Book review. A Killing Winter by Tom Callaghan: A dark crime novel in a deep Kyrgyz winter

 Like many people, the first crime novel I read that was set in Eastern Europe was Gorky Park, with what was at the time a mix of an unusual setting and a far from charming, but somehow captivating protagonist, Arkady Renko.  It was a great introduction to crime outside the UK.  Since then I’ve sampled crime from around the world including Australia, America, Ireland, Germany France, Italy and of course Scandinavia, home one of the most popular part of the crime fiction genre.

Though crime fiction is now truly international with a vast array of settings, I still keep an eye out for novels set in the former Soviet Union, such as The 12^th department by William Ryan or ones that have some kind of East European connection, like Anya Lipska’s Kiszka and Kershaw series.  I think it’s because part of my family is from Eastern Europe, that I find something compelling about that setting.  So, when I saw Tom Callaghan’s book, A Killing Winter, was set in Kyrgyzstan, the setting immediately caught my attention.

Here’s what the story’s about…In the depths of a dark winter in Bishkek, Inspector Akyl Borubaev begins his investigation into the murder of a young woman.  The brutality of the murder suggests a sadist at best, but more likely a serial killer.  The investigation becomes more complex when the victim is identified as the daughter of a leading government minister, who has little concern for due process - his idea of justice is a little more direct!  

Borubaev is soon entangled with an attractive but ruthless Uzbek intelligence agent.  As the investigation criss-crosses the country, he can’t decide whether they have a genuine mutual interest or is he is simply being played and the agent’s theory about the crime being a cover for stoking racial tension is simply a ploy. 

I’ve never been to Bishkek or any part of Kyrgyzstan yet felt that Callaghan paints a convincing picture of a post Soviet country with its drabness, poverty and alcohol abuse – a place where violence is endemic, life is cheap and where even ordinary day to day interactions between people are shot through with mistrust, contempt and disrespect.  It’s a place where there’s every incentive to “look after number one”, but despite this, Borubaev retains his humanity and integrity without it seeming clichéd.

Summing up – a good first novel that ticks all the boxes of plot, setting and character.   It’s definitely worth trying and I’ll be interested to see if another follows soon.

Romancrimeblogger

PS - if like Mrs Romancrimeblogger you prefer listening to reading, this novel is also available as an audiobook through Audible