The State Counsellor

Erast Fandorin Series, Book 6

By: Boris Akunin, Andrew Bromfield

Narrated by: Nigel Patterson

Russia, 1891. The new governor-general of Siberia has been secreted away on a train from St. Petersburg to Moscow. A blizzard rages outside as a mustachioed official climbs aboard near the city; with his trademark stutter, he introduces himself as State Counsellor Erast Fandorin. He then thrusts a dagger inscribed with the initials CG into the governor-general's heart and, tearing off his mustache, escapes out the carriage window.

The head of the Department of Security soon shows up at the real Fandorin's door and arrests him for murder. The only way to save his reputation is to find CG - and the government mole who is feeding the group information. Can Fandorin survive corruption among his fellow officials, the fearlessness of an unknown enemy, and the advances of a sultry young nihilist with his morals intact?

The State Counsellor is colorful entertainment from a master of the sly historical romp.

©1999 Boris Akunin; translation copyright 2008 by Andrew Bromfield (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Amazing historical detective

Using real historical episodes and people makes everything very realistic. I love it, one of the best detective stories

Russian Sherlock Homes

The heroes morning training fights with his valet , Japanese martial arts master, reminds one a Peters Sellers skit. The way the stutter is done sounds like a nasty jump or break in the tape. And come on calling an outbuilding a outhouse just cannot be overlooked. Interesting issues and questions are buried in the text.Maybe the character grows on you. And otherwise the writing and plot is intelligent.