This is a quick history lesson of the Trans-Siberian Railroad & the Russia through which it was laid more than a century ago, when conditions were about as primitive as when the tracks were laid across America & the workers were far less fortunate.

"Murder on the Trans-Siberian Express" is a very good read - filled with history, atmosphere, the absurd juxtapositions of a blackmarketeer who would rather be a stand-up comedian; a father kidnapping a son; a rock star composing lyrics out of his own terror; a father/daughter relationship that spawns murder & a detective with a pesky prosthetic & a mysteriously beautiful spy who sets her eyes on Porfiry.

Along with Donna Leon, Ruth Rendell, Martha Grimes, and P.D.
James, readers, who prefer this genre, cannot go wrong.
In his latest thriller, Kaminsky's intrepid inspector finds himself almost on a wild-Russian-goose chase, clear across the
Siberian tundra! In "Murder on the Trans-Siberian Express," the author winsomely blends his usual reader-intrigue with a trip into history to provide the reader with a salient, viable parallel of Rostnikov's pursuit.

As his readers of this series have come to expect, Kaminsky is not content to have one plot (certainly not, when three or four others simultaneously will do!) carry the book. Rostnikov of the Moscow Metropolitan Police finds himself,once more, amid the political intrigue of Moscow while trying to sort out--and prosecute--labeled criminals! With his amiable assistants,
Russian criminals are far from safe. Karpov ("The Vampire") and Zelach are trying to find the kidnapped son of a local magnate.
The son is a disfranchised but popular local rock star known as the Cossack. Elena and Iosef (Rostnikov's son) are pursuing a serial murderer in the Moscow subway system); and Sasha Tkach, aside from trying to solve his own marital problems, is working with Rostnikov on the primary case here! A bit much?

A bit much? Confusing, perhaps? Not to this reader, who delights in Kaminsky's terse style, fantastic characterizations, incredible depth of perception of the Russia of today.

To say this book moves with the pace of a speeding freight train might strain the metaphor here, but regardless, Kaminsky maintains his control over the series (of which, one hopes, there will be many, many more episodes). An excellent read--hop on board and get set for a delightful journey!