Death on the Nevskii Prospekt

Lord Francis Powerscourt #6

by David Dickinson

Rare book

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Russia, Historical, Detective

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 16, 2006

About the author

David Dickinson was born in Dublin. With an honours degree in Classics from Cambridge, David Dickinson joined the BBC, where he became editor of Newsnight and Panorama, as well as series editor for Monarchy, a three-part programme on the British royal family.

Reviews

[Eva Müller]

Lord Powerscourt is simply an a-ma-zing investigator but sadly his horrible wife has forced him at gunpoint (or at least while he was recuperating from one of the near-fatal wounds he got while being an a-ma-zing investigator) to promise her to give up investigating. Her very unpatriotic reasoning for that is that she would love for her children to not grow up fatherless. Now another mysterious crime has occurred that threatens the world (or at even worse - the British Empire) and only Powerscourt can help. There isn't a single other capable person in Her Majesty's service. So the whole first chapter is just a number of more and more important people throwing themselves in front of Powerscourt, begging him to take the case and telling his wife how unpatriotic her silly feelings are. 



OK, I’m not smiling. I’m just furious.

[Spuddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the first five books in this series immensely, but this one lacked luster for me, as it featured Tsar Nicholas and his family and places Lord Francis Powerscourt as a witness to Bloody Sunday. All a bit too fantastical for me, and also a subject matter I have no interest in whatsoever. Seemed a bit too long and drawn out for me, although it may have just been the subject matter itself. Still, I enjoy this character and his sidekicks and there were some interesting folks as part of the story. Just not my thang.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Dickinson keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of your seat in this 6th entry in the Powerscourt series. This time, Lord Francis is sent to St. Petersburg to determine why a British official has disappeared. Not an easy read in places as the author goes into detail about the world of the Romanov empire and horrible treatment of those who try to defy them. But the suspense keeps you turning the pages and the characters are sometimes quirky and always interesting. Definitely an excellent read!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thrillers/mysteries are not my first choice. This book was given to my a number of years ago by my cousin. I pulled it off the shelf to read, and to complete my summer reading bingo card.

Death on the Nevskii Prospekt was a quick read and kept my interest. I, too, liked the setting in 1905 Russia. I didn't like the violence and torture.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerscourt Rocks Russia

I love this series probably as much for the historical context— this instance the beginning of the end of the Romanov regime in Russia – – as for the detective skills of Lord Francis Powers Court. Have fun with it.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good storyline and plenty of action. Nice to address haemophilia in the book also as part of the story. Enjoying this series.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too dark and too much history not enough murder mystery.

[Kay Robart · Rating 1 out of 5]

This disappointing novel begins with a couple of totally unnecessary chapters devoted to efforts to get Lord Powerscourt's wife to release him from his promise not to take on any more investigations. The powers that be want him to go to Russia to investigate the death of an English diplomat on the Nevskii Prospekt. No one in England knows why he was there, but when Lord Powerscourt arrives, no one in Russia will admit that he is dead. The novel seems only lightly researched and has minimal characterization.

See my complete review here:

http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/d...

[Nancy Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Powerscourt adventure, not to be taken too seriously, just enjoyed! I especially liked this one because it takes place in one of my favorite settings, St. Petersburg in the early 20th Century. Powerscourt comes out of retirement (don't believe he'll ever retire) to investigate the murder of a British diplomat on a top secret mission, so secret nobody in either country seems to know what it was except the Prime Minister and the Czar himself. Lots of delightful characters and descriptions of life, good and bad, in Russia at that time, with possibly a bit too much on the gruesome side in places. Still a really good read with a satisfying ending, as always!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roderick Martin, a British diplomat is found dead in St. Petersburg. Then his body disappears. Lord Francis Powerscourt agrees to come out of retirement and investigate, although he gets little information from his own government, which claims that only the prime minister knows about Martin's mission was. Powerscourt's journey takes him to the Czar himsself, and through the help of one of the Czarina's ladies-in-waiting, into the heart of a stupid, superstitious and inept royal court. But danger waits for him at every turn.

[Cece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series, these books are not grounded in the history as much as in front of the history (well-researched and accurate as it appears), which serves as background for swashbuckling, amazing escapes, breathtaking derring-do, scandal and intrique. Exchange the carriage and four and telegraph for a Porsche and an iPhone and these books could go modern very easily. Fun, but not memorable.

[Ken Timbers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a good story, but the principal interest for me was the setting, with fascinating descriptions of life in Russia at the turn of the 19/20th centuries. The Russian torture chambers are described in gruesome detail!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A satisfying yet strange conclusion to this latest Powerscourt intrigue. Great setting in bleak and tumultuous Russia at the turn of the century with a cheeky cleric named Rasputin just making his way into the acquaintance of the Romanov family.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series very much but didn't care for this book. It is partly because I'm not too fond of Russian history and the fall of the royal family. The cruelty of the country as it was falling wasn't something I was into at this time.

[Christa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mystery involving the family of the last Czar and his family. Descripion of brutality overdone.

[Tanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

silly summer reading
picture of Russia 1905

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Any minute now, she knew, the proper contractions would start.


That's me done and dusted with Lord Francis Powerscourt and these mediocre tales.

Next!

[Jan Koch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read murder mystery. I liked the setting in Tsarist Russia. I'm not sure how fond I am of the hero, Lord Francis Powerscourt

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but horribly gruesome in spots. Read at your own risk.

[Leon · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I wasn't from Russia, I would enjoy this book. There are a lot of mistakes which are very annoying.

[ShanDizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very gritty, violent story