Child 44 - Tom Rob Smith

This debut novel set in the Soviet Union of Stalin and Kruschev is near faultless. An intriguing crime thriller in its own right, the fast paced story is embedded in a grim but captivating historical context.

The odds faced by the main protagonist were the odds faced in reality by millions for years of senseless oppression and the novel whilst entertaining serves as an important reminder of one of history's most disturbing periods.

I am already looking forward to Smith's 2nd, The Secret Speech in which Leo Demidov continues his travails.