A propulsive, relentless page-turner. A terrifying evocation of a paranoid world where no one can be trusted. A surprising, unexpected story of love and family, of hope and resilience. CHILD 44 is a thriller unlike any you have ever read. There is no crime. Stalin's Soviet Union strives to be a paradise for its workers, providing for all of their needs. One of its fundamental pillars is that its citizens live free from the fear of ordinary crime and criminals. But in this society, millions do live in fear . . . of the ...
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A propulsive, relentless page-turner. A terrifying evocation of a paranoid world where no one can be trusted. A surprising, unexpected story of love and family, of hope and resilience. CHILD 44 is a thriller unlike any you have ever read. There is no crime. Stalin's Soviet Union strives to be a paradise for its workers, providing for all of their needs. One of its fundamental pillars is that its citizens live free from the fear of ordinary crime and criminals. But in this society, millions do live in fear . . . of the State. Death is a whisper away. The mere suspicion of ideological disloyalty-owning a book from the decadent West, the wrong word at the wrong time-sends millions of innocents into the Gulags or to their executions. Defending the system from its citizens is the MGB, the State Security Force. And no MGB officer is more courageous, conscientious, or idealistic than Leo Demidov. A war hero with a beautiful wife, Leo lives in relative luxury in Moscow, even providing a decent apartment for his parents. His only ambition has been to serve his country. For this greater good, he has arrested and interrogated. Then the impossible happens. A different kind of criminal-a murderer-is on the loose, killing at will. At the same time, Leo finds himself demoted and denounced by his enemies, his world turned upside down, and every belief he's ever held shattered. The only way to save his life and the lives of his family is to uncover this criminal. But in a society that is officially paradise, it's a crime against the State to suggest that a murderer-much less a serial killer-is in their midst. Exiled from his home, with only his wife, Raisa, remaining at his side, Leo must confront the vast resources and reach of the MBG to find and stop a criminal that the State won't admit even exists. Tom Rob Smith graduated from Cambridge in 2001 and lives in London. Child 44 is his first novel.
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Good. LARGE PRINT. Reasonable and presentable LARGE PRINT hardcover book withdrawn from the library collection. Some shelf wear to the covers. Tight binding. The text flows clearly from beginning to end. Enjoy this worthwhile large print edition.
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This is a great book and part of a trilogy. I haven't been this entertained since Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. Smith weaves his tale with ease and really builds his characters. The plot has twists and turns along with intertwining the history of the era. You really get the feel of life in those times. I highly recommend it.
Henry R
Mar 22, 2012
Chilling Child 44
This thriller is a classic: suspenseful and atmospheric.
KingRat
Jul 22, 2009
BRILLIANT!!
Stalinist Russia where everyone is guilty by association. Absolutely fantastic book, and this by me who doesn't usually read this sort of book!
I chose this book in a last minute decision in a book shop where the offer was buy 3 get 1 free. However I was gripped from page 5 and simply loved it. I won't go into details of the book as other people have already done that.
I loved this book so much that the day I finished it I went and bought the sequel 'The Secret Speech' and although sequels are often not as good as the first, The Secret Speech is just as gripping, if not more so.
A really must have, must read book. Well done to the author, Tom rob Smith.
Rubycanary
Jul 14, 2009
And we thought we had hard winters
A Stalinist Russia where everyone is guilty by association, and The State is always right. After a series of children are killed, Leo, a loyal MGB detective starts to realize that all may not be what it seems. As he is persecuted for trying to find the killer, his real story and his relationship with his wife unfolds. If he can prove who the real killer is, that means he would be saying all the "murderers" executed for their crimes would have been innocent, and The State would have been wrong. That is not acceptable. The hunter is hunted as he hunts the real killer.
Some great plot twists, and great imagery of a Russian winter.
rdfrick
Mar 26, 2009
Great twists and turns
Great book. Kept me guessing until the end. Read this book.