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129th out of 240 books
—
32 voters
Archive 17 (Inspector Pekkala #3)
by
Sam Eastland
Stalin’s most trusted secret agent, the legendary Inspector Pekkala, is on his deadliest mission—one that could save his country . . . or plunge it into the abyss.
It is 1939. Russia teeters on the verge of war with Germany. It is also on the brink of bankruptcy. To preserve his regime, Stalin orders a search for the legendary missing gold of Tsar Nicholas II. For this task...more
It is 1939. Russia teeters on the verge of war with Germany. It is also on the brink of bankruptcy. To preserve his regime, Stalin orders a search for the legendary missing gold of Tsar Nicholas II. For this task...more
Hardcover, 262 pages
Published
February 28th 2012
by Bantam
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A significant improvement on the previous books in the series.
The story is more interesting and flows well, the characters are more rounded (and the historical figures actually act more like they should), the historical setting covers a much well less known aspect of Russian history than the death of the royal family or the importance of the T-34.
Main problem is still the main characters lack of a personality, especially in a situation which should be filled with thoughts that tear him in multi...more
The story is more interesting and flows well, the characters are more rounded (and the historical figures actually act more like they should), the historical setting covers a much well less known aspect of Russian history than the death of the royal family or the importance of the T-34.
Main problem is still the main characters lack of a personality, especially in a situation which should be filled with thoughts that tear him in multi...more
ARCHIVE 17. (2012). Sam Eastland. ***.
This is the second book I’ve read by Eastland, and, again features his series protagonist, Pekkala. Pekkala started off as the most trusted man in the Tsar’s employ, the wearer of “The Emerald Eye.” That Emerald Eye gave him the right to powers equal to the Tsar in gaining entry to anyplace, to examine any document, to question anyone, and to arrest anyone. That’s a lot of power. He was feared for all of these rights, but also for his reputation for being u...more
This is the second book I’ve read by Eastland, and, again features his series protagonist, Pekkala. Pekkala started off as the most trusted man in the Tsar’s employ, the wearer of “The Emerald Eye.” That Emerald Eye gave him the right to powers equal to the Tsar in gaining entry to anyplace, to examine any document, to question anyone, and to arrest anyone. That’s a lot of power. He was feared for all of these rights, but also for his reputation for being u...more
“Archive 17” by Sam Eastland
“I’m sending you to Siberia.”
In October 1939, Russian Bureau of Special Operations investigator Pekkala faces his worst nightmare. Only a few years after being released from the frozen hell of a gulag prison camp in Siberia, he is ordered back to the same prison, this time undercover to investigate the murder of a prisoner. Only two people will know he is not a real prisoner, the prison commandant and Joseph Stalin, the man sending him there.
Prisoners are murdered eve...more
“I’m sending you to Siberia.”
In October 1939, Russian Bureau of Special Operations investigator Pekkala faces his worst nightmare. Only a few years after being released from the frozen hell of a gulag prison camp in Siberia, he is ordered back to the same prison, this time undercover to investigate the murder of a prisoner. Only two people will know he is not a real prisoner, the prison commandant and Joseph Stalin, the man sending him there.
Prisoners are murdered eve...more
I was first introduced to the series in "Eye of the Red Tsar". It opened in Siberia. A Soviet official is trying to find Pekkala, the private investigator for Tsar Nicholas, who was sentanced to a labor camp following the Russian revolution. Pekkala hasn't spokent to anyone for years. He's been marking trees in the Siberian forest and has survived much to the consternation of the Soviets.
Pekkala is now back in Moscow and working directly for Stalin. Each mystery is tied to some aspect of Russian...more
Pekkala is now back in Moscow and working directly for Stalin. Each mystery is tied to some aspect of Russian...more
For only 262 pages Eastland packs quite a punch. In this installment Pekkala is sent back to the same Gulag where he spent nine years in exile. Stalin has ordered him to solve the mystery of a murdered inmate so Pekkala has to go in as a prisoner. Could there be another reason for sending Pekkala in to solve this murder mystery? Well you won't get me to spill the beans. I really like how Eastland puts the historical info at the end of the book about the fight for Siberia as it really lends crede...more
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Sam Eastland definitely has a different writing style then what I'm used to, so i had a hard time with this book. I'll be honest, I didn't actually finish it. It wasn't a bad book, I just have a hard time reading something that isn't divided into chapters. I hate stopping in the middle of a chapter, which would mean that I would have to read this entire book in one sitting, which I don't have time to do. Also, I didn't love the format. There was a lot of...more
After going slightly off track with Shadow Pass, Eastland rights the Inspector Pakkala train in this, the third book. The technique of using flashbacks is still a bit distracting, but it's not overdone. The plot is plausible, although a bit of a stretch. Josef Stalin finally shows some teeth, but this time the humor is believable. After all, no person is completely one-sided. As horrific as his deeds were, he had at least a trace of humanity. Same as before, if you enjoy Russian history and stoi...more
I thought the premise of this book was much better than the execution. In 1939, on the eve of WW2, a detective from Moscow returns to a gulag in Siberia to investigate a murder. He was a former prisoner there for 10 years, and stumbles across a conspiracy involving a hidden treasure of Tsar Nicholas II. The book frequently made flashbacks, which made it hard to follow in the audio version. The plot moved a little too slow for my tastes, but led up to an exciting finish. Part of a series. I may p...more
Book 3 in the Pekkala series, published as Siberian Red in the UK. Good stuff - at least as good as book 2, if not more so. Based on one of the more unusual episodes of the Russian Revolution and civil war - the eastward journey of the Czech legion, carrying gold from the Imperial reserves - this sees Pekkala going undercover in the very same gulag camp he had been a prisoner in. Looking foward to getting book 4 - this series gets better and better.
Jun 19, 2012
Gillian Bourassa
added it
This one wasn't as good as the previous Inspector Pekkala books. It was more of a survival story rather than a spy thriller, and the ending was a bit contrived. Eastland, however, did do a good job of exploring the motives of the various characters whether it be their motives in life or in the unfolding investigation, and one gets a good sense of the paranoia present in Stalin's system and the things that people will do in attempting self-preservation.
It is 1939. Russia teeters on the verge of war with Germany. It is also on the brink of bankruptcy. To preserve his regime, Stalin orders a search for the legendary missing gold of Tsar Nicholas II. For this task, he chooses Pekkala, the former investigator for the Tsar. To accomplish his mission, Pekkala will go undercover, returning to Siberia and the nightmare of his own past, where he was once a prisoner in the notorious Gulag known as Borodok.
An excellent book and a fabulous series!
An excellent book and a fabulous series!
I love this series and Pekkala stays true to form w/ some good twists of plot and always, interesting historical background...but Stalin, after all is Stalin and not half as 'romantic' a character as the Tsar, for goodness sake. None the less, I trust Mr. Eastland to keep us 'captured' in these tales!
The third book in this series, Archive 17 is one of the best yet. Pekkala is sent back to the Siberian concentration camp hunting down former soldiers and the Tsar's hidden gold. Tightly woven story that flows through this too short story. Cannot wait for the next Pekkala adventure!
Coincudentally, the earlier book was about Stalin, and this one is Stalin trying to recover the Tsar'd gold. First time for me with this writer, and well written and the plot was good. The title is different, mine is Siberian Red , but the same book is Archive 17.
Another winner in the Inspector Pekkala series. This is the third in the series; I had to request the second one and couldn't wait. It's OK, though, because these books stand on their own and don't have to be read in order. I especially appreciate the Soviet history lessons.
did not know this was the third book of a series, it didn't matter as it could stand on it's own merit. it was ok, there are others written much better. I probably wouldn't have read this if I hadn't already read Tom Rob Smith's series.
This was a first-reads giveaway that I won here on Goodreads.
This is the third book in an ongoing series and It was also the first book that I read in the series. I felt the book was ok. It did was not a page turner for me. It was not a bad book but it was not a great book either. I did however, like the plot twists at the end of the book. These twists gave me the satisfaction I need when reading. They also did a good job at landing a small hook in me that may pull me back to read other books in...more
This is the third book in an ongoing series and It was also the first book that I read in the series. I felt the book was ok. It did was not a page turner for me. It was not a bad book but it was not a great book either. I did however, like the plot twists at the end of the book. These twists gave me the satisfaction I need when reading. They also did a good job at landing a small hook in me that may pull me back to read other books in...more
This was a cool historical novel. I had not encountered much of this genre from Russia, so I enjoyed it quite a bit. I understand there is a great Rutherford book on Russia but I haven't tracked a copy down yet.
Mar 20, 2013
Barb
added it
Third in the Pekkala detective series. A gentler book than the previous two, but the lead character remains very appealing. The series should be read in order, though, so start with Eye of the Red Tsar.
Rating of 4.5!
For me, this is the best one in the series so far. Great story line, great writing and great character development.
For me, this is the best one in the series so far. Great story line, great writing and great character development.
a good book with an interesting look at Russia under the "bad old days". A unique perspective on the cop drama.
enjoyed this very much, you could almost feel yourself also in the gulag suffering the extremes of camp life and wilderness of Siberia.
Read as a First Read's winner.
Although I'd never read any of the past books in the series, I enjoy historical fiction and easily got into the time period. It's 1939, and a detective is being sent by Stalin back to a Gulag he once lived in (and survived in an extraordinary way) to examine a murder scene and search for secrets relating to the old Tsar.
The plot was interesting, but as other reviewers have said, the writing style was a bit different than normal. For me, the heavy flashbacks in the f...more
Although I'd never read any of the past books in the series, I enjoy historical fiction and easily got into the time period. It's 1939, and a detective is being sent by Stalin back to a Gulag he once lived in (and survived in an extraordinary way) to examine a murder scene and search for secrets relating to the old Tsar.
The plot was interesting, but as other reviewers have said, the writing style was a bit different than normal. For me, the heavy flashbacks in the f...more
A very good Inspector Pekkala novel. The Rasputin cameo was particularly well done.
Stalin sends Inspector Pekkala back to the Siberian prison camp to investigate a murder.
Feb 21, 2012
Yy
marked it as to-read
I won this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Hope to read it soon. Thanks.
Sam Eastland's 3rd Inspector Pekkala novel. I continue to enjoy this character and this series. Appreciated the "what really happened" history lesson at the end of the book.
I had to give it 3 stars as I thought the ending was really disappointing. It felt rushed
I just like to note that I read this under the title of Red Siberian
Wasn't quite so keen on the final part of the trilogy
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