Motherland: A gripping crime thriller set in the dark heart of Putin's Russia (English Edition)

A SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB STAR PICK.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CRIME WRITERS ASSOCIATION DEBUT DAGGER AWARD.

'The dark heart of Putin's Russia beneath the glitz of St Petersburg provides the heady setting for this excellent and gripping debut... A Child 44 for Putin-land, this classy page-turner oozes with atmosphere.' - DAVID YOUNG, bestselling author of STASI CHILD and STASI WOLF

'Gripping, authentic and fast-paced this is a fine thriller that will delight fans of Martin Cruz Smith.'
WILLIAM RYAN, author of the CAPTAIN KOROLEV series

Motherland is the first in a gripping series of contemporary crime novels set in contemporary St Petersburg, featuring sharp and intriguing policewoman, Captain Natalya Ivanova.

Student Zena Dahl, the daughter of a Swedish millionaire, has gone missing in St Petersburg (or Piter as the city is colloquially known) after a night out with a friend. Captain Natalya Ivanova is assigned the case, making a change for Natalya from her usual fare of domestic violence work, but, because of the family's wealth, there's pressure for a quick result. But as she investigates she discovers that the case is not as straightforward as it may seem. Dark, violent and insightful, Motherland twists and turns to a satisfyingly dramatic conclusion. 

Motherland will appeal to fans of Jo Nesbo and scandi dramas like The Killing and The Bridge.

'Senior Detective Natalya Ivanova does for St Petersburg what Martin Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko did for Gorky Park... taut, fast-moving and compellingly believable.'
TOM CALLAGHAN, author of A KILLING WINTER

What readers are saying:

'One of my favorite procedurals with a female lead set overseas was the Saudi trilogy by Zoe Ferraris. If the next two are as unique and satisfying as this, Abson s place beside Ferraris will be well earned.' MenReadingBooks.com

'I can't wait to see what comes next for the detective and her family. I enjoyed meeting them all! Even the bad ones!' Books, Books and More Books

'Scandinavian noir takes a detour through Russia in this first in a new series featuring an idealistic policewoman surrounded by compromised officials and fellow policemen... Gritty, dark, fast-paced, and satisfying.' Sno-Isle Libraries

'This is an absolute corker of a crime fiction thriller debut from the gifted Abson set in Putin's contemporary Russia, a fearsome kleptocratic, scary and lawless nation.' NetGalley reviewer