LONGLISTED FOR THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2024 'Very intriguing and atmospheric ... a fascinating read in the light of contemporary events.' -Alexander McCall Smith, Bestselling Author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency 'With its earthy prose and stunning attention to detail, this stands apart.' -Publishers Weekly (starred review) From Ukraine's most celebrated novelist, 'a gift for crime fiction fans' (New York Times Book Review) that introduces rookie detective Samson Kolechko in Kyiv as he tackles his first case, set against real life details of the tumultuous early twentieth century. Kyiv, 1919. World War I has ended in Western Europe, but to the East, six factions continue to vie for control of Ukraine. Amidst the political turmoil, young Samson Kolechko is forced to place his engineering career on hold. But in the city of Kyiv everything remains up for grabs and new opportunity lurks just around the corner . . . When two Red Army
