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Malykant Mysteries #2
The Ivanov Diamond
Konrad Savast is the Malykant: foremost and most secret servant of the God of Death. His job? To track down the foulest of murderers and bring them to The Malykt's Justice. No mercy. No quarter.
Konrad is called to the death scene of a simple baker, and he can’t understand why. According to appearances, Pietr Orlov’s death was a natural one. Except there’s one problem: there’s no sign of his ghost. When two more bodies turn up with missing souls, Konrad knows he’s got a strange case on his hands.
But what could possibly connect the deaths of a baker, a manservant and a rich merchant’s wife? With the city police busy with the theft of a great diamond, Konrad must rely on the help of his one true friend to solve the case.
But when he begins to see links between the three murders and the theft of the diamond, he realises this case is more serious than he thought. With time running out, he must find the perpetrator and exact his vengeance - before a still worse crime is committed.
Konrad is called to the death scene of a simple baker, and he can’t understand why. According to appearances, Pietr Orlov’s death was a natural one. Except there’s one problem: there’s no sign of his ghost. When two more bodies turn up with missing souls, Konrad knows he’s got a strange case on his hands.
But what could possibly connect the deaths of a baker, a manservant and a rich merchant’s wife? With the city police busy with the theft of a great diamond, Konrad must rely on the help of his one true friend to solve the case.
But when he begins to see links between the three murders and the theft of the diamond, he realises this case is more serious than he thought. With time running out, he must find the perpetrator and exact his vengeance - before a still worse crime is committed.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2012
About the author
Charlotte E. English
79 books363 followersEnglish both by name and nationality, Charlotte hasn’t permitted emigration to the Netherlands to change her essential Britishness. She writes colourful fantasy novels over copious quantities of tea, and rarely misses an opportunity to apologise for something. Spanning the spectrum from light to dark, her works include the Draykon Series, Modern Magick, The Malykant Mysteries and the Tales of Aylfenhame.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 6, 2024
Konrad’s Pleasure.
Konrad is the Malykant. He is responsible for the solving of murders. He answers to his boss the Malkyt and he will give him all of his energy for each job.
A baker is dead and his soul has been captured by the murderer who is unknown. And the Malykant is unable to figure out who did it. How did it happen and why did he do it? These are the questions that he needs answered.
Next time a murder occurs in the city of Ekamet, the victim is a servant. Malykant discovers that his soul is also taken from him. Are the two victims linked in any way. So he investigates, but he doesn’t find any evidence of a connection between them.
The third victim is a wealthy woman. The sister-in-law of a banker. The woman is another innocent victim who may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I’m incredibly curious to know just how Konrad, the Malykant, is going to solve this mystery and who the murderer is. Does this make sense about the missing diamond situation? Is there a connection? Malykant doesn’t know. Stay tuned…
Four stars. ✨✨✨✨
Konrad is the Malykant. He is responsible for the solving of murders. He answers to his boss the Malkyt and he will give him all of his energy for each job.
A baker is dead and his soul has been captured by the murderer who is unknown. And the Malykant is unable to figure out who did it. How did it happen and why did he do it? These are the questions that he needs answered.
Next time a murder occurs in the city of Ekamet, the victim is a servant. Malykant discovers that his soul is also taken from him. Are the two victims linked in any way. So he investigates, but he doesn’t find any evidence of a connection between them.
The third victim is a wealthy woman. The sister-in-law of a banker. The woman is another innocent victim who may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I’m incredibly curious to know just how Konrad, the Malykant, is going to solve this mystery and who the murderer is. Does this make sense about the missing diamond situation? Is there a connection? Malykant doesn’t know. Stay tuned…
Four stars. ✨✨✨✨
December 31, 2024
The Ivanov Diamond
By Charlotte E English
This is book #2 in the series. Konrad has another mystery on his hands. He has the two spirits servants to help him. Because the first murder doesn't appear to be a murder, his boss, God of Death or Malykt, isn't happy with him. It's a bit more exciting than the first book.
By Charlotte E English
This is book #2 in the series. Konrad has another mystery on his hands. He has the two spirits servants to help him. Because the first murder doesn't appear to be a murder, his boss, God of Death or Malykt, isn't happy with him. It's a bit more exciting than the first book.
Read
April 1, 20253.75 stars
Short, effective and atmospheric. Delighted to discover this is part of a series.
Short, effective and atmospheric. Delighted to discover this is part of a series.
February 4, 2017
This mystery novella is a bit unusual, in that at first there is NO physical evidence that any crime has been committed. There is only the Malykt's anger that souls have not come to him as they should after death, yet neither are they lingering, tattered, near their mortal bodies. It leaves Konrad floundering, frustrated in his attempts to find motive or connection in the lives or deaths of two ordinary men.
The apothecary Nanda's Marjan heritage suggests to her one other possible avenue of investigation: the ability of Oracles to see the future, which she has to convince Konrad is more than just a tale or exaggeration.
When the picture finally begins to come together, the question becomes: how will Nanda react when she finally sees just what it truly means to carry out the grim duties of the Malykant. Will Konrad lose the one person he calls a friend?
I'd say this one is a flat 3 stars, because although the mystery is resolved in the end, the emotional repercussions are not, yet.
Read in the boxed set of 1-4.
The apothecary Nanda's Marjan heritage suggests to her one other possible avenue of investigation: the ability of Oracles to see the future, which she has to convince Konrad is more than just a tale or exaggeration.
When the picture finally begins to come together, the question becomes: how will Nanda react when she finally sees just what it truly means to carry out the grim duties of the Malykant. Will Konrad lose the one person he calls a friend?
I'd say this one is a flat 3 stars, because although the mystery is resolved in the end, the emotional repercussions are not, yet.
Read in the boxed set of 1-4.
October 28, 2024
4 – 4.5 Stars
The Ivanov Diamond is the second book in the Malykant Mysteries series by Charlotte E. English. This is a fantastic, atmospheric paranormal mystery with lots of dark and dramatic tones which I loved. It has an historical setting with a Gothic Russian or Eastern European vibe. The world-building is highly original with dark and moody tones that really help to set the ‘atmosphere’ and make the story come to life.
Konrad Savast is The Malykant, the servant of the God of Death. His ‘job’ comes with some supernatural abilities, exceptional detective skills, wealth and standing in the community, as well as two bloodthirsty and macabre ‘familiars’, in the form of spirit serpents who are both prone to some petulant antics at times. It is Konrad’s job to seek ‘justice’ for the souls who have met their death prematurely, by being murdered. He investigates their death/s, using good old detective work coupled with some supernatural skills, and hunts down the killer/killers and ‘sends’ them to his master, The Malykt, the God of Death.
When three people turn up dead, their immortal souls missing, Konrad’s got a strange case on his hands. And it’s clear that it’s got something to do with the theft of a great and valuable diamond from one of Ekamet’s wealthiest citizens…
With murder investigation, monsters, mayhem, ghosts, tension, secrets, action, adventure, friendship, intensity, suspense, and so much more, this became quite a riveting read.
There are 12 books in this series, or three volumes each with four stories- and I read them all, back-to-back. The individual stories are quite short, being mostly under 100 pages each- which allowed me to devour the entire series quite quickly.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Charlotte E. English!
The Ivanov Diamond is the second book in the Malykant Mysteries series by Charlotte E. English. This is a fantastic, atmospheric paranormal mystery with lots of dark and dramatic tones which I loved. It has an historical setting with a Gothic Russian or Eastern European vibe. The world-building is highly original with dark and moody tones that really help to set the ‘atmosphere’ and make the story come to life.
Konrad Savast is The Malykant, the servant of the God of Death. His ‘job’ comes with some supernatural abilities, exceptional detective skills, wealth and standing in the community, as well as two bloodthirsty and macabre ‘familiars’, in the form of spirit serpents who are both prone to some petulant antics at times. It is Konrad’s job to seek ‘justice’ for the souls who have met their death prematurely, by being murdered. He investigates their death/s, using good old detective work coupled with some supernatural skills, and hunts down the killer/killers and ‘sends’ them to his master, The Malykt, the God of Death.
When three people turn up dead, their immortal souls missing, Konrad’s got a strange case on his hands. And it’s clear that it’s got something to do with the theft of a great and valuable diamond from one of Ekamet’s wealthiest citizens…
With murder investigation, monsters, mayhem, ghosts, tension, secrets, action, adventure, friendship, intensity, suspense, and so much more, this became quite a riveting read.
There are 12 books in this series, or three volumes each with four stories- and I read them all, back-to-back. The individual stories are quite short, being mostly under 100 pages each- which allowed me to devour the entire series quite quickly.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Charlotte E. English!
January 20, 2020
Didn't realize this was a novella until I finished it rather more quickly than I was used to or would have liked. Still, this continues to be a good series. The Malykant is a mortal tasked by the god of death with avenging murder & helping murdered souls to pass on. It's tone is a dark and mystical as you might imagine, but there is also a distinctly human lightness, and vulnerability, that keeps the series from becoming too dark. In this book, the Malykant is confronted with three unusual murders in that there are no connections between the three, no clues, no obvious motive, and no souls to collect.
November 15, 2020
Konrad’s serpentine spirits wake him to tell him a person has been murdered, but there is no evidence of it and their soul is missing. By the second death he is worried. And so is the Malykt, the death spirit that grants him his title and power.
And the dead are not high rank people; they are bakers and menservants who seem unrelated to each other. What IS going on?
His helpful police officer is involved in the theft of a huge diamond and the Malykant has an idea.
888
We learn more about the MC, his abilities and those of his friend, Nanda. She is the daughter of a seer.
3 stars
And the dead are not high rank people; they are bakers and menservants who seem unrelated to each other. What IS going on?
His helpful police officer is involved in the theft of a huge diamond and the Malykant has an idea.
888
We learn more about the MC, his abilities and those of his friend, Nanda. She is the daughter of a seer.
3 stars
May 19, 2023
Some parts at the beginning recap what we learned from the first book, which would have worked better if I didn't read them back to back.
I have two nitpicks with this one. First, suddenly there's a romantic tension or whatever now between Kondrad and Nanda, which I didn't like at all. They were good friends in the first book and that was enough. Second, the perpetrator of this murder is someone we never met or heard of before the big reveal, which just doesn't work for me in mysteries.
Also, Nanda sees Konrad in action for the first time so there's that.
I have two nitpicks with this one. First, suddenly there's a romantic tension or whatever now between Kondrad and Nanda, which I didn't like at all. They were good friends in the first book and that was enough. Second, the perpetrator of this murder is someone we never met or heard of before the big reveal, which just doesn't work for me in mysteries.
Also, Nanda sees Konrad in action for the first time so there's that.
March 4, 2019
3,5 stars rounded up to 4.
I enjoyed the first book better than this one but I still read it quite quickly. In this series, I like the fact that characters (although there are a few significant characters) are fleshed out even this is an action packed urban fantasy novella series.
I will definitely continue with the series.
I enjoyed the first book better than this one but I still read it quite quickly. In this series, I like the fact that characters (although there are a few significant characters) are fleshed out even this is an action packed urban fantasy novella series.
I will definitely continue with the series.
December 5, 2019
3.5 stars
Felt like this book delved more into the magic system in the Malykant universe, which I whole-heartedly endorse. The mystery was pretty interesting, made more interesting since it's tied in with the magic system.
Konrad's jealousy over Nanda's affection towards Dubin is understandable, but eeeehhhhhh. Nanda's pretty prickly, huh? Hmm.
Felt like this book delved more into the magic system in the Malykant universe, which I whole-heartedly endorse. The mystery was pretty interesting, made more interesting since it's tied in with the magic system.
Konrad's jealousy over Nanda's affection towards Dubin is understandable, but eeeehhhhhh. Nanda's pretty prickly, huh? Hmm.
August 26, 2019
The Ivanov Diamond
I like this book. The main character, Malykant, is trying to unddrstand hisself as Malykant and Savast. His struggle towards discovery of himself makes the book amazing and a joy to read.
I like this book. The main character, Malykant, is trying to unddrstand hisself as Malykant and Savast. His struggle towards discovery of himself makes the book amazing and a joy to read.
August 9, 2021
Short but brilliant
I don't really read short stories but these are written so well the length seems perfect. Great characters and the relationship between the two leads is very well done
I don't really read short stories but these are written so well the length seems perfect. Great characters and the relationship between the two leads is very well done
June 19, 2022
The stories are relatively short, but the characters are consistent and getting better. I am glad I bought the first four in one book, so I can read them in one go. I am also starting to really like the universe - though bone-white seems to be the author's favourite word :D.
July 3, 2021
Another fine take
This, as the first, Is not a mystery to be solved , but a tale to be read. Good storytelling.
This, as the first, Is not a mystery to be solved , but a tale to be read. Good storytelling.
July 29, 2021
This was as much fun to read as the first book. Still continuing with this series.
April 21, 2024
This is the second book of the Malykant Mysteries. One thing I love about these books are how short they are, so they're pretty easy to finish fast.
We once again meet Konrad Savast who is investigating what appears to be unconnected natural deaths, except the Malykt, the death god and Konrad's master is convinced they are unnatural. What adds to the mystery is that the dead have no souls.
When a well known diamond goes missing and Konrad discovers a clue that links the deaths to the theft, he realises that the culprit may be closer to him than he realised.
I loved the quick pace of the book and the dark, gothic vibes. It has enough room for character development despite being short and fast paced. We once again meet characters from the previous book like Nanda whose friendship with Konrad seems to be taking a romantic tone. (or maybe I'm just shipping, lol)
On the whole, this was as good a read as the first. If you love fantasy, mysteries and fast paced books, you will love this!
We once again meet Konrad Savast who is investigating what appears to be unconnected natural deaths, except the Malykt, the death god and Konrad's master is convinced they are unnatural. What adds to the mystery is that the dead have no souls.
When a well known diamond goes missing and Konrad discovers a clue that links the deaths to the theft, he realises that the culprit may be closer to him than he realised.
I loved the quick pace of the book and the dark, gothic vibes. It has enough room for character development despite being short and fast paced. We once again meet characters from the previous book like Nanda whose friendship with Konrad seems to be taking a romantic tone. (or maybe I'm just shipping, lol)
On the whole, this was as good a read as the first. If you love fantasy, mysteries and fast paced books, you will love this!
Read
October 19, 2024I LOVED IT
For me, this book took the slightest step back from the first one. If I would’ve started with this book, I wouldn’t have been so eager to pick up the second. Why? Well . . .
Unlike the first one, there was a bit of info dumping. Throughout. While I can swallow it in the beginning, when it crept up later on it bothered me. Now, this info dumping was simply a reminder of certain facts we learned in book one. Honestly, some of it was said a few times, so it was reiterated info dumping with no real reason. The facts weren’t that hard to remember. Shame. It weighed down the story quite a bit, for me.
Also lacking was a sense of Konrad’s mystery. We (Konrad and the reader) were the only ones who knew who he was, and in the second book it feels like his secret isn’t that big of a secret. It’s lost some of its power. In doing so, it’s taken away that darker side to Konrad that I so loved in the first book. He’s lightened up.
In the first book, we had a nice level of fear for Konrad’s safety. He was being followed, and it heaped on piles of investment for me. With this book, I never, ever, felt like Konrad was in trouble. Because of this lack of suspense, I wasn’t as invested in him.
Lastly, I felt the writing lost a bit of the edge I liked in the first book. This felt a bit more happy. I don’t mind happy. I guess I was drawn in so much with English’s melancholy notes in the first book that I expected it in this one. Book two just feels lighter.
Now, on to what I still enjoyed. I loved reading about the spirit world and Konrad’s role in it. It does a nice job of adding that fantasy element that can ensnare me pretty quickly into a story. I’m sad we didn’t see more of Konrad’s serpents in this book. I really did enjoy them in the last book.
New to this book was a bit more banter between Konrad and Nanda. While it did add to the lighter tone, I enjoyed reading it and watching their relationship grow a bit. It made the ending more impactful, though I would have liked to spend a bit more time with Konrad in the end, which, sadly, felt rushed.
Overall, the story was still a mystery at its core with spoonfuls of fantasy. Despite my complaints, I’ll continue on because I’m curious about Konrad and Nanda’s past, I love the spirits and Malykt, and I just enjoy the little escapes the series is providing me.
You can see this and other reviews on my website: http://booksbylkevans.com
For me, this book took the slightest step back from the first one. If I would’ve started with this book, I wouldn’t have been so eager to pick up the second. Why? Well . . .
Unlike the first one, there was a bit of info dumping. Throughout. While I can swallow it in the beginning, when it crept up later on it bothered me. Now, this info dumping was simply a reminder of certain facts we learned in book one. Honestly, some of it was said a few times, so it was reiterated info dumping with no real reason. The facts weren’t that hard to remember. Shame. It weighed down the story quite a bit, for me.
Also lacking was a sense of Konrad’s mystery. We (Konrad and the reader) were the only ones who knew who he was, and in the second book it feels like his secret isn’t that big of a secret. It’s lost some of its power. In doing so, it’s taken away that darker side to Konrad that I so loved in the first book. He’s lightened up.
In the first book, we had a nice level of fear for Konrad’s safety. He was being followed, and it heaped on piles of investment for me. With this book, I never, ever, felt like Konrad was in trouble. Because of this lack of suspense, I wasn’t as invested in him.
Lastly, I felt the writing lost a bit of the edge I liked in the first book. This felt a bit more happy. I don’t mind happy. I guess I was drawn in so much with English’s melancholy notes in the first book that I expected it in this one. Book two just feels lighter.
Now, on to what I still enjoyed. I loved reading about the spirit world and Konrad’s role in it. It does a nice job of adding that fantasy element that can ensnare me pretty quickly into a story. I’m sad we didn’t see more of Konrad’s serpents in this book. I really did enjoy them in the last book.
New to this book was a bit more banter between Konrad and Nanda. While it did add to the lighter tone, I enjoyed reading it and watching their relationship grow a bit. It made the ending more impactful, though I would have liked to spend a bit more time with Konrad in the end, which, sadly, felt rushed.
Overall, the story was still a mystery at its core with spoonfuls of fantasy. Despite my complaints, I’ll continue on because I’m curious about Konrad and Nanda’s past, I love the spirits and Malykt, and I just enjoy the little escapes the series is providing me.
You can see this and other reviews on my website: http://booksbylkevans.com
March 8, 2015
A worthy follow-up to The Rostikov Legacy, this second Malykant mystery sees Konrad trying to solve a series of deaths that appear linked only thanks to his supernatural insight. I enjoy Konrad as a character, and his internal struggles with his place in society, as well as the mystery and fantasy elements which typify these books.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews