Murder on the Leviathan

March 22, 2004
Akunin writes like a hybrid of Caleb Carr, Agatha Christie and Elizabeth Peters in his second mystery to be published in the U.S., set on the maiden voyage of the British luxury ship Leviathan
, en route to India in the spring of 1878. Akunin's young Russian detective/diplomat protagonist, Erast Fandorin, has matured considerably since his debut in last year's highly praised The Winter Queen
, set in 1876, and proves a worthy foil to French police commissioner Gustave Gauche, who boards the Leviathan
because a clue suggests that one of the passengers murdered a wealthy British aristocrat, seven servants and two children in his Paris home and stole priceless Indian treasures. The intuitive, methodical Fandorin, who joins the ship at Port Said, soon slyly takes over the investigation and comes up with an eclectic group of suspects, all with secrets to hide, whom Gauche assigns to the same dining room. The company recite humorous or instructive stories that slow down the action but eventually relate to the identification of the killer. Gauche offers at least four solutions to the crimes, but in each case Fandorin debates or debunks his reasoning. The atmospheric historical detail gives depth to the twisting plot, while the ruthless yet poignant arch villain makes up for a cast of mostly cardboard characters. Readers disappointed by the lack of background on Fandorin will find plenty in The Winter Queen
. Agent, Linda Michaels at Ltd International. (May 4)

FYI:
Boris Akunin is the pen name of Grigory Chkhartishvili, a native of Georgia who has written 10 Erast Fandorin mysteries to date.

March 1, 2004
In 1878, a horrible murder shakes Paris; Lord Littleby's skull has been cracked open, a precious statue is missing, and seven servants and two children in the household lie supine, dispatched by poison. Blustery "Papa" Gauche deduces that the killer will board the Leviathan, a luxurious cruise ship making its maiden voyage to India, and he arranges passage. In short order, he collects suspect passengers in a salon and attempts to entrap them, only to be quietly shown up by a young Russian diplomat named Erast Fandorin. Yes, Fandorin, star of The White Queen, Akunin's scintillating English-language debut, has returned in good form. This is another intelligent and deftly plotted work by Russian philologist/mystery writer Akunin, perhaps a bit more traditional in approach than The White Queen (as the publicity suggests, it's obviously an homage to Agatha Christie) but still full of surprises and incisive in its characterization and psychological depth. Essential for mystery collections.-Barbara Hoffert, "Library Journal"

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2004
Adult/High School-In Paris, in 1878, a wealthy collector of Eastern and Far Eastern art is brutally murdered. The only items stolen are a statue and small scarf, and the only apparent clue is a whale-shaped pin that acts as a first-class pass for the Leviathan, a British luxury ship on its maiden voyage to India. Gustave Gauche, an arrogant French police commissioner, joins the voyage to find and trap the killer. The list of suspects is quickly narrowed down to some French and British aristocrats; select members of the ship's staff; a Japanese doctor; and Erast Fandorin, a Russian traveler and crime solver who starred in Akunin's The Winter Queen (Random, 2003). As the Leviathan moves on, the book alternates the point of view chapter by chapter, giving readers each suspect's perspective on everything from the murders to pet peeves. Personal items go missing, suspects begin to die, and everyone suspects everyone else in a style to rival Agatha Christie's. As Gauche's control over the situation continues to degenerate, Fandorin takes over and finally pieces the full story together in an almost Holmesian manner. While the basic formula is hugely borrowed from Christie, it's the unique clash of cultures and the interactions of the characters that set this book apart. Alongside so many mysteries and thrillers that revolve around grisly violence, Leviathan, with its tony action scenes and overall genteel feel, comes off as a charming and fun read.-Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.