Eye of the Red Tsar: A Novel of Suspense by Sam Eastland

Genre: Thriller / Mystery.

Eye of the Red Tsar is a detective novel set in Russia, in the years following the communist revolution. The lead character of the book is named Pekkala. Pekkala used to be a big shot investigator under the czar but has had to endure hard times under the communist.

Sam Eastland attempts to develop Pekkala's character by flashing back to his childhood and his time under the czar. However this character development ends up feeling forced and I found it hard to care or feel sympathetic towards Pekkala. A major reason for this is the simplistic attempt to paint the czar and his family as some sort of idealized royalty and the communist as bad guys.

The plot and mystery in the book is not exceptional. It is however not bad either and with better characterization would have made a above average book. The writing is decent and does not get in the way.

Rating: 2.5 / 5; Average. Nothing special.