Operative of Catherine the Great: 'A Matter of State Importance'

A historical detective-action novel. Russia’s northern capital, the late eighteenth century—the time of Catherine the Great. The main hero is Andrey Putilov, a servant of the investigative expedition of the Justic-College, who wages a fight against criminals of all kinds: robbers, thieves, murderers, counterfeiters, and maniacs. Most of the action takes place in Saint Petersburg and its surroundings. But Andrey manages to conduct an investigation in Moscow as well, to witness the execution of the ataman of the rebels, Emelyan Pugachev. Ruthless, sometimes harsh, even brutal struggle against evil does not harden Andrey’s heart. He is capable of self-sacrifice and love.