The Red Coffin

Sam Eastland

• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Year: 2011
• eBook ISBN: 9780571271795
• Edition: 0
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Crime & Mystery Literature
• Index: Literature

'An amazing read.' ????? reader review
'Eastland writes with punch.' Metro

1939, and the world stands on the brink of Armageddon. In the Soviet Union, years of revolution, fear and persecution have left the country ill-equipped to face Nazi Germany. But they do have one hope: the T-34 tank, known to its drivers as the 'red coffin', a 30-ton steel monster designed by the secretive and eccentric Colonel Nagorski.

But the design is not yet complete, and when Colonel Nagorski is found murdered, Stalin is convinced that a sinister group of former Tsarists called the White Guild are trying to bring about a German invasion. While Soviet engineers struggle to complete the design of the tank, Inspector Pekkala must track down the White Guild and expose their plans - before they become reality.

'A page turner of a book with enough neatly resolved twists and turns to keep any thriller fan happy.' SHOTS magazine
'A pacy adventure for those who like their tales told in the John Buchan style, with a shot of vodka downed and a fully loaded Webley at the ready.' Independent on Sunday
'The best all-out story out of all the three books (so far) in the series.' ????? reader review

READERS LOVE THE INSPECTOR PEKKALA SERIES:
'I love these books.' ????? reader review
'Like the Jack Reacher of Soviet Russia. He is tough, strong, shrewd, super-honest, intelligent, and doesn't miss a trick.' ????? reader review
'Very exciting, pacy narrative. Fascinating and authentic characters. Could not bear to put this book down and all I wanted to do then was read the next in the series.' ????? reader review

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Contents
• As the motorcycle crested the hill, sunlight winked off the goggles of the rider.
• In that moment, Pekkala was hurled back through time.
• ‘You ask for proof that the T-34 has been compromised?’
• ‘You are free to go now if you wish,’ said Stalin
• They were out in open country now, the Emka’s engine
• It was a summer evening. Pekkala had spent the day trying to
• ‘You were there?’ asked Pekkala.
• Pekkala woke to the sound of someone banging on the door.
• Under the glare of an electric light powered by a rattling
• The Tsar was sitting at his desk.
• Pekkala was beginning to wonder if Stalin might keep him wait­ing
• He stood outside the Tsarina’s Mauve Boudoir, fist raised to rap
• The knocking came again, but there was something un­usual about it.
• Pekkala travelled to the mansion of Mathilde Kschessinska
• As often happened, by the time Pekkala had finished his tea
• The thing he would always remember was the way people died
• Pekkala smoothed a hand across his face, fingertips rustling
• ‘God protect us!’ wept the Tsarina. ‘God protect us. God protect us.’
• Pekkala watched as Kropotkin crossed the road, disappearing
• ‘When guns are drawn,’ said Chief Inspector Vassileyev
• When, at last, his breathing had returned to normal
• Dalstroy-Seven was a collection of half a dozen log houses
• ‘How did you manage to escape?’ asked Pekkala.
• He was standing on the platform of the Imperial Station
• At first, Pekkala did not understand.
• Pekkala stood out in the wide expanse of the Alexander Park.
• Late that night, as Pekkala sat on the end of his bed
• It was a January morning. Ice floes drifted down the Neva river
• Pekkala and Konstantin made their way along the dark road
• About the Author
• By the Same Author
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