Child 44 (Leo Demidov, #1) in Around the World

Feb 09, 2014 Lilisa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: you-ll-love-this-one, around-the-world-2014, 2014, russia

An atmospheric and chilling crime novel set in the Soviet Union in 1953, loosely based on the notorious Soviet serial killer Andrei Chikatilo who was executed in 1994. The main character Leo Demidov, part of the Soviet state security arm, investigates the death of a child, whose parents are convinced that he was murdered. The state disagrees, but Leo begins to realize there’s more to the case than meets the eye. Throw in problems with his superiors and his subsequent fall from grace, the uncerta ...more

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Jul 23, 2013 Ankit Agrawal rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller, historical-crime-fiction

Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars. Doesn't deserve full 5 from me because of its pace

When it comes to Crime Fiction or Suspense Thrillers, I do not at all prefer the English and the American writers. They are at their best at Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Classics and Historical Fiction but crime fiction is just not their bite. Especially since I started reading Scandinavian Crime Fiction writers like Stieg Larsson, Jo Nesbø, Arnaldur Indriðason etc... I have usually found the British and the Ame ...more

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Dec 23, 2014 Suzanne rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, kindle

I don't usually read thrillers, but I have to say Child 44 is exceptional. Perhaps it's the historical fiction loving side of me, perhaps it's my fascination with political systems, but Tom Rob Smith's book is gripping, informative, and a heck of ride.

Leo Demidov is a security officer in the Stalinist era Soviet Union. He has a great job and a beautiful wife, and everything seems perfect for him, until he discovers a series of related murders, and dares to put justice above politics.

There are so ...more

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