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Artie Cohen #8
Londongrad
"If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country."—E. M. Forster
Through seven previous novels, Reggie Nadelson has created one of the more memorable characters in detective fiction: Artie Cohen, New York police detective and first-generation American with complex ties to his Russian past, especially his close friendship with the enigmatic and flamboyant New York/London club owner T olya Sverdloff. Now, in Londongrad—by far Nadelson's most ambitious novel to date—Artie is faced with a murder that strikes at him personally and will ultimately place his best friend's life in his hands as it challenges his own loyalty.
In a playground in Brooklyn, Artie is led to a dead girl tied up in duct tape on a children's swing. He soon realizes the killer murdered the wrong girl—the intended victim was Valentina S verdloff, Tolya's daughter, long adored by Artie. Artie flies to London to tell Tolya and finds himself enmeshed on his friend's behalf in a maelstrom of Russian money and crime. Like Berlin at the end of World War II, somebody tells Artie, Londongrad, as it's known, has become an offshore island for the new Russian underworld. Over his head, Artie is drawn further in, to Moscow, where, balancing between the old KGB and the new FSB, between the dazzle and grimness of Russia today, he uncovers a painful truth about his past that puts Tolya's life in the balance.
Through seven previous novels, Reggie Nadelson has created one of the more memorable characters in detective fiction: Artie Cohen, New York police detective and first-generation American with complex ties to his Russian past, especially his close friendship with the enigmatic and flamboyant New York/London club owner T olya Sverdloff. Now, in Londongrad—by far Nadelson's most ambitious novel to date—Artie is faced with a murder that strikes at him personally and will ultimately place his best friend's life in his hands as it challenges his own loyalty.
In a playground in Brooklyn, Artie is led to a dead girl tied up in duct tape on a children's swing. He soon realizes the killer murdered the wrong girl—the intended victim was Valentina S verdloff, Tolya's daughter, long adored by Artie. Artie flies to London to tell Tolya and finds himself enmeshed on his friend's behalf in a maelstrom of Russian money and crime. Like Berlin at the end of World War II, somebody tells Artie, Londongrad, as it's known, has become an offshore island for the new Russian underworld. Over his head, Artie is drawn further in, to Moscow, where, balancing between the old KGB and the new FSB, between the dazzle and grimness of Russia today, he uncovers a painful truth about his past that puts Tolya's life in the balance.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2009
4 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Reggie Nadelson
36 books19 followersReggie Nadelson is a New Yorker who also makes her home in London. She is a journalist and documentary film-maker. She is the author of the critically acclaimed series featuring Artie Cohen, Moscow-born New Yorker and the first great post-Cold War cop.
Series:
* Artie Cohen
Series:
* Artie Cohen
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 10, 2013
Although the protagonist is a detective, this book is less mystery and far more a rich journey through the complexities and dark side of criminal Russian communities in three countries. I'll look for more from Ms. Reggie Nadelson.
August 20, 2012
I'd read a couple reviews of this book when I reached about the half way point and there was one that really resonated with me - it mentioned being too far through to stop reading, and that's exactly the same situation for myself (courtesy of Ian Mapp).
Don't get me wrong, I think Nadelson can write and the style is easy to read yet with a good vocabulary and well written. However, it's the story for me that is the disappointing factor, as despite being a well written book the story didn't captivate me at all. It felt largely built around dialogue, and in agreement with the reviewer (Mapp) I mentioned previously, not a lot happens throughout the course of the book. Even the bits that are action-oriented and "suspense building" are a bit of a let down.
Overall, I felt really disappointed with this novel and very unsatisfied at finishing it. As it was my first book from Nadelson it makes me hesitant to reach for another, which is disappointing, however I will likely look for ones that have better reviews as a safety net. I scored it two stars, largely due to the fact that I think it is a good piece of writing, but that can only take an author, and subsequently the reader so far. Perhaps I was too generous, as I thought about whether I'd enjoy a poorly written book with a fascinating story more and the answer is yes.
Don't get me wrong, I think Nadelson can write and the style is easy to read yet with a good vocabulary and well written. However, it's the story for me that is the disappointing factor, as despite being a well written book the story didn't captivate me at all. It felt largely built around dialogue, and in agreement with the reviewer (Mapp) I mentioned previously, not a lot happens throughout the course of the book. Even the bits that are action-oriented and "suspense building" are a bit of a let down.
Overall, I felt really disappointed with this novel and very unsatisfied at finishing it. As it was my first book from Nadelson it makes me hesitant to reach for another, which is disappointing, however I will likely look for ones that have better reviews as a safety net. I scored it two stars, largely due to the fact that I think it is a good piece of writing, but that can only take an author, and subsequently the reader so far. Perhaps I was too generous, as I thought about whether I'd enjoy a poorly written book with a fascinating story more and the answer is yes.
November 1, 2010
THis is my first Artie Cohen mystery, but I think I'll have to read more. Russian-born NYC cop finds himself back in Moscow following the murder of his beloved Val, the daughter of his best friend and his own occasional fling. UPDATE: Very satisfying conclusion. I will have to look for the other books in this series!
July 30, 2011
A good detective story, with the action moving from New York to Moscow and London. A little slow in places, but a decent plot and I liked the references to the intriguing true story of Alexander Litvinenko.
June 28, 2014
The plot may have its dubious moments, but the friendship between detective Artie and his wannabe oligarch friend Tolya is a beautiful creation.
July 13, 2018
As a stand alone novel it feels like the story is too much of a 'running man' story without proper focussing on what he is running to. I would have like for more interaction between the main characters.
I liked the background of the Russian society that have just expanded their way of living even past the Russian borders.
I liked the background of the Russian society that have just expanded their way of living even past the Russian borders.
November 11, 2024
Artoym's old haunts meet him in London, set adrift by Tolya but not for long.
June 17, 2010
This is the kind of book that one picks up with a over thought conception of a plot replete with all kinds of intrigue and tasteful mayhem and then, without warning, falls flat - and takes you along with it.
What a letdown!!
I picked up the book because of a promising blurb at the back that promised to delve deep into the life of Russian émigrés in London and their love hate relationship with self serving political hacks back in Moscow. Artie Cohen, the detective, is suddenly tasked with finding the antecedents and the perpetrators of a murder that hits close to his heart and the resulting meanderings through the streets of New York, London, and eventually Moscow, degenerates into a pot boiler of a story that often stretches ones imagination as it does credulity. The story skims the surface of the lives of self exiled Russians and while it is interesting to note the exclusivities in the tastes of these people ranging from high end shoes to sumptuous mansions in tony parts of London it does little to hew to a truer depiction of the mindset that got them to such exalted lifestyles in the first place. I mean, come on man, most Oligarchs did not get to where they are by sheer dint of hard work but rather through strategic connections that allow them to short circuit a legal process with derisive aplomb and often with no threat of punishment. In other words, the gross corruption of the émigré lifestyle is blithely overlooked and hence detracts quite a bit from the dark storylines.
All that said, from a historical perspective, the changes in Russia over time from the days of its communist past to today's unregulated capitalism are nicely captured albeit in short spurts. The chief suspect in the murder is outed much early on in the book and the story keeps getting dragged out somewhat needlessly to show how he is "caught" (your guesses here). Other than that the rather consistent injections of references to the Fab Four is always going to get a bonus point from me.
One telltale sign, that I admittedly grossly misread, was an endorsement from Salman Rushdie in the front cover. Anytime he says something that is good about a book that would be a good opportunity to run away from it. After all, some (though not all) of the great Salman's books ought to be banned not so much for their controversial content but for the mind numbing boredom that his writing generates!!
What a letdown!!
I picked up the book because of a promising blurb at the back that promised to delve deep into the life of Russian émigrés in London and their love hate relationship with self serving political hacks back in Moscow. Artie Cohen, the detective, is suddenly tasked with finding the antecedents and the perpetrators of a murder that hits close to his heart and the resulting meanderings through the streets of New York, London, and eventually Moscow, degenerates into a pot boiler of a story that often stretches ones imagination as it does credulity. The story skims the surface of the lives of self exiled Russians and while it is interesting to note the exclusivities in the tastes of these people ranging from high end shoes to sumptuous mansions in tony parts of London it does little to hew to a truer depiction of the mindset that got them to such exalted lifestyles in the first place. I mean, come on man, most Oligarchs did not get to where they are by sheer dint of hard work but rather through strategic connections that allow them to short circuit a legal process with derisive aplomb and often with no threat of punishment. In other words, the gross corruption of the émigré lifestyle is blithely overlooked and hence detracts quite a bit from the dark storylines.
All that said, from a historical perspective, the changes in Russia over time from the days of its communist past to today's unregulated capitalism are nicely captured albeit in short spurts. The chief suspect in the murder is outed much early on in the book and the story keeps getting dragged out somewhat needlessly to show how he is "caught" (your guesses here). Other than that the rather consistent injections of references to the Fab Four is always going to get a bonus point from me.
One telltale sign, that I admittedly grossly misread, was an endorsement from Salman Rushdie in the front cover. Anytime he says something that is good about a book that would be a good opportunity to run away from it. After all, some (though not all) of the great Salman's books ought to be banned not so much for their controversial content but for the mind numbing boredom that his writing generates!!
March 27, 2011
I get a horrible feeling when I read a book and get to the end and it has been an utter waste of time. There are too many good books out there. I should have given up, but this one had the misfortune of getting vaguely interesting at the mid point and by then, I was too in.
This is broad in its scope, stretcging from NY to London to Moscow. However, very little happens for a crime book. There is no mystery, no suspense, the characters are flat and lifeless. The author seems to repeat the same phrases about the the same people on every other page. I couldn't give a flying one that the beatles are popular in Russia but Nadelson seems to want to push this fact home a lot.
The good news is that this book is the latest in a series and because its so dire, I dont have to start at the beginning.
Artie Cohen is the detective who happens to stumble of a dead woman bound to a swing in NYC. The woman happens to be involved with his friend. His friends daughter gets killed. We know who did it. Artie first has to go to London (Interesting in the "new russia" aspect, and I liked the bit where he went to a billionairres party and thought a pub cover band were doing the stones, only to find out it was the stones) and then onto Moscow.
The writing is just dull..... the story goes nowhere.
This is broad in its scope, stretcging from NY to London to Moscow. However, very little happens for a crime book. There is no mystery, no suspense, the characters are flat and lifeless. The author seems to repeat the same phrases about the the same people on every other page. I couldn't give a flying one that the beatles are popular in Russia but Nadelson seems to want to push this fact home a lot.
The good news is that this book is the latest in a series and because its so dire, I dont have to start at the beginning.
Artie Cohen is the detective who happens to stumble of a dead woman bound to a swing in NYC. The woman happens to be involved with his friend. His friends daughter gets killed. We know who did it. Artie first has to go to London (Interesting in the "new russia" aspect, and I liked the bit where he went to a billionairres party and thought a pub cover band were doing the stones, only to find out it was the stones) and then onto Moscow.
The writing is just dull..... the story goes nowhere.
May 10, 2016
I would give this book a 4.5, actually.
The book was very meaningful to me, not because the initial crime was compelling (it was OK), but because the geographical shifts from NYC, to London, and finally to Moscow describe a world of Russians that most of us in America do not encounter.
My husband & I have spent time in Russia & Ukraine during the past 15 years, including a week in Moscow just 2 years ago. His description of the "new Russia" rang true to me in many ways, not least of which are the descriptions of the Russian individuals Artie encounters in the 3 cities. They are smart, sarcastic, sometimes surly, loyal, and pessimistic, just as Nadelson describes. The nation itself is reveling in its wave of capitalism, without knowing quite what is worth buying or what is worth spending time on. And underneath it all, the same people (the oligarchy) are actually running the country.
The FSB (new name for KGB) is just the same as the old KGB was, only with possibly a more jovial outlook on life. But underneath, they use same old methods of control, using espionage and death to manipulate their fellow citizens, whether they still live in Russia or not.
Who knows how long this "new Russia" will last? They--and we--had better enjoy it while we can.
The book was very meaningful to me, not because the initial crime was compelling (it was OK), but because the geographical shifts from NYC, to London, and finally to Moscow describe a world of Russians that most of us in America do not encounter.
My husband & I have spent time in Russia & Ukraine during the past 15 years, including a week in Moscow just 2 years ago. His description of the "new Russia" rang true to me in many ways, not least of which are the descriptions of the Russian individuals Artie encounters in the 3 cities. They are smart, sarcastic, sometimes surly, loyal, and pessimistic, just as Nadelson describes. The nation itself is reveling in its wave of capitalism, without knowing quite what is worth buying or what is worth spending time on. And underneath it all, the same people (the oligarchy) are actually running the country.
The FSB (new name for KGB) is just the same as the old KGB was, only with possibly a more jovial outlook on life. But underneath, they use same old methods of control, using espionage and death to manipulate their fellow citizens, whether they still live in Russia or not.
Who knows how long this "new Russia" will last? They--and we--had better enjoy it while we can.
May 5, 2013
I've stuck with Artie Cohen through thick and thin, and I'm not about to quit now. Although, to be honest, his escapades are getting old. It seems he is always in Moscow or London, scoring a gun, getting beat up, hanging around long-legged Russian beauties in seedy night clubs. There isn't much of a plot in this one, and the dialogue and atmosphere aren't good enough to save it. It seems Nadelson is pointlessly rehashing old material (we've already been through the radioactive scare, Tolya's murky business ventures, the KGB spooks), and what's worse, there is no character development. A pity, since she's an excellent writer and Cohen is a fabulous fictional detective. Just give him something intersting to do, please?
April 3, 2014
"Londongrad" Reggie'go Nadelsona jest prosto skonstruowaną i w związku z tym łatwą do czytania książką. Mamy w niej jednego wyraźnego głównego bohatera i jeden wyraźnie nakreślony bazowy motyw. Tak naprawdę, można powiedzieć, że mamy tu do czynienia z przeciętnym, dość sztampowym kryminałem, którego subiektywną wartość można ocenić tylko pod kątem fabularnym i tematyki. "Czwórka" wystawiona przeze mnie wiążę się właśnie ze zbieżnością klimatu książki i moich zainteresowań. Książkę polecam tylko osobom interesującym się tematyką współczesnej Rosji.
June 9, 2010
This series evokes an atmosphere of Russian lives in America that keeps you fascinated for the whole book.Kinda like that series set in New York bright lights etc, or the one good book by Clare Messude, it's about immersing yourself in that totally different culture for a whilin.
Disclaimer: these are my own ramblings, not aiming to critique/ judge, but rather appreciate those brave enough to bridge the gap between thought and paper!
Disclaimer: these are my own ramblings, not aiming to critique/ judge, but rather appreciate those brave enough to bridge the gap between thought and paper!
May 11, 2010
I always feel a little sad when I've fully caught up on an author, like I am now after this last Artie Cohen book. All that's left now is to wait and see where Nadelson is going to take Artie, with one of my favorite characters dead (Val) and a semi-compromised position he finds himself in.
In the sense of setting up the ending for the next book, this is clearly the best Cohen book, I'm pretty much salivating for the next one.....
In the sense of setting up the ending for the next book, this is clearly the best Cohen book, I'm pretty much salivating for the next one.....
November 13, 2009
Not the greatest detective work you'll read, but it goes quickly and there are a few interesting people along the way. Artie Cohen is far above the other characters in this book. You feel his sadness and anger about the situations. The others are caricatures, as they say.
Only recommended for speedreaders.
Only recommended for speedreaders.
December 12, 2011
I do love this series but it really bugs me that the instant Artie 'forgets' to talk to a vital witness, or says he'll see them 'in the morning' you know they will be dead when you turn the page! It's too formulaic :(
Read
July 30, 2011Artie Cohen - Jewish Russian son of KGB agent and refusnik is a detective in NY. I've read 2 of this series and will happily read them all. Artie solves the crime tumbling just on the far side of out of control.
December 17, 2011
This was much so much better than Fresh Kills. But I still feel like Nadelson can't really create a sucessful plot. Her books are so.....messy. But Artie Cohen is a great character and I can't quite give up on him yet.
August 7, 2009
Not a good book.
August 31, 2009
FAST PACED STORY MYSTERY OF RUSSIANS IN LONDON AND NEW YORK CITY
liked it but could have been shorter
liked it but could have been shorter
January 16, 2010
An easy read, but kinda so so overall
Read
February 2, 2011talmente bello che andrò a cercare gli altri in cui il protagonista Artie Cohen che altro dire?
Want to read
August 12, 2014This is the book Evelyn recommended.
Read
January 3, 2016Set between New York, London and Moscow - story details a short time in the lives of Russians who now live in the US but have ties back to their birth land. A fairly predictable who done it.
Read
May 9, 2017loved it. love Detective Artie Cohen and his loyalty to his friends.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews