Death of a Russian Priest

By Stuart M. Kaminsky

Just days after the end of the USSR, a mysterious priest becomes a martyr.

In service of his beloved Orthodox Church, Father Merhum has spent decades battling Soviet apparatchiks and the KGB. Now the Soviet Union is gone, but the bureaucracy survives, and the aged priest makes plans to denounce Communist supporters, including some within the Church. He is on his way to Moscow when an assassin stops him with an ax. And as he dies, Merhum begs for forgiveness -- a curious plea from a saint-to-be.

The case falls to police inspectors Porfiry Rostnikov and Emil Karpo -- a ruthless detective whose eerie appearance has earned him the nickname 'the vampire.' But as they dig into the past of this celebrated village priest, they uncover strange church secrets and a conspiracy that would ensure that though Soviet Russia is finished, corruption will never die.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Head of Zeus
• Release date: Jun 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781784085933

Stuart M. Kaminsky

Stuart M. Kaminsky (1934-2009) was the author of fifty novels, including the Lew Fonesca mystery series and the Toby Peters mystery series. A former president of Mystery Writers of America, Kaminsky was a recipient of the Edgar Award and the Prix de Roman D’Aventure of France. He was also nominated for the Shamus and McCavity Awards. His previous tie-in work includes two original Rockford Files novels.

Reviews for Death of a Russian Priest

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another good entry in the Rostnikov mystery series, though not a standout addition. The author adds a few new characters, and introduces us to post-Soviet Russia and the headaches and frustrations that accompanied the change from socialism/communism to democracy, or at least the appearance of that switch. Recommended.

[clara53_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As I, along with other fans of Stuart Kaminsky, mourn his passing in the fall of 2009, I find myself thoroughly enjoying yet another of his Inspector Rostnikov novels - The Death of the Russian Priest. This particular book in the series was important to me, as I had left the country just a few years prior to "perestroika" and "glastnost" and missed on all the commotion and tragedy and renewal that period brought. I love Inspector Rostnikov. As simple as that. For me, this humble protagonist personifies everything that can be good in a male character. His wife Sarah is a lucky woman! Yes, I talk about it as if they are real people - Stuart Kaminsky's genius allows me to do that. I am looking forward to 5 more books, as I read my way through the series. And I am greatly saddened that Stuart Kaminsky is no more to delight us with new work.