Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our Sept/Oct 25 buddy read of Special Assignments: Erast Fandorin 5: The Further Adventures of Erast Fandorin The fifth book in the Erast Fandorin series was first published in 2007.

Two new adventures for Boris Akunin's well-loved, inimitable hero in which Erast Fandorin faces two very different adversaries: one, a deft, comedic swindler and master of disguise, whose machinations send ripples spreading through the carefully maintained calm of Moscow in 1886, and the other a brutal serial killer, driven by an insane, maniacal obsession, who strikes terror into the heart of the Moscow slums in 1889 - and who may have more in common with London's own Jack the Ripper than simply a taste for women of easy virtue. Peopled by a cast of eccentric characters, and with plots that are as surprising as they are inventive, Fandorin's 'Special Assignments' will delight Akunin's many thousands of fans, while testing their gentleman sleuth's powers of detection to the limit.

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

I am about halfway through this one. The first story, as the book has two different cases, is a lot of fun. I like the new character, Tulipov, as well. I think it's useful for Fandorin to have more people around him to flesh his character out a little, as he is so enigmatic.

I haven't started this yet but have borrowed a copy from the library and hope to get to it soon. Interesting to hear that the book has two different cases.

The spoiler thread is linked below:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I've started this now and am enjoying the character of Tulipov too. I'm not sure if the countess was also in a previous book, does anyone remember? We've definitely had similar characters before.

I'm unsure. I have finished this now - it's really a good addition to the series. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Thanks Susan, I couldn't make up my mind if I was remembering her or not!

I plan on starting this or Bellona Club today, having cleaned up most of my back log. A couple additional new books arrived but I can ignore them for a while.

Finished the first half and enjoyed the pranks the two main characters played on each other. The new narrator is interesting and likeable.

Yes, that first novella is a lot of fun. Apparently, this was the breakthrough book in the series.

Quite a shift in tone. Off to the spoiler thread.