Punishment of a Hunter

THE FIRST IN A THRILLING NEW SERIES OF HISTORICAL MYSTERIES SET IN STALINIST RUSSIA, PERFECT FOR FANS OF BORIS AKUNIN A SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB PICK OF THE WEEK A masterclass in historical crime fiction' Chris Lloyd, author of The Unwanted Dead 'Yulia Yakovleva's thrilling debut was a bestseller in her native Russia. It's not difficult to see why' The Times, Best New Crime Fiction MURDER 1930s Leningrad. Stalin is tightening his grip on the Soviet Union, and a mood of fear cloaks the city. Detective Vasily Zaitsev is tasked with investigating a series of bizarre and seemingly motiveless homicides. MAYHEM As the curious deaths continue, precious Old Master paintings start to disappear from the Hermitage collection. Could the crimes be connected? MISTRUST When Zaitsev sets about his investigations, he meets with obstruction at every turn. Soon even he comes under suspicion from the Soviet secret police. The resolute detective must battle an increasingly dangerous political situation in his dogged quest to find the murderer-and stay alive.

Yulia Yakovleva is a writer, theatre and ballet critic, and playwright. She was inspired to write Punishment of a Hunter by her love of St Petersburg, where she grew up. The novel subsequently became a bestseller in Russia.