Eye of the Red Tsar: A Novel of Suspense

Through a series of flashbacks, Sam Eastland layers on the suspense in this historical thriller. It's a first-rate yarn read by a first-rate narrator, Paul Michael.

The author has a researcher's keen eye for historical detail and he uses that detail to paint background pictures of two worlds -- life in the orbit of the Czar before the revolution and the less-than-idealistic reality of the already stumbling Soviet state.

Each time I thought I had the plot figured out, there was another twist that propelled the book forward.

Well worth the investment of time. With luck, we'll hear from the Emerald Eye again.

This is one of the best books I've listened to in a long time. It was both historically accurate and a good story. The reader also did a great job. All in all this is a credit worth listen!

The book was outstanding and I immediately wanted to know what else he had written...and this is also a perfect example of how an excellent narrator makes a great book even better. I have heard Paul Michael before and now have really noted this name. This wasn't an easy book to narrate and he did an incredible job.

The pacing of the story was wonderful. Just the right balance between description and action. The narrator is excellent.

The background is kind of interesting, but the telling of it plods. The narrator is terrific.

I really started out enjoying this. The narration is wonderful, the historical setting is terrific - but the story and the plot are so unbelievable, and the ending so unsatisfying - that I can not recommend this. (And I've seldom written a negative review.)

In fact, the ending was so bad I now have the "well, that is 8 hours (or however long the book is) that I'll never get back!"

Overall I enjoyed this story. The characters are believable, and the main character - Piccoula - is likeable. The story kept me in suspense and Piccoula's investigative skills were great to follow. I enjoyed the backdrop of communist Russia. The only thing that I found difficult was how this book took and actual event - the murder of the Romanov's - and twisted in the fictionalized events. I kept wanting to refer to what I had read in historical accounts, which varied in many ways. If I had no knowledge of the Romanov story prior to reading, I would have rated Eye of the Red Tsar a 5. If you are a history buff, you may not find it quite as enjoyable.

I really enjoyed the listen. The writer is solid in his use of language, image and dialogue, but the reveal in the third act strains credulity past the breaking point and there is a more plausible, explanation for Anton's actions than was used. Plotting is strictly third year screenwriting level, but the world of the book makes up for these shortcomings and the protagonist is memorable.

I liked this book a lot. I found it because I'm a fan of the narrator, Paul Michael, and as usual his accents and pacing were great. The story is interesting and the main character, Pekkala, is compelling. I think I was a little disappointed in Pekkala's decision at the end, but intrigued to find out what he does next. I hope Sam Eastland writes a sequel so I can find out!

An interesting, intriguing suspense novel (a mystery novel, too, actually). Kept me in suspense until the end! Entertaining historical fiction. Paul Michael did a good job reading.