This is the latest installment in the Inspector Rostnikov series by Stuart Kaminsky. I couldn't resist reading this one, though I am yet to finish all the earlier books in this series that I came to love so much. This one was no exception, though not as nostalgic for me, as the action takes place in the present, and Moscow has become so westernized by now.

I am adding this last bit after reading the previous reader's review and finding out that Stuart Kaminksy passed away recently!... What a shock.... I looked back at the book cover and yes, it happened late in 2009. What a loss to the writing community. Like the previous reader I, too, will miss this writer and especially his wonderful protagonist - Inspector Rostnikov. On this sad note, what an appropriate title for this book - A Whisper to the Living.... ( )

I have read 35 novels written by Stuart Kaminsky including all of his Abe Lieberman novels, all of his Lew Fonesca novels, all of his Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov novels, one or two of his Toby Peters novels and one CIS: New York novel. Obviously I enjoy his work and it saddens me to realize that A Whisper to the Living is likely to be the last new Kaminsky novel. Unfortunately, he died in October 2009. According to Wikipedia he died of after a stroke made him ineligible for a liver transplant, which was necessary to treat the hepatitis he contracted as an army medic in the late 1950s in France. Kaminsky was a remarkable writer who had earned an M.A. in English from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in speech from Northwestern University. He spent over 20 years teaching, first at Northwestern and later at Florida State. He published more than 50 novels and was a past president of the Mystery Writers of America. All his novels are populated by very interesting (and quirky) characters, which I found delightful. In addition, he placed put his characters in dangerous situations that provided plenty of action. The Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov series also immersed readers into the intriguing environment of the Soviet Union (during the early novels) and post-Soviet Russian (in the later novels) culture and law enforcement. I found this book to be very enjoyable. In addition to his usual multi-case story lines Kaminsky also brought all his recurring characters together in this novel in a way that was very satisfying for long-time fans like me. I will miss Inspector Rostnikov. ( )