The Journalist

The first volume of the commemorative collection by Andrey Konstantinov (1963–2023) presents a golden fund of his strongest war and criminal novels, as well as the famed cycle of essays “Bandit Petersburg” and the practical guide “Journalistic Investigation.” The book includes two war novels—his debut and his final work: between them there is a quarter of a century, yet their sharpness and resonance remain contemporary.

You have before you the first volume of Andrey Konstantinov’s commemorative series (1963–2023)—a collection of his best war and criminal works, which also includes the essays “Bandit Petersburg” and the manual “Journalistic Investigation.”

This volume contains two war novels—the author’s very first and very last books, created with a gap of twenty-five years, but both still sound especially relevant today.

I dedicate this book to all Soviet military and civilian advisers, specialists, and translators who, in different years, worked in many countries around the world—those who are still alive and those who have passed away; those who managed to return and find their way, and those who did not have the strength for it. This dedication does not apply to those who betrayed the people they once shared bread and blood with, who took part in a common fate and received human warmth. For such there is no forgiveness, because they stopped being people, turning into werewolves. Many of my former colleagues will understand who I am talking about.

The book you, dear reader, are holding is a work of fiction; therefore, everything presented in it is the author’s invention, and factual details cannot serve as grounds for legal proceedings. Any coincidences with real events are accidental, while differences, on the contrary, are inevitable.

In reality, everything happened somewhat differently than it is told in the novel. It is possible that in truth it was even more terrifying and difficult. Perhaps that is why I did not decide to write this book for so long.

Andrey Konstantinov