I think this book gets tragically overlooked by a lot of readers because they think it will be a very difficult read. I don't agree at all! I found this book to be very accessible and a real page turner. It is such an awesome pyschological thriller and of course (it is russian after-all) deals with some super interesting and very deep moral and ethical issues. Principally something along the lines of "Is it morally acceptable for someone to commit murder if the murderer [protagonist] is somehow an 'exceptional being' or 'super-human', and therefore above/beyond normal ethics and morality"

But the story itself is a wonderful blend of plot activity mixed with the protagonist's mental anguish and guilt as he struggles with this issue. And then of course there is the police detective, resulting in one of the best novels ever written - and it's not too long!!