webereading
recommended this
I just got the fourth and final book in this series today and am so excited about it. You should start with The Gentle Axe, the first in the series featuring Porfiry Petrovich, the detective/magistrate created by Dostoevsky in Crime and Punishment. These books bring nineteenth century St. Petersburg to life in all of its glory and decrepitude.
hugo commented 2 years, 1 month ago
holy cow, so this is a sequel/prequel of sorts to crime and punishment?
webereading commented 2 years, 1 month ago
It's unrelated story-wise to C&P -- it just builds the character of Porfiry Petrovich through other cases that happen later in his career.
shaival commented 2 years, 1 month ago
oh wow! never had heard of this series - could be a very special hidden jewel. Looking for a new book to start this weekend and will get the gentle axe (although, may need to re-read C&P since it's been a while). Thanks +webereading!
webereading commented 2 years, 1 month ago
I hope you do pick it up, shaival! And you don't even need to have read C&P to enjoy it.
shaival commented 2 years, 1 month ago
just got it this afternoon! had a fun couple of hours at the bookstore after brunch. planning to read starting next week. will send you my thoughts upon completion. thanks again +webereading!