Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith

The Blurb On The Back:

When fear silences a nation, one man must speak the truth.

The Soviet Union, 1953.

Stalin's iron grip is at its tightest, enforced by the Ministry of State Security - a secret police force whose brutality is no secret at all. Under its regime, people are commanded to believe that crime simply does not exist.

But when the body of a young boy is discovered on train tracks in Moscow, Officer Leo Demidov - a war hero, utterly dedicated to the Ministry - is surprised to hear that the boy's family is convinced it was murder. Leo's superiors order him to ignore this and he is obliged to obey. But something in him knows there is more.

Sensing his doubts, the Ministry threatens Leo, giving him no choice but to turn his back on his once-beloved Party. Disgraced, exiled with his wife Raisa to a town deep in the Ural Mountains, Leo realises that the crime he helped cover up in the capital has happened here too.

The murder of another child.

Risking everything, Leo and Raisa will pursue a horrifying killer - even if doing so makes them enemies of the State ...

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

A great concept is let down by poor execution and very poor characterisation. Although the period of history is fascinating and provides a great deal of scope for truly thrilling crime drama, without believable characters and a credible plot, it will never fulfil its potential.

Shadowmancer: The Curse of Salamander Street by G. P. Taylor

The Blurb On The Back:

They thought it was over. But can evil ever be destroyed.

Kate and Thomas have escaped the sorcerer Demurral and sailed to London with the charismatic Jacob Crane. But trouble lies in wait when their ship is seized and they are lured into the darkest heart of the city.

Further north, Raphah returns and is joined by unlikely companion Beadle on a terrifying journey in search of their friends. A journey haunted by unknown enemies and a shadowy beast.

But all paths are destined to lead to one place. A cursed street, hidden from the world – a place where souls are lost, fates are decided and old enemies have their revenge.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Really poor. The narrative is leaden, the characterisation poor and I never really got a sense as to which period of history this is supposedly set in. I can usually see what makes a book popular but the success of this book completely alludes me. Unless you like being bored and preached at, I wouldn’t recommend it.