The Russian Singer [Hardcover]

Leif Davidsen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Davidsen's ( The Sardine Deception ) new thriller is a smart mix of mystery and romance. Jack Anderson, a Danish diplomat in pre-Gorbachev Moscow, is determined to discover the truth behind the death of his secretary Sonia, who is found in her bathtub, her wrists slit; on her bed lies the corpse of a sadomasochistic prostitute. Soviet officials are content to call it a murder-suicide, so Jack, sniffing the possibility of a coverup, resorts to illegal tactics. Adding to the puzzle is the revelation that Sonia had been smuggling porno tapes into Moscow, to be sold on the black market. Becoming deeply enmeshed in the seamy underbelly of the city, Jack meets the dead prostitute's sister--the exotic, enigmatic Lilli, a lounge singer. She inadvertently leads him into a trap, getting him fired just when he's close to exposing a connection between Sonia and an ambitious ministerial counselor also at the Danish embassy. Lilli teaches Jack the sobering lesson of corruption: that everyone is for sale, even those in love. Their inevitable split and unrealistic reunion, however, indicate a sudden lack of authorial innovation which undermines an otherwise solid novel.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This spy thriller is set in Moscow just before and after Gorbachev ascends to power. Jack Andersen, a Danish diplomat, becomes involved in an investigation into the murder of a secretary. He gradually uncovers evidence that leads him into the Soviet underworld of prostitution, pornography, graft, and corruption. "The Russian Singer," Lilli Smuul, is the only person Jack encounters who seems untouched by this corruption. Written by a Danish journalist who spent four years in Moscow, this novel is not very different from standard American thrillers. It depicts the authoritarianism and cruelty of Russian life. It also shows the confusion and mistrust of the Russian people under perestroika. The characters are drawn from the diplomatic community, and they all resemble Americans. Jack is even described as "a Danish version of Paul Newman." Entertaining reading for general readers.
- Kathy Armendt Sorci, IIT Research Inst . , Annapolis, Md.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 277 pages
• Publisher: Random House; First American Edition edition (August 6, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039458502X
• ISBN-13: 978-0394585024
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,711,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A personal view of the decline and fall of communist Russia, August 29, 2005

By 

Rennie Petersen (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Russian Singer (Hardcover)

At first glance "The Russian Singer" is a thriller. The story is set in Moscow in the years 1985 - 1988 and tells about the death of a Danish woman and her Russian girlfriend. The Moscow police claim that it was an accident and a suicide, but there is some indication that it was actually a double homicide.

The main person in the book is Jack Andersen, a diplomat at the Danish Embassy in Moscow. He takes it upon himself to investigate the deaths despite being warned off. In this way he comes into contact with Lilli, the sister of the Russian woman, who works as a singer. A romance develops between Lilli and Jack, and at the same time Jack finds himself being threatened more and more in an attempt to make him give up his investigation.

As a thriller "The Russian Singer" is fairly good, but that is not the real strength of the book.

Leif Davidsen was a journalist working for Danmarks Radio (the Danish national TV and radio broadcaster) and lived, together with his family, in Moscow from 1984 to 1988. In this way he experienced firsthand the internal breakdown of Russian society that led to Gorbachev becoming leader. With Gorbachev came the reforms that were intended to make Russia more open and efficient and less corrupt, and that later resulted in the downfall of the Communist Party.

This social breakdown and unrest provides the background for "The Russian Singer", and that is what makes the book so interesting. The descriptions of Moscow and Russian society during the years 1985 - 1988 are really fascinating. The Russians have become disillusioned and depressed, corruption flourishes, there is paranoia towards foreigners and there is an incredible amount of alcohol abuse.

Leif Davidsen is very good at describing people and their personality and making them come alive. The various Russians who populate "The Russian Singer" are people who you come to understand and can relate to, despite the fact that most of them are drunk a lot of the time.

The alcohol abuse theme was so dominant that I got tired of the various characters, including Jack Andersen, always drinking. So much wine, whisky and vodka is consumed that you wonder how any of these people can function. But unfortunately this probably was/is a correct picture of Russian society.

In fact, at one point Leif Davidsen writes that 40 million Soviet citizens were alcoholics, and that every 10th child was born with alcohol-related problems. (I haven't been able to confirm these figures, but even if they are exaggerated they sound terrible.)

A few final comments: It warmed my heart that Leif Davidsen quoted both Bruce Springsteen and Leonard Cohen, two of my favorite singer-songwriters. I found the ending rather abrupt, and wondered if Leif Davidsen couldn't make up his mind whether to end with a tragedy or a happy ending, and this resulted in him having difficulty writing a satisfying ending.

In summary, a good thriller and a great picture of the mood of Russian society during the years 1985-1988. Leif Davidsen later wrote two more books that focus on Russia during the years 1991-1993. I'm looking forward to reading them too.

Rennie Petersen