Dmitri and the One-Legged Lady by
Michael Pearce
hbk out January 99
Published by Collins Crime
at £16.99
Dmitri Kameron, the Assistant Procurator of Kursk, is not enthusiastic when he is informed of the disappearance of the One-Legged Lady. She is one of the most important icons in the district, inspired originally by the good works of a lady in the previous century (that is, the 18th) who helped particularly in the relief of famine. It was also claimed that she worked miracles. The icon, made in her honour, is a religious symbol, and pilgrims travel from far and wide to worship her. Who has taken her? The Father Superior looks to Dmitri for help, but his superiors, the Governor and Boris Petrovich, the Procurator, advise him not to get involved. He is involved, however, and he comes to know much about the lady and what she did and how she came to be known as the one-legged lady. She was, it seems, injured in an accident in which her husband was killed. She suffered frost bite and had to have a leg amputated. The experience changed her life.
This is the second novel in the new series by Michael Pearce of life in Tsarist Russia at the end of the 19th century. Dmitri is sceptical and down to earth and forced to tread a wary path between many opposing interests. The most intimidating of these is represented by Volkov, a member of the Corps of Gendarmes, the specialist branch of the Ministry of Interior concerned with political offences. Volkov suspects that the wave of popular feeling evoked by the disappearance of the icon is really politically inspired and it takes all Dmitri's skill to prevent trouble for many innocent people. He is under no illusions about what is wrong with the creaking bureaucratic Tsarist State that he lives in: it is the people running it.
Dmitri is a very attractive character and dominates the book. His superiors, the Governor and the Procurator, are also neatly observed, Boris Petrovich in particular: he is mainly concerned about his luncheon engagements. Volkov is suitably unpleasant, ever ready to call in the Cossacks to enforce order. Ludmilla, the Governor's pretty daughter, effectively causes Dmitri some discomfort. There are serious elements in the book, but all is handled with a light and amusing touch. If succeeding books in this series are as good readers are not likely to miss the Mamur Zapt.
Dmitri and the One-Legged Lady by
Michael Pearce