What do you think?
Rate this book
Brock & Kolla #14
The Russian Wife
When the Russian wife of the owner of one of the most valuable private collections of modern art in the UK is found dead, Detective Chief Inspector David Brock is drawn into a world of high-end art, a world very different to his own. From the dealers and galleries in London's West End, his investigations take him to Miami and New York on the trail of international forgery and fraud.
At the same time his ex-partner Detective Chief Inspector Kathy Kolla who now leads one of the Metropolitan Police Murder Investigation teams, finds herself at the wrong end of a corruption charge. With her whole career in the balance, she will do almost anything to clear her name.
At the same time his ex-partner Detective Chief Inspector Kathy Kolla who now leads one of the Metropolitan Police Murder Investigation teams, finds herself at the wrong end of a corruption charge. With her whole career in the balance, she will do almost anything to clear her name.
Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2021
20 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Barry Maitland
44 books185 followersBarry Maitland is the author of the acclaimed Brock and Kolla series of crime mystery novels, which are set in London, where Barry grew up after his family moved there.
His books have been described as whydunits as much as whodunits, concerned with the devious histories and motivations of their characters. Barry's background in architecture drew him to the structured character of the mystery novel, and his books are notable for their ingenious plots as well as for their atmospheric settings, each in a different intriguing corner of London.
Barry studied architecture at Cambridge University, and went on to work as an architect in the UK, then took a PhD in urban design at the University of Sheffield, where he also taught and wrote a number of books on architecture and urban design. In 1984 he moved to Australia to head the architecture school at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, and held that position until 2000. He now writes fiction full time, and lives in the Hunter Valley, Australia.
His books have been described as whydunits as much as whodunits, concerned with the devious histories and motivations of their characters. Barry's background in architecture drew him to the structured character of the mystery novel, and his books are notable for their ingenious plots as well as for their atmospheric settings, each in a different intriguing corner of London.
Barry studied architecture at Cambridge University, and went on to work as an architect in the UK, then took a PhD in urban design at the University of Sheffield, where he also taught and wrote a number of books on architecture and urban design. In 1984 he moved to Australia to head the architecture school at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, and held that position until 2000. He now writes fiction full time, and lives in the Hunter Valley, Australia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 1, 2022
Detective Chief Inspector David Brock wasn’t particularly happy where he was, in Fraud, perusing papers all day, going to art conferences. He missed Homicide where DCI Kathy Kolla was head of one of the Metropolitan Police Murder Investigation teams and running it well. When Brock was sent to the home of a millionaire art collector, with a technician by his side, he met Nadya Babington and her husband Julian. She had received a spam email which was terrifying her, but when she wouldn’t allow the technician to work on her laptop, there was nothing more Brock could do except reassure them it was spam.
When Nadya’s body was found the following day, the investigation began, taking a dark turn with Russian mobsters involved, the high-end art world, fraud and forgery, plus the involvement of Miki, Nayda’s wild son, a Scotsman, a priest – the list went on. In the meantime, Kathy had been called to a scene which she described as a closed-door mystery – was it suicide, or something more sinister? Suddenly Kathy found herself in trouble and the only person who could help her was herself…
The Russian Wife is the 14th in the Brock & Kolla series by Aussie author Barry Maitland and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have read a few of this series but not all – The Russian Wife can easily be read as a standalone. Intriguing and filled with tension, Brock is a favourite character, as is Kathy. I have no hesitation in recommending this novel highly.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When Nadya’s body was found the following day, the investigation began, taking a dark turn with Russian mobsters involved, the high-end art world, fraud and forgery, plus the involvement of Miki, Nayda’s wild son, a Scotsman, a priest – the list went on. In the meantime, Kathy had been called to a scene which she described as a closed-door mystery – was it suicide, or something more sinister? Suddenly Kathy found herself in trouble and the only person who could help her was herself…
The Russian Wife is the 14th in the Brock & Kolla series by Aussie author Barry Maitland and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have read a few of this series but not all – The Russian Wife can easily be read as a standalone. Intriguing and filled with tension, Brock is a favourite character, as is Kathy. I have no hesitation in recommending this novel highly.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2022
I read this enjoyable crime/murder novel very quickly. There are many books in this series but it’s the first I’ve read and it read well as a stand-alone (there were some slight references to previous cases).
Set in London, Kathy Kolla is a detective in homicide and Brock, her old colleague has been reassigned to fraud. After Kathy becomes suspicious of the first officer on the scene of an apparent suicide, she is accused of corruption and is investigated. Brock’s storyline begins with the investigation of a scam email sent to the Russian wife of a rich art collector. What follows is a complicated mix of suicides or murders, possible art fraud and forgeries, and double identities of more than one character. It was hard to picture how all of it would come together but it does and all the ends are tied in a satisfying way. A great read.
Set in London, Kathy Kolla is a detective in homicide and Brock, her old colleague has been reassigned to fraud. After Kathy becomes suspicious of the first officer on the scene of an apparent suicide, she is accused of corruption and is investigated. Brock’s storyline begins with the investigation of a scam email sent to the Russian wife of a rich art collector. What follows is a complicated mix of suicides or murders, possible art fraud and forgeries, and double identities of more than one character. It was hard to picture how all of it would come together but it does and all the ends are tied in a satisfying way. A great read.
July 8, 2024
The Russian Wife is the 14th book in the Brock and Kolla police procedural series, a series that has taken the pair of London police detectives through all types of turmoil and is set to challenge them again.
David Brock has come out of retirement and is once again ensconced in the Metropolitan Police Force, but to his dismay, has been placed in the Fraud Squad. Not quite the return to Homicide that he’d hoped but feels good about the fact that he’s working again.
His first job is to attend the house of millionaire art collector Julian Babington whose wife, Nadya, has received an email claiming that her computer has been hacked and her personal details are now known. This spam email has terrified Nadya, yet she flat out refuses to allow a police technician to access her computer.
When her body is discovered the following day, recovered from a pond at a remote location the warning email takes on greater significance.
From this start, Brock’s investigation becomes far more complicated as he finds himself wading through the world of art forgeries and fraud. There’s also some serious doubt over the true identity of Babington himself.
Meanwhile, Kathy Kolla suspects that one of the police officers under her command may be doing some vigilante work on the quiet, doling out severe justice to domestic violence offenders. The evidence that she and DS Judy Birch have gathered is pointing an accusatory finger at one of the most diligent cops on the force. But just as they’re ready to take action against the officer, both Kolla and Birch suddenly find themselves facing Professional Standards with some serious charges levelled against them.
This could very well be the end of Kolla’s career unless she can somehow prove that the charges are false.
As has almost become expected of the books in this outstanding series, the plot of The Russian Wife quickly develops from something straightforward into a far more complex situation. Both Brock and Kolla have their backs to the wall - Brock in a case that’s throwing up more twists than a Slinky and Kolla in a fight to clear her name.
Maitland’s writing style is strong and coherent and provides an interesting commentary on the art world through Brock’s thorough investigation. This artistic side of the story proved to be endlessly interesting to me, even with my limited knowledge on the subject.
Considering Brock was retired in the previous book in the series (The Promised Land) his return to the force in a new capacity seems to have breathed fresh life into the man. He’s up and about, driven by the thrill of the chase and even though he’s not particularly impressed to be on the Fraud Squad, still manages to demonstrate the razor sharp mind that challenges you as the reader to keep up.
David Brock has come out of retirement and is once again ensconced in the Metropolitan Police Force, but to his dismay, has been placed in the Fraud Squad. Not quite the return to Homicide that he’d hoped but feels good about the fact that he’s working again.
His first job is to attend the house of millionaire art collector Julian Babington whose wife, Nadya, has received an email claiming that her computer has been hacked and her personal details are now known. This spam email has terrified Nadya, yet she flat out refuses to allow a police technician to access her computer.
When her body is discovered the following day, recovered from a pond at a remote location the warning email takes on greater significance.
From this start, Brock’s investigation becomes far more complicated as he finds himself wading through the world of art forgeries and fraud. There’s also some serious doubt over the true identity of Babington himself.
Meanwhile, Kathy Kolla suspects that one of the police officers under her command may be doing some vigilante work on the quiet, doling out severe justice to domestic violence offenders. The evidence that she and DS Judy Birch have gathered is pointing an accusatory finger at one of the most diligent cops on the force. But just as they’re ready to take action against the officer, both Kolla and Birch suddenly find themselves facing Professional Standards with some serious charges levelled against them.
This could very well be the end of Kolla’s career unless she can somehow prove that the charges are false.
As has almost become expected of the books in this outstanding series, the plot of The Russian Wife quickly develops from something straightforward into a far more complex situation. Both Brock and Kolla have their backs to the wall - Brock in a case that’s throwing up more twists than a Slinky and Kolla in a fight to clear her name.
Maitland’s writing style is strong and coherent and provides an interesting commentary on the art world through Brock’s thorough investigation. This artistic side of the story proved to be endlessly interesting to me, even with my limited knowledge on the subject.
Considering Brock was retired in the previous book in the series (The Promised Land) his return to the force in a new capacity seems to have breathed fresh life into the man. He’s up and about, driven by the thrill of the chase and even though he’s not particularly impressed to be on the Fraud Squad, still manages to demonstrate the razor sharp mind that challenges you as the reader to keep up.
June 17, 2023
The Russian Wife is the fourteenth book in the Brock and Kolla series by British-born Australian author, Barry Maitland. DCI Kathy Kolla is about to wrap up an apparent suicide when an off-the-cuff remark by her former colleague, DCI David Brock has her taking another look at the PC who was first on the scene, Ashley Osborn.
What DS Judy Birch uncovers about the apparently very competent PC has them both wondering if they are dealing with a domestic violence vigilante. But when they begin asking more questions, they suddenly find themselves suspended and charged with corruption.
At first Kolla is too embarrassed to tell her friends, assuming it will soon be sorted out as some sort of error. But once she understands just how serious it is, and that it is not going to go away, she knows she has to take action, something that will draw on all her policing skills and some covert contacts.
Meanwhile, DCI Brock, currently working (not very happily) with the Fraud Squad, feels his suspicion antennae twitching when the Russian wife of a wealthy corporate lawyer is found drowned at the Hoo in Kent just a day after he was called in to allay her concerns about a Russian scam email that had her spooked. Local police rule it a suicide, but when her lover also apparently suicides nearby, Brock cannot help donning his homicide hat.
Brock connects with the grieving husband over a piece of artwork and soon finds himself investigating a possible international art fraud scheme, the scale and value of which staggers him and entails consultation with art experts, collectors, gallery owners, and art fraud specialists, and a trip to Miami and New York City.
This is a series instalment in which there are false identities and double lives and many who are not who or what they seem. There’s lots of information about art fraud and authentication subtly woven into the story, and Maitland raises the issue of copies and ownership and how market demand creates obscene prices for the work of certain artists.
Maitland gives the reader a twisty plot with a few red herrings, a not-inconsiderable body count and exciting climaxes. While there are spoilers for earlier books in the series, the final pages do promise more of Brock and Kolla. Once again, excellent crime fiction from a master of the genre.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen&Unwin
What DS Judy Birch uncovers about the apparently very competent PC has them both wondering if they are dealing with a domestic violence vigilante. But when they begin asking more questions, they suddenly find themselves suspended and charged with corruption.
At first Kolla is too embarrassed to tell her friends, assuming it will soon be sorted out as some sort of error. But once she understands just how serious it is, and that it is not going to go away, she knows she has to take action, something that will draw on all her policing skills and some covert contacts.
Meanwhile, DCI Brock, currently working (not very happily) with the Fraud Squad, feels his suspicion antennae twitching when the Russian wife of a wealthy corporate lawyer is found drowned at the Hoo in Kent just a day after he was called in to allay her concerns about a Russian scam email that had her spooked. Local police rule it a suicide, but when her lover also apparently suicides nearby, Brock cannot help donning his homicide hat.
Brock connects with the grieving husband over a piece of artwork and soon finds himself investigating a possible international art fraud scheme, the scale and value of which staggers him and entails consultation with art experts, collectors, gallery owners, and art fraud specialists, and a trip to Miami and New York City.
This is a series instalment in which there are false identities and double lives and many who are not who or what they seem. There’s lots of information about art fraud and authentication subtly woven into the story, and Maitland raises the issue of copies and ownership and how market demand creates obscene prices for the work of certain artists.
Maitland gives the reader a twisty plot with a few red herrings, a not-inconsiderable body count and exciting climaxes. While there are spoilers for earlier books in the series, the final pages do promise more of Brock and Kolla. Once again, excellent crime fiction from a master of the genre.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen&Unwin
December 11, 2021
David Brock and Kathy Kolla return in another suspenseful police procedural in the continuing and popular series by Barry Maitland. Detective Chief Inspector Brock however is floundering in Scotland Yard’s Fraud Squad, having been relegated to that bloodless and primarily digital unit from murder investigations. When Nadya Babington, wife of esteemed art collector and lawyer Julian, receives an email (demanding payment within 24 hours or her secrets revealed) from a hacker with a Russian URL the Fraud team dismiss the threat as a scam. Nadya is extremely concerned, fear merited by her ex-husband being a Russian thug. Days later Nadya is found dead in marshland, an apparent suicide.
Brock’s suspicions are not so easily discounted and he continues to scrutinise the case. Adjacent to the remote death scene is St Chad’s church, undergoing expensive repairs. Nadya had donated to the restoration fund, and was familiar to the Minister and the builder, both shocked to hear of her demise. The builder Callum Murray, a former art student friend of Nadya’s erratic son Miki is the next dead body to be discovered. Brock follows the trail of Julian Babington and his art across the Atlantic, to determine if there are forgeries who is behind the fraud.
Concurrently, Kolla’s investigation of a closed-door murder leads her to suspect police officer Ashley Osborn, who has been connected in some way to 5 sudden deaths of men accused of violence against women. Her untimely suspension from duty by the Professional Standards Department, charged with corruption, leaves Kolla adrift and impotent. In order to evade her bail conditions, Kolla assumes the name of her favourite book character and furtively continues her enquiries.
Kathy is not the only person to assume a fake identity. Neither of Nadya’s husbands is who he appears to be. There are hidden familial relationships, in both Brock’s and Kolla’s cases. In ‘The Russian Wife’ provenance isn’t limited to works of art .And Callum Murray isn’t the only ‘fishy’ character.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for an advanced reading copy.
Brock’s suspicions are not so easily discounted and he continues to scrutinise the case. Adjacent to the remote death scene is St Chad’s church, undergoing expensive repairs. Nadya had donated to the restoration fund, and was familiar to the Minister and the builder, both shocked to hear of her demise. The builder Callum Murray, a former art student friend of Nadya’s erratic son Miki is the next dead body to be discovered. Brock follows the trail of Julian Babington and his art across the Atlantic, to determine if there are forgeries who is behind the fraud.
Concurrently, Kolla’s investigation of a closed-door murder leads her to suspect police officer Ashley Osborn, who has been connected in some way to 5 sudden deaths of men accused of violence against women. Her untimely suspension from duty by the Professional Standards Department, charged with corruption, leaves Kolla adrift and impotent. In order to evade her bail conditions, Kolla assumes the name of her favourite book character and furtively continues her enquiries.
Kathy is not the only person to assume a fake identity. Neither of Nadya’s husbands is who he appears to be. There are hidden familial relationships, in both Brock’s and Kolla’s cases. In ‘The Russian Wife’ provenance isn’t limited to works of art .And Callum Murray isn’t the only ‘fishy’ character.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for an advanced reading copy.
January 2, 2022
This is my first book by Barry Maitland and despite this being the 14th in a series it was still easy to pick up and get into the charters. The story was split between the two main characters - Brock and Kolla following their two separate investigations. A good, steady paced police procedural, set in London, with well developed characters and making good use of the London and UK setting. Already got another in the series lined up to read. With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my uncorrected proof to read in exchange for my review.
September 23, 2021
I read this in one evening. It was a rollicking, captivating ride until just over halfway through, when the most unbelievable confession defies any logic. It’s lazy and it feels like the author has yawned and checked out. There’s just too many convoluted storylines (multiple secret families, multinational arts frauds, affairs) when it would have served readers better to have less plots and more focus on the major characters. They’re not fleshed out and it’s hard to invest emotionally in these roughly sketched detectives. Still, it’s immersive and despite the ridiculous cliches of deceptive, evil Russians and gold-digging younger wives, it’s great escapism.
December 20, 2021
This my first introduction to Barry Maitland, and the Brock/Kolla storyline, and it was engaging from the first moment I started reading. Very quickly you become engaged in two distinct and detailed plot lines: Brock is returning from retirement and being accused of murder to a role in Fraud. He becomes involved in a case where the Russian wife of an art collector dies in suspicious circumstances. Brock mixes his homicide strengths and newfound skills in fraud to investigate which takes him very deeply into the art world. Kolla is hot on the heels of closing a mystery in a series of murders which leads her to being arrested and suspended for conspiracy and corruption, which she now has to prove is false. A mini plotline linking Brock’s personal life to his investigation is the potential authentication of an artwork gifted to him by the murderer in his first case, which is linked to a number of artworks that the Russian wife’s husband is in possession of. So much to keep track of!
Both Brock and Kolla are solid characters, and the supporting characters including Judy and Molly, are well crafted as well. The dual plotlines really add to the twists and turns, some I found very unexpected and this added to the drama that kept unfolding as the book progressed. Maitland has a very strong writing style, and he really is able to set a scene very well and brings the locations alive: from the restored church, the boggy marshlands and the dirty gloomy streets of London. I particularly loved the connections between Nadia, the dead wife and the church being restored; the imagery of the Russian icons and significance of this church being one of the oldest in England really added to the atmosphere (even with the stereotypical 'evil Russians' portrayal).
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for the gifted copy.
Both Brock and Kolla are solid characters, and the supporting characters including Judy and Molly, are well crafted as well. The dual plotlines really add to the twists and turns, some I found very unexpected and this added to the drama that kept unfolding as the book progressed. Maitland has a very strong writing style, and he really is able to set a scene very well and brings the locations alive: from the restored church, the boggy marshlands and the dirty gloomy streets of London. I particularly loved the connections between Nadia, the dead wife and the church being restored; the imagery of the Russian icons and significance of this church being one of the oldest in England really added to the atmosphere (even with the stereotypical 'evil Russians' portrayal).
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for the gifted copy.
April 10, 2022
Being from Newcastle, Australia I have met Barry Maitland. He is a typical author, a true gentleman. I have read the books in the Belltree trilogy but I knew about the Brock and Kolla series, so The Russian Wife was my first.
It is an easy read exciting read that moves at a comfortable pace. Brock is on a murder/fraud case while Kolla is initially investigating a suicide/maybe murder that blows up in her face and she is charged with corruption by her own police force.
Kolla’s murder investigation finishes three-quarters the way through the book. I for most narratives and especially crime fiction a quality ending is essential to make the story believable and to have a sound resolution. This is not the case with the Kolla strand. The confession was very ordinary.
Brock’s investigation takes the reader into the art world, artists, dealers and fraudsters. Maitland blends fact with fiction. Real artists are mentioned, specifically the German Kurt Schwitters and his collage works. This story has more twists and turns than a fighting boa constrictor. Unlike the snake some of these twists lead nowhere.
The Russian Wife is an interesting read but the resolutions are all somewhat contrived.
It is an easy read exciting read that moves at a comfortable pace. Brock is on a murder/fraud case while Kolla is initially investigating a suicide/maybe murder that blows up in her face and she is charged with corruption by her own police force.
Kolla’s murder investigation finishes three-quarters the way through the book. I for most narratives and especially crime fiction a quality ending is essential to make the story believable and to have a sound resolution. This is not the case with the Kolla strand. The confession was very ordinary.
Brock’s investigation takes the reader into the art world, artists, dealers and fraudsters. Maitland blends fact with fiction. Real artists are mentioned, specifically the German Kurt Schwitters and his collage works. This story has more twists and turns than a fighting boa constrictor. Unlike the snake some of these twists lead nowhere.
The Russian Wife is an interesting read but the resolutions are all somewhat contrived.
April 23, 2022
All tell, no show. The indistinguishable characters move between London, New York, Miami and Hamburg, which are as indistinguishable as the characters in this telling. Bizarrely, the book tells two murder stories that are unconnected, but that are both abruptly wrapped up in exposition that even Agatha Christie would have considered incredible.
January 15, 2023
Well researched, this murder mystery packs a lot into its pages, ranging from art fraud and grim killings to families with a twist. There are good cops, bad cops and a bored cop. DCI Brock starts off being bored until a murder spikes his interest and he’s off and racing. DCI Kolla is racing for a different reason; she’s been framed and desperately needs to clear her name. Brock goes against orders and Kolla skips house detention. I don’t know why she wasn’t wearing a tracker or a constable wasn’t watching her home, but she gets away with it, sleeping rough and stirring up trouble. A plethora of plotlines predominate, including not-wife Suzanne, but the initial theme is who blackmailed then murdered a wealthy art curator’s beautiful Russian wife Nadya Babington? This soon gets overshadowed by the possibility of fine art swindling and many deceptive side-steps occur. Often the antics are a bit far-fetched but since I was out to enjoy the ride I tagged along with it.
Thus, Brock, a one-man band, starts a multi-million dollar art investigation. Valuable works, including his own small Kurt Schwitters through to the tortured genius of Callum McAdam’s creations, are probed and explored. The scene-setting is diverse, Brock relishes the art world and does a bit of long distance country-hopping. These backdrops add to the interest of art and wealth but lack feeling. Sometimes a crime novel can have too many angles, a saggy middle, and my pet hate ‘talking heads’ which predominate instead of character personalities. The minor roles of church Vicar and Terry Franks, an upbeat Camberwell College of Arts teacher, and old Rick Waterman have believable roles. I had previously read Barry Maitland’s book ‘Silvermeadow’ then he slipped off my radar so I don’t have great comparisons but perhaps here he is trying to be too clever. A long rolling storyline like this is not what I look for in a crime novel, although it may suit readers who like a comprehensive ending.
Thus, Brock, a one-man band, starts a multi-million dollar art investigation. Valuable works, including his own small Kurt Schwitters through to the tortured genius of Callum McAdam’s creations, are probed and explored. The scene-setting is diverse, Brock relishes the art world and does a bit of long distance country-hopping. These backdrops add to the interest of art and wealth but lack feeling. Sometimes a crime novel can have too many angles, a saggy middle, and my pet hate ‘talking heads’ which predominate instead of character personalities. The minor roles of church Vicar and Terry Franks, an upbeat Camberwell College of Arts teacher, and old Rick Waterman have believable roles. I had previously read Barry Maitland’s book ‘Silvermeadow’ then he slipped off my radar so I don’t have great comparisons but perhaps here he is trying to be too clever. A long rolling storyline like this is not what I look for in a crime novel, although it may suit readers who like a comprehensive ending.
March 24, 2022
Thank you Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
An entertaining instalment of double lives and false identities solved by renowned detectives in this crime series.
The exclusive world of art and art dealership under the microscope.
A bit of research revealed this is the 14th book in the series and even though can be read as a standalone I felt a little left out with the rapport and banter between the two leads.
The Russian wife of a well known Art collector receives a strange demanding email. She is advised by the authorities to ignore it and three days later is found dead.
An intricate crime mystery that unravels as the experience of the detective tackle the twists and turns.
The frustration and fear of a corruption charge against Detective Kolla that is being handled internally by the police force adds a riveting aspect to the plot.
I am starting to love a good crime story and this had all the elements but I felt it was slightly saturated in police procedural protocols.
But the English setting, the clever writing and the infamy of the detectives over all these books makes the book stand out.
An entertaining instalment of double lives and false identities solved by renowned detectives in this crime series.
The exclusive world of art and art dealership under the microscope.
A bit of research revealed this is the 14th book in the series and even though can be read as a standalone I felt a little left out with the rapport and banter between the two leads.
The Russian wife of a well known Art collector receives a strange demanding email. She is advised by the authorities to ignore it and three days later is found dead.
An intricate crime mystery that unravels as the experience of the detective tackle the twists and turns.
The frustration and fear of a corruption charge against Detective Kolla that is being handled internally by the police force adds a riveting aspect to the plot.
I am starting to love a good crime story and this had all the elements but I felt it was slightly saturated in police procedural protocols.
But the English setting, the clever writing and the infamy of the detectives over all these books makes the book stand out.
January 7, 2022
Detective Chief Inspector David Brock is back from retirement, but there is no vacancy for him in the Homicide division , so he finds himself in the Fraud squad of the Metropolitan Police. He shares his frustrations with the job with his former partner DCI Kathy Kolla who now leads one of the Metropolitan Police Murder Investigation teams , and has a "locked -room mystery" to share with him, seeking his advice.
But soon Brock is embroiled in his own murder mystery when the Russian wife of the owner of one of the most valuable private collections of modern art in the UK is found dead.
The two stories unfold in alternating chapters through the novel keeping the reader engaged in the gripping storyline, which includes a trip to America and the discovery of a well hidden secret.
Barry Maitland has woven numerous twists and turns throughout the investigations which kept me fully engrossed, in the fascinating art world.
But then he introduces another investigation , police charging their own in corruption ,and Maitland skillfully ties the strands together for a thrilling ending.
This is the fourteenth book in the Brock / Kolla series but it is the first I have read by the author and it was not a disadvantage as any relevant background was included in the storyline .
Thoroughly recommend The Russian Wife for anyone who enjoys a crime novel , the strong characters and dedicated detectives achieving an entertaining, intriguing read.
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for the copy to read and review
But soon Brock is embroiled in his own murder mystery when the Russian wife of the owner of one of the most valuable private collections of modern art in the UK is found dead.
The two stories unfold in alternating chapters through the novel keeping the reader engaged in the gripping storyline, which includes a trip to America and the discovery of a well hidden secret.
Barry Maitland has woven numerous twists and turns throughout the investigations which kept me fully engrossed, in the fascinating art world.
But then he introduces another investigation , police charging their own in corruption ,and Maitland skillfully ties the strands together for a thrilling ending.
This is the fourteenth book in the Brock / Kolla series but it is the first I have read by the author and it was not a disadvantage as any relevant background was included in the storyline .
Thoroughly recommend The Russian Wife for anyone who enjoys a crime novel , the strong characters and dedicated detectives achieving an entertaining, intriguing read.
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for the copy to read and review
March 4, 2022
Highly entertaining, I like the Brock and Kolla series a lot. Lead characters make everything else worth it. Backstory of police procedural concerning two deaths was more successful than the art world emphasis for me.
April 28, 2022
Pacy, punchy and a conservation nightmare. Lies, betrayals and art works.
July 27, 2022
A solid mystery but not outstanding. The denouements when they came seemed rushed as if the author realised he had reached the word limit he was aiming for. I wonder if I had read earlier books in the series I would have felt more involvement with the characters.
December 10, 2021
http://jessjustreads.com
Barry Maitland’s The Russian Wife is an extension of his well-loved crime series, following UK detectives David Brock and Kathy Kolla. Whilst this may be the 14th novel featuring these characters, Barry offers required explanation when referencing old storylines so that new readers don’t feel lost.
A standard police procedural, the core crime is about the apparent suicide of a Russian woman. But soon, when her lover also appears to commit suicide, it becomes clear there’s more to the story than what’s on the surface.
“They moved back out to the hall and Julian went upstairs to continue his search. Brock waited in the hallway, wondering what Miki had taken from the house in such a hurry; his mother’s computer?”
The Russian Wife is heavily embedded in the world of fine art and art fraud. Strengths include characterisation, particularly the secondary characters. Whilst it’s clear that the Russian wife’s death was not suicide at all, there are quite a few people in her life that could’ve been responsible so it does provide quite a bit of intrigue.
Whilst Barry’s writing style appears quite direct and perhaps flat, it does suit the genre well because it keeps the story stripped and fast-paced. We’re not bogged down by the writing or the prose — only relevant information is kept.
“The following day, Friday, Brock sat at his computer studying Miki Babington’s police record — three separate convictions for drug possessions and supply, two as a juvenile. He’d been lucky to avoid jail time.”
The book is let down by its Kathy Kolla storyline — it doesn’t tie in with the rest of the novel at all. She’s hunting a serial killer, and then suddenly suspended from her job over suspicion of corruption, but the problem appears to solve itself rather quickly without Kathy really doing anything. And then the storyline ends.
It’s incredibly lazy writing and completely unrealistic. The monologue confession is almost too easy, and then when the storyline wraps up Kathy merely moves on and it feels like the entire first half of the book was for nothing. It doesn’t feel like the two characters — Kathy and Brock — are working seamlessly in the book. They’re in conflict, and I think readers will feel disappointed with the plotting.
“Molly listed the three things that were necessary for an artwork to be recognised as authentic: an expert scholar of that artist’s work would have to agree that it looked right; forensic tests would have to confirm that the age and character of the work’s materials were appropriate; and there should be documentation connecting the present owner back to the artist in order to establish provenance.”
Fans of Barry’s works will enjoy this latest offering, but I do think seasoned crime and thriller readers will find themselves a little let down by the plotting of The Russian Wife.
Readership skews male, 30+
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Barry Maitland’s The Russian Wife is an extension of his well-loved crime series, following UK detectives David Brock and Kathy Kolla. Whilst this may be the 14th novel featuring these characters, Barry offers required explanation when referencing old storylines so that new readers don’t feel lost.
A standard police procedural, the core crime is about the apparent suicide of a Russian woman. But soon, when her lover also appears to commit suicide, it becomes clear there’s more to the story than what’s on the surface.
“They moved back out to the hall and Julian went upstairs to continue his search. Brock waited in the hallway, wondering what Miki had taken from the house in such a hurry; his mother’s computer?”
The Russian Wife is heavily embedded in the world of fine art and art fraud. Strengths include characterisation, particularly the secondary characters. Whilst it’s clear that the Russian wife’s death was not suicide at all, there are quite a few people in her life that could’ve been responsible so it does provide quite a bit of intrigue.
Whilst Barry’s writing style appears quite direct and perhaps flat, it does suit the genre well because it keeps the story stripped and fast-paced. We’re not bogged down by the writing or the prose — only relevant information is kept.
“The following day, Friday, Brock sat at his computer studying Miki Babington’s police record — three separate convictions for drug possessions and supply, two as a juvenile. He’d been lucky to avoid jail time.”
The book is let down by its Kathy Kolla storyline — it doesn’t tie in with the rest of the novel at all. She’s hunting a serial killer, and then suddenly suspended from her job over suspicion of corruption, but the problem appears to solve itself rather quickly without Kathy really doing anything. And then the storyline ends.
It’s incredibly lazy writing and completely unrealistic. The monologue confession is almost too easy, and then when the storyline wraps up Kathy merely moves on and it feels like the entire first half of the book was for nothing. It doesn’t feel like the two characters — Kathy and Brock — are working seamlessly in the book. They’re in conflict, and I think readers will feel disappointed with the plotting.
“Molly listed the three things that were necessary for an artwork to be recognised as authentic: an expert scholar of that artist’s work would have to agree that it looked right; forensic tests would have to confirm that the age and character of the work’s materials were appropriate; and there should be documentation connecting the present owner back to the artist in order to establish provenance.”
Fans of Barry’s works will enjoy this latest offering, but I do think seasoned crime and thriller readers will find themselves a little let down by the plotting of The Russian Wife.
Readership skews male, 30+
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2022
This book was in a different genre to that which I naturally gravitate to, so when the chance came up to read and review , I eagerly embraced the challenge . A murder mystery set in the world of high end art fraud in London and New York , the story weaves through a tangled web of deceit and leaves you turning pages into the night, to see what happens next. The writing was clear and easy to read, and I enjoyed the experience, although felt the subplot involving the PC Ashley Osborne, unnecessary and distracting to the main plot. I also felt stereotyping of “ evil Russians “ kind of 1980s James Bond style, didnt really work for me either. The end felt rushed and simplistic, as though there was a mild panic to tie up lose ends before a word limit was reached . But overall I would recommend this as an interesting and intriguing read and would definitely read another book by the author. Many thanks to Allen and Unwin for a chance to read a proof copy. Solid 3 stars.
October 28, 2021
Fans will be pleased the latest Brock and Kolla is in the bookshops. Detective Chief Inspector Kathy Kolla is a team leader in Scotland Yard's homicide unit and Detective Chief Inspector David Brock is a supernumerary in the fraud squad. He's unhappy; too much time is spent in front of computers and little or no time out in the real world interviewing suspects.
An opportunity arises to get away from the office. Brock is sent to assess a worrying email received from Russia by Nadya Babington, a relative of an assistant commissioner. The chief inspector is to convince Nadya not to transfer money to a bitcoin account. She's the Russian wife of a wealthy collector of contemporary art. Brock urges her to ignore the email. Three days later, Nadya's body is recovered from a pond on the Hoo Peninsula, not far from London.
Over at Homicide, Kathy Kolla is called to a suspected suicide behind a door secured by a sliding bolt that cannot be opened from the outside. The only window is locked from the inside. Kolla queries the verdict: there's no note; the dead man had given no indication of being depressed or contemplating suicide; the blood spatter pattern is consistent with someone else being in the room; and, finally, the dead man's throat was cut from left to right, as a right-handed person would do. He was left-handed.
The Russian Wife is well-paced with characters that intrigue. There's also an enlightening introduction to the hazards experienced if your hobby is collecting contemporary art.
December 26, 2021
I enjoyed the start of the book but then it just got to far fetched for me. The accusations against Kathy and its strange and rapid conclusion felt like the author could not be bothered going on with this part of the story. And what David Brock found out in the US about Babington was a bit too much for me as well. I like a nice twist and turn or a red herring but not if they are presented like this. I liked the characters but that did not help for this book to receive a better rating
January 6, 2022
I love this series .. I think this one is not as good as many of the others but hope there is more of Brock and Kolla .. perhaps that’s why this one fell a bit short: because the pair seem a bit two dimensional compared to previous. Also I didn’t feel strongly about any of the other characters - nevertheless a good story and as always contexts and locations so well described
June 17, 2023
The Russian Wife is the fourteenth book in the Brock and Kolla series by British-born Australian author, Barry Maitland. The audio version is narrated by Emily Joyce. DCI Kathy Kolla is about to wrap up an apparent suicide when an off-the-cuff remark by her former colleague, DCI David Brock has her taking another look at the PC who was first on the scene, Ashley Osborn.
What DS Judy Birch uncovers about the apparently very competent PC has them both wondering if they are dealing with a domestic violence vigilante. But when they begin asking more questions, they suddenly find themselves suspended and charged with corruption.
At first Kolla is too embarrassed to tell her friends, assuming it will soon be sorted out as some sort of error. But once she understands just how serious it is, and that it is not going to go away, she knows she has to take action, something that will draw on all her policing skills and some covert contacts.
Meanwhile, DCI Brock, currently working (not very happily) with the Fraud Squad, feels his suspicion antennae twitching when the Russian wife of a wealthy corporate lawyer is found drowned at the Hoo in Kent just a day after he was called in to allay her concerns about a Russian scam email that had her spooked. Local police rule it a suicide, but when her lover also apparently suicides nearby, Brock cannot help donning his homicide hat.
Brock connects with the grieving husband over a piece of artwork and soon finds himself investigating a possible international art fraud scheme, the scale and value of which staggers him and entails consultation with art experts, collectors, gallery owners, and art fraud specialists, and a trip to Miami and New York City.
This is a series instalment in which there are false identities and double lives and many who are not who or what they seem. There’s lots of information about art fraud and authentication subtly woven into the story, and Maitland raises the issue of copies and ownership and how market demand creates obscene prices for the work of certain artists.
Maitland gives the reader a twisty plot with a few red herrings, a not-inconsiderable body count and exciting climaxes. While there are spoilers for earlier books in the series, the final pages do promise more of Brock and Kolla. Once again, excellent crime fiction from a master of the genre.
What DS Judy Birch uncovers about the apparently very competent PC has them both wondering if they are dealing with a domestic violence vigilante. But when they begin asking more questions, they suddenly find themselves suspended and charged with corruption.
At first Kolla is too embarrassed to tell her friends, assuming it will soon be sorted out as some sort of error. But once she understands just how serious it is, and that it is not going to go away, she knows she has to take action, something that will draw on all her policing skills and some covert contacts.
Meanwhile, DCI Brock, currently working (not very happily) with the Fraud Squad, feels his suspicion antennae twitching when the Russian wife of a wealthy corporate lawyer is found drowned at the Hoo in Kent just a day after he was called in to allay her concerns about a Russian scam email that had her spooked. Local police rule it a suicide, but when her lover also apparently suicides nearby, Brock cannot help donning his homicide hat.
Brock connects with the grieving husband over a piece of artwork and soon finds himself investigating a possible international art fraud scheme, the scale and value of which staggers him and entails consultation with art experts, collectors, gallery owners, and art fraud specialists, and a trip to Miami and New York City.
This is a series instalment in which there are false identities and double lives and many who are not who or what they seem. There’s lots of information about art fraud and authentication subtly woven into the story, and Maitland raises the issue of copies and ownership and how market demand creates obscene prices for the work of certain artists.
Maitland gives the reader a twisty plot with a few red herrings, a not-inconsiderable body count and exciting climaxes. While there are spoilers for earlier books in the series, the final pages do promise more of Brock and Kolla. Once again, excellent crime fiction from a master of the genre.
Read
January 16, 2022Barry Maitland has written a book which is well written and has a great plot, not to mention many surprising twists along the way. It is definitely a page turner which kept me staying up at night to read more. It has a character and location shift which is well written as are the characters and great description of landscape.
In the Russian Wife Detective Chief Inspector David Brock is featured. The book centres on the exclusive high stakes world of fine art. When the Russian wife of the owner of one of the most valuable private collections of modern art in the UK is found dead the action begins.
The story follows David Brock investigating and it includes fraud, murder and forgery in an international market. David Brock was allocated the job of solving the murder by the Assistant Commissioner. Murder victim Nadya Babington was beautiful even though she seemed rather cold. She escaped her first marriage and divorced her husband Sergei Semenov in Russia. Nadya had been receiving emails which were threatening from Russia. Her current husband Julian Babington is a major corporate lawyer and Nadya has a son Miki.
David Brock finds many complicated and unexpected revelations while investigating. In the book there is also Alwyn Bramley-Scott the vicar of an ancient church that Nadya had links with. There are also questions whether Nadya was having an affair with Callum McAdam a friend of Miki's, Callum happens to be a sensational copyist of famous art works.
I loved this book and could not put it down and I highly recommend it to everyone.
In the Russian Wife Detective Chief Inspector David Brock is featured. The book centres on the exclusive high stakes world of fine art. When the Russian wife of the owner of one of the most valuable private collections of modern art in the UK is found dead the action begins.
The story follows David Brock investigating and it includes fraud, murder and forgery in an international market. David Brock was allocated the job of solving the murder by the Assistant Commissioner. Murder victim Nadya Babington was beautiful even though she seemed rather cold. She escaped her first marriage and divorced her husband Sergei Semenov in Russia. Nadya had been receiving emails which were threatening from Russia. Her current husband Julian Babington is a major corporate lawyer and Nadya has a son Miki.
David Brock finds many complicated and unexpected revelations while investigating. In the book there is also Alwyn Bramley-Scott the vicar of an ancient church that Nadya had links with. There are also questions whether Nadya was having an affair with Callum McAdam a friend of Miki's, Callum happens to be a sensational copyist of famous art works.
I loved this book and could not put it down and I highly recommend it to everyone.
December 1, 2022
I read this book in a day! It’s got everything! The Russian mob; several murders; police corruption; art fraud and more!
Barry Maitland is an Australian author who lived for many years in London working as an architect. His knowledge of architecture and London makes the reader feel like they are with the characters as they traverse the busy city. I loved all the detail relating to art forgery and fraud and learnt a lot (but not enough to pick a forgery if needed!). I wasn’t familiar with the German artist Kurt Schwitters whose work play a pivotal role in the plot, so did some research to enlighten myself. I love a book that leads me down the proverbial rabbit hole and broadens my knowledge base.
DCI David Brock and DCI Kathy Kolla now work for different departments, and Maitland’s plot cleverly weaves together the different cases they are investigating. These characters are well developed, and although this is the fourteenth book in the series, it stands alone and doesn’t require the reader to be familiar with the earlier instalments.
A cracking pace makes this book a real page-turner. Highly recommended.
Barry Maitland is an Australian author who lived for many years in London working as an architect. His knowledge of architecture and London makes the reader feel like they are with the characters as they traverse the busy city. I loved all the detail relating to art forgery and fraud and learnt a lot (but not enough to pick a forgery if needed!). I wasn’t familiar with the German artist Kurt Schwitters whose work play a pivotal role in the plot, so did some research to enlighten myself. I love a book that leads me down the proverbial rabbit hole and broadens my knowledge base.
DCI David Brock and DCI Kathy Kolla now work for different departments, and Maitland’s plot cleverly weaves together the different cases they are investigating. These characters are well developed, and although this is the fourteenth book in the series, it stands alone and doesn’t require the reader to be familiar with the earlier instalments.
A cracking pace makes this book a real page-turner. Highly recommended.
January 15, 2022
For an avid reader like me its always great to discover a previously unknown (to me) author. Definitely the case here and I enjoyed reading Barry Maitland's The Russian Wife. As you do I then researched the author to see what more might be available.
Barry Maitland is Australia based and gave up his role at Newcastle University to become a fulltime writer. Lucky me. The main characters Detective Inspector David Brock and his long time colleague DCI Kathy Kolla have been featured previously in 13 of Maitland's novels since 1994's The Marx Sisters.
In The Russian Wife it turns out to be a rather rocky ride for the experienced detectives , especially for Kathy Kolla who ends up on the wrong end of a corruption charge facing serious jail time. It all starts with the Russian wife of the owner of one of the most valuable private collections of modern art in the UK is found dead. Things get rather complicated and it makes for a tense reading experience.
Great to discover a "new" author and a list of his earlier works to explore.
Barry Maitland is Australia based and gave up his role at Newcastle University to become a fulltime writer. Lucky me. The main characters Detective Inspector David Brock and his long time colleague DCI Kathy Kolla have been featured previously in 13 of Maitland's novels since 1994's The Marx Sisters.
In The Russian Wife it turns out to be a rather rocky ride for the experienced detectives , especially for Kathy Kolla who ends up on the wrong end of a corruption charge facing serious jail time. It all starts with the Russian wife of the owner of one of the most valuable private collections of modern art in the UK is found dead. Things get rather complicated and it makes for a tense reading experience.
Great to discover a "new" author and a list of his earlier works to explore.
December 5, 2021
An enjoyable mystery with Brock and Kolla . This has two related cases going – one (led by Brock, now relegated to the Art Fraud squad after coming back from retirement) the death and apparent suicide of Nadya, a Russian woman married to Julian Babington, owner of an impressive art collection he is about to donate to the Royal Academy; and the other (led by Kolla), a follow-up of the policewoman who investigated the murder of Nadya, and who turns out to have a history of being near other deaths of domestic violence perpetrators in different parts of the country. Brock's case also leads to an interesting excursion into the art forgery world and a bigamist. Kolla's also leads to suspicious evidence that Kolla is corrupt, and her suspension. I enjoyed the two stories very much, and they moved briskly, though Maitland has a flat narrative style which basically moves the story forward without particular signs of flair in writing.
December 31, 2021
DCIs Brock and Kolla are back, and although they are working in different teams, they still manage to provide us with the intrigue that only their collaboration and sparring can give.
Maitland has written a charm of a mystery, giving us a two for one crime thriller. We are wonderfully transported – First into the world of art collectors, dealers, and criminal operators, as we follow DCI Brock who is investigating two deaths; Second into the world of internal Police investigations as DCI Kolla fights to save her career.
As usual, Maitland (in this, his 14th book in the series), gives us both a sharp richness of characters and a vibrancy of scenery. No one else can describe the sometimes overt bleakness, but inherent beauty of the UK countryside like he can – in between the twists and turns of the story.
This is a worthy addition to the Brock and Kolla partnership. It’s an addictive read best done in one sitting.
#ReadAU
January 2, 2023
Quite an interesting tale and an easy read, and three stars is a tad too mean and four a little to generous.
Art forgery is an important part of the story and is handled quite well. Not sure whether it's all true, but it sounds authentic.
Now the police. Brock and Colla are hotshots with astonishingly fine records, yet Professional Standards have them arrested and charged with corruption on very flimsy evidence. PS seems to be attacking our heros with gusto. If this depiction of PS is anything like what happens in the London police force the God help them.
I suppose cops should not kill bad guys, although many richly deserve it. Just the same I'm sorry about what happened to Ashley, but I didn't want to see her in jail. Maybe come to Australia with a new identity.
Julian? A barely believable character. Would he really do what he did in the end. The badasses deserved it, sure, but the art work?
Art forgery is an important part of the story and is handled quite well. Not sure whether it's all true, but it sounds authentic.
Now the police. Brock and Colla are hotshots with astonishingly fine records, yet Professional Standards have them arrested and charged with corruption on very flimsy evidence. PS seems to be attacking our heros with gusto. If this depiction of PS is anything like what happens in the London police force the God help them.
I suppose cops should not kill bad guys, although many richly deserve it. Just the same I'm sorry about what happened to Ashley, but I didn't want to see her in jail. Maybe come to Australia with a new identity.
Julian? A barely believable character. Would he really do what he did in the end. The badasses deserved it, sure, but the art work?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2025
This one has two silly convoluted subplots, one in which Kathy and a colleague are charged with corruption on very flimsy evidence provided by a serial killer female cop Kolla was investigating who conveniently confesses before committing suicide about two-thirds of the way in wrapping that up. Brock's case is dumb as well involving lots of international travel for no real reason under the umbrella theme of art forgery with a cast of extremely forgettable characters including a bigamist. Multiple characters are also apparently able to get two passports with different names in this 2021 universe. The entire saga is wrapped up with an entirely-too-long exposition by an up to this point minor character who is apparently omniscient. I miss the old, sensible Brock and Kolla.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews