What do you think?
Rate this book
Masha Karavai Detective #1
The Sin Collector
In this thrilling debut novel from Russia, a brilliant law student investigates a series of recent killings and uncovers the dark terrors of medieval Moscow.
Ever since the unsolved murder of her father, law student Masha Karavay has nursed an obsession with homicide cases. When she nabs an internship with Moscow’s Central Directorate Headquarters, seasoned detective Andrey Yakovlev gives her a file of bizarre, seemingly unrelated slayings that should keep her busy and out of his way. But when Masha discerns a connection between the crimes and the symbolic world of medieval Moscow, she has Andrey’s full attention. The victims weren’t just abandoned…they were displayed—from Red Square to Kutafya Tower to the Bersenevskaya waterfront. What Masha and Andrey are dealing with is no ordinary serial killer, but rather a psycho with an unfathomable purpose, guided by sacred texts to punish his victims in the most unspeakable—and public—ways.
As each clue leads deeper into a maze of fanaticism and medieval ritual, all that stands between the terrors of ancient Moscow and a series of murders defiling a modern city is Masha and the killer himself. Soon, their personal obsessions will collide.
Ever since the unsolved murder of her father, law student Masha Karavay has nursed an obsession with homicide cases. When she nabs an internship with Moscow’s Central Directorate Headquarters, seasoned detective Andrey Yakovlev gives her a file of bizarre, seemingly unrelated slayings that should keep her busy and out of his way. But when Masha discerns a connection between the crimes and the symbolic world of medieval Moscow, she has Andrey’s full attention. The victims weren’t just abandoned…they were displayed—from Red Square to Kutafya Tower to the Bersenevskaya waterfront. What Masha and Andrey are dealing with is no ordinary serial killer, but rather a psycho with an unfathomable purpose, guided by sacred texts to punish his victims in the most unspeakable—and public—ways.
As each clue leads deeper into a maze of fanaticism and medieval ritual, all that stands between the terrors of ancient Moscow and a series of murders defiling a modern city is Masha and the killer himself. Soon, their personal obsessions will collide.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
116 people are currently reading
714 people want to read
About the author
Daria Desombre
9 books12 followersDaria Desombre was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she studied at the Hermitage Art School and received a master’s in English and Spanish from Saint Petersburg State University. In 2000, she moved to Paris, where she completed an MBA in fashion marketing and management and was head of advertising for the jeweler house Mauboussin before devoting herself full-time to scriptwriting. She writes for leading film companies in Russia and Ukraine. She also adapts American and European television programs for the Russian market. Desombre lives in Brussels with her husband and two children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
November 26, 2019
Ako ikad u životu bude postojala i najmanja prilika, onaj najmanji tračak nade za odlazak u Rusiju, ostavite sve po strani, spakirajte torbe i samo krenite. Prava bi šteta bila zauvijek zaklopiti oči koje se nisu nagledale ljepote baštine, arhitekture i kulture koju velebna Rusija ima.
Rekavši to, začuđujuće je što na tržištu nemamo poplavu romana- prvenstveno mislim na one romane misterioznije note- i autora koji koriste kulisu velikih ruskih gradova kao poprište naizgled neobjašnjivih, ljudskom umu nepojmljivih pojava, monstruoznih zločina, sve to isprepleteno dozom povijesne fikcije. Ako nešto Rusija ima, to je bogata povijest i kultura, i pritom ne mislim samo na razdoblje Hladnog rata koje se koristi u većini dobrih- i pokušajima- špijunskih romana u kojem zapadnjački tajni agenti i obavještajci prakticiraju nadmoć nad ''priglupim i zaostalim'' sovjetskim, ili ruskim agentima, ovisno o vremenu u koje je roman smješten.
Rođena u Sankt Peterburgu- zbog čega mi je žao što Kolekcionare grijeha nije smjestila baš u taj grad, već u Moskvu- Daria Desombre provodi cijeli svoj život pišući, bilo to za marketinške kampanje, scenarije za serije i filmove ili pak, romane. Izgleda kako je Daria jedna od rijetkih koja je skupila dovoljno hrabrosti i napisala roman baš kakav sam gore naveo i time preuzela rizik, često bespredmetne, usporedbe s megapopularnim Danom Brownom koja je neizostavna kada je u pitanju spoj trilera, povijesne fikcije i religijske misterije.
Daria se nije prepustila slijepom patriotizmu i u svoj roman uključila isključivo bogato rusko kulturno naslijeđe, već i ono što je Rusija, kao i mnoštvo postkomunističkih zemalja, zadržala u nacionalnom genetskom kodu, nepotizam naš svagdašnji. U moralnu sivu zonu nije smjestila nikog drugog doli junakinju svojih romana, Mašu Karavaj.
Maša, kći brutalno pogubljenog pravnika, od očeve smrti opsjednuta je istraživanjem niza slučajeva ubojstava. Možda kako bi jednog dana otkrila tko joj je oduzeo njenog oca, a možda kako bi lakše ignorirala činjenicu da joj u majčinom krevetu sad leži drugi muškarac. Koristeći očeva poznanstva, ali i samilost mnogih koji je sad promatraju kao siroče Maša, kao pravna vježbenica ulazi u redove moskovske policije. Svima je jasno kako je Maša dospjela tamo, ali lakše je održavati politiku ''ne pitaj, ne govori'', jer nitko normalan se s rogatima ne hvata u koštac.
Isto je jasno i prekaljenom istražitelju Andreju Jakovljevu, kojeg je dopala ta prokleta ''sreća'' da glumi Mašinu dadilju u policijskoj postaji. I kao prava stara dadilja koja se već odavno zasitila dadiljanja razmažene djece- iako je Andrej tek trebao uvidjeti da je Maša daleko od bogatog razmaženog derišta- za ''zabavu'' joj dodjeljuje nekoliko neriješenih slučaja ubojstava, ni svjestan veze koju dijele ti slučajevi i nekolicina novih misterioznih ubojstava.
A sad slijedi onaj teži dio. Ljepota svega je uvijek bila u dobroj mjeri i dobroj dozi. Nažalost, u ovom romanu izgleda kako Daria svoju vagu nije baš najbolje kalibrirala.
Autorica se svojski potrudila dočarati bogatstvo ruske arhitekture i kulture- pa čak i onog dijela kulture koji je malo manje kulturan- i formirajući taj dio romana napravila je izuzetno pristojan posao (i dalje se držim onoga da je trik i ljepota uvijek u dobroj mjeri).
Kada se razmišlja o romanu kao dijelu serijala, sigurno je da autor ne želi u potpunosti otkriti svaki psihološki fragment svojih glavnih likova i u potpunosti otkriti njihovu prošlost, najmračnije i najzabačenije dijelove njihovog uma, ali i one emocionalne i sjetne trenutke. Još jedan aspekt romana koji je autorica sasvim korektno dozirala, iako je diskutabilno, zbog dojmova koji slijede, koliko će čitatelji biti željni Mašinog i Andrejevog društva u budućnosti.
Prava je šteta što i s drugim elementima romana nije nastavila tim dobrim putem.
Stil kojim Daria Desombre piše izuzetno je pitak, lagan za čitanje... zapravo, idealan je za kriminalistički triler koji obiluje simbolikom i misterijom, zbog čega je još veća šteta što je radnja ostavila dojam rascjepkanosti, nepovezanosti, nedorečenosti i polovičnosti.
Pojedine scene romana ostavljaju dojam nepovezanosti jedne s drugom, kao da je autorica izostavila neke jako bitne djeliće stakla iz nečega što je mogao biti jeda zaista napet, šaren, divan mozaik. Zapravo, sve mi vuče na to da je roman Kolekcionar grijeha žrtva jedne loše uredničke politike pri izdavanju samog romana, koja je zahtijevala da se pojedini dijelovi izrežu, jer nebesa bi se urušila kad bi debitantski roman bio opsežniji. Iako postoji mogućnost da dijelovi koji nisu preživjeli rez zapravo ne bi učinili preveliku razliku, dojmovi čitatelja po internet bespućima daju naslutiti kako je vjerojatniji scenarij upravo ovaj gore prvi naveden.
Nakon tisuća i tisuća kriminalističkih romana, u današnje vrijeme izrazito je teško biti originalan, izaći iz nekih davno postavljenih kalupa, postaviti nešto svoje, oduprijeti se klišejima i izbjeći usporedbe s nekim uspješnim prethodnicima. Daria Desombre, iako ima veličanstvenu Rusiju kao inspiraciju i teren s beskrajnim mogućnostima, s prvim romanom o Maši Karavaj nažalost nije napravila prevelik iskorak. Hoće li pomaka biti s nastavcima, koje svakako planiram čitati, vrijeme će pokazati.
Rekavši to, začuđujuće je što na tržištu nemamo poplavu romana- prvenstveno mislim na one romane misterioznije note- i autora koji koriste kulisu velikih ruskih gradova kao poprište naizgled neobjašnjivih, ljudskom umu nepojmljivih pojava, monstruoznih zločina, sve to isprepleteno dozom povijesne fikcije. Ako nešto Rusija ima, to je bogata povijest i kultura, i pritom ne mislim samo na razdoblje Hladnog rata koje se koristi u većini dobrih- i pokušajima- špijunskih romana u kojem zapadnjački tajni agenti i obavještajci prakticiraju nadmoć nad ''priglupim i zaostalim'' sovjetskim, ili ruskim agentima, ovisno o vremenu u koje je roman smješten.
Rođena u Sankt Peterburgu- zbog čega mi je žao što Kolekcionare grijeha nije smjestila baš u taj grad, već u Moskvu- Daria Desombre provodi cijeli svoj život pišući, bilo to za marketinške kampanje, scenarije za serije i filmove ili pak, romane. Izgleda kako je Daria jedna od rijetkih koja je skupila dovoljno hrabrosti i napisala roman baš kakav sam gore naveo i time preuzela rizik, često bespredmetne, usporedbe s megapopularnim Danom Brownom koja je neizostavna kada je u pitanju spoj trilera, povijesne fikcije i religijske misterije.
Daria se nije prepustila slijepom patriotizmu i u svoj roman uključila isključivo bogato rusko kulturno naslijeđe, već i ono što je Rusija, kao i mnoštvo postkomunističkih zemalja, zadržala u nacionalnom genetskom kodu, nepotizam naš svagdašnji. U moralnu sivu zonu nije smjestila nikog drugog doli junakinju svojih romana, Mašu Karavaj.
Maša, kći brutalno pogubljenog pravnika, od očeve smrti opsjednuta je istraživanjem niza slučajeva ubojstava. Možda kako bi jednog dana otkrila tko joj je oduzeo njenog oca, a možda kako bi lakše ignorirala činjenicu da joj u majčinom krevetu sad leži drugi muškarac. Koristeći očeva poznanstva, ali i samilost mnogih koji je sad promatraju kao siroče Maša, kao pravna vježbenica ulazi u redove moskovske policije. Svima je jasno kako je Maša dospjela tamo, ali lakše je održavati politiku ''ne pitaj, ne govori'', jer nitko normalan se s rogatima ne hvata u koštac.
Isto je jasno i prekaljenom istražitelju Andreju Jakovljevu, kojeg je dopala ta prokleta ''sreća'' da glumi Mašinu dadilju u policijskoj postaji. I kao prava stara dadilja koja se već odavno zasitila dadiljanja razmažene djece- iako je Andrej tek trebao uvidjeti da je Maša daleko od bogatog razmaženog derišta- za ''zabavu'' joj dodjeljuje nekoliko neriješenih slučaja ubojstava, ni svjestan veze koju dijele ti slučajevi i nekolicina novih misterioznih ubojstava.
A sad slijedi onaj teži dio. Ljepota svega je uvijek bila u dobroj mjeri i dobroj dozi. Nažalost, u ovom romanu izgleda kako Daria svoju vagu nije baš najbolje kalibrirala.
Autorica se svojski potrudila dočarati bogatstvo ruske arhitekture i kulture- pa čak i onog dijela kulture koji je malo manje kulturan- i formirajući taj dio romana napravila je izuzetno pristojan posao (i dalje se držim onoga da je trik i ljepota uvijek u dobroj mjeri).
Kada se razmišlja o romanu kao dijelu serijala, sigurno je da autor ne želi u potpunosti otkriti svaki psihološki fragment svojih glavnih likova i u potpunosti otkriti njihovu prošlost, najmračnije i najzabačenije dijelove njihovog uma, ali i one emocionalne i sjetne trenutke. Još jedan aspekt romana koji je autorica sasvim korektno dozirala, iako je diskutabilno, zbog dojmova koji slijede, koliko će čitatelji biti željni Mašinog i Andrejevog društva u budućnosti.
Prava je šteta što i s drugim elementima romana nije nastavila tim dobrim putem.
Stil kojim Daria Desombre piše izuzetno je pitak, lagan za čitanje... zapravo, idealan je za kriminalistički triler koji obiluje simbolikom i misterijom, zbog čega je još veća šteta što je radnja ostavila dojam rascjepkanosti, nepovezanosti, nedorečenosti i polovičnosti.
Pojedine scene romana ostavljaju dojam nepovezanosti jedne s drugom, kao da je autorica izostavila neke jako bitne djeliće stakla iz nečega što je mogao biti jeda zaista napet, šaren, divan mozaik. Zapravo, sve mi vuče na to da je roman Kolekcionar grijeha žrtva jedne loše uredničke politike pri izdavanju samog romana, koja je zahtijevala da se pojedini dijelovi izrežu, jer nebesa bi se urušila kad bi debitantski roman bio opsežniji. Iako postoji mogućnost da dijelovi koji nisu preživjeli rez zapravo ne bi učinili preveliku razliku, dojmovi čitatelja po internet bespućima daju naslutiti kako je vjerojatniji scenarij upravo ovaj gore prvi naveden.
Nakon tisuća i tisuća kriminalističkih romana, u današnje vrijeme izrazito je teško biti originalan, izaći iz nekih davno postavljenih kalupa, postaviti nešto svoje, oduprijeti se klišejima i izbjeći usporedbe s nekim uspješnim prethodnicima. Daria Desombre, iako ima veličanstvenu Rusiju kao inspiraciju i teren s beskrajnim mogućnostima, s prvim romanom o Maši Karavaj nažalost nije napravila prevelik iskorak. Hoće li pomaka biti s nastavcima, koje svakako planiram čitati, vrijeme će pokazati.
January 1, 2020
Jako loše ,nepovezano,fali previše detalja.
July 25, 2019
A good read although it gets a bit slow in the middle. I could have done with a map of Moscow/Jerusalem as Masha and Andrey are using in the story. And what a pity that the book was edited for the western market. There is no need to do so, I think. One of the nice things about reading books from authors from other cultures is that you learn something about that culture.
July 16, 2019
Книгата е интересна. Давам й три, защото просто така я чувствам - някъде по средата - между твърде праволинейното развитие на действието, което ме подразни, и историческата основа на фабулата, която ме възхити.
P.S. Продължавам със следващата.
P.S. Продължавам със следващата.
August 7, 2017
Thank you so much to Netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of The Sin Collector by Daria Desombre in exchange for an honest review. The sin collector will be published on October 24, 2017 by Amazoncrossing.
Andrey is a detective
Masha is his intern
Masha and Andrey discover a strange pattern in recent killings. They call upon old officer friends to help them find the killer.
Masha has loved murder and serial killers since she was introduced when she was young. Masha finally gets her dream job but being an intern to a rude detective Andrey was less then satisfactory. Andreys first assignment for for Masha is so go through all the old murder cases from the past 2 years. Masha thinks this is just busy work and that her new supervisor hates her. But while going through case files she starts to create theories and detects patterns in the cases that might be relevant to the current case.
The first chapters drew me in instantly with its detailed writing and descriptive character traits. But it slowed down, the details and information became too much. I wanted the mystery and the murder but I got conversations, analysis, and arguments.
I enjoyed Andrey and Mashas perspectives but all of the other perspectives were less enjoyable. The story didnt really pick up until the end, but once it picked up it was really good. I enjoyed the case and the mystery, even though i almost guessed the killer ahead of time it was still a good mystery.
Andrey is a detective
Masha is his intern
Masha and Andrey discover a strange pattern in recent killings. They call upon old officer friends to help them find the killer.
Masha has loved murder and serial killers since she was introduced when she was young. Masha finally gets her dream job but being an intern to a rude detective Andrey was less then satisfactory. Andreys first assignment for for Masha is so go through all the old murder cases from the past 2 years. Masha thinks this is just busy work and that her new supervisor hates her. But while going through case files she starts to create theories and detects patterns in the cases that might be relevant to the current case.
The first chapters drew me in instantly with its detailed writing and descriptive character traits. But it slowed down, the details and information became too much. I wanted the mystery and the murder but I got conversations, analysis, and arguments.
I enjoyed Andrey and Mashas perspectives but all of the other perspectives were less enjoyable. The story didnt really pick up until the end, but once it picked up it was really good. I enjoyed the case and the mystery, even though i almost guessed the killer ahead of time it was still a good mystery.
November 14, 2022
Komolyan én vagyok az egyetlen, akit zavarnak a hiányzó hosszú magánhangzók a nevekben (Masa, Katya)? Azért igyekeztem ezen felülemelkedni, és elmerülni az orosz lélek és történelem bugyraiban, ami sikerült is. Fantáziadús alaptörténet jó stílusban megírva, béna krimiszállal. Hiába a vérszomjas és fantáziadús sorozatgyilkos és cuki a nyomozó, ha a moszkvai rendőrségen nem divat a csapatmunka (amúgy a jelentésírás sem, ami biztos nem valósághű). Így aztán a nyájas olvasó már a könyv felénél sejti, hogy ki a hunyó, pláne mert kevés is a szereplő. Ennek ellenére nagyon élveztem, hogy annyira más, mint a skandináv krimik. Moszkvát imádtam és a főszereplőkben is van fantázia, így van még nálam esélye a folytatásnak.
July 28, 2023
Vrtoglavo
December 5, 2019
1,5
The whole story felt flat. The characters, the serial killer and also romance part of story were so undeveloped.
I liked the descriptions in the book and this author writing style is good but the whole story feels disjointed somehow. Also, the first book of the series introduces new protagonists and the whole point is wanting to get to know them better in the sequels. Well, I'm not particularly interested to read more about Masha and Andrei...My dislike of them is quite high and their love story is so convenient and meh... in a bad way.
The whole story felt flat. The characters, the serial killer and also romance part of story were so undeveloped.
I liked the descriptions in the book and this author writing style is good but the whole story feels disjointed somehow. Also, the first book of the series introduces new protagonists and the whole point is wanting to get to know them better in the sequels. Well, I'm not particularly interested to read more about Masha and Andrei...My dislike of them is quite high and their love story is so convenient and meh... in a bad way.
May 7, 2021
Krimić smešten u Moskvi, neobični glavni likovi, posebno Maša. Početna knjiga je serijala koji za sada ima pet kniga, a jedina prevedena kod nas. Naizmenično se menjaju kratka poglavlja pisana iz perspektive glavnih likova. To su policiski detektiv Andrej i Maša, pomoćnoca koja mu je dodeljena kao pripravnik, a povremeno uleti i Mašin prijatelj iz detinjstva, Inokentij, koji im pomaže. Predvidljivo, već viđena ideja, religiozna ubistva temeljena na grehovima žrtvi, a Maša i Andrej trebaju otkriti ko je serijski ubica... Malo izlazi iz kalupa već viđenih detektivskih romana, začinjeno i pomalo mlakom romansom, meni je bila simpatična.
January 5, 2018
If you’re looking for a creepy, addictive thriller which will leave you wanting more, then “The Sin Collector” is for you. I was hooked from the beginning, and was left wanting more.
We better see these characters again! ... Please!
The book center around Andrey, a grumpy police officer, and his new intern, Masha, who has been obsessed with serial killers since her father was murdered when she was 12. Then she uncovers a disturbing pattern while on intern desk duty and the killings seem to escalate as the reluctant pair try and track down a killer who seems stuck in the Middle Ages.
I liked both Andrey and Masha and was happy to see where they went as a pair. Their relationship was kind of basic, but I liked it; it was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise dark novel. But my favorite character was Marilyn Monroe - by far!
I didn’t guess who it was before the reveal, there’s just so many moving parts and amazing different characters (Dr. Gluzman! That art collector who pees in front of fine art!)
I just wish the ending had been more enhanced. It just sort of ended. But hopefully that means we’ll be seeing more of Andrey and Masha in the future? I would love to continue with these characters!
Highly recommended.
We better see these characters again! ... Please!
The book center around Andrey, a grumpy police officer, and his new intern, Masha, who has been obsessed with serial killers since her father was murdered when she was 12. Then she uncovers a disturbing pattern while on intern desk duty and the killings seem to escalate as the reluctant pair try and track down a killer who seems stuck in the Middle Ages.
I liked both Andrey and Masha and was happy to see where they went as a pair. Their relationship was kind of basic, but I liked it; it was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise dark novel. But my favorite character was Marilyn Monroe - by far!
I didn’t guess who it was before the reveal, there’s just so many moving parts and amazing different characters (Dr. Gluzman! That art collector who pees in front of fine art!)
I just wish the ending had been more enhanced. It just sort of ended. But hopefully that means we’ll be seeing more of Andrey and Masha in the future? I would love to continue with these characters!
Highly recommended.
February 29, 2024
Klasično dobar krimić o serijskom ubojici, ali ovaj put, sajko kiler harači po Moskvi što je dobrodošla promjena nakon Amerike i Skandinavskih zemalja.
Također, kroz priču saznajemo ponešto po povijesti Moskve, pravoslavnoj vjeri, a uvijek volim nešto i naučiti (pa makar i iz krvavog trilera)...
Da, nije za one slabijeg želuca..!
Također, kroz priču saznajemo ponešto po povijesti Moskve, pravoslavnoj vjeri, a uvijek volim nešto i naučiti (pa makar i iz krvavog trilera)...
Da, nije za one slabijeg želuca..!
April 24, 2024
Zanimljiv slučaj i glavni likovi, ali izvedba me se nije dojmila.
U nekim dijelovima radnja " preskače" jel to uredničkih ruku dijelo ili nespretnost autorice ne bi nagađala.
Dobar roman za ubiti vrijeme i ništa više.
Čak su i dijelovi koji su trebali imati napetosti i jeze meni bili posve mlaki.
U nekim dijelovima radnja " preskače" jel to uredničkih ruku dijelo ili nespretnost autorice ne bi nagađala.
Dobar roman za ubiti vrijeme i ništa više.
Čak su i dijelovi koji su trebali imati napetosti i jeze meni bili posve mlaki.
December 5, 2017
I’m not much of a reader of murder mysteries but I’m always interested in Russian writing , and found this crime novel set in Moscow both well-written and intriguing with an original and unusual plot-line. Masha Karavai is a law student who manages in time-honoured Russian way (an influential sponsor) to get an internship in Moscow’s Central Directorate. Her supervisor Andrey is initially hostile but when he gives Masha a file of seemingly random murders to investigate and she comes up with a bizarre, but ultimately plausible, connection between them, he has to admit she’s on to something – even if that “something” is a rather incredible (although in the context of the novel credible) theory involving medieval manuscripts and fanaticism. It’s good fun, well-plotted and well-paced. The back-stories of the characters add much to the overall narrative, being authentic and giving a real flavour of Russian life. It’s an atmospheric tale and a must for anyone interested in contemporary Russian society. Recommended even for readers who don’t normally enjoy crime.
October 5, 2017
The Sin Collector took me a while to get into but once the story started moving I found it was well plotted out keeping tract of the different characters and the key each ones plays in the story. Readers will have to push thought the book about 1\2 thought but they wouldn't be disappointed. I had no idea who the killer was and trust me that isn't easy.
Depending on the moment comes of the characters would come cross flat and than shine at other times.
Its fun to read books from Amazon Crossing to see how different authors from around the world view or see serial killers.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy.
Depending on the moment comes of the characters would come cross flat and than shine at other times.
Its fun to read books from Amazon Crossing to see how different authors from around the world view or see serial killers.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy.
November 22, 2017
This was a fantastic read set in Moscow. It was so detailed, I felt like I was there, seeijng all the beautiful architecture for myself and it kept me guessing til the end who The Sin Collector was.
September 29, 2018
Sorry.I just couldn't get into this story. Writing is great and I am sure mystery lover and police /detective lovers will enjoy this book. Just not my sort of story at all. DNF.
I received a Kindle Arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle Arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
January 10, 2023
Više od polovine knjige je nepovezano i dosadno. Pri kraju knjige je nešto zanimljivije, ali sve u svemu, baš mi se i ne dopada.
September 8, 2025
Nisam mnogo očekivala od ove knjige iako govori o Rusiji. Ali, kako to biva sa knjigama, pozitivno sam iznenađena
December 9, 2022
Extraordinary. Thrilling ending, guessed the killer somewhere in the second half but it was definitely not as obvious as i thought it was!
October 30, 2017
Thank you to author Daria Desombre for a Kindle copy of The Sin Collector. Also, thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity through the First Reads program.
I liked it. Perhaps a little longer than need be, but I thought the story had a nice flow to it, nicely done characters (they had a 'realness' to them, vulnerabilities, emotion - no super heroes here), good scene description, and tastefully done descriptions on both the murder mystery and romance sides. Nothing too graphic, instead left to the readers imagination. Remember imagination? I also like how the book was laid out, each chapter titled and told through one of the main characters point of view.
The Americanized English language is a murder mystery unto itself, so a big shout out to Shelley Fairweather-Vega for the translation work.
I liked it. Perhaps a little longer than need be, but I thought the story had a nice flow to it, nicely done characters (they had a 'realness' to them, vulnerabilities, emotion - no super heroes here), good scene description, and tastefully done descriptions on both the murder mystery and romance sides. Nothing too graphic, instead left to the readers imagination. Remember imagination? I also like how the book was laid out, each chapter titled and told through one of the main characters point of view.
The Americanized English language is a murder mystery unto itself, so a big shout out to Shelley Fairweather-Vega for the translation work.
November 24, 2017
***I won this book via the Goodreads Giveaway program. This did not influence my review.***
This is an intriguing book. It's a translation into English from Russian. The translation is well done and reads smoothly, which I appreciate.
I liked the main character, Masha. That's good because the series will be based on her. I loved reading about the history of the building of Moscow and how it related to religion. There was a lot of great research in those sections of the book. I loved the depth and meaning behind the killings.
I didn't like the lack of depth and the almost accidental portrayal of Masha figuring out the relationship between the killings - more attention could have been paid in the writing to showing how her brain works. I really didn't like the ending as Masha's point of view was lost and drowned out by the detective and the Sin Collector's points of view.
This book definitely shows promise for the series and left me interested in reading Book 2.
This is an intriguing book. It's a translation into English from Russian. The translation is well done and reads smoothly, which I appreciate.
I liked the main character, Masha. That's good because the series will be based on her. I loved reading about the history of the building of Moscow and how it related to religion. There was a lot of great research in those sections of the book. I loved the depth and meaning behind the killings.
I didn't like the lack of depth and the almost accidental portrayal of Masha figuring out the relationship between the killings - more attention could have been paid in the writing to showing how her brain works. I really didn't like the ending as Masha's point of view was lost and drowned out by the detective and the Sin Collector's points of view.
This book definitely shows promise for the series and left me interested in reading Book 2.
May 18, 2019
Rusija - zemlja bogatstva i zemlja siromastva...cini se da nema sredine...
.
Masa je pripavnica , apsolvent sa najvisim pocastima, ali dobija posao u Petrovki preko veze, jer je zelela da radi bas tu...kako bi uspela da razresi sto vise zlocina i ubista, medju kojima je i ubistvo njenog oca koje se desilo pre 12 godina...
.
Andrej je njen pretpostavljen...decko iz provincije, posten policaaajac koji ima svoje kodekse, i prezivljava kako ume...
Spaja ih slucaj serijskog ubice koji se nadvio nad njima...
.
Veoma je interesantan sam nacin delovanja ubice...
To su srednjovekovne metode mucenja, koje su povezane sa religijom, pravoslavljem i Nebeskim Jerusalimom...
.
Ono sto vas cini pogodnim da budete sledeca zrtva jeste greh koji ste pocinili...od obicnog blebetanja,preko klevete do najtezih grehova kao sto su sodomija,izdaja, nedostatak samilosti... Ko je misionarski serijski ubica?Kako izdvojiti pravog osumljicenog u moru lica?...
Postoji nesto sto je neobicno, ljudi koji su bliski sa Masom nalaze se na meti...niko nije siguran, moguce je da svi spadaju u kategoriju nekog greha...
Kakvu to poruku pokusava ubica da posalje?
Kroz knjigu se provlaaci i ljubavna prica, koja se naslucuje od samog pocetka...
Ipak sam kraj mi je bio pomalo neocekivan, i po meni nekako nedorecen..
Ipak sama zamisao mi je bila veoma interesantna, Nebeski Jerusalim povezan sa stvarnim mestima u Moskvi, religijski fanatizam, srednjovekovne i religijske price koje se provlace...
Ocena 3.5
.
Masa je pripavnica , apsolvent sa najvisim pocastima, ali dobija posao u Petrovki preko veze, jer je zelela da radi bas tu...kako bi uspela da razresi sto vise zlocina i ubista, medju kojima je i ubistvo njenog oca koje se desilo pre 12 godina...
.
Andrej je njen pretpostavljen...decko iz provincije, posten policaaajac koji ima svoje kodekse, i prezivljava kako ume...
Spaja ih slucaj serijskog ubice koji se nadvio nad njima...
.
Veoma je interesantan sam nacin delovanja ubice...
To su srednjovekovne metode mucenja, koje su povezane sa religijom, pravoslavljem i Nebeskim Jerusalimom...
.
Ono sto vas cini pogodnim da budete sledeca zrtva jeste greh koji ste pocinili...od obicnog blebetanja,preko klevete do najtezih grehova kao sto su sodomija,izdaja, nedostatak samilosti... Ko je misionarski serijski ubica?Kako izdvojiti pravog osumljicenog u moru lica?...
Postoji nesto sto je neobicno, ljudi koji su bliski sa Masom nalaze se na meti...niko nije siguran, moguce je da svi spadaju u kategoriju nekog greha...
Kakvu to poruku pokusava ubica da posalje?
Kroz knjigu se provlaaci i ljubavna prica, koja se naslucuje od samog pocetka...
Ipak sam kraj mi je bio pomalo neocekivan, i po meni nekako nedorecen..
Ipak sama zamisao mi je bila veoma interesantna, Nebeski Jerusalim povezan sa stvarnim mestima u Moskvi, religijski fanatizam, srednjovekovne i religijske price koje se provlace...
Ocena 3.5
August 25, 2015
Аудиокнига «Призрак Небесного Иерусалима» ярчайшего литературного дебютанта 2014 года Дарьи Дезомбре, записанная в аудиостудии «Ардис», – интеллектуальный детектив, близкий по духу произведениям Дэна Брауна и Артуро Переса-Реверте. Пара столичных сыщиков – опытный следователь и молодая блатная стажёрка, с трудом терпящие друг друга, расследуют серию зверских убийств, происходящих в самом центре Москвы. Неожиданные повороты сюжета, яркие, запоминающиеся персонажи, тонкий психологизм, исторические загадки, мистическая символика на фоне современного, но древнего города, маньяк, оставляющий кровавые зарубки в центре столицы, позволяют отнести этот роман к жанру психологического триллера.
October 29, 2018
Интересен сюжет. Действието ми се разви твърде бързо. Очаквах повече от книгата, особено след като получих гореща препоръка за нея. С удоволствие бих прочела и други книги на авторката с криминално действие. Последните 150 страници ги прочетох за няколко часа. Още в средата на книгата имах предположения, кой е убиецът. Оказах се права. Това също допринася за по-ниската чи оценка от 3 звезди.
November 2, 2017
Brief detour from Scandinavian reads to Russian. Incredibly let down, story had incredible amounts of potential but fell so flat.
January 4, 2019
Много приятна книга. Препоръчвам на любителите на криминални романи.
October 20, 2019
Nije mi držao pažnju i na momente mi je bio dosadan triler.
April 7, 2021
Meh, ni dobro ni loše.
October 18, 2017
A Novel and Interesting Read, But With a Short Dry Spell
The novel opens with the discovery of a body in a white plastic bag in Red Square. The storyline then switches to Masha Karavay the heroine. She lives with her mother and stepfather. Her father was murdered years before. She is a student at the law school at Moscow State and is up for her internship. While not for grade she has been writing a thesis on serial murders ruled as accidents. Through her dead father’s close friend, a local prosecutor, she has an internship in the local Police station hopefully consistent with her interests. She is assigned to Captain Andrey Yakovlev, a top detective. He, of course, wants nothing to do with her especially after discovering who arranged for her internship. Yakovlev gives her a desk, tells her that this is where she is to work, implying that work was the last thing he expected her to do. When Karavay asks for an assignment, Yakovlev tells her to collect information on all the homicides passed off as accidents over the past two years. So she starts researching and starts to uncover something more sinister. Now, she needs to convince not only the skeptical Captain Yakovlev but his Colonel that there is a serial killer active and responsible for recent seemingly unrelated murders. The only connection is that every murder has a number associated with it. She enlists the help of her friend since childhood, Innokenty Arzhenikov, an antiques dealer. Much evidence collection is required to convince the police that she is on the right track. Along the way, the investigation becomes very personal and very deadly.
The main storyline captured my imagination early. The B-storyline was rich with much background about Masha Karavay, her mother, her father, her stepfather, and friends and about Andrey Yakovlev whose life outside the police job is very limited. These storylines flow so well in and out of the main storyline and adds much richness to the read. Then, the main storyline shifts to many interviews of previous victims’ friends and families. For this part of the novel, the flow slowed down for me became it was more difficult to see how each murder fit into the overall pattern. The emerging underlying theory was adequately explained, but trying to fit all of these pieces into it was difficult within my mind’s eye. The reading was not that enjoyable during this section. Luckily, when the murders became personal, my imagination was recaptured and the reading became more enjoyable.
There is some sex but not explicit. There are a few f-bombs and other less vulgar language. There are grisly deaths, but they are described in the past tense which does not bother me as much as describing it as it happens. Unless you have zero tolerance for one or more of these aspects, reading this novel should not be a problem.
This novel was written in Russian and is a translation. This translation was quite good. I did not notice anything awkward in the wording that would indicate it was translated novel.
Overall, the problem of not keeping my imagination captive throughout the entire novel, I could not give this novel the highest rating that for most other aspects the novel deserved. I give this novel, four stars. Once you get by the dry spell, I believe you will find this novel an enjoyable read.
I have received a free advanced reading copy (ARC) of this novel through NetGalley from Amazon Crossing with a request for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Amazon Crossing for the opportunity to read this novel early.
The novel opens with the discovery of a body in a white plastic bag in Red Square. The storyline then switches to Masha Karavay the heroine. She lives with her mother and stepfather. Her father was murdered years before. She is a student at the law school at Moscow State and is up for her internship. While not for grade she has been writing a thesis on serial murders ruled as accidents. Through her dead father’s close friend, a local prosecutor, she has an internship in the local Police station hopefully consistent with her interests. She is assigned to Captain Andrey Yakovlev, a top detective. He, of course, wants nothing to do with her especially after discovering who arranged for her internship. Yakovlev gives her a desk, tells her that this is where she is to work, implying that work was the last thing he expected her to do. When Karavay asks for an assignment, Yakovlev tells her to collect information on all the homicides passed off as accidents over the past two years. So she starts researching and starts to uncover something more sinister. Now, she needs to convince not only the skeptical Captain Yakovlev but his Colonel that there is a serial killer active and responsible for recent seemingly unrelated murders. The only connection is that every murder has a number associated with it. She enlists the help of her friend since childhood, Innokenty Arzhenikov, an antiques dealer. Much evidence collection is required to convince the police that she is on the right track. Along the way, the investigation becomes very personal and very deadly.
The main storyline captured my imagination early. The B-storyline was rich with much background about Masha Karavay, her mother, her father, her stepfather, and friends and about Andrey Yakovlev whose life outside the police job is very limited. These storylines flow so well in and out of the main storyline and adds much richness to the read. Then, the main storyline shifts to many interviews of previous victims’ friends and families. For this part of the novel, the flow slowed down for me became it was more difficult to see how each murder fit into the overall pattern. The emerging underlying theory was adequately explained, but trying to fit all of these pieces into it was difficult within my mind’s eye. The reading was not that enjoyable during this section. Luckily, when the murders became personal, my imagination was recaptured and the reading became more enjoyable.
There is some sex but not explicit. There are a few f-bombs and other less vulgar language. There are grisly deaths, but they are described in the past tense which does not bother me as much as describing it as it happens. Unless you have zero tolerance for one or more of these aspects, reading this novel should not be a problem.
This novel was written in Russian and is a translation. This translation was quite good. I did not notice anything awkward in the wording that would indicate it was translated novel.
Overall, the problem of not keeping my imagination captive throughout the entire novel, I could not give this novel the highest rating that for most other aspects the novel deserved. I give this novel, four stars. Once you get by the dry spell, I believe you will find this novel an enjoyable read.
I have received a free advanced reading copy (ARC) of this novel through NetGalley from Amazon Crossing with a request for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Amazon Crossing for the opportunity to read this novel early.
April 27, 2019
C'est plus fort que moi, dès qu'un roman policier (ou historique) se déroule en Russie, je ne me sens plus.
Vous me mettriez Sherlock Holmes enquêtant en Russie que je frôlerais l'arrêt cardiaque devant tant de bonheur.
Net Galley et l'éditeur ayant donnés une suite favorable à ma demande, je me suis jetée sur le roman comme une affamée.
Mêlant l'Histoire avec le présent, le réel avec l'ésotérisme, mettant en scène des personnages intéressants que tout oppose, voilà un roman qui a réuni les bons ingrédients et a su les cuisiner pour donner un plat qui avait du goût !
Mon seul petit bémol sera pour le fait que c'est le Moscou contemporain qu'on arpente et ma passion irait plus au Moscou du temps du Tsar Nicolas II.
On dira que je pinaille mais j'aurais apprécié que ce roman ait une touche « politique » en plus de la policière car durant mes lectures, j'apprécie tout autant m'instruire sur la vie des gens, sur la politique, l'administration…
Lorsque c'est bien mis en scène, ça donne toujours un plus à un récit (mais tout le monde n'aime pas ça) et je suis plus fervente d'Histoire (politique ou autre) que d'histoire d'amour.
Par contre, j'ai appris les différences qu'il y avait entre les orthodoxes et les catholiques, pas toutes, juste les plus importantes et si nous avons 7 péchés capitaux, chez les orthodoxes, tous les péchés sont capitaux et ne comptez pas sur le purgatoire pour vous en sortir, c'est direct dans les flammes de l'enfer que nous rôtirons tous ensemble.
Si j'aurais aimé plus de politique, ce sera mon seul grief contre ce roman qui se lit très vite tant on est subjugué par les crimes épouvantables et l'aura de mystère qui les entoure, car nos amis pandores moscovites de la Petrovka n'avaient pas vu la patte du serial killer.
Pour leur défense, fallait avoir l'esprit obnubilé par ces criminels pour comprendre et voir la toile d'araignée tissée par cet habile assassin. Ce qui était le cas de Macha Karavaï, jeune fille portant toujours le deuil de son père et qui n'a qu'une idée en tête : trouver son assassin.
Intelligente, travailleuse, douée, mais un peu inadaptée socialement (elle aime trop les livres), arrivée à son stage par un piston, ce qui ne lui facilitera pas la tâche pour se faire entendre par son supérieur (Andreï Yakovlev) qui ne voit en elle qu'une arriviste et enfant gâtée.
Un duo d'enquêteurs atypique, peu compatible socialement et culturellement, mais une fois leurs différents aplanis, ça donnera un duo d'enquêteurs de choc, bien qu'il leur ait fallu tout le roman pour comprendre qui se cachait derrière ses crimes alors que moi, tout en buvant un bon café et en réfléchissant dans mon fauteuil, j'y étais arrivée.
Et j'avais vu juste ! Ceci n'a pas gâché mon plaisir de lecture, que du contraire, le tandem Macha/Andreï fonctionnait bien et le côté ésotérique des crimes ne pouvait que me combler.
On aurait pu se passer de l'histoire d'amour mais sans doute que ça ajoutera du piment pour les lecteurs/trices qui aiment ça. de mon côté, j'ai trouvé que ça allait trop vite…
C'est palpitant, amusant, frais, gore pour certaines mises à mort mais sans jamais sombrer dans le voyeurisme et les détails horribles, voilà un roman policier whodunit mais sans qu'on ne doive rassembler tout le monde dans le salon pour proclamer que c'était le colonel Moutarde le coupable.
Une chose est sûre, si Macha et Andreï reviennent pour une nouvelle enquête, je les suivrai volontiers dans les rues de Moscou et sur tous les sites sur lesquels ils me mèneront.
Vous me mettriez Sherlock Holmes enquêtant en Russie que je frôlerais l'arrêt cardiaque devant tant de bonheur.
Net Galley et l'éditeur ayant donnés une suite favorable à ma demande, je me suis jetée sur le roman comme une affamée.
Mêlant l'Histoire avec le présent, le réel avec l'ésotérisme, mettant en scène des personnages intéressants que tout oppose, voilà un roman qui a réuni les bons ingrédients et a su les cuisiner pour donner un plat qui avait du goût !
Mon seul petit bémol sera pour le fait que c'est le Moscou contemporain qu'on arpente et ma passion irait plus au Moscou du temps du Tsar Nicolas II.
On dira que je pinaille mais j'aurais apprécié que ce roman ait une touche « politique » en plus de la policière car durant mes lectures, j'apprécie tout autant m'instruire sur la vie des gens, sur la politique, l'administration…
Lorsque c'est bien mis en scène, ça donne toujours un plus à un récit (mais tout le monde n'aime pas ça) et je suis plus fervente d'Histoire (politique ou autre) que d'histoire d'amour.
Par contre, j'ai appris les différences qu'il y avait entre les orthodoxes et les catholiques, pas toutes, juste les plus importantes et si nous avons 7 péchés capitaux, chez les orthodoxes, tous les péchés sont capitaux et ne comptez pas sur le purgatoire pour vous en sortir, c'est direct dans les flammes de l'enfer que nous rôtirons tous ensemble.
Si j'aurais aimé plus de politique, ce sera mon seul grief contre ce roman qui se lit très vite tant on est subjugué par les crimes épouvantables et l'aura de mystère qui les entoure, car nos amis pandores moscovites de la Petrovka n'avaient pas vu la patte du serial killer.
Pour leur défense, fallait avoir l'esprit obnubilé par ces criminels pour comprendre et voir la toile d'araignée tissée par cet habile assassin. Ce qui était le cas de Macha Karavaï, jeune fille portant toujours le deuil de son père et qui n'a qu'une idée en tête : trouver son assassin.
Intelligente, travailleuse, douée, mais un peu inadaptée socialement (elle aime trop les livres), arrivée à son stage par un piston, ce qui ne lui facilitera pas la tâche pour se faire entendre par son supérieur (Andreï Yakovlev) qui ne voit en elle qu'une arriviste et enfant gâtée.
Un duo d'enquêteurs atypique, peu compatible socialement et culturellement, mais une fois leurs différents aplanis, ça donnera un duo d'enquêteurs de choc, bien qu'il leur ait fallu tout le roman pour comprendre qui se cachait derrière ses crimes alors que moi, tout en buvant un bon café et en réfléchissant dans mon fauteuil, j'y étais arrivée.
Et j'avais vu juste ! Ceci n'a pas gâché mon plaisir de lecture, que du contraire, le tandem Macha/Andreï fonctionnait bien et le côté ésotérique des crimes ne pouvait que me combler.
On aurait pu se passer de l'histoire d'amour mais sans doute que ça ajoutera du piment pour les lecteurs/trices qui aiment ça. de mon côté, j'ai trouvé que ça allait trop vite…
C'est palpitant, amusant, frais, gore pour certaines mises à mort mais sans jamais sombrer dans le voyeurisme et les détails horribles, voilà un roman policier whodunit mais sans qu'on ne doive rassembler tout le monde dans le salon pour proclamer que c'était le colonel Moutarde le coupable.
Une chose est sûre, si Macha et Andreï reviennent pour une nouvelle enquête, je les suivrai volontiers dans les rues de Moscou et sur tous les sites sur lesquels ils me mèneront.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews