You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Discuss Child 44 here

Audiobook downloaded and ready to go! Looking forward to it!

I have lots of airplane time over the next week and plan on bringing this book along. I'm headed to New York to cheer on my Seahawks in the Super Bowl...GO HAWKS!!!

I have just started listening to the audiobook for this. It is the first group/buddy read that I have done with an audiobook so I'm interested to see how that goes. When I read a print book for group reads, I keep notes on a piece of paper so I can comment on here but I listen to audiobooks when I'm doing chores or on the bus so won't be able to make notes so freely.

I've read this book and other two in trilogy. As it often happens, the next books weren't so good as this one.
Soon there is going to be new book by this author and I can't wait to read it.

Marnie wrote: "I have lots of airplane time over the next week and plan on bringing this book along. I'm headed to New York to cheer on my Seahawks in the Super Bowl...GO HAWKS!!!"

I'll be cheering them on too, Marnie! Good luck to your Seahawks. I really hope they win.

I think I'm going to struggle with knowing where I am in the book as there aren't chapter numbers as such.

I'm about 10% in and so far I'm really intrigued. Just getting to know the characters at the moment. In fact, I think most of the ones I've met so far won't feature too heavily - the main character Leo has only just shown up as (view spoiler)[he has been called to investigate the death of a colleague's son. On the surface looks like he was hit by a train but his family believe it was murder. Presumably this ties with the first murder which was mentioned in the book, also a little boy. And presumable the bloke being hid in the barn is the culprit?!? (hide spoiler)]

I really liked how the book started out and how the author portrayed the dire conditions there in Russia at the time (view spoiler)[I can't imagine having to eat a cat because there's no other food available. (hide spoiler)]

I love the narrator of this book! Ignoring the book themes, it makes me feel like a child again as his voice is just a classic storytelling voice and reminds me of the TV program Jackanory that I watched as a kid. I think also the English accents helps with this feeling too - I don't think I've listened to an audiobook yet with an English narrator (other than Wolf Hall which I had to abandon but not because of the narrator).

Sarah wrote: "I have just started listening to the audiobook for this. It is the first group/buddy read that I have done with an audiobook so I'm interested to see how that goes. When I read a print book for gro..."
Keeping notes is a great idea. I've realized I can do it on my tablet.
I've just started and awwww... after a couple of pages I know this is my type of a novel. I knew it would be.

I am at the beginning of this book and because of the theme of terror perpetrated during the Stalin regime, I am full of dread. I hope this whole book isn't this tense, or I will spend days being sick to my stomach!☻

I don't do well with sadistic political bullies and oppressed fear-ridden villagers.

Sarah wrote: "I love the narrator of this book! Ignoring the book themes, it makes me feel like a child again as his voice is just a classic storytelling voice and reminds me of the TV program Jackanory that I watched as a kid. I think also the English accents helps with this feeling too - I don't think I've listened to an audiobook yet with an English narrator (other than Wolf Hall which I had to abandon but not because of the narrator).
..."

Who is your narrator, Sarah? He doesn't sound like the person that I am listening to at all!☺

The narrator on mine is Steven Pacey. I'd have thought it would be the same person! Perhaps it's nostalgia swaying my opinion on him!

I'm listening to Dennis Boutsikaris.

This read is still pretty intense.

I am finding the government supported intimidation and threat to the families so disarming. The feeling of powerlessness is palpable. (view spoiler)[ Disturbingly, at this point the threat of brutal murder seems incidental to the portrayal of life in a totalitarian state! (hide spoiler)]

I'm fairly sure that the plot is about to turn in a different direction now. (1/3 of the way.)

Sarah wrote."...the dire conditions there in Russia at that time
The book starts in Ukraine and not in Russia. Nowadays it's believed that the famine at that time period was intentionally created by Stalinist Russia.

Anna: I have read Child 44 previously and have just listened to The Secret Speech and want to listen to Agent 6, but I agree that Child 44 is a better book than TSS, but it is still worth reading (unless you are like Janice (I think it's you Janice) that tends to only read book 1 of a series for this very reason, in which case I totally understand.

Anna wrote: "Sarah wrote."...the dire conditions there in Russia at that time
The book starts in Ukraine and not in Russia. Nowadays it's believed that the famine at that time period was intentionally created b..."

Thanks Anna. I missed that! This is the only problem with audio I find as I am doing other things and if I miss something I don't go back and "reread" like I might with a print book. I just assumed it was Russia as I knew the book is set in Russia!

You're moving fast Almeta! It's strange that they would make two versions of an audiobook! I might have to do some chores today so I can listen some more.

OMG!!! The abundance of sadistic authority and indifference is so frustrating. There is not a single social group, not a single individual, that is safe. Everyone is guilty en masse. That these men think that they would be immune to the same injustice is so arrogant.


Leo is caught between the proverbial rock and a hard spot.

WARNING You won't want to read this until after you have read about the boy stamp collector.

(view spoiler)[Didn't the scene of the boy wriggling under the body of the murderer remind you of the two boys killing the cat? The feline wriggling under the little Andrej's body, while his brother, Pavel, attempted to reach under and kill it?

I am wondering if the scenario is related, but I can't see how the surviving brother can be part of these murders. Maybe it is just that the scene describes how a person kills "live game", whether it is a rat or a cat or a human! (hide spoiler)]

I have read Child 44 previously it's great book and the best of thrilogy. spending great time!

Almeta wrote: "WARNING You won't want to read this until after you have read about the boy stamp collector. ..."

You are asking the same questions I was when I was reading it.

Anna wrote: "Sarah wrote."...the dire conditions there in Russia at that time
The book starts in Ukraine and not in Russia. Nowadays it's believed that the famine at that time period was intentionally created b..."

I love this book because it and your comments make me research, which makes me a slow reader. But, I really can't help researching.

What I've found out is that there are disputes among scholars whether the Ukraine famine in 1932-33 was intentionally caused or a consequence of bad economical reforms, collectivization being one of them.

Land and crops didn't belong to the farmers anymore. The centralized authorities made decisions about everything - what to grow, how to transport, store process and distribute food.

It was doomed to turn out a catastrophe.
There were other factors but this would be too long a post...

By the way, I love the way Tom Rob Smith builds his characters. Still, I can't stop asking myself:
(view spoiler)[ would a very hungry, eight-year-old care more about his relationship with his brother than about getting food? Is it believable? Although, the story wouldn't be as good as it is without Andrej trying to prove himself useful and worth of Pavel's respect (hide spoiler)]

Esther wrote: ". ...You are asking the same questions I was when I was reading it."

Natalie wrote: "I have read Child 44 previously it's great book and the best of thrilogy. spending great time!"


Join our discussion Esther and Natalie! :D

WARNING You won't want to read this until after you have read about the cat, Naydia and her father, Andrei.

(view spoiler)[I am shocked to be told the name of the killer at this point in the story. So since his identity isn't meant to be a surprise, the plot now is likely to focus on how Leo and Raisa are going to find him and stop him.

Other research has lead me to the notion that some of the story was loosely based on real serial killer, Andrei Romanovich Chikatilo (the Rostov Ripper) and his ability to get away with his killings because of the political climate of paranoia at the time. (hide spoiler)]

Almeta wrote: "I am at the beginning of this book and because of the theme of terror perpetrated during the Stalin regime, I am full of dread. I hope this whole book isn't this tense, or I will spend days being..."

I just started this book and I feel the same as Almeta. My heart is already broken and stomach a little sick over Pavel. It is so difficult reading what countries endured, but it is also so important to learn about. I think this is a book I will not want to put down! I found myself leaning into my computer as right now I'm reading it on my kindle on the computer.

I like how you guys put the WARNING and spoiler alerts up! I can't wait to keep reading and keep coming back to see what was said.

Mention of the interrogation and imprisonment of Jewish doctors before Stalin's death has been niggling at me...so I had to look it up.

(view spoiler)[There is an ironic antidote by author, Tom Rob Smith, that during Stalin's illness there were no qualified doctors to attend him. He had them all imprisoned and therefore died without medical care. (hide spoiler)]

There is a historical reference to The Doctor's Plot, but the brief research I made in Wikipedia did not strictly follow the idea in this book. (view spoiler)[The implication could actually be more dire...Jewish doctors could have actually plotted to kill Stalin. (hide spoiler)]

WARNING You won't want to read this until after you have read about Timur Nesterov's "return from vacation" and Leo has been in an automobile accident".

Without chapter numbers, I am having a hard time telling you where I am in the book. It is hard to keep the warning itself from being a spoiler!

(view spoiler)[First of all I can't believe Nesterov has been caught. The book let's us know that no one is safe, still I was sure HE would make it. Smith spares absolutely NO ONE.

Raisa's been arrested.

Leo has been chased and caught by his contentious nemesis, Vasili! (Great chase scene by-the-way.)

Who's is left to solve the mystery and stop the killer? (hide spoiler)]

Nerve-wracking!☻

I knew this book would not disappoint as far as thrillers go.

Tasha wrote: "I knew this book would not disappoint as far as thrillers go."

I hadn't expected it. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything but read this book!

I completely understand! It had me in it's grip as well. :)

Wow you too finished quickly! That good aye?!? I had better get my act together and listen to some more of it. I see that my library app has the second one on audio available too so if I like the first one I can listen to the second one straight after.

WOW! This is a fast paced book that I don't want to put down! I am only at 28% (I just started today so that's good for me) at 20 February. All I can say is ... (view spoiler)[ i didn't see that coming .... (hide spoiler)]

I am also testing out how to use the "spoiler" technique! Back to the book!

Jennifer wrote: "I am also testing out how to use the "spoiler" technique! Back to the book!
"

Looks like you've got the hang of it! :-)

WARNING You won't want to read this until after you have read about Leo's drug induced "hallucination" scene.

Please forgive my spelling of these Russian names, I am listening to audio so have no reference. Just trying to combine phonetics and imagined Russian spellings! :-D

(view spoiler)[I thought Aksana and Ana might be the same woman. And Stephan was a step-father. (I'm not your father.) That Pavel was adopted. The couple wanted their blood son Andrej to live at the expense of their adopted son. So that the memory which Leo/Pavel had while being interrogated kinda fit for a little while. The name Leo made me realize that Aksana with a missing husband was a different woman than that of Ana married to Stephan.

I think that I confused myself even more than the author had intended!☻ (hide spoiler)]

I've been hit by a Mack Truck!☻

Quoting from the scene where Raisa is being transported by a Fruit and Vegetable truck "Was there a person alive who didn't know someone who had been arrested?"

"In 1953, the year of Stalin's death, there were 2,468,524 prisoners in the Gulag system." ~ litlovers

About Stalin's last days: his guards were too afraid to check out why he stayed long after his usual hours in his room http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/c...

And I can't wait for the movie! I hope it will be good.

Yes the movie sounds intriguing - Tom Hardy and Gary Oldman have been cast in it.

I'm at 18% which is just after Anitoli is apprehended. (view spoiler)[I can't imagine want it must have been like to live in Russia during this time. Nobody trusted each other - such a high level of paranoia! The threats and intimidation tactics the MGB used against members of the public is unbelievable. How scary must it have been - in the MGB's eyes it would seem that everyone is guilty until they prove otherwise and therefore they could do what they like to people.

I was shocked to read that the MGB doctors prescribed meth-amphetamine to it's agents in order for them to keep working - their lives were second to the lives of their suspects! Drugs may keep them awake and going but surely it would have caused problems with poor judgement, increased paranoia, and a probable increase in aggression. Crazy!

I have to say I know very little about this time frame in Russia, of Stalin's rule, of Gulags etc so this is all quite an eye opener for me.

I'm wondering why Anitoli dived in the water and refused to surface in affect killing himself - was it to avoid the Gulags, the questioning and giving up information?!?

In addition to the outrage I felt on reading about the general behaviour and attitudes of the MGB officers, I couldn't believe they beat and then killed Mikhail and his wife especially as they had arrested their sought after suspect Anitoli. I really don't like Vasily. I'm pleased Leo stopped him from killing the two girls but it was too little too late. At least he realised that it was murder whereas before I reckon it was seen as a necessary part of the job - his views are changing which is promising (although maybe not for his job). (hide spoiler)]

Oooh I didn't know there was gonna be a film!!

(And I can't read your spoilers on the app

Yes it's annoying that the app doesn't show spoilers! The film comes out some time this year.

I'm glad I read the book a while ago do that it's a bit sketchy so I won't (hopefully) remember too much detail when I see the film!!

Anna wrote: "About Stalin's last days: his guards were too afraid to check out why he stayed long after his usual hours in his room http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/c...

And I ca..."

That was really interesting Anna. Thanks.

Anna wrote: "About Stalin's last days: his guards were too afraid to check out why he stayed long after his usual hours in his room http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/c......"

This speaks to my message 24 query. Thanks for investigating further Anna.

Had it not been for this being a group read selection, I would not have sought out this book, and I would have missed (IMO) an excellent read.

I am very impressed with Child 44.

I have just finished reading about Anitoli's interrogation (view spoiler)[OMG! That was intense! I don't think I've read a book with a torture scene before. I found the description of the different punishment rooms chilling. Torture is such a pointless way of obtaining information from people. Under that kind of pain and distress, I'd say anything to get them to stop as have I am sure many prisoners in that situation. Anitoli summed it up perfectly in what he said to Leo about this. I like Anitoli and I really feel for him. I can see why the MGB suspect him but that doesn't make a man guilty. I thought it interesting when Leo accused Anitoli of hating Russia and Anitoli retorted that it was Leo (an the regime) that in fact hated Russia's and that is why they treat the people badly. I am glad the Shrink commented that anything a suspect says while under the affects of the Camphor oil is true - I can't imagine what that must have felt like for Leo to come to the realisation that they were torturing an innocent man. At least he has the realisation though! The Shrink kept saying "try again" and on audio this made me feel under torture (in a mild way obviously) myself and I started to feel tense! (hide spoiler)]

Almeta, when I heard this month was Russian themes, I headed over to my library audio app to see why books would fit (as I can listen to them for free) and Child 44 was one of them which is why I nominated it. But before then, I had never heard of it and it may not have been a book I'd have picked up either. I'm enjoying it so far if that's the right word - it's pretty intense! I'm feeling pretty outraged too!

I have just read about Leo returning to work after having time off with a cold (about 25% in) (view spoiler)[wow! another intense scene. I can't believe the MGB suspected Leo of faking his illness and sent the doctor to investigate. I am also shocked that not wanting to go to work could mean being sentenced to time in the Gulag (and interrogations before that too). I'm glad I don't live in Russia - with the amount of sickies I've had over the years I'd be permanently there! Sounds like you can't put a foot wrong there! Scary!

I'm outraged again! How low of the Doctor to give the sedative to Leo and then blackmail his wife in to sleeping with him just so that he would tell the TRUTH that Leo was actually sick! I'm pleased she reacted the way she did but at the same time I was thinking that things were going to come round and bite her in the arse sooner or later. When the officers turned up I thought that was it but now I see that they are much sneaker - the doctor put her name forward as a traitor to the country and Leo has to investigate. I'll he interested to see how things go now. Will he investigate or will they run? Exciting stuff! (hide spoiler)]

Almeta wrote: "Had it not been for this being a group read selection, I would out have sought out this book, and I would have missed (IMO) an excellent read.

I am very impressed with Child 44."


Don't you love when that happens?!:D

I am about 160 pages in and am loving this story. I agree with Almeta, this group has introduced me to many little gems that I would have missed out on without YLTO.
I am finding this book immensely quotable. In fact I keep putting the book down to write down a quote. My favorites so far:
In 1953 Russia " one of the fundamental pillars" of society was " there is no crime." ( ha)
" Better to let ten innocent men suffer than one spy escape." ( Kind of turns Blackstone's ratio on its ear).
" Trust but check"- Stalin ( is that where Reagan got his famous " trust but verify from?)
My very favorite that I am going to use in my next argument with my husband..." There is nothing so stubborn than a fact. That is why you hate them so much."

It's reminding me very much of 1984 and the scary thing is this actually happened! (well not everything in this book but how the MGB and Stalin behaved etc.)

Sarah wrote: "It's reminding me very much of 1984 and the scary thing is this actually happened! (well not everything in this book but how the MGB and Stalin behaved etc.)"

The serial killings too! (message 22 spoiler)

Just checked Wikipedia and I see now that the serial killings also occurred - thanks Almeta! I'm at 34% in the book at the moment and not a huge amount has been mentioned so far about the children - I'm presuming that's to come. I've just read about Leo searching his own house (view spoiler)[I'm intrigued about the rubel which broke apart and is used for concealing microfilm - I wonder why Riasa has it. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be in Leo's position of having to investigate his wife and knowing that it would be better to give her up to save his parents and himself otherwise they will all die - I can't imagine what it must be like to live like that too. (hide spoiler)]