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Constantin Vadim #1
Monstrum
Russia in the early twenty-first century: a civil war has subsided into an uneasy peace; police inspector Constantin Vadim is transferred from Murmansk to head an investigation in a crime-ridden Moscow district. His task: to solve a succession of brutal murders committed by a killer who has become a terrifying local legend: The Monstrum. But Vadim has never investigated a murder. The real reason for his transfer is his uncanny resemblance to the new vice-president, Koba - Vadim is his double. Why has he been given the impossible mission to find The Monstrum? Is the case linked to the new government? Vadim finds himself on the bloodstained social fringe of Moscow and the very centre of the new Russia - a position which attracts the attention of his estranged wife, Julia Petrovna, a general in the defeated Anarchist army. Her capture would be a high prize for the men who run Vadim's life. And as Vadim pursues The Monstrum these two worlds move inexorably closer to one another, threatening both to crush the inspector before he can capture the killer and the emerging democracy before it is fully formed.
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
10 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Donald James
59Ìýbooks17ÌýfollowersDonald James (born Donald James Wheal) was a British television writer, novelist and non-fiction writer.
Educated at Sloane Grammar School and Pembroke College, Cambridge (where he read history), James completed his National Service in the Parachute Regiment before returning to London to work as a supply teacher.
He was the author of the best-selling novels Vadim, Monstrum, The Fortune Teller and The Fall of the Russian Empire, as well as non-fiction books such as The Penguin Dictionary of the Third Reich. He wrote under a number of pseudonyms, notably Thomas Dresden and James Barwick (originally in collaboration with fellow writer Tony Barwick, another long-term contributor to the various television productions of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and their company, AP Films/Century 21).
James's career as a scriptwriter included work on TV series such as The Adventurer, The Avengers, The Champions, Department S, Joe 90, Mission: Impossible, The Persuaders!, The Protectors, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Saint, The Secret Service, Space: 1999, Terrahawks and UFO. He wrote for a total of 22 titles, including the Century 21 film Doppelgänger, and acted in small three roles between 1961 and 1962.
After spending periods in France and Ireland, he returned to London. His autobiographical account of London life during World War II, World's End, was published in 2005. A second volume of memoirs, White City, was published in March 2007.
James died in London on 24 April 2008. Married three times and divorced once, he is survived by twin daughters
Educated at Sloane Grammar School and Pembroke College, Cambridge (where he read history), James completed his National Service in the Parachute Regiment before returning to London to work as a supply teacher.
He was the author of the best-selling novels Vadim, Monstrum, The Fortune Teller and The Fall of the Russian Empire, as well as non-fiction books such as The Penguin Dictionary of the Third Reich. He wrote under a number of pseudonyms, notably Thomas Dresden and James Barwick (originally in collaboration with fellow writer Tony Barwick, another long-term contributor to the various television productions of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and their company, AP Films/Century 21).
James's career as a scriptwriter included work on TV series such as The Adventurer, The Avengers, The Champions, Department S, Joe 90, Mission: Impossible, The Persuaders!, The Protectors, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Saint, The Secret Service, Space: 1999, Terrahawks and UFO. He wrote for a total of 22 titles, including the Century 21 film Doppelgänger, and acted in small three roles between 1961 and 1962.
After spending periods in France and Ireland, he returned to London. His autobiographical account of London life during World War II, World's End, was published in 2005. A second volume of memoirs, White City, was published in March 2007.
James died in London on 24 April 2008. Married three times and divorced once, he is survived by twin daughters
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 25, 2009
I would never have completed the book if Russia was not the subject. I was hoping to see a climax that deviates from the stereotypical Western views on russia. I was sadly disappointed.
In fact the book could have had three or four different endings. It almost seemed as if the author kept on patching up one climax after the other hoping desperately to save a poor work of fiction.
I was also hoping to enjoy a good serial murder investigation - but the book turned out to be a mosaic of several themes you have been through.
In fact the book could have had three or four different endings. It almost seemed as if the author kept on patching up one climax after the other hoping desperately to save a poor work of fiction.
I was also hoping to enjoy a good serial murder investigation - but the book turned out to be a mosaic of several themes you have been through.
December 5, 2013
Monstrum has a totally improbable plot, likeable characters, great pacing - and it was enormous fun. If a book about creepy, messy gut-spilling murders in gloomy old Moscow can be termed "fun". I was not bored for one second, learned (or, in my case, re-learned)some pop Russian history, and would cheerfully grab the next Constantin Vadim opus for a long plane ride.
August 1, 2017
Though the author was good with words but find it difficult to like this book...3star
April 26, 2018
hát ez jó volt. egy nagy egyveleg gyomorforgató gyilkosságokból, politikai eszmék kavalkádjából, a múlt történelméből, és következtetések végtelen sorozatából.
nem egyszerű krimi, ennek ellenére szórakoztató. és nehéz.
nem egyszerű krimi, ennek ellenére szórakoztató. és nehéz.
April 1, 2025
I’m a little confused by how much I liked this book by its end. For much of the story I felt no affection towards the protagonists, in particular the main character who seemed to be irresistible to every woman he encountered from 18-80?? Having said that, the story arc built to a satisfying conclusion and I will probably give the other two books a look.
December 5, 2018
It was a fantastic read, full of many twists and turns. Whilst I'm more a romance reader, I really enjoyed the book and relished in moments where characters got close. I can't wait to start Fortune Teller next!
June 27, 2024
The civil war is winding down and there is a tenuous peace in Russia.
Constantin Vadim is a police inspector moved from Murmansk to Red Presnya, a crime infested place and the location of a recent spate of murders that Vadim has to head the investigation of.
The suspect, a shadowy figure dubbed the Monstrum.
But this is his first Murder investigation and as he is currently doubling for the new Vice President Leonid Koba due to his striking likeness alarm bells are ringing.
Especially as his politically motivated ex wife Julia is back in the scene, a multi faceted and tangled web of political intrigue and gruesome murder,
Wow what a read.
Constantin Vadim is a police inspector moved from Murmansk to Red Presnya, a crime infested place and the location of a recent spate of murders that Vadim has to head the investigation of.
The suspect, a shadowy figure dubbed the Monstrum.
But this is his first Murder investigation and as he is currently doubling for the new Vice President Leonid Koba due to his striking likeness alarm bells are ringing.
Especially as his politically motivated ex wife Julia is back in the scene, a multi faceted and tangled web of political intrigue and gruesome murder,
Wow what a read.
April 22, 2008
Initially I picked it up because it was an interesting premise: the year is 2015 in post-civil war Russia; a war between the anarchists and the nationalists ... and there's a ghastly serial killer running around, bla bla. (Light summer reading.) The plot contrivances, unrealistic characters, and the writer's general ignorance add up to a colossal waste of time, replete with at least 7 eye-rolls.
February 9, 2014
An excellent, very well-written political thriller, written by an English author yet so very Russian. I'm looking forward to read the sequels.
August 18, 2020
When it was first published back in 1997 this novel painted an intriguing image of what the future might hold for Russia. Set in what then seemed a fairly distant 2015, Russia was emerging from a bleak and bitter civil war between the Nationalist regime and Marxist-Anarchist insurrectionists. The Nationalist regime had emerged triumphant, but the country had been devastated by the war, and the economy had been wrecked.
Police inspector Constantin Vadim had seen out the war in his native Murmansk. His position is, however, somewhat equivocal because his estranged wife Julia had been a general in the defeated Anarchists� army. Now on the run, she has managed to contact Vadim, and seeks his help for her escape.
Vadim’s oldest friend from school and student days is Roy Rolkin, now a major (but soon to be a colonel) in the Cheka, the ever-present secret police, which in 2015 is just as deeply feared as at any other time in Russia’s history. Vadim knows that Rolkin’s friendship is a very thin, and immensely fragile veneer, that could be eroded by even the merest hint that he has been helping his ex-wife.
Vadim does have one unexpected asset � his close resemblance to Leonid Koba, formerly head of the Cheka and now Vice President, but understood by everyone to be the focus of real power in the nationalist government. Vadim fins himself selected for the role of one of Koba’s doubles, and. After minor cosmetic surgery, finds himself being conveyed around the country to participate in minor ceremonies as the Vice President, leaving the real Koba to concentrate on the work of reconstruction that the country so desperately needs.
To facilitate his participation in this deception, Vadim is transferred to Moscow, and installed as head of the homicide division. This does not prove to be the sinecure that Vadim had envisaged as a serial killer is on the loose. Three women have been killed, with their bodies mutilated, and the assailant has been given the nickname of ‘Monstrum�. Vadim finds himself heading the investigation, and soon learns that there have been far more than three victims. The killings started during the civil war, but evidence of the killings had been covered up under the ensuing mayhem.
Vadim is an enigmatic character. Far from flawless, with a long track record of near alcoholism and womanising, he does retain some vestige of culture and decency. He is appalled by the Monstrum killings, but also by the dreadful conditions in which much of the population of the poorer areas of Moscow are condemned to live. But he is also a pragmatist, and quickly learns when and where to turn a blind eye.
Donald James conjures the atmosphere of a war-torn Russia very effectively, and one can almost feel the bitter cold that pervades every scene. However, while the story is well thought through, and the plot is soundly constructed, the book is far too long, being unnecessarily drawn out. Vadim is reminiscent of Arkady Renko, protagonist of Gorky Park and Martin Cruz Smith’s other crime novels set in Moscow. Although, to be honest, I thought that those books were unnecessarily lengthy, too.
Police inspector Constantin Vadim had seen out the war in his native Murmansk. His position is, however, somewhat equivocal because his estranged wife Julia had been a general in the defeated Anarchists� army. Now on the run, she has managed to contact Vadim, and seeks his help for her escape.
Vadim’s oldest friend from school and student days is Roy Rolkin, now a major (but soon to be a colonel) in the Cheka, the ever-present secret police, which in 2015 is just as deeply feared as at any other time in Russia’s history. Vadim knows that Rolkin’s friendship is a very thin, and immensely fragile veneer, that could be eroded by even the merest hint that he has been helping his ex-wife.
Vadim does have one unexpected asset � his close resemblance to Leonid Koba, formerly head of the Cheka and now Vice President, but understood by everyone to be the focus of real power in the nationalist government. Vadim fins himself selected for the role of one of Koba’s doubles, and. After minor cosmetic surgery, finds himself being conveyed around the country to participate in minor ceremonies as the Vice President, leaving the real Koba to concentrate on the work of reconstruction that the country so desperately needs.
To facilitate his participation in this deception, Vadim is transferred to Moscow, and installed as head of the homicide division. This does not prove to be the sinecure that Vadim had envisaged as a serial killer is on the loose. Three women have been killed, with their bodies mutilated, and the assailant has been given the nickname of ‘Monstrum�. Vadim finds himself heading the investigation, and soon learns that there have been far more than three victims. The killings started during the civil war, but evidence of the killings had been covered up under the ensuing mayhem.
Vadim is an enigmatic character. Far from flawless, with a long track record of near alcoholism and womanising, he does retain some vestige of culture and decency. He is appalled by the Monstrum killings, but also by the dreadful conditions in which much of the population of the poorer areas of Moscow are condemned to live. But he is also a pragmatist, and quickly learns when and where to turn a blind eye.
Donald James conjures the atmosphere of a war-torn Russia very effectively, and one can almost feel the bitter cold that pervades every scene. However, while the story is well thought through, and the plot is soundly constructed, the book is far too long, being unnecessarily drawn out. Vadim is reminiscent of Arkady Renko, protagonist of Gorky Park and Martin Cruz Smith’s other crime novels set in Moscow. Although, to be honest, I thought that those books were unnecessarily lengthy, too.
August 21, 2024
What a fantastic read, amazing! I absolutely enjoyed the twists this book has, and it definitely had many. The idea, the topic - written very well. Very easy to read and understand as well, definitely goes with the flow. I'm in love with this book and I'll make sure all my friends are as well. At the last 50 pages I was a bit sad that it was coming to an end, but hey, it was all worth it. Read it super fast, enjoyed everything second of it. Would recommend. Thank you, Donald James, for this book.
August 4, 2017
I picked this book up on impulse at a charity book sale and started reading it without any knowledge of, or expectations about, its genre or theme. It turned out to be fantastic, probably the best modern police novel that I've ever read. It is beautifully dark at points and hopeful at others. I found out that it is the first of a three book set written by Donald James and hastily ordered the other two books. Definitely worth a read.
August 31, 2019
Excellent, not just a good story but well researched and written. 2015 is the future, after a civil war Russia is in pieces. Inspector Vadim is more than he appears to be and unqualified to solve the case given, in Moscow, a serial murderer is on the loose. His estranged wife is another of his secrets; adding up to a first class thriller.
October 25, 2019
A cracking read. A plot that brings the history of Russia into modern day, with echoes of the Spanish Civil War. A blend of criminal events and political intrigue, with sufficient twists to keep from predicting the outcome, maintaining the pace of the story throughout as it develops.
Includes and insight into the Russian psyche and history.
Includes and insight into the Russian psyche and history.
Read
October 29, 2019Little less Russian politics, little more serial killer pls
April 11, 2021
Remember: Put your novel in the future in some exotic locale and you can get away with all sorts of unbelievable nonsense. Literally, grotesquely improbable.
September 1, 2021
Read in 1999. Russian murder mystery.
May 5, 2022
I would recommend this book to fans of Robert Harris.
January 17, 2023
Read this ages ago - but remember it for being so disappointed with the who - of the who dun it element here.
March 27, 2023
Not my book, too much blood, too shallow, too much alcohol, just couldn’t get the hang of this story.
September 4, 2023
DNF time stamp 3:54
April 4, 2024
Entertaining� didn’t see the ending coming. This was published in 1997, the last sentence in the book is kind of prophetic!
November 5, 2024
Such a good book. Really well written and fantastic characters.
Also love Roy Rolkin's catch phrase haha
Also love Roy Rolkin's catch phrase haha
March 4, 2013
Manchmal war das Buch so spannend, dass ich am liebsten auf Schnelldurchlauf geschaltet hätte (wie ich es bei spannenden Fernseh-Krimis oft mache), weil ichs fast nicht aushielt.
Der Kommissar ist zwar naiv, aber halt ein sympathischer "Guter". Etwas unglaubhaft kommt seine Ex rüber, Julia, die m.E. seeeehr merkwürdige Kehrtwendungen macht.
Interessant gemacht: die Platzierung des Plots in einem ³ú³Ü°ìü²Ô´Ú³Ù¾±²µ±ð²Ô Russland, in dem politische Umbrüche anstehen.
Der Kommissar ist zwar naiv, aber halt ein sympathischer "Guter". Etwas unglaubhaft kommt seine Ex rüber, Julia, die m.E. seeeehr merkwürdige Kehrtwendungen macht.
Interessant gemacht: die Platzierung des Plots in einem ³ú³Ü°ìü²Ô´Ú³Ù¾±²µ±ð²Ô Russland, in dem politische Umbrüche anstehen.
Read
September 15, 2015This book is so full of twists that you start to realise that Donald James must have met Russian police/Militia officers who had stories from the soviet era and the politicians of the day and their nasty little hobbies. I found that Vadim (main character) sums up the stoic mentalty of police officers across the world who have their hands tied officially in red tape.
May 6, 2012
A powerful and engrossing murder mystery set in a thoroughly believable post-Civil War Russia of the future. The naive, rather hapless hero, Vadim, is portrayed with wit and warmth. A terrific setting with great characters, and a really enjoyable read.
October 7, 2007
too much desctiption which then put me into endless boredom. but the description of the victim..yes so thrilling.
April 28, 2008
russian serial killer good plot
March 16, 2009
I seem to have a thing for Russian noir (even if written outside Russia), so I definitely enjoyed this weird, speculative, near-future serial killer story, despite its frequent clumsiness.
December 17, 2009
very slow, and didnt finish it. didnt get off the ground
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
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