Book Review – The Twelfth Department by William Ryan: An intriguing novel about a detective in Stalinist Moscow

I featured this book in my March “Look out for these!” post.  I’ve not read any of William Ryan's novels before and when I picked up the book, the thought of a detective investigating crime in 1930’s Moscow was simply intriguing.

The protagonist Korolev, is winding down, happily anticipating a week’s leave which he plans to spend with his young son, who he’s not seen for several years.  Korolev is suddenly recalled and finds himself in the Party elite’s world, investigating the murder of a prominent scientist Azarov.  Korolev delves into the murder and the Azarov Institute, but is soon pushed aside by the unpleasant secret Colonel Zaitsev and take off the case.  

Just as Korolev starts to enjoy his holiday, he is recalled again when Azarov’s deputy is brutally murdered, but Korolev’s access to the Institute is barred and all the documentation mysteriously taken away, leaving Korolev few clues.  And just to make things more awkward his son is kidnapped and held by Zaitsev, as a way of “influencing” Korolev’s investigation, so he reports his investigation “correctly” to the equally sinister Colonel Rodinov.  Korolev is truly walking a tightrope as he tries to rescue his son, find out more about the mysterious Twelfth Department and keeping the two secret police Colonels from turning on him.

Ryan brings out well the characteristics and atmosphere of Stalinist Moscow – the privileges enjoyed by the elite but also the fear that anyone, however high their status could find themselves denounced, arrested and put on a train for the Siberian gulag.  There’s a scene where Korolev meets an informant in the park and his own desperation is contrasted with the everyday lives of people as they stroll, eat ice cream or enjoy a ride on a Ferris wheel.  Hearteningly, Korolev is a genuinely honest and decent person, inspiring loyalty not just from his sidekick Sergeant Slivka, but friends and neighbours who respect Korolev enough to look out for him, despite the risks to themselves.

I liked this book particularly, because Ryan has made it work both as an ordinary “whodunnit” and a novel that brings to life an interesting historical setting – so you can read and enjoy The Twelfth Department for either or both of these reasons.

Romancrimeblogger