Thank you Netgalley , Mirror Books and G.D. Anson for the eARC.
What a great book this is, I loved it!
Captain Natalya Evanova is a very appealing character, honest and steadfast in a society that's anything but. She is looking into the case of a missing young Swedish student and when the burned body of a female is found, it's believed to be her. The girl's father is a ultra rich businessman, but difficult to reach and mostly tight lipped when interviewed. He's obviously very upset, but Natalya is suspicious of him; she believes he's being less than truthful.
Navigating the police hierarchy and the shadowy world of the Russian secret service, her life is in danger and her husband, also with the police, pleads with her to let it go. He fears for her and his son. Even though his son is her stepson, she loves him dearly and it's a tough choice for her to make. However, she's determined to find out what happened to the girl, despite being warned and obviously shadowed by some very scary characters.
It's an excellent mystery with lots of action and a surprising ending. What I loved most though is the description of life in Russia under Putin; the tightrope many have to walk to live normal lives under a schizophrenic regime. I've always been fascinated by St. Petersburg and love that the book takes place there.
It seems this is the first in the series, which I'm very excited about. We need more fiction set in Russia!
Highly recommended!

Motherland G.D. Abson

Set in modern day St Petersburg this is a fast-paced crime thriller, will be loved by readers of good old fashion spy books by Len Deighton, as much as lovers of modern Scandinavian Crime by people like Jo Nesbo.

Detective Natalya Ivanova works in the Criminal Investigation Directorate, a police force staffed by chauvinistic, homophobic, racist men, not least of all is her Husband Mikhail and his best friend, and Sergeant, Rogov.

When a young, pretty, and wealthy woman, is attacked in the street before going missing, Natalya is sent to look into her disappearance. It turns out the woman is the heiress to a fortune amassed by her father who is a Scandinavian Businessman, but he is being less than helpful.

The investigation is set against the oxymoron of today’s Russia. Iphones and laptops are aplenty but the technology for forensics is nearly none existent. Natalya’s one true ally is the senior criminologist (CSI) Leo Primakov, who has to buy equipment out of his own pocket and rely on American TV shows to help him keep up to date with his science.

As she begins to investigate the disappearance if the young heiress it becomes apparent that people are trying to steer her away. From gentle suggestions from at first her husband, and her boss, to outright threats by officers of the FSB, the successors of the dreaded KGB, and no less ruthless and corrupt.

Natalya’s investigations lead her to start to suspect those nearest to her, but are they trying to support her or scupper her efforts. Is Mikhail corrupt or worse.

There is a lovely line in the book where Natalya tells her husband “women hate the lie more than what it conceals” This is the whole premise of the book. Natalya is straight, and she hates people who aren’t. That means she is going to find out who took the missing heiress; and hopefully find her alive whilst keeping herself alive.

If you like your books fast-paced, gritty, and realistic this book is definitely for you.

Pages: 258
Publisher: Mirror Books

5 stars

This is a first rate debut thriller/mystery. It is very well written and plotted. It was both atmospheric and describes today’s Russia very well. I am attracted to all things Russian, so it was a delight for me to read this wonderful novel. I liked the relationship between policewoman Captain Natalya Ivanova and her husband, as well as with her step son Anton. It seems the problems with politics and rank are endemic to all police forces, not just our own. I truly enjoyed it. I predict great things for G. G. Abson. Keep writing!!

I want to thank NetGalley and Mirror books for forwarding to me a copy of this most great debut thriller for me to read and enjoy.

Superb premier of a great new series! Story is engrossing with plot twists.