The Last Train To Kazan

by Stephen Miller

The cynical and disaffected Ryzhkov returns, this time forced to investigate the disappearance of Russia’s Imperial Family. Discovering where they have been held, he is already too late—the Tsar and his family have been murdered. But by whom? And is there any possibility that someone escaped? Is one of the family, somehow, still alive? In this dark sequel to Field of Mars, Miller uses the chaotic tension of revolutionary Russia to create a deeply atmospheric and absorbing thriller.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Russia, Fiction

432 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2008

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched and generally gripping historic spy thriller set during the Russian revolution and involving the imagined fate of the Romanovs. The bleakness and casual violence are described well, but do not dominate the narrative, rather it is the character of Ryzhkov who is central; having been charged with finding out what has happened to the Tsar and his family after a final hour reprieve from his own execution for working for a foreign agency. The story zips along offering hints of the various parties and agents that would like the track the Royal family for their various political purposes. The plot gathers apace and culminates in a gripping chase after the train of the title. There was some difficulty in keeping track of the various characters, but overall an interesting and rewarding read, with the added benefit of making you want to delve deeper into the history of the period.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting and exciting reconstruction of the history around the last days of the Tsar in Russia. This book follows the fictional character of Ryzhkov who is caught between the Bolsheviks and the White Army and in a bid to survive, embarks on a mission to discover what happened to the Tsar and his family. The writing was very good although one did get a bit caught up in detail in parts and there were chapters which lost their way a little bit. I like how the author had turned it into a thriller and, especially as the book went on, it became a page-turner. I wasn't convinced about the ending and I found the mention of the woman Ryzhkov loved almost irrelevant - she had played so little part in the story. But overall I thoroughly enjoyed it and would give it 3.5 stars.

[Diana Sandberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story, well told. I love a good historical that jumps right into a real event and weaves a plausible tale around what few facts exist, and this certainly does that. I was pleased to meet Ryzhkov again and be drawn into his world, and to learn more about the chaotic swirl of events surrounding the Russian Revolution(s), the simultaneous First World War, and the fate of the Romanovs.

Miller's technique includes a rapid switching of POV among his characters. This is something that I can quite like when well done, but can be just annoying when not. It works quite well here for the most part, although there was one point in the climactic shootout where I had to go back and re-read to figure out who had just been wounded. But then, when I get excited by a passage, I tend to read faster, so....ha.

Very satisfying. Keep writing, Miller!

[Ian McGaffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story, and as a sequel, I was excited about it. I am a fan of the end of the Romanovs, and it lends well to this type of adventure.