Black Wolf

In Abson’s gripping sequel to 2017’s Motherland, Capt. Natalya Ivanova of the St. Petersburg Crime Investigations Directorate looks into the murder of Elizaveta “Liza” Kalinina, a political activist whose body was found on the side of a highway. When Natalya goes to the victim’s home to notify Liza’s family, she’s confronted by an officer from Sledkom, the Russian equivalent of the FBI, who informs her that Sledkom is taking charge of the case. Liza was a member of the Decembrists, “the latest group of disaffected citizens targeting the crooks and thieves running the country.” Determined not to allow the solving of Liza’s murder to be influenced by politics, Natalya continues to investigate. Consequently, Sledkom agents search her apartment and otherwise make trouble for her and her family. The stakes rise after Natalya unearths crimes by top Russian oligarchs. Details of everyday life in Putin’s Russia nicely balance the detective work. Readers will want to see more of the feisty, uncompromising Natalya. Agent: Kate Hordern, KHLA (U.K.). (Apr.)