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1632: From the Casebook of Miroslava Holmes #2
Two Cases for the Czar
Miroslava Holmes, the one and only licensed private detective in the United Sovereign States of Russia, has a new case. She's been called in on a locked room murder—and to make things worse, it's the locked room of an agent of the Embassy Bureau, a 17th century Russian James Bond. This is a political case, and the Embassy Bureau isn't talking to anyone. Solving the case is going to leave Miroslava at the crossroads where law and justice part ways.
But not everything is murders and spies. No, sometimes it's the theft of a piece of costume jewelry from a girl at the Happy Bottom Club. And this case leads Miroslava into the bailiwick of another detective. Detective Corporal Viktor Zuykov, who doesn't want her interference.
That, however, isn't going to stop Miroslava. When money is involved things can get dangerous, and to catch the actual culprit, Miroslava and her faithful friend, Vasilii Lyapunov, must chase him to Kazan.
But not everything is murders and spies. No, sometimes it's the theft of a piece of costume jewelry from a girl at the Happy Bottom Club. And this case leads Miroslava into the bailiwick of another detective. Detective Corporal Viktor Zuykov, who doesn't want her interference.
That, however, isn't going to stop Miroslava. When money is involved things can get dangerous, and to catch the actual culprit, Miroslava and her faithful friend, Vasilii Lyapunov, must chase him to Kazan.
- GenresAlternate History
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2020
38 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 23, 2020
Another Hit
The team of Goodlett and Huff. Here we rejoin Miraslava Holmes on two more cases as she works as Consulting Detective for Tsar Michael in 1637. Set in the 1632 series of novels this novella continues to develop the situation in an alternate history Russia. The four books set in this sub-section
of the 1637 series so far are The Kremlin Games, The Volga Rules, A Holmes for the Tsar and now this novel. The first two novels focus on Bernie Zeppie and his impact in Russia starting not long after the Russian embassy arrives in Grantville and hires him. Zeppie's adventures lead to the introduction of a number of interesting characters the latest of whom has been the protagonist Miraslava Holmes beautiful savant detective who had a rough life until she met an influential friend of Zeppie. A must read for any fan of the 1632 setting novels and fans of Goodlett and Huff who now have a string of successful novel's under their partnership in three genres, Alternate History, Fantasy and Science Fiction.
The team of Goodlett and Huff. Here we rejoin Miraslava Holmes on two more cases as she works as Consulting Detective for Tsar Michael in 1637. Set in the 1632 series of novels this novella continues to develop the situation in an alternate history Russia. The four books set in this sub-section
of the 1637 series so far are The Kremlin Games, The Volga Rules, A Holmes for the Tsar and now this novel. The first two novels focus on Bernie Zeppie and his impact in Russia starting not long after the Russian embassy arrives in Grantville and hires him. Zeppie's adventures lead to the introduction of a number of interesting characters the latest of whom has been the protagonist Miraslava Holmes beautiful savant detective who had a rough life until she met an influential friend of Zeppie. A must read for any fan of the 1632 setting novels and fans of Goodlett and Huff who now have a string of successful novel's under their partnership in three genres, Alternate History, Fantasy and Science Fiction.
July 8, 2021
I *MAY* have enjoyed this book more if I hadn't read A Holmes for the Czar first. Gorg Huff and Paula Goodlett fall into some repetitive crutches in these stories that are pretty apparent when you read one after the next.
some of these include
- The lack of literacy
- The methods of making vodka in the 1600's
- Some awkward autism characteristics.
Again, they're only REALLY apparently when you read one after the other, but as these aren't long stories, having wordcount repeated is a bit of a let down.
I did enjoy the first case, although the second case felt a bit "deus ex machina"
some of these include
- The lack of literacy
- The methods of making vodka in the 1600's
- Some awkward autism characteristics.
Again, they're only REALLY apparently when you read one after the other, but as these aren't long stories, having wordcount repeated is a bit of a let down.
I did enjoy the first case, although the second case felt a bit "deus ex machina"
January 30, 2021
Two enjoyable mysteries featuring Miroslava Holmes. These are followup stories to the book "A Holmes for the Czar." Miroslava is becoming more at ease in tackling mysteries and solves several in these stories. 1632 influenced Russian culture, characterization, available technology, geography, etc. are all handled well. The stories integrate well with the main books set in Russia. Fun quick read and I look forward to more in the future.
April 23, 2022
Nothing like a mystery!
I sometimes think because of my high function autism. That I have some Sherlockian bent. I could almost always correctly guess what was in my Christmas presents before they were opened. Which lead to some weird brick pieces wrapped with the gift. Loved this story.
I sometimes think because of my high function autism. That I have some Sherlockian bent. I could almost always correctly guess what was in my Christmas presents before they were opened. Which lead to some weird brick pieces wrapped with the gift. Loved this story.
January 16, 2021
OK but
Small stories written in a small book. Only one interesting character, the high functioning autistic Miraslova. It's mildly interesting seeing her thinking differently than the other characters.
Small stories written in a small book. Only one interesting character, the high functioning autistic Miraslova. It's mildly interesting seeing her thinking differently than the other characters.
August 24, 2021
Not stand-alone
If you liked the earlier Miroslave Holmes book, this is enjoyable. If not, it is just confusing. Doesn't grow the characters much. Nor does it shed light on post-ROF Russia. It just is
If you liked the earlier Miroslave Holmes book, this is enjoyable. If not, it is just confusing. Doesn't grow the characters much. Nor does it shed light on post-ROF Russia. It just is
December 25, 2020
The autistic detective solves two murders in an alternative 17th-century Russia.
February 9, 2021
Detective Miroslava Holmes is working Two Cases in this addition to the Russian thread of the ROF.
April 5, 2021
An excellent addition
These stories are well done both as Ring of Fire universe tales and as mysteries in the Sherlock Holmes tradition. I. Hope to see more of these.
These stories are well done both as Ring of Fire universe tales and as mysteries in the Sherlock Holmes tradition. I. Hope to see more of these.
May 18, 2021
Not Bad at All
I was not expecting much from this book, but it was well written and it kept me engaged from start to finish. A couple of mistakes, but not enough to distract me.
I was not expecting much from this book, but it was well written and it kept me engaged from start to finish. A couple of mistakes, but not enough to distract me.
February 28, 2022
Back in the USSR
Marislava and Vassili are busy solving crimes again. The first is a case of self-defense.The second is about a jewel thief.
Marislava and Vassili are busy solving crimes again. The first is a case of self-defense.The second is about a jewel thief.
August 15, 2025
I really enjoy these stores, set in the 1632 universe, but ultimately about people.
July 13, 2022
Holmes solves two more cases with the Czar's support and is now showing the regular authorities how it is done. Plus she now carries a gun.
October 31, 2022
A good read.
Two very nice mystery stories... and Miroslava never disappoints. While you will probably enjoy them more if you have read all the Ring of Fire stories about Russia, it is not a requirement.
Two very nice mystery stories... and Miroslava never disappoints. While you will probably enjoy them more if you have read all the Ring of Fire stories about Russia, it is not a requirement.
July 11, 2024
Two short stories set after 1636: The Kremlin Games.
Rated 3.5 stars, rounded up.
Rated 3.5 stars, rounded up.
July 10, 2023
Oh! I !like a locked room mystery
Fall out from the ring of fire is such fun. The ending of interludes in bed is also stimulating.Wow! Looking forward to the next case
Fall out from the ring of fire is such fun. The ending of interludes in bed is also stimulating.Wow! Looking forward to the next case
December 29, 2023
Miro Solves a Two!
Follow our intrepid detective and her steamy side kick as they double down on crime in Ufa town, and river down!
Follow our intrepid detective and her steamy side kick as they double down on crime in Ufa town, and river down!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews