Blood and Rubles [Unabridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Stuart Kaminsky (Author), Mark Hammer (Narrator)

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Recorded Books; Unabridged edition (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0788705113
• ISBN-13: 978-0788705113
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,984,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding post soviet russia, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Blood and Rubles (Mass Market Paperback)

Most writers of mystery in Soviet Russia are boring without the KGB "badguy" holding their hero back. Kaminsky does a terrific job with the new problems of Russia. Read his series from the beginning as the character development from book to book is worth it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the Stronger Book in the Series since "A Cold Red Sunrise", December 29, 2006

By 

Grey Wolffe "Zeb Kantrowitz" (North Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Blood and Rubles (Mass Market Paperback)

The Soviet Union under Yeltsin is beginning to disintegrate and the people are fearful of what will happen. Day by day there is less respect for the Government, Party and the Police. The ruble buys less every day and the old and war veterans are living on worthless pensions. Criminal gangs are taking over areas and neighborhoods, and nothing gets done without a little money to grease the wheels. Except for Rostnikov, Karpo, Tkatch and Zelach. As always there are three stories involved:

There is a mafia style shoot-out at a cafe, where a German is killed. He turns out to be a middle man interested in buying radioactive material from a gang, that he will turn over to 'third parties'. Unfortunately there are innocent bystanders who are killed and injured, and one turns out to be Karpo's friend Matilde. An American FBI agent,(who is a Russian speaking Black, so that he will blend in better) an expert in terrorism, is assigned to help Porfiry on this part of the case.

Tkatch and Zelach are assigned to find a gang of three young brothers (ages 11, 9 and 7) who have been mugging/killing drunks for their money. They know that they are kids, because every teenager now has a gun. During the case Tkatch is violently attacked by the kids and Zelach saves his life. The trial and court case tell alot about modern Russia.

Lastly, Elena is assigned to a high profile tax case, where first a warehouse full of icons and Russian antiques are found in the possession of an old woman who says that her brother saved/bought the stuff over the years. The house is put under police protection, but the next morning when the trucks come to take away the items, the warehouse is empty. Elena must find out what happened.

As an aside: Porfiry seems to be having a lot more trouble with his bad leg; Karpo is having trouble dealing with the dual loss of his friend and the fall of the Communist Party; Iosef (Porfiry's son) announce to Elena that he is in love with her and wants to marry, while at the same time he has put in his papers to join the Police.

The next book should be very interesting on the personal side.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hardship and angst in Mother Russia..., June 20, 2005

By 

Cynthia K. Robertson (beverly, new jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blood and Rubles (Mass Market Paperback)

Stuart Kaminsky's Blood and Rubles is the 10th book in his Porfiry Rostnikov series, and I enjoy each book even better than the last.

After the communist government has fallen, Russia finds herself in a state of unrest. As a result, crime is rampant and Moscow Special Crimes Investigator Rostnikov and his associates have more than enough to keep them busy. Rostnikov is probing the kidnapping of a wealthy businessman. Emil Karpo is searching for the Mafioso whose crossfire killed his innocent girlfriend. Elena Timofeyeva is investigating the theft of tsarist treasures. And Sasha Tkach and Akardy Zelach are trying to nab three youngsters who are suspected of beating, robbing and then killing men who are walking the streets drunk. Most of the crimes are a direct result of the economic hardships within Russian. Nobody has enough money, people can't feed their children and living conditions are grim. Even the police are not immune to this domestic downturn.

Once again, Rostnikov is amazing in his grasp of the situation and his intuition. But even when cases are solved, the Russian justice system is not a well-oiled machine, and Justine is not always done.

One of the most entertaining aspects of Blood and Rubles is the black FBI agent, Craig Hamilton, who is assigned to shadow Rostnikov. The FBI and the Russian police have very different ideas on crime solving. Russians are also amazed to see a black American who speaks perfect Russian. Rostnikov and Hamilton working together provide for some comical moments.

Kaminsky may be an American author, but he writes convincingly of the Russian condition, including the angst and irony that are a part of everyday life. He definitely has become one of my favorite mystery writers. I only wish that I could read these books in order, as their personal lives progress with each book. Unfortunately, some are out of print and hard to get.