Yes, it’s another Erast Fandorin novel! This was the second to be written, and fits directly between The Winter Queen and Murder on the Leviathan. If you haven’t read the books yet, do yourself a favour and read them in the correct order, not the order the UK publisher seems to think is a good idea.
This time, the story is told from the viewpoint of Varvara Surarova, a progressive young woman who is trying to get to the front of the Russo-Turkish war to join her fiancé. Fandorin is trying to get over the events of The Winter Queen, but becomes involved in events when it becomes apparent that there is a traitor at work.
As Fandorin fans[1] would expect, there are diversions, red herrings, misdirections and a lot of fun along the way. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.
[1] Sorry. I won’t do that again. 