed to advanced western technologies and scientists through Lev’s connections. Rutkin publicly accusing her of murdering her step-daughter Karla would have spoilt that plan. Therefore, Ludmilla convinced Galich (who was in love with Ludmilla) to kill Rutkin, which he did. Rostnikov figured that all out. However, he also realized if he were to expose Ludmilla, the KGB would go after him and take revenge on him for disrupting a KGB operation. In this case, however, Rostnikov was willing to go along with the KGB because there is a sub-plot. Another political exile living in Tumsk was an ex-Soviet general called General Vassily Krasnikov. He was banished to Siberia after disagreeing with his superiors about the country’s Afghan policy. He has secretly written an explosive tell-all book criticizing Soviet Russia’s military strategy and strategic direction in the ongoing war in Afghanistan. His goal was to have the manuscript smuggled out to the West by Lev Samsonov when he leaves the country. The objective was to put a spotlight on the Afghan War and its toll on Soviet Russia and hopefully shorten its duration. Rostnikov shared in that goal because his own son, Josef, was serving with the Soviet army in Afghanistan at that time. That is the other reason Rostnikov did not expose Ludmilla but instead just closed the case and concluded Rutkin’s murderer was Galich, who was dead by then, killed by Rostnikov’s able assistant Investigator Emil Karpo when Galich tried to kill Rostnikov.
Spoiler Alert. Lev Samsonov is a world-renowned physician and scientist and is a Soviet dissident. He and his family (his second wife Ludmilla and young daughter Karla) were exiled to the village of Tumsk in Siberia. Tumsk was one of many exile towns in Siberia where the Soviet Union disperse its dissidents. In late 1980s, as part of glasnost and purportedly in response to Western pressure, the Soviet Union agreed to let Samsonov and his family emigrate to the west. Days before they were to leave, Lev’s daughter Karla was found dead, apparently from falling down a rock. Lev was distraught and demanded an investigation before he will leave Siberia. Commissir Illya Rutkin was sent to investigate. Soon, Rutkin himself was murdered in Tumsk, stabbed through the eye by a spear made with frozen ice.
Subsequently, Rostnikov was sent to investigate the murder of Rutkin. Although he has been expressly instructed only to investigate the Rutkin murder and not to investigate the suspicious death of Karla Samsonov, Rostnikov felt the two cases might be connected so he decided to disregard his superior’s instructions (which he did frequently). Rostnikov started interviewing key players in the very small village. As he was investigating, an attempt was made on his life but it failed. Later, Rostnikov was able to solve the case. It turns out what happened was Karla Samsonov’s death was indeed an accident. Rutkin (an incompetent investigator) was originally sent to investigate the case with the expectation that he would just find it an accident and close the case quickly so that Samsonov would leave the country. Rutkin, however, threw a curveball. He mistakenly thought the wife of Lev Samsonov, Ludmilla, was having an affair with a local man Dimitri Galich. He also thought Karla Samsonov discovered the affair and therefore Galich and Ludmilla killed her. He was happy with his conclusion and was about to publicly announce his faulty findings. What he did not realize was he has accidentally walked into a KGB spy operation. Ludmilla was a KGB undercover agent. The KGB plan was to get her married to Lev, then allow Lev to emigrate to the west and get integrated into the western scientific community. That would allow Ludmilla to be exposed to advanced western technologies and scientists through Lev’s connections. Rutkin publicly accusing her of murdering her step-daughter Karla would have spoilt that plan. Therefore, Ludmilla convinced Galich (who was in love with Ludmilla) to kill Rutkin, which he did. Rostnikov figured that all out. However, he also realized if he were to expose Ludmilla, the KGB would go after him and take revenge on him for disrupting a KGB operation. In this case, however, Rostnikov was willing to go along with the KGB because there is a sub-plot. Another political exile living in Tumsk was an ex-Soviet general called General Vassily Krasnikov. He was banished to Siberia after disagreeing with his superiors about the country’s Afghan policy. He has secretly written an explosive tell-all book criticizing Soviet Russia’s military strategy and strategic direction in the ongoing war in Afghanistan. His goal was to have the manuscript smuggled out to the West by Lev Samsonov when he leaves the country. The objective was to put a spotlight on the Afghan War and its toll on Soviet Russia and hopefully shorten its duration. Rostnikov shared in that goal because his own son, Josef, was serving with the Soviet army in Afghanistan at that time. That is the other reason Rostnikov did not expose Ludmilla but instead just closed the case and concluded Rutkin’s murderer was Galich, who was dead by then, killed by Rostnikov’s able assistant Investigator Emil Karpo when Galich tried to kill Rostnikov.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2020
Summary: After making enemies in the Kremlin, a demoted Porfiry Rostnikov is sent to Siberia to solve the murder of a Russian official, while others are working to undermine Rostnikov, and prevent a solution to the murder.
A Russian commissar had been sent to Tumsk in Siberia to investigate the suspicious circumstances behind the suspicious death of a dissident doctor's daughter, a dissident soon to leave for the West. On the way to a hearing in the early morning hours, he is killed by a mysterious killer who stabs him through the eye with an icicle.
Porfiry Rostnikov has been demoted after offending enemies in the Kremlin in the pursuit of justice. Working with two younger assistants, Emil Karpo and Sasha Tkach, who have followed him into the backwater of solving low-level crimes, they work to stem the efforts of theft rings and thugs harassing locals. That is, until Rostnikov is assigned to investigate the death of Commissar Rutkin in far off Tumsk in Siberia. Karpo accompanies him, order by the KGB to report back on the case. Another official goes along as well to observe him. Tumsk is where they send exiles and it can be wondered if it will become Rostnikov's home.
He methodically pursues his work, interviewing and befriending the ex-priest Galich, the exiled general Krasnikov, who is furiously working on a secret manuscript, and Dr. Samsonov and his attractive wife Ludmilla. He and Karpo interview Mrasnikov, the aged caretaker of the People's Hall. He saw something but fears to speak. For some reason, he is only allowed to investigate the Commissar's death, even though he suspects that death is connected to the death of Samsonov's daughter
Rostnikov only has a few days to solve the case, made more urgent by news that his wife is facing a life-threatening condition requiring brain surgery. Between interviews, he works out with weights, and thinks. But what moves things forward is an attempt on his life that results in the serious wounding of the old man Mrasnikov. The killer has been careless. And Rostnikov knows it.
This mystery won an Edgar Award for Best Mystery Novel in 1989. The layered plot, with what is going on behind the scenes against Rostnikov, and with the KGB, the relations Rostnikov forms with everyone around him from his fellow detectives, and even the potential suspects, and the "presence" of Rostnikov as events come to their culmination all contribute to a great read. Many fictional detectives fight not only crime but the system. Soviet Russia in the 1980's offers a unique setting, but confronts Rostnikov with the risks of cynicism or bitterness many detectives face. The Rostnikov character is striking as one with a calling to fight crime, a knowledge of the criminal mind, of the possibilities and limits of his situation, and someone utterly secure with himself.
I hope you get to know him.
A Russian commissar had been sent to Tumsk in Siberia to investigate the suspicious circumstances behind the suspicious death of a dissident doctor's daughter, a dissident soon to leave for the West. On the way to a hearing in the early morning hours, he is killed by a mysterious killer who stabs him through the eye with an icicle.
Porfiry Rostnikov has been demoted after offending enemies in the Kremlin in the pursuit of justice. Working with two younger assistants, Emil Karpo and Sasha Tkach, who have followed him into the backwater of solving low-level crimes, they work to stem the efforts of theft rings and thugs harassing locals. That is, until Rostnikov is assigned to investigate the death of Commissar Rutkin in far off Tumsk in Siberia. Karpo accompanies him, order by the KGB to report back on the case. Another official goes along as well to observe him. Tumsk is where they send exiles and it can be wondered if it will become Rostnikov's home.
He methodically pursues his work, interviewing and befriending the ex-priest Galich, the exiled general Krasnikov, who is furiously working on a secret manuscript, and Dr. Samsonov and his attractive wife Ludmilla. He and Karpo interview Mrasnikov, the aged caretaker of the People's Hall. He saw something but fears to speak. For some reason, he is only allowed to investigate the Commissar's death, even though he suspects that death is connected to the death of Samsonov's daughter
Rostnikov only has a few days to solve the case, made more urgent by news that his wife is facing a life-threatening condition requiring brain surgery. Between interviews, he works out with weights, and thinks. But what moves things forward is an attempt on his life that results in the serious wounding of the old man Mrasnikov. The killer has been careless. And Rostnikov knows it.
This mystery won an Edgar Award for Best Mystery Novel in 1989. The layered plot, with what is going on behind the scenes against Rostnikov, and with the KGB, the relations Rostnikov forms with everyone around him from his fellow detectives, and even the potential suspects, and the "presence" of Rostnikov as events come to their culmination all contribute to a great read. Many fictional detectives fight not only crime but the system. Soviet Russia in the 1980's offers a unique setting, but confronts Rostnikov with the risks of cynicism or bitterness many detectives face. The Rostnikov character is striking as one with a calling to fight crime, a knowledge of the criminal mind, of the possibilities and limits of his situation, and someone utterly secure with himself.
I hope you get to know him.
April 24, 2020
In this entry in the Rostnikov series, Our Hero is sent to a remote weather station/small town in far northern Siberia, well north of the Arctic Circle to investigate the murder of a Commissar who had been sent there earlier to investigate the death of a young girl. At the same time back in Moscow, crime continues as usual. In his slow and methodical approach, Rostnikov investigates to Siberian crime(s?). A complicating factor (and where would this series be without complicating factors?) is that the young girl was the daughter of an internationally known dissident who is about to be deported to the West. Of course the KGB is also interested, and as always is looking for a way to bring down Rostnikov, who does not always follow the rules according to established doctrine. All of these factors, along with the interesting characters in the Siberian outpost make for an interesting story, showing once again that the late Stuart Kaminsky was a force to be reckoned with in the mystery genre.
April 8, 2022
Entertaining detective series featuring Russian criminal inspector Porfiry Rostnikov and his lurch-like second-in-command Karpov. Rostnikov has all the humanity and world-weariness of Martin Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko but with a better sense of comic irony.
Rostnikov and Karpov are sent to Siberia to investigate the murder of a Russian police detective, who in turn was investigating the death of a dissident's child. The little village where they are sent has a handful of residents, mainly political exiles and climate scientists, and temperatures during the Siberian winter that average 30-40 degrees below zero. Rostnikov must solve both mysteries and catch a killer while trying not to freeze to death.
Delighted to find out that there are 16 titles in this series. I will be reading them all.
Rostnikov and Karpov are sent to Siberia to investigate the murder of a Russian police detective, who in turn was investigating the death of a dissident's child. The little village where they are sent has a handful of residents, mainly political exiles and climate scientists, and temperatures during the Siberian winter that average 30-40 degrees below zero. Rostnikov must solve both mysteries and catch a killer while trying not to freeze to death.
Delighted to find out that there are 16 titles in this series. I will be reading them all.
October 19, 2023
As usual, there are a few minor issues, mostly ones that only a Russian or someone who has studied Russian language and geography would quibble at: the river is the Yenisei, not the Yensei; a Russian woman's family name ends in an -a, so Dr. Samsonov's wife would be called Mrs. Samsonova. (This is oversimplification; there are other factors to consider, like adjectival names, etc.) But as I said, these are minor quibbles. One hopes that, as the series progressed, someone with some knowledge of Russian gave some tips to Kaminsky.
The meat of the story, the mystery itself, is solid and enjoyable. The characters - both the regular ones and the new ones, are good solid ones or good caricatures that provide comic relief.
The meat of the story, the mystery itself, is solid and enjoyable. The characters - both the regular ones and the new ones, are good solid ones or good caricatures that provide comic relief.
May 13, 2022
Another great Inspector Rostnikov novel, this time set in the bitter cold of Siberia. It includes the usual subplots, with Tkach and Zelach back in Moscow and Karpo with Rostnikov. An interesting group of characters/suspects amid the unusual Siberian cold make for a different setting. But Rostnikov still has to deal with bureaucrats from the Procurator’s Office and the KGB who are trying to find fault with his work and make him look bad. And there as always are family matters which require Rostnikov’s and Tkach’s attention.
A quick, gratifying read with a great ending.
A quick, gratifying read with a great ending.
December 13, 2020
This book was chosen as part of my December 2020 hygge reads. It’s a well written mystery that takes place in glasnost Russia, filled with all the usual Russian Revolution beliefs and repressive life forces that the Russians somehow accept with grim and of times humorous acceptance. The characters are great too. Enjoyed Inspector Porfiry Rostinkov and Karpo. The story is simple but had a twist at the end that was unexpected. I will be reading more in this series.
August 20, 2023
A book that makes you shiver for two reasons. Firstly the description of the icy world of Siberia makes you feel cold and the scary coldness of the inspector's minders along with the casual violence of some of Tumsk's residents. There is also a touch of the supernatural in the shape of a Shaman. However, Rostinikov navigates confidently through the landscape and the political minefield, dodging bullets and solving both mysteries.
May 4, 2019
When Commissar Rutkin is killed while in Siberia investigating the death of a dissident's young daughter, Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov is sent to the scene. Do his superiors want him to figure out what happened, or cover it up? Or, having fallen foul of the KGB, is he intended to fail entirely?
December 22, 2019
I just reread A Cold Red Sunrise
Never disappointing, always well plotted with interesting, well rounded characters. Wish he were still with us writing. Wonder how he would portray current Russia and what characters he would create today.
Never disappointing, always well plotted with interesting, well rounded characters. Wish he were still with us writing. Wonder how he would portray current Russia and what characters he would create today.
February 18, 2020
My favorite of the series thus far. Great atmosphere and love the characters. Still find the way scenes change with no notice but a different paragraph to be very disconcerting. Grammar & punctuation sometimes confusing as well. Would be 5 stars with the help of a good editor.
January 6, 2022
An intriguing murder mystery set in Siberia, the fifth Porfiry Rostnikov in the series. This one won an Edgar award. So far, the author has spun his stories using continuing characters without becoming formulaic. Hope this continues.
September 21, 2022
The writing is quite good, but the plotting is poor. There is essentially no deduction, just a series of statements followed by confessions. In short, this is potentially entertaining, but it is a poor mystery/detective novel.
November 30, 2022
Good book in an unusual setup: communist Russia. It's a rather classic whodunit book, however the characters, landscape and politics makes it quite interesting vs the usual books of this kind where the scene usually takes place in the western world.
January 20, 2025
One star less because the writer failed to explain how the commissioners murder was committed by the murderer by something ´moving‘. Except this loophole, everything—atmosphere,characters,sub plots—were enjoyable
October 30, 2025
Inspector Rostnikov is sent to Siberia to investigate a murder and gets embroiled in more murder, political intrigue and deceit. Meanwhile at home, Sarah deals with health issues and Sasha deals with the after effects of a personal attack.
May 27, 2017
shaman !
June 4, 2019
Did not know who "did it" until it was revealed.
December 31, 2019
Sure-footed. A winter book that provided much warmth. Another series for me to read!
March 27, 2021
Stuart Kaminsky won an Edgar for this book in 1989. Excellent read.
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