The Red Moth (Inspector Pekkala)

This is the fourth novel in the Inspector Pekkala series. In this series of novels we follow the "Emerald Eye" as he navigates pre-revolutionary Russia and Stalin's Russia. Here we find the inspector during WWII with a mission to return to Catherine Palace where he lived during his service to the Tsar. His mission to save or destroy the Amber Room.One of my pet peeves is the improper description of handguns in various novels. On page 8 of this book, the author has a lieutenant of the Waffen SS (the "armed SS - military units) carrying a P.38. Many would say that having an officer carrying a P.38 would be incorrect that an officer of the SS would probably be issued a Walther PP or PPK - however, given the point in the war, the junior rank of this officer, the P.38 was probably the gun such a man would have been carrying. Hats off to the author on this one.In Stalin's office the author writes there are three portraits - Marx, Engels, and Lenin - as described in the January 1, 1945 issue of Life magazine. I have always wondered why the communists never elevated Hegel to the same level, since it was Hegel's Dialectic that was used by Marx and Engels to develop their philosophies. The office and desk are properly described on pages 29-30. Again, good detailed research on the author's part.In books one through three of this series, whenever the author decided to do a "flashback" that part was italicized - not so in this edition. To me it makes it easier to read in this way. Also, there are not quite as many of the "flashbacks" as in the first three novels in the series - which makes the book easier to follow.When I visited the Catherine Palace in the fall of 1991, the amber room had not been "restored". Although the order to "restore" (actually re-create) had been given in 1982, the work and collection of funds was still under way when I was there. A "restored" Amber room was opened in 1993. In photographs of the restored room, they show a magnificent display of Amber on the walls, somehow, the reality of those photos does not live up to the verbal descriptions given in his book or in others.At the end of the book the author gives the "real" timeline for the Amber room - however, in the real world, there is still debate over the final disposition.

This book in the series has been my favorite so far. First, the premise is just cool. Inspector Pekkala must determine if there is a secret German plot hidden in a painting of a red moth. Second, the characters in this book are amazing. Stefanov - A Russian shoulder with old ties to the Tsar. Semykin - an art specialist wrongly imprisoned who paints on the walls of his cell with his own blood. You also get to see more of Kirkov's special abilities. The story was both haunting and intriguing. I can't get enough of this series.

There may be some confusion with the titles in this series, due to some variants in US and UK publications. The four Inspector Pekkala novels are: Eye of the Red Tsar , The Red Coffin/Shadow Pass , Siberian Red/Archive 17 , and Moth. I haven’t read Shadow yet (it’s in the mail), but I expect most would want to read these marvelous books in the order shown. If you’ve any interest in the Bolshevik Revolution, the Romanovs, and early World War II, you’ll find these novels riveting, both in plot and style. Each book focuses on some aspect of the era, from the murder of the Romanovs, to Inspector Pekkala attempting to save the Amber Room from being taken by the Germans—the latter is the focal point of Moth. We also find that Major Kirov (Pekkala’s assistant) has both a first name ,Ylian, and a girlfriend, Elizaveta Kapanina. Trust me this is great stuff and totally unputdownable.

I am ploughing my way thro all Sam Eastlands Inspector Pekkala books I have always benn fascinated by the Romanovs and really had no idea about Russia after wardswhat an amazing Achievement to bring Russian way of life to us all and realise how lucky we are to live in Aotearoa. Now excuse me as I get back to The Red Beast in the Forest............

Because we all love reading about corruption, devious characters, and the steadfast hero that attempts to set things right! Especially when the nemesis is Stalin. Once again, Mr. Eastland writes a page turner, can't put it down book. I don't believe in going into a long dissertation explaining chapter by chapter. Only my opinion of what I think of the book - its a marvelous read - and I love Russian detective novels beginning with the original Martin Cruz-Smith with his Arkady Renko series. This series takes a whole different take, but I love it.

The fourth in this series has reinvigorated the franchise. Much of this is attributed to it being set in the opening months of Operation Barbarossa when German forces struck so rapidly and deeply into the Soviet Union. It is fair to say having the famous Amber Room at the core of the mystery did not hurt. Yet, it is the engaging Pekkala, the intriguing Finn who was once Tsar Nicholas II's personal detective and now serves Comrade Stalin who makes the book. Credit must also be given to his Soviet Watson, the earnest and capable, Kirov. This entry was more action thriller than mystery to set up the next instalment...which I intend to read right away.

This is an English printing and who knows when it will be generally available in the US. I strongly suggest you read the series in order and you will enjoy and appreciate them all the more. The red badge of one acting with total authority from Stalin is the stuff of legend and Inspector Pekkala had it from the Tsar and Stalin. The Berkut by Joe Heywood is another great "red badge" read. Sam Eastland crafts a fine story with unexpected/unanticipated endings and leaves me always wanting more. OK, so when is the next volume coming out?????

I have read all but the latest in this most excellent and love all 6 to day. This was the best, blending an intimate understanding of the insecurities of the last tsar and his successor, Stalin, special intelligence ops on the most paranoid period of modern Russian history -- all blended in one central figure, Pekkala, known as the Emerald Eye. Author's knowledge of period and players is accurate and well written. Must have more.

I have read each of the novels in this 'RED' series and this is the 4th. The central character in the series is a Fin called Pekkala who was the Tsar's personal, trusted, investigator. After years in Siberian exile he has been snatched from the wilderness by Stalin, the Eye of the Red Tsar, to become his special agent. The story of Pekkala's rise under the Tsar and how he comes to work for Stalin is told in the Red Tsar  Eye of the Red Tsar (Inspector Pekkala) . In the succeeding novels that backstory is oft repeated but not in this book. This one is much more focussed on the 'now' and it benefits from that as the telling is more compact and it maintains a fast pace throughout.The Red Moth is set during WW2 in the summer of the Nazi advance on Leningrad and the beginning of the encirclement of the city. In their route of advance lies the Tsarskoye Selo, the Tsar's grand summer palace in the country and in that palace is the spectacular amber room. Before the Germans take control of the palace a German plane is shot down in its vicinity. The plane is carrying just the pilot and and as SS Man. The SS Man is carrying a small leather case and in that case there is a small painting of a red moth. The painting comes into Russian hands and the question is why was it so important to the SS and what were they doing over Russian territory.Stalin summons Pekkala to investigate the painting, its source and its meaning. A task about like that given by Nebuchadnezzar to Daniel to tell and interpret his dreams, with a similar penalty for failure. Pekkala's investigation leads to a reunion with an old pre-revolutionary friend and a woman who reminds him of his lost sweetheart. Kirov, Pekkala's sidekick plays a more prominent and independent role in this novel, no longer in the background behind his mentor but playing an important role in his own account. When Pekkala is sent behind enemy lines to try to prevent the amber room falling into Nazi hands it is Kirov who is summoned to stand before Stalin at all hours of the day and night and give account of his investigation.There are a lot of really interesting, well drawn characters in this book and some graphic accounts of the brutality of front-line fighting. Treachery and revenge are writ large and there is also a shocking ending to the story. Eye of the Red Tsar (Inspector Pekkala)

Superb episode in a fine, original historic fiction/crime series that features the unlikely relationship of Joseph Stalin and the last Tsar's personal security associate, Inspector Pekkala. This time around, the year is 1941, the Soviet Union has been invaded by the Nazis and a national treasure is under threat from the latter's advancing forces. After decoding the details of the German plot to steal the priceless piece of Russian cultural history, Pekkala is dispatched by Stalin to besieged Leningrad to stop the perpetrators. A parallel story line realistically portray what it was like to be an ordinary Soviet soldier standing in the way of Hitler's forces at the beginning of the German-Soviet conflict.Author Sam Eastland has a real talent for fast-paced action, interesting plot twists, and first and foremost, pulling together some terrific characters. "The Red Moth" is a good example of his skill at providing the reader with an intelligent story (admittedly bordering on the implausible at times) and a bang-up, action ending. A highly entertaining read in its various parts and highly recommended.

Inspector Pekkala is my hero. He is one of my two favourite characters (the other being Matthew Shardlake in the series by CJ Sansom). Kirov is also very endearing and I love his loyalty to Pekkala.The series takes us into a little known world and makes it all so easy to understand yet also evokes the feelings of fear and suspicion in the Stalinist Soviet Union. I think Sam Eastland has done a magnificent job with this series. I would love to see this as a tv series (not a film - it wouldn't be long enough).

I can't say I found the plot in this book (Germans v Russians over the Amber Room) particularly gripping until about 70% in when it got riveting but I liked the historical detail of how and what Russian soldiers suffered during the war as it was very interesting and I think Mr Eastland has done a great job of portraying the chaos of war. I don't feel that I can say much more about the plot as it starts with very little and gradually builds up so more detail would include spoilers. Stick with it because the ending is great but a bit of a cliffhanger so I'm going to have to read the next one (The Beast In The Red Forest) straight away to see what comes next.

I absolutely love these books. They are consistant in their great plots and descriptive pros and each time a new one is published it feels as though you are catching up with an old friend. Although this is the fourth book in the series, Sam Eastland compiles the story in such a way it will always 'fill in the gaps' even if you have not read the preceeding three books.Like all the other books in the series The Red Moth has a number of plots interwoven within in the main storyline. The only problem I had with the book was that I could not put it down and therefore finished it too quickly! I hope that there is a sequel in the pipeline somewhere in the near future.