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Приключения Эраста Фандорина #5
Special Assignments
In Special Assignments, Erast Fandorin, nineteenth-century Russia's suavest sleuth, faces two formidable new foes: One steals outrageous sums of money, the other takes lives. The Jack of Spades is a civilized swindler who has conned thousands of rubles from Moscow's residents including Fandorin's own boss, Prince Dolgorukoi. To catch him, Fandorin and his new assistant, timid young policeman Anisii Tulipov, must don almost as many disguises as the grifter does himself. The Decorator is a different case altogether: A savage serial killer who believes he cleans the women he mutilates and takes his orders from on high, he must be given Fandorin's most serious attentions.
Peopled by a rich cast of eccentric characters, and with plots that are as surprising as they are inventive, Special Assignments will delight Akunin's many fans, while challenging the gentleman sleuth's brilliant powers of detection.
Peopled by a rich cast of eccentric characters, and with plots that are as surprising as they are inventive, Special Assignments will delight Akunin's many fans, while challenging the gentleman sleuth's brilliant powers of detection.
335 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
63 people are currently reading
1007 people want to read
About the author
Boris Akunin
295 books1,628 followersReal name - Grigory Shalvovich Chkhartishvili (Russian: Борис Акунин; Georgian: გრიგორი შალვას ძე ჩხარტიშვილი; Аlso see Grigory Chkhartishvili, Григорий Чхартишвили), born in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1956. Since 1958 he lives in Moscow. Writer and translator from Japanese. Author of crime stories set in tsarist Russia. In 1998 he made his debut with novel Azazel (to English readers known as The Winter Queen), where he created Erast Pietrovich Fandorin.
B. Akunin refers to Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin and Akuna, home name of Anna Akhmatova, Russian poet.
In September of 2000, Akunin was named Russian Writer of the Year and won the "Antibooker" prize in 2000 for his Erast Fandorin novel Coronation, or the last of the Romanovs.
Akunin also created crime-solving Orthodox nun, sister Pelagia, and literary genres.
His pseudonyms are Анатолий Брусникин and Анна Борисова. In some Dutch editions he is also known as Boris Akoenin.
B. Akunin refers to Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin and Akuna, home name of Anna Akhmatova, Russian poet.
In September of 2000, Akunin was named Russian Writer of the Year and won the "Antibooker" prize in 2000 for his Erast Fandorin novel Coronation, or the last of the Romanovs.
Akunin also created crime-solving Orthodox nun, sister Pelagia, and literary genres.
His pseudonyms are Анатолий Брусникин and Анна Борисова. In some Dutch editions he is also known as Boris Akoenin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
August 30, 2018
Another good entry in the Erast Fandorin series.
This book contains two stories. In both of them, there is an assistant, who is apparently going to be the permanent narrator from now on.
The first story pits Fandorin against an ace con man, who has been duping people out of their money for ages. This is a fun story from beginning to end, with both Fandorin and the con man trying to dupe one another in a game of human chess.
The second story concerns Jack The Ripper moving to Russia. I didn't like this one as much, as the author really doesn't seem to know overly much about Jack.
Still, a very entertaining book.
This book contains two stories. In both of them, there is an assistant, who is apparently going to be the permanent narrator from now on.
The first story pits Fandorin against an ace con man, who has been duping people out of their money for ages. This is a fun story from beginning to end, with both Fandorin and the con man trying to dupe one another in a game of human chess.
The second story concerns Jack The Ripper moving to Russia. I didn't like this one as much, as the author really doesn't seem to know overly much about Jack.
Still, a very entertaining book.
February 6, 2018
Two novellas bound in one, both telling of Fandorin's work on behalf of Moscow city.
In The Jack of Spades Fandorin is first assisting his patron - Prince Dolgurukoi, governor of Moscow - against some con-men, and is then being subjected to a con himself. As most con-type stories, the tone is light.
The Decorator is a dark and disturbing tale of a serial killer. Expect lots of gore as Fandorin delves into the darkest sides of humanity.
What to Expect
Each novel is written as a different type of mystery. Akunin set out to rectify the low-brow reputation of the mystery genre in post-USSR Russia by writing worthy literature and exploring the wide gamut of sub-genres. Each novel is therefore excellently written as a different type of detective case. While there is continuity in the protagonist's life between the novels, each is very different in themes and tones.
I've written a condensed review of the whole series on my website.
What I liked
I like the writing style. The prose is intelligent and flowing, the mysteries are complex, and the cast is varied (though those that make repeat appearances tend to die). Fandorin himself is a great character, even though as a main character he still remains an enigma - a tantalising mystery in itself that keeps readers engaged and clamouring to know more.
I love the historical background. Akunin has done his research into Russian culture, mannerisms, environment, personalities, etc. of the late 19th century / early 20th century. Most of the stories take place around Moscow, and Fandorin gets to meet and associate with the people of the times (from the low-life criminals of Khitrovka, to the grand-dukes of the imperial family). In a few cases, Akunin also has Fandorin active around notable events of the era, at times filling in details where history has left us stumped.
Akunin is also a Japanophile, and has Fandorin spend a few years in Japan. While details are sketchy (and we want more! More!), it is clear that he has a great love and deep knowledge of that culture and times.
What to be aware of
Be aware that each of the novel is told in a different style. Besides the obvious (something new and different in each volume), one keyword is 'told'. They are almost all in 3rd person perspective, and quite often not from the point of view of Erast Fandorin (which is both tantalising and frustrating at times). It's this distance that keeps Fandorin an enigma, and keeps us coming back to learn more.
Fandorin has a Sherlockian intellect and impressive physical prowess. He is not without his faults (most notably hubris), but as a hero he is certainly a cut above the rest. He also tends to get involved with a different femme fatale in each book. This suits the detective genre perfectly, regardless of modern sensibilities.
While the books are not really related and have few continuing characters, I'd still strongly recommend to read them in order.
Lastly, and this has nothing to do with Fandorin, since these are professional translations (amazingly done by Andrew Bromfield) via a traditional publisher, the price of ebooks and hardcovers is almost the same. The ebooks are also missing some of the illustrations and other typographical effects that are present in the print. I'd definitely recommend reading the print edition, where possible.
Summary
Should you read these novels? Yes! By all means, if you love historical mysteries these novels are a must read. It is an intelligent, engaging, and just different enough series to be in a class of its own. It's not surprising that in his home country of Russia, Akunin out-sells JK Rowling. In fact, since it's been a few years since I've read them, I think I'll go back and re-read my favourites (Winter Queen, State Counsellor, and The Coronation).
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
In The Jack of Spades Fandorin is first assisting his patron - Prince Dolgurukoi, governor of Moscow - against some con-men, and is then being subjected to a con himself. As most con-type stories, the tone is light.
The Decorator is a dark and disturbing tale of a serial killer. Expect lots of gore as Fandorin delves into the darkest sides of humanity.
What to Expect
Each novel is written as a different type of mystery. Akunin set out to rectify the low-brow reputation of the mystery genre in post-USSR Russia by writing worthy literature and exploring the wide gamut of sub-genres. Each novel is therefore excellently written as a different type of detective case. While there is continuity in the protagonist's life between the novels, each is very different in themes and tones.
I've written a condensed review of the whole series on my website.
What I liked
I like the writing style. The prose is intelligent and flowing, the mysteries are complex, and the cast is varied (though those that make repeat appearances tend to die). Fandorin himself is a great character, even though as a main character he still remains an enigma - a tantalising mystery in itself that keeps readers engaged and clamouring to know more.
I love the historical background. Akunin has done his research into Russian culture, mannerisms, environment, personalities, etc. of the late 19th century / early 20th century. Most of the stories take place around Moscow, and Fandorin gets to meet and associate with the people of the times (from the low-life criminals of Khitrovka, to the grand-dukes of the imperial family). In a few cases, Akunin also has Fandorin active around notable events of the era, at times filling in details where history has left us stumped.
Akunin is also a Japanophile, and has Fandorin spend a few years in Japan. While details are sketchy (and we want more! More!), it is clear that he has a great love and deep knowledge of that culture and times.
What to be aware of
Be aware that each of the novel is told in a different style. Besides the obvious (something new and different in each volume), one keyword is 'told'. They are almost all in 3rd person perspective, and quite often not from the point of view of Erast Fandorin (which is both tantalising and frustrating at times). It's this distance that keeps Fandorin an enigma, and keeps us coming back to learn more.
Fandorin has a Sherlockian intellect and impressive physical prowess. He is not without his faults (most notably hubris), but as a hero he is certainly a cut above the rest. He also tends to get involved with a different femme fatale in each book. This suits the detective genre perfectly, regardless of modern sensibilities.
While the books are not really related and have few continuing characters, I'd still strongly recommend to read them in order.
Lastly, and this has nothing to do with Fandorin, since these are professional translations (amazingly done by Andrew Bromfield) via a traditional publisher, the price of ebooks and hardcovers is almost the same. The ebooks are also missing some of the illustrations and other typographical effects that are present in the print. I'd definitely recommend reading the print edition, where possible.
Summary
Should you read these novels? Yes! By all means, if you love historical mysteries these novels are a must read. It is an intelligent, engaging, and just different enough series to be in a class of its own. It's not surprising that in his home country of Russia, Akunin out-sells JK Rowling. In fact, since it's been a few years since I've read them, I think I'll go back and re-read my favourites (Winter Queen, State Counsellor, and The Coronation).
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
October 3, 2021
I can’t stop to love Boris Akunin’s books. Sometimes more series you read, more boring to read them. But it is not about his books!
This book is divided into two separate novels:
First one is about Jack of Spades - a con man. Who was enough brave to rob Erast Fandorin himself! This book was really fun to read. Although I don’t really understand, why Fandorin let him free..
The second one is called The Decorator - it is about Jack the Ripper. Famous British serial killer.. that happened to be Russian psycho! This book is very grim and bloody.. And very sad.. But no matter what, it was pretty interesting to read it as well!
This book is divided into two separate novels:
First one is about Jack of Spades - a con man. Who was enough brave to rob Erast Fandorin himself! This book was really fun to read. Although I don’t really understand, why Fandorin let him free..
The second one is called The Decorator - it is about Jack the Ripper. Famous British serial killer.. that happened to be Russian psycho! This book is very grim and bloody.. And very sad.. But no matter what, it was pretty interesting to read it as well!
February 14, 2013
This pair of novellas puts Erast Fandorin on the trail of two Jacks. In "The Jack of Spades," Fandorin pursues the titular character, an infamous con artist who's come to Moscow to fleece the public; in "The Decorator" Fandorin must track down none other than Jack the Ripper.
"The Jack of Spades" is a good caper story. Momos, the Jack of Spades, is nearly as clever as Fandorin and has an excellent criminal mind. He cons Fandorin, Fandorin cons him, back and forth, and the ending is either unexpected or totally obvious, depending on how criminal your own mind is. I love young Anisii Tulipov. He's hapless and has enormous jughandle ears, but he's a decent assistant to Fandorin and a sweet kid.
I was less happy with "The Decorator." It's bloodier than I expect from the Fandorin books, for one thing, and I'm not really a fan of Jack the Ripper stories, so I wasn't a good audience for it. Still, I appreciated Akunin's skill at using the sections from the Ripper's POV as clues in the mystery, and he had a crucial moment of misdirection at the very end that I liked. What I didn't like was So the collection gets a solid 4 stars on average.
"The Jack of Spades" is a good caper story. Momos, the Jack of Spades, is nearly as clever as Fandorin and has an excellent criminal mind. He cons Fandorin, Fandorin cons him, back and forth, and the ending is either unexpected or totally obvious, depending on how criminal your own mind is. I love young Anisii Tulipov. He's hapless and has enormous jughandle ears, but he's a decent assistant to Fandorin and a sweet kid.
I was less happy with "The Decorator." It's bloodier than I expect from the Fandorin books, for one thing, and I'm not really a fan of Jack the Ripper stories, so I wasn't a good audience for it. Still, I appreciated Akunin's skill at using the sections from the Ripper's POV as clues in the mystery, and he had a crucial moment of misdirection at the very end that I liked. What I didn't like was So the collection gets a solid 4 stars on average.
August 27, 2011
Akunin’s “Fandorin adventures” is a perfect choice if you are: a) a real detective lover b) admirer of classic Russian literature. In his novels Akunin depicts Russia (and not only Russia) at the end of XIX- beginning of the XX centuries where a brilliant detective, heartbreaker and admirer of Japanese philosophy Erast Fandorin elegantly solves the cruelest and trickiest crimes, getting acquainted with the members of Romanov dynasty, Ottoman pasha, Japanese ninja, most notorious criminals and most beautiful women. The style of Akunin mysteries will remind you of classic XIX century Russian literature as well as Kazuo Ishiguro’s “The Remains of the Day” or Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express”.
“Special Assighments” is the fifth book of Fandorin adventures. It includes two novellas – “The Jack of Spades” and “The Decorator”. The first takes place mostly during the Maslenitsa week – the last week before Great Lent and reflects the general atmosphere of fun and celebrations that take place during Maslenitsa time. “The Decorator” is probably the darkest and grimiest among all Fandorin stories with Jack the Ripper coming on the scene…
“Special Assighments” is the fifth book of Fandorin adventures. It includes two novellas – “The Jack of Spades” and “The Decorator”. The first takes place mostly during the Maslenitsa week – the last week before Great Lent and reflects the general atmosphere of fun and celebrations that take place during Maslenitsa time. “The Decorator” is probably the darkest and grimiest among all Fandorin stories with Jack the Ripper coming on the scene…
January 31, 2021
הספר מכיל 2 נובלות. הראשונה על חבורת נוכלים שמפילה בפח את עשירי מוסקבה וגם את פנדורין. בשנייה פנדורין חוקר סידרת רציחות בסגנון ג'ק המרטש.
הנובלה הראשונה קלילה ומשעשעת, אבל בעיני נמרחה יותר מדי. מצאתי אותה פחות מעניינת מהשניה. הנובלה השנייה הייתה אפלה ומותחת והחזירה את פנדורין המאושר והשבע לתקופה הדכאונית שלו (שהופכת אותו לדמות הרבה יותר מעניינת לקורא).
לנובלה הראשונה הייתי נותנת 3 כוכבים, לשנייה 5 כוכבים (כך ששתיהן יחד קיבלו ציון משוקלל של 4 כוכבים).
הנובלה הראשונה קלילה ומשעשעת, אבל בעיני נמרחה יותר מדי. מצאתי אותה פחות מעניינת מהשניה. הנובלה השנייה הייתה אפלה ומותחת והחזירה את פנדורין המאושר והשבע לתקופה הדכאונית שלו (שהופכת אותו לדמות הרבה יותר מעניינת לקורא).
לנובלה הראשונה הייתי נותנת 3 כוכבים, לשנייה 5 כוכבים (כך ששתיהן יחד קיבלו ציון משוקלל של 4 כוכבים).
August 12, 2023
#5 in the Ernst Fandorin series, this isn't a single novel but two novellas. And while they introduce an appealing new character, the ugly duckling, prominent-eared, worshipful Fandorin-sidekick Tulipov, in the first novella and in the second novella ! This one lacks much of the charm of books #2 and #4, the only others I've read.
p. 69: "True, in Japan I did encounter one individual from a secret sect of professional killers who deliberately had his legs amputated so that he could change his height at will. He could run on his wooden legs better than on real ones. He had three sets of artificial limbs - short, medium, and tall. However, such selflessness in one's profession is possible only in Japan."
p. 174: "Investigator Izhitsin glanced condescendingly at Ernst Petrovich and sat down, not in the same way as before, with half a buttock on a quarter of the stool, but fully at his ease, as an equal among equals."
November 22, 2019
הספר החמישי בסדרת עלילותיו של פנדורין. הספר מחולק לשני חלקים - "נסיך עלה", שבו פנדורין מתמודד עם נוכל שמתחזה וסוחט כספים, ועלילתו יחסית משעשעת, ו"המעצב", עלילה בסגנון ספרי מתח סקנדינביים, שבו הוא מנסה למצוא רוצח סדרתי בסגנון ג'ק המרטש, הפועל במוסקבה, ועלילתו קודרת.
התאהבתי בספר הזה אחרי הפרק הראשון, שבו מוצגת לנו דמותו של צבעונימוב המקסים, המסכן והנוגע ללב, ובראשי כבר נתתי לו 4 כוכבים, וקיוויתי שלא יאכזב. זה ספר מצוין כמו שאר הספרים בסדרה, ובו פנדורין אמנם מצליח בחייו המקצועיים אך גם משלם מחיר (למעשה כמה) בחייו האישיים.
יש משהו מאוד יפה ואמין בזה שפנדורין אינו רק בן דמותו של ג'יימס בונד - יפה תואר, חכם ומצליחן - אלא שגם הוא נפגע וחווה חוויות קשות כמו כולנו - כלומר אנושי. אהבתי גם שלמרות העלילה הקודרת של החלק השני, עדיין אפשר למצוא בו רגעים משעשעים שאקונין הכניס לעלילה ומסייעים לקורא/ת "לנוח" קצת לפני שצוללים בחזרה לקדרות.
חושבת כבר על הספר הבא בסדרה...
התאהבתי בספר הזה אחרי הפרק הראשון, שבו מוצגת לנו דמותו של צבעונימוב המקסים, המסכן והנוגע ללב, ובראשי כבר נתתי לו 4 כוכבים, וקיוויתי שלא יאכזב. זה ספר מצוין כמו שאר הספרים בסדרה, ובו פנדורין אמנם מצליח בחייו המקצועיים אך גם משלם מחיר (למעשה כמה) בחייו האישיים.
יש משהו מאוד יפה ואמין בזה שפנדורין אינו רק בן דמותו של ג'יימס בונד - יפה תואר, חכם ומצליחן - אלא שגם הוא נפגע וחווה חוויות קשות כמו כולנו - כלומר אנושי. אהבתי גם שלמרות העלילה הקודרת של החלק השני, עדיין אפשר למצוא בו רגעים משעשעים שאקונין הכניס לעלילה ומסייעים לקורא/ת "לנוח" קצת לפני שצוללים בחזרה לקדרות.
חושבת כבר על הספר הבא בסדרה...
June 15, 2019
בזמנו, לפני שנים, רכשתי את 5 החלקים הראשונים של סדרת הספרים ״תיבת פנדורין״. זהו החלק החמישי שהאחרון שנמצא, נכון לעכשיו, ברשותי ויש לי חשק רב לקרוא את שאר חלק�� הסדרה המופלאה הזו. אקונין אף פעם אינו מאכזב וקריאה בסדרה הזו מסבה לי עונג רב.
July 14, 2010
The fifth Inspector Fandorin mystery, this one is two chronologically sequential novellas. In the first, a mysterious con artist nicknamed the Jack of Spades is embarrassing the higher ups in Moscow, particularly Prince Dologorukoi, who dispatches Fandorin to set an elaborate con of his own to catch the swindler. This book also introduces a new assistant for the inspector, the desperately eager to please Anisii Tulipov, a sort of comic relief figure. With improbable disguises galore, full of the twists and turns in fortune that are the hallmarks of this series, this is a rather light-hearted episode in Fandorin's life.
The next section, "The Decorator," takes a decidedly more grim turn, as Jack the Ripper comes to Moscow, leaving brutal death in his wake. Not only streetwalkers, but, as the police close in on him, police agents, including poor Tulipov and his harmless family, are murdered in the nastiest way possible. Akunin takes up narration from the Ripper's point of view at times – he thinks of himself as the Decorator, for he makes the beautiful ugly by revealing their God-given organs to the world – and it is chilling how disturbed, how implacable in his own twisted logic, Akunin makes him. The cat and mouse game of trying to catch the killer is again full of the ups and downs, the nearly-there moments, and the Pyrrhic victories that make this series so suspenseful and exciting. It’s admirable, in fact, how Akunin is able to make his hero preternaturally lucky, devilishly handsome, physically implacable, and mentally superhuman, and yet match him with rogues and villains who stymie him at nearly every turn. This series continues to be a joy to read.
The next section, "The Decorator," takes a decidedly more grim turn, as Jack the Ripper comes to Moscow, leaving brutal death in his wake. Not only streetwalkers, but, as the police close in on him, police agents, including poor Tulipov and his harmless family, are murdered in the nastiest way possible. Akunin takes up narration from the Ripper's point of view at times – he thinks of himself as the Decorator, for he makes the beautiful ugly by revealing their God-given organs to the world – and it is chilling how disturbed, how implacable in his own twisted logic, Akunin makes him. The cat and mouse game of trying to catch the killer is again full of the ups and downs, the nearly-there moments, and the Pyrrhic victories that make this series so suspenseful and exciting. It’s admirable, in fact, how Akunin is able to make his hero preternaturally lucky, devilishly handsome, physically implacable, and mentally superhuman, and yet match him with rogues and villains who stymie him at nearly every turn. This series continues to be a joy to read.
August 26, 2015
This book is actually 2 novellas, if you will, containing two different stories.
In story #1, "The Jack of Spades," Fandorin is up against a clever con man whose calling card is the jack of spades. He leaves it behind when he has pulled off a very successful swindle, and things come to a head when an Englishman is swindled out of a huge amount of money that the government must repay. Enter our hero and his new assistant, Tulipov. This one was pretty light hearted and very enjoyable to read.
Story #2 is entitled "The Decorator," and Erast finds himself embroiled in a series of Jack the Ripper-type slayings in the world of prostitutes. This one is much more serious a read, but still a total delight to watch Fandorin at work.
Very, very good, and fans of Erast Fandorin will definitely not be disappointed. One could read this before the other books in the series, but my opinion is that starting with the first and moving on will only help you understand Fandorin's character better.
Very well written and I highly recommend it to those who like mysteries set in a historical time period or place, or to those who have been following the series all along. I had to send to the UK for mine some time back, because I couldn't wait to read it. I guess I'll do the same in January when #6 comes out!
In story #1, "The Jack of Spades," Fandorin is up against a clever con man whose calling card is the jack of spades. He leaves it behind when he has pulled off a very successful swindle, and things come to a head when an Englishman is swindled out of a huge amount of money that the government must repay. Enter our hero and his new assistant, Tulipov. This one was pretty light hearted and very enjoyable to read.
Story #2 is entitled "The Decorator," and Erast finds himself embroiled in a series of Jack the Ripper-type slayings in the world of prostitutes. This one is much more serious a read, but still a total delight to watch Fandorin at work.
Very, very good, and fans of Erast Fandorin will definitely not be disappointed. One could read this before the other books in the series, but my opinion is that starting with the first and moving on will only help you understand Fandorin's character better.
Very well written and I highly recommend it to those who like mysteries set in a historical time period or place, or to those who have been following the series all along. I had to send to the UK for mine some time back, because I couldn't wait to read it. I guess I'll do the same in January when #6 comes out!
September 29, 2022
Two separate novels in this. Amazing plots but translation seems stilted and certainly politically incorrect language used. I am presuming this was also from the translation.
July 22, 2010
Well, I was almost sorry to get to the end of this book, because it means the end of the Erast Fandorin mysteries, at least until any more of the Russian versions get translated into English.
In this final English installment of the Moscow special investigator, we get two novellas. The first, "Jack of Spades," involves Fandorin with a master con artist, and it has a lighter touch than many of the other mysteries -- more humor, and in some ways, Fandorin's most worthy opponent.
The second, "The Decorator," is a reworking, and an expansion, of the Jack the Ripper story. Think that has been done to death? Not if the Ripper was a Russian who returned to his native land to continue his eviscerations. Will Fandorin catch him? And who else will die in the process?
I understand Akunin has now moved on to a mysteries series featuring a nun who discovers her answers despite bumbling about, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to make that transfer of affections yet. This has been a good summer series: I highly commend it.
April 30, 2020
4.25/5
Чёртов Акунин! Не Акунин, а Джордж Мартин какой-то... Но вообще книга понравилась очень. И истории, навеянные Джеком Потрошителем я люблю, так что вторая повесть прям ух. Мрачная была.
Чёртов Акунин! Не Акунин, а Джордж Мартин какой-то... Но вообще книга понравилась очень. И истории, навеянные Джеком Потрошителем я люблю, так что вторая повесть прям ух. Мрачная была.
July 10, 2020
Предал ты хороший сторителлинг, Эраст Петрович. Ну силищах ерунда вместо книжки
May 16, 2025
Two stories.
Fandorin gets a new assistant and they are on the hunt of Jack of Spades, a fraudster with a flair for the theatric (who is a charismatic villain and quite a match for them) and Jack The Ripper (or a copycat) which reads less like a vintage mystery novel and more like a modern crime thriller and it goes dark and gory.
The new assistant is the main point of view and quite sympathetic, not a mubling fool to be there to show how smart Fendorin is but capable to a human extent.
Also, there is an Easter theme here, with the first story early in the lent and the second during the week to Easter.
Fandorin gets a new assistant and they are on the hunt of Jack of Spades, a fraudster with a flair for the theatric (who is a charismatic villain and quite a match for them) and Jack The Ripper (or a copycat) which reads less like a vintage mystery novel and more like a modern crime thriller and it goes dark and gory.
The new assistant is the main point of view and quite sympathetic, not a mubling fool to be there to show how smart Fendorin is but capable to a human extent.
Also, there is an Easter theme here, with the first story early in the lent and the second during the week to Easter.
November 17, 2019
2 short novels. As usual sweet candy. Not too heavy. Good mystery and great ideas. Light read. Nice
August 22, 2020
Det här den femte boken om Erast Fandorin, tjänsteman för särskilda uppdrag i 1880-talets Moskva. Fandorin är det ryska svaret på Holmes eller Wallander - smart och komplicerad. Alla böckerna har olika berättarperspektiv och en tydlig "rysk" känsla. En anglosaxisk historisk deckarhistoria hade inte sett likadan ut! Fräscht och annorlunda.
November 9, 2011
This is the first book from Akunin I've read and I really liked it. Usually I can't bring myself to read English translations from Russian - I don't know, there's something missing in them, I think it's the innate humor of the Russian language - but this translation was very good and read really smoothly.
I didn't know what to expect, since all I knew about Fandorin was that he's a fan of things Japanese, has a Japanese servant and is good at martial arts - but the most entertaining feature of the book was the atmosphere of the 19-th century Russia, with all the props: champagne! bears! pancakes! hotel rooms full of exotic plants and gaslights! honest Orthodox people with their good-natured lamentations and exclamations! I can imagine this might become irritating in the long run, but I haven't read anything Russian for quite a while, so I just devoured this stuff.
The book consists of two long novellas, and I definitely liked the first one better. Would like to read another one in this vein; the second story was also good, but less taut and less enjoyable, especially towards the end. The resolution, given what must have happened to lead to it, was unsatisfactory to me.
I'd definitely read more of this series. Too bad that getting cheap books in Russian - indeed, nearly any books apart from classics - is nigh impossible here in Japan. Oh well. Maybe later.
I didn't know what to expect, since all I knew about Fandorin was that he's a fan of things Japanese, has a Japanese servant and is good at martial arts - but the most entertaining feature of the book was the atmosphere of the 19-th century Russia, with all the props: champagne! bears! pancakes! hotel rooms full of exotic plants and gaslights! honest Orthodox people with their good-natured lamentations and exclamations! I can imagine this might become irritating in the long run, but I haven't read anything Russian for quite a while, so I just devoured this stuff.
The book consists of two long novellas, and I definitely liked the first one better. Would like to read another one in this vein; the second story was also good, but less taut and less enjoyable, especially towards the end. The resolution, given what must have happened to lead to it, was unsatisfactory to me.
I'd definitely read more of this series. Too bad that getting cheap books in Russian - indeed, nearly any books apart from classics - is nigh impossible here in Japan. Oh well. Maybe later.
October 29, 2012
I came to this having read five or six other Fandorin mysteries previously, so you can tell that I'm a fan. This book didn't disappoint - if you like this sort of thing, then this is the sort of thing that you will like.
The book is actually two stories, one about a fraudster, the other about a serial killer. The link between the two is that we are introduced to Anissii Tulipov, Fandorin's first ever assistant. Or at least the first one he hires, I think. And the first story is basically told through his eyes.
Apart from this twist, we get all the Fandorin favourites - Masa his Japanese valet/factotum, his unstable love life, Prince Yuri Dolgorukii, and lots of colour about life in Moscow at the turn of the 19th century.
Akunin doesn't play too much with his format, which is wise in my opinion, and this book won't disappoint people who are already fans of Fandorin, and would not be a bad starting point for a newcomer to the books - there's certainly no need to have read any of the previous works. And in a way, the fact that we first see Fandorin through Anissii's eyes is a good introduction for a newcomer.
The book is actually two stories, one about a fraudster, the other about a serial killer. The link between the two is that we are introduced to Anissii Tulipov, Fandorin's first ever assistant. Or at least the first one he hires, I think. And the first story is basically told through his eyes.
Apart from this twist, we get all the Fandorin favourites - Masa his Japanese valet/factotum, his unstable love life, Prince Yuri Dolgorukii, and lots of colour about life in Moscow at the turn of the 19th century.
Akunin doesn't play too much with his format, which is wise in my opinion, and this book won't disappoint people who are already fans of Fandorin, and would not be a bad starting point for a newcomer to the books - there's certainly no need to have read any of the previous works. And in a way, the fact that we first see Fandorin through Anissii's eyes is a good introduction for a newcomer.
January 23, 2009
Special Assignments consists of two novellas - The Jack of Spades and The Decorator. The first is a lighthearted and quite delightful romp narrated alternately by a con artist named Momus (who even manages to trick Fandorin at one point) and by Fandorin's newest assistant, Anisii Tulipov. (I also love the veiled little allusion to the famous poem by Pushkin and opera by Tchaikovsky, "The Queen of Spades.")
The Decorator, in contrast, is a much more heavy-handed and depressing way to have Fandorin "solve" the mystery of Jack the Ripper (who apparently headed to Moscow after finishing his work in England.) Besides the aforementioned depression (a character whom I liked very much is brutally murdered by Jack the Ripper), I found the solution of the crimes deeply unconvincing, and this story is the reason I only gave the collection three stars, though I'd give The Jack of Spades five.
The Decorator, in contrast, is a much more heavy-handed and depressing way to have Fandorin "solve" the mystery of Jack the Ripper (who apparently headed to Moscow after finishing his work in England.) Besides the aforementioned depression (a character whom I liked very much is brutally murdered by Jack the Ripper), I found the solution of the crimes deeply unconvincing, and this story is the reason I only gave the collection three stars, though I'd give The Jack of Spades five.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2008
Boris Akunin writes historical thrillers set in Imperialist Moscow and is the pseudonym of Grigory Chkhartishvili (an academic in his other life). I've read every English translation so far in his "Erast Fandorin" series, and every one is fantastic escapist literature. The characters are a bit over the top (as they should be) and the historical detail is rich. The writing is much better than the kind of blockbuster brain candy you get in most thrillers; they go down easy, but you don't feel stupider in the morning.
Special Assignments introduces Anisii Tulipov as Fandorin's awkward and unlucky new assistant helping him out on two new cases: Jack of Spades, the devious con-man, and The Decorator, an Ivan the Ripper type serial killer. The book is like two fast-paced novels in one, both equally gripping and crafty.
Special Assignments introduces Anisii Tulipov as Fandorin's awkward and unlucky new assistant helping him out on two new cases: Jack of Spades, the devious con-man, and The Decorator, an Ivan the Ripper type serial killer. The book is like two fast-paced novels in one, both equally gripping and crafty.
December 10, 2023
"Пиковый валет" - 4/5
Б. Акуніну вдалось майстерно ввести нового протагоніста в серію, не вдаючись до змістовних костилів. Персонаж Тюльпанова чимось нагадує самого Фандоріна із першої книги його пригод, однак водночас є геть іншим за своїм характером і, звичайно, сюжетним навантаженням. Детективна лінія в розповіді, відверто, не найкраща в серії, однак все ще достатньо якісна, аби тягнути на тверду четвірку.
"Декоратор" - 4/5
Автор, узявши за основу історію Джека-Різника, розвиває її в реаліях фандорінської Москви кінця 19 ст., переосмисливши самого зл��чинця-психопата й скориставшись тим, що його особа так і залишилась невідомою поліції.
Б. Акуніну вдалось майстерно ввести нового протагоніста в серію, не вдаючись до змістовних костилів. Персонаж Тюльпанова чимось нагадує самого Фандоріна із першої книги його пригод, однак водночас є геть іншим за своїм характером і, звичайно, сюжетним навантаженням. Детективна лінія в розповіді, відверто, не найкраща в серії, однак все ще достатньо якісна, аби тягнути на тверду четвірку.
"Декоратор" - 4/5
Автор, узявши за основу історію Джека-Різника, розвиває її в реаліях фандорінської Москви кінця 19 ст., переосмисливши самого зл��чинця-психопата й скориставшись тим, що його особа так і залишилась невідомою поліції.
July 25, 2016
В отличие от других детективных романов про Эраста Фандорина, эта часть читалась тяжело: брать книгу в руки вообще не хотелось. Наверное, дело не в выбранном методе повествования, не в "скучности" сюжета. Думаю, фишка в самих персонажах-преступниках, помощниках Эраста Петровича и нереально быстрой работе оных.
"Пиковый валет" — прочитала для галочки, ничем не захватило.
Ситуация с "Декоратором" обстоит лучше, но не так красочно, как бы хотелось. Сюжет захватывает, Анисий предстаёт в лучшем свете, но его очень уж много. Тут даже сам господин Фандорин разочаровывает...
"Пиковый валет" — прочитала для галочки, ничем не захватило.
Ситуация с "Декоратором" обстоит лучше, но не так красочно, как бы хотелось. Сюжет захватывает, Анисий предстаёт в лучшем свете, но его очень уж много. Тут даже сам господин Фандорин разочаровывает...
May 12, 2019
Boris Akunin dekkarit ovat juoneltaan näppäriä ja kirjoista saa aina venäläiseen kulttuuriin liittyviä yksityiskohtiä. Kirja olisi pitänyt lukea pääsiäisviikolla, jolle tapahtumat ajoittuvat. Erikoistehtävät ovat poikkeus tässä kirjasarjassa, koska näissä päärooliin nousee Erast Fandorin uusi apulainen Anisi Tjulpanov.
November 7, 2013
Delightful read. Though the second story was a bit too gory to my taste.
February 10, 2015
The first story is a 3 at most, the second is 5 - one of the best Fandorin stories.
August 26, 2020
Another excellent one
May 30, 2024
В сборник входят две повести, раскрывающие определённые направления в детективном жанре.
«ПИКОВЫЙ ВАЛЕТ» Повесть о мошенничестве. Как и в предыдущих книгах повествование зачастую ведется от вторых лиц, в данном случае рассказчиком сначала выступает помощник Фандорина – Анисий Тюльпанов, эстафету подхватывает авантюрист и мошенник – Момос, он же Пиковый валет – гениальный авантюрист, способный актер и т.д. У главного героя должны быть соответствующие антагонисты, грустно, когда против дедуктивного гения Фандорина выступал бы банальный грабитель или убийца. Вот и Акунин подсовывает каждый раз весьма колоритных персонажей. Грабитель Момос весьма эффектен в своих продуманных аферах, изобретательность с какой он подходит к каждому делу достойна восхищения и конечно интересно читать как он облапошивает зазнавшегося купца, такое чтиво вполне могло бы обойтись без главного положительного персонажа. Весьма занимательно Пиковый валет обставил самого Фандорина. В общем благодаря этому персонажу в серии появилось много комичного и занимательного.
Что касается самого Фандорина, то, во-первых, он обзавелся не слишком расторопным помощником и, во-вторых, обзавелся дамой сердца, сбежавшей от мужа графиней, каково?) В общем главный герой не так прост и вовсе не божий одуванчик, что само по себе не может не радовать.
Противостояние Фандорина и Момос весьма интересно, хорошо, что «злодей» оставляет несколько раз сыщика с носом, это придает рассказу более натуралистичный вид. Да и концовка хороша, злодей не то чтобы наказан, герой не то чтобы победил.
«ДЕКОРАТОР» Вторая повесть в сборнике «Особые поручения» относится к детективу о маньяке. Весьма примечательная должна быть история, сталкиваться с подобным противником Э.П. еще не приходилось, если раньше это были все больше идейные, политические или азартные преступники, то сейчас противником главного героя выступает человек без особых принципов и моральных устоев, ко всему наверняка и особенно умен.
На этот раз соперником Фандорина выступает не кто иной как достославный Джек матье-его Потрошитель, а что чем не ход? Придумать историю злодеем которой являлся бы не обличенный полицией убийца и преподнести, свою, фантастическую версию происсхождения маньяка, да распутать и наказать убийцу, вот где задумка не плохая.
Фандорин чем-то отдаленно схож с Джеймсом Бондом, и дело даже не в харизме и профессионализме, а в отношениях с женщинами и союзниками, от истории к истории они меняются и если у английского шпиона это происходит, мимоходом, может от скуки или просто так он их меняет как перчатки, то российский сыщик меняет их не по своей воле, а по стечению обстоятельств.
Что касается самой истории, то детективная составляющая в ней на уровне, но все же есть свои нюансы, вот допустим мне, человеку далекому от сыскной службы с самого начала было понятно в какую сторону надо разрабатывать версию, а вот подиж ты гений сыска Фандорин не сразу догадался. Но все же сюжет не такой уж простой и сюрпризы читателю принесет.
В общем обе истории хороши и интересны, и общая канва историй про Фандорина не сбавляет обороты, а значит будем читать.
«ПИКОВЫЙ ВАЛЕТ» Повесть о мошенничестве. Как и в предыдущих книгах повествование зачастую ведется от вторых лиц, в данном случае рассказчиком сначала выступает помощник Фандорина – Анисий Тюльпанов, эстафету подхватывает авантюрист и мошенник – Момос, он же Пиковый валет – гениальный авантюрист, способный актер и т.д. У главного героя должны быть соответствующие антагонисты, грустно, когда против дедуктивного гения Фандорина выступал бы банальный грабитель или убийца. Вот и Акунин подсовывает каждый раз весьма колоритных персонажей. Грабитель Момос весьма эффектен в своих продуманных аферах, изобретательность с какой он подходит к каждому делу достойна восхищения и конечно интересно читать как он облапошивает зазнавшегося купца, такое чтиво вполне могло бы обойтись без главного положительного персонажа. Весьма занимательно Пиковый валет обставил самого Фандорина. В общем благодаря этому персонажу в серии появилось много комичного и занимательного.
Что касается самого Фандорина, то, во-первых, он обзавелся не слишком расторопным помощником и, во-вторых, обзавелся дамой сердца, сбежавшей от мужа графиней, каково?) В общем главный герой не так прост и вовсе не божий одуванчик, что само по себе не может не радовать.
Противостояние Фандорина и Момос весьма интересно, хорошо, что «злодей» оставляет несколько раз сыщика с носом, это придает рассказу более натуралистичный вид. Да и концовка хороша, злодей не то чтобы наказан, герой не то чтобы победил.
«ДЕКОРАТОР» Вторая повесть в сборнике «Особые поручения» относится к детективу о маньяке. Весьма примечательная должна быть история, сталкиваться с подобным противником Э.П. еще не приходилось, если раньше это были все больше идейные, политические или азартные преступники, то сейчас противником главного героя выступает человек без особых принципов и моральных устоев, ко всему наверняка и особенно умен.
На этот раз соперником Фандорина выступает не кто иной как достославный Джек матье-его Потрошитель, а что чем не ход? Придумать историю злодеем которой являлся бы не обличенный полицией убийца и преподнести, свою, фантастическую версию происсхождения маньяка, да распутать и наказать убийцу, вот где задумка не плохая.
Фандорин чем-то отдаленно схож с Джеймсом Бондом, и дело даже не в харизме и профессионализме, а в отношениях с женщинами и союзниками, от истории к истории они меняются и если у английского шпиона это происходит, мимоходом, может от скуки или просто так он их меняет как перчатки, то российский сыщик меняет их не по своей воле, а по стечению обстоятельств.
Что касается самой истории, то детективная составляющая в ней на уровне, но все же есть свои нюансы, вот допустим мне, человеку далекому от сыскной службы с самого начала было понятно в какую сторону надо разрабатывать версию, а вот подиж ты гений сыска Фандорин не сразу догадался. Но все же сюжет не такой уж простой и сюрпризы читателю принесет.
В общем обе истории хороши и интересны, и общая канва историй про Фандорина не сбавляет обороты, а значит будем читать.
March 30, 2025
Лучшие годы Анисия Тюльпанова
Книга «Особые поручения» состоит из двух повестей — «Пиковый валет» и «Декоратор». Очень разные по атмосфере, преступлениям и эмоциональному фону, но объединяет их одно — Анисий Тюльпанов, новый помощник и протеже Эраста Фандорина.
После мрачной «Смерти Ахиллеса», «Пиковый валет» оказался как нельзя кстати. Здесь нет ни убийств, ни даже смертей, а вся история пронизана духом авантюры. Эрасту Петровичу и его новому помощнику предстоит столкнуться с беззаботной, дерзкой и крайне изобретательной бандой, именующей себя «Пиковый валет». Их профиль — грабеж без применения насилия. Визитная карточка банды — многоступенчатые, тщательно продуманные аферы, в ходе которых жертвы сами, не осознавая происходящего, отдают свои деньги. Даже наш любимый Фандорин оказывается в числе обманутых — и, уязвлённый в гордости, он клянется выследить злоумышленников. В результате нас ждет, пожалуй, одно из самых лёгких, забавных и обаятельных приключений во всей серии о Фандорине.
Наверное, именно поэтому эффект от «Декоратора» оказался таким ошеломляющим. «Пиковый валет» усыпил мою бдительность, настроил на волну лёгкости, и я был уверен, что и вторая повесть будет в том же духе. Акунин словно ухмыляется в ответ: «Как бы не так», — и заманивает нас в тщательно расставленную ловушку.
Эраст Фандорин против... Джека-Потрошителя. И это не метафора. На страницах «Декоратора» наш герой действительно выходит на след одного из самых известных серийных убийц, орудующего теперь уже в Москве. В художественном плане повесть получилась на редкость сильной. Жуткие сцены преступлений, психологический портрет убийцы, попытки понять его мотивы, и один из самых эмоционально мощных финалов во всём цикле — всё это производит неизгладимое впечатление.
Однако нельзя не отметить, что криминалистические методы Фандорина иногда чересчур продвинуты для конца XIX века. Его познания в области поведенческой психологии преступников и манера расследования больше напоминают детектива из второй половины XX века. Это немного выбивает из атмосферы и снижает правдоподобие.
Тем не менее, несмотря на «знания из будущего», повесть по-прежнему потрясающая.
Оценка: 5 из 5.
Книга «Особые поручения» состоит из двух повестей — «Пиковый валет» и «Декоратор». Очень разные по атмосфере, преступлениям и эмоциональному фону, но объединяет их одно — Анисий Тюльпанов, новый помощник и протеже Эраста Фандорина.
После мрачной «Смерти Ахиллеса», «Пиковый валет» оказался как нельзя кстати. Здесь нет ни убийств, ни даже смертей, а вся история пронизана духом авантюры. Эрасту Петровичу и его новому помощнику предстоит столкнуться с беззаботной, дерзкой и крайне изобретательной бандой, именующей себя «Пиковый валет». Их профиль — грабеж без применения насилия. Визитная карточка банды — многоступенчатые, тщательно продуманные аферы, в ходе которых жертвы сами, не осознавая происходящего, отдают свои деньги. Даже наш любимый Фандорин оказывается в числе обманутых — и, уязвлённый в гордости, он клянется выследить злоумышленников. В результате нас ждет, пожалуй, одно из самых лёгких, забавных и обаятельных приключений во всей серии о Фандорине.
Наверное, именно поэтому эффект от «Декоратора» оказался таким ошеломляющим. «Пиковый валет» усыпил мою бдительность, настроил на волну лёгкости, и я был уверен, что и вторая повесть будет в том же духе. Акунин словно ухмыляется в ответ: «Как бы не так», — и заманивает нас в тщательно расставленную ловушку.
Эраст Фандорин против... Джека-Потрошителя. И это не метафора. На страницах «Декоратора» наш герой действительно выходит на след одного из самых известных серийных убийц, орудующего теперь уже в Москве. В художественном плане повесть получилась на редкость сильной. Жуткие сцены преступлений, психологический портрет убийцы, попытки понять его мотивы, и один из самых эмоционально мощных финалов во всём цикле — всё это производит неизгладимое впечатление.
Однако нельзя не отметить, что криминалистические методы Фандорина иногда чересчур продвинуты для конца XIX века. Его познания в области поведенческой психологии преступников и манера расследования больше напоминают детектива из второй половины XX века. Это немного выбивает из атмосферы и снижает правдоподобие.
Тем не менее, несмотря на «знания из будущего», повесть по-прежнему потрясающая.
Оценка: 5 из 5.
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