Commissar: A Novel of Civil War Russia

Commissar #1

by D.V. Chernov

A gripping historical spy thriller based on incredible real events.

Everything has a price. Especially promises.

In book one of the Anna Sokolova series, the year is 1918, and the nascent Russian Republic is fighting to retain power against domestic and foreign enemies.

In Moscow, Anna Sokolova is a young revolutionary working for the newly formed CHEKA state security agency to hunt down a British agent Sidney Reilly. Meanwhile, a young emissary of Wall Street William Arden sets sail from New York on a mission to Russia that is not what it appears to be, and the true purpose of which even he may not yet fully comprehend.

Their paths cross in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), and they become unlikely allies. As they race against the clock to stop Reilly through the ravages of civil war and the rapidly turning political tide in Russia, Anna must decide the price she is willing to pay to save her country and not lose herself in the process.

Based on real events, Commissar is meticulously researched and explores the little-known history of US and British intervention in the Russian Civil War (1918-22).

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2021

About the author

D.V. Chernov is an award-winning author of historical and crime fiction. His debut novel Commissar was named Finalist for the prestigious Hemingway International Book Award. D.V. Chernov was born in Omsk, Russia and grew up in the Soviet Union during the final decades of the Cold War before immigrating to the US in 1991. For his crime fiction, Chernov derives inspiration from his 20-year career in the high-tech industry, with his extensive experience lending his thrillers a level of authenticity that is rare in the genre.

Reviews

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Commissar” by D.V. Chernov is a Russian historical spy thriller, taking place in 1918, as Russia is in the midst of a civil war caused by several political forces vying for power in a new Russia taking shape. The author expertly bases this story on real historical events and people, giving it an even greater air of intrigue.

Readers follow Anna Sokolova, a young Russian female in the counter-terrorism department within CHEKA, the newly formed state security agency. Along with her several colleagues, she is tasked with tracking down several high-level British intelligence agents. Anna’s own brilliance and passion for the CHEKA’s vision for Russia guides her as she leads the charge in catching British spies. William Arden, an American with the Red Cross, similarly offers an intriguing side story as his own mission in Russia develops alongside Anna’s, offering even more webs to untangle as the story unravels.

Admittedly, I know next to nothing about politics, Russian politics included, but I didn’t let that stop me from enjoying “Commissar” and learning a great bit about Russian history in the process. As a lover of movies like “Jason Bourne” and “Mission Impossible” I was immediately taken by Anna Sokolova and William Arden. Anna is our perfect female protagonist, she is daring and outspoken, and knows what she wants. Author D. V. Chernov develops Anna’s character so well, emotionally connecting readers with her vision for the future of Russia, and investing us in her friendships, family, and intelligence missions. The most fascinating facet of Anna’s character is the missions, developed and led by her, a woman in 1918 Russia, making her every bit the powerhouse Chernov has created her to be. Similarly, while only a supporting character at best, William leaves readers with a phenomenal cliff hanger, leaving us desperately wanting more!

From the espionage to the action, no stone is left unturned. “Commissar” plays out on the page like a movie, dancing across the Russian landscape. Educating readers on Russia’s history while delivering on action, a cast of diverse characters, and a compelling female lead., D.V. Chernov gives readers nothing short of a Jason Bourne-esque, fast-paced, devouring read

[Laura Cornett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling story that I couldn't put down. A well thought out historical novel with intriguing characters.

[Cindy Vallar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delivery of a dispatch leads to the Romanovs’ executions. The messenger is Anna Sokolova, a young woman whose brother died in a demonstration at the Winter Palace and who believes that choices made are always black or white. Knowing she plays a role, however minor, in the murders causes her to transfer into the counterterrorism branch of the Cheka, the Bolshevik security agency. In 1918, she hunts for an elusive spy, who goes by many names and may be in league with the British. With talk of guns and an underground army, as well as an influx of Allied troops and two assassination attempts, stopping the spy becomes paramount. Anna teams up with an American Army captain tied to the American Red Cross, but the pursuit requires an alliance with an anarchist who has vowed to kill all White Russians, Allies, and Bolsheviks. It also requires Anna to choose between blindly following orders or staying true to her principles.

Chernov adroitly depicts the complicated factions threatening Russia. He shows the brutality of war and how the policy of Red Terror came to be. Commissar centers on the hunt for Sidney Reilly, and is the first book in the Anna Sokolova series. It also incorporates a significant laying of groundwork for future titles. There are some editing issues that still need resolving and there are times when the many characters, both historical and fictional, become muddled, but the various points of view emphasize the period’s confusion and convolution. The story isn’t as engrossing as other novels set during this time, but readers are invested in the characters and what happens to them by the story’s close. Loose threads are tied up, and the end twist will intrigue readers to see how Anna deals with a personal dilemma.

(This review originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Historical Novels Review: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...)

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Commissar follows the story of a young revolutionary named Anna Sokolova who has recently joined the newly created CHEKA state security agency. Anna's job is to hunt down a British agent named Sidney Reilly. At the same time, William Arden sets sail from New York to Russia as part of an American Red Cross mission. Both of their paths cross in which they become unlikely allies. All the while, the Russian Civil War is under way.

I found the story to be very well written and it was very easy to follow. I was very much engaged and interested to see what happens next. There was a very good structure to this, it did jump around to different characters at times, but this didn't disrupt the flow of the story. I found the characters to be very well-developed and the book goes into detail about their backgrounds and political beliefs and why certain characters have certain views. Furthermore, I did think this book did provide a rudimentary understanding of the early stages of the Russian Civil War (but with the caveat that this is a fiction book).

If you enjoy a good political thriller, like historical fiction and have an interest in Russian history, I would definitely recommend this book.

[Romuald Dzemo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and captivating historical fiction


D.V. Chernov’s Commissar: A Novel of Civil War Russia is an exceptional exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the complex web of political intrigue during one of the most turbulent periods in Russian history. The narrative features fictional characters alongside historical figures, vividly portraying life in a country on the brink of transformation. The heroine, Anna, is developed to be a strong female figure wading through the treacherous waters of revolutionary politics. Chernov cleverly paints a dark, visceral picture of revolutionary fervor through carefully crafted settings and relationships. The tension is muscular as Anna finds herself at the crossroads of her loyalties—towards her comrades, her ideals, and the remnants of the totalitarian regime that she now seeks to dismantle. The climax, culminating in an assassination that underlines the immense political conflict, further drives home the novel's message about the high stakes of ideological warfare. Chernov doesn’t just recount history; he invites readers to reflect on the moral quandaries and personal sacrifices that define political allegiance.

[Helena Schrader · Rating 1 out of 5]

A thinly disguised and poorly executed piece of propaganda attempting to white-wash the Checka (predecessor of Putin's KGB) as idealistic champions of the common man, while the American Red Cross is only a front organization for capitalist exploitation of Russia's natural resources. The characters act and talk like NYC detectives in the early 21st century rather than Russians one hundred years ago. The writing is so formulaic, I wonder if it was actually written by AI. Could not stomach reading more than about 15%. An utter waste of money and an insult to anyone with a knowledge of Russia in this period.

[RjS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting spy thriller with a twist on the usual background setting. I enjoyed the historical setting as a variation on the norm. Engaging characters and story.

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good story based on history. Written so you can understand all the factions of the Russian civil war.