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As it promised, this book kept me up long past my bedtime. The suspense begins from the first pages, and tension builds with every chapter. The surprising twists shocked me and kept me reading. This thriller is based on the notorious true life crimes of Andrei Chikatilo, who was a ritualistic serial killer in Soviet Russia. A reader can feel the oppression and the fear inspired by the government. I cared deeply about the characters and could not put this book down. It is "entirely convincing and frightening." I am looking forward to his next novel which picks up where this one leaves off.

This book is totally different from my usual fare, and I ordered it based on a fellow swapper's review. Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2008, this book is a definite page turner. An intense, very well written roller coaster ride that gripped me from the first page until the very last. Can't wait to order "The Secret Speech". Very highly recommend.

Wow! I enjoyed this murder mystery much more than I thought I would! It was a very thrilling adventure with an intricate, tightly-woven plot. I don't usually enjoy books set in Russia/U.S.S.R./Soviet Union but this one was just terrific! The characters were richly drawn and quite believable in their motivations. It was simply wonderful, with interesting sub-themes dealing with communism and the state of government. All in all, it was not only exciting, but thought-provoking as well.

Smith does an excellent job of making the reader feel the oppressive, paranoia-inducing atmosphere of Soviet Russia at the end of the Stalinist era, all the while telling a thrilling (if sometimes gory) mystery yarn.

This is a very good book, although not up-lifting. I read it in less than a week, so if that tells you anything...

This is an excellent book, not just as a mystery but the historical content is really fascinating. The characters are also very well-developed.