When start reading, I realized it is book 2. I didn’t read book 1, but I feel that this story can be stand alone. The main character is the same, also the settings, but story is different.
The story was very fun to read, and it took me by surprise. I liked the historical context, the situation in Kiev at the time of investigation, street life. And yes, some situations sounds very unpleasant. But from other side there are lot of sarcasm put in this mystery-investigation story, and you keep reading with a smile on the face.
3.5/5 star.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio for this free audiobook.

I have to say I’m a little let down by this sequel. There were definitely some great moments of both comedy and pathos, but it felt a little less focused than the first and the characters a little less defined. In some ways it really felt like a midpoint, reminding us what happened in the previous instalment and setting up things that I assume are going to become relevant in the future without really much substance for the actual book.

The main (but by no means only) plot is about “speculation in meat” which has very recently been made illegal. Samson and the other members of the police force are set to work to investigate this crime, visiting anyone who recently purchased anything from a specific “speculator” (read seller) and interviewing them. It is unclear what exactly the criminal activity constitutes to everyone, including the police, involved. At the end, very mild spoilers, a sentence is reached that seems wholly disconnected to anything we’ve seen. I do understand that the seemingly meaninglessness is the point, and on paper it sounds like it could be deeply compelling, but it didn’t translate well to page, a bit more meandering, not to say dull, than pointed. I feel like the author thought this as well because, apart from this main case, there are numerous different subplots and investigations (some resolved, others left hanging) that leave the book feeling full but not really satisfying. I do feel this was probably also intentional, at least partially, but again, it doesn’t necessarily make for the best reading experience.


Despite these criticisms though I do think my enjoyment outweighed the negatives. This series continues to deliver some truly biting satire, both historical and relevant. Kurkov once again paints an extremely vivid 1920s Kyiv and is able to convey the tensions of the period both in large among the greater populace as well as intimately within our main cast of characters. Much is absurd and there is a strong satirical eye on all of it, but at the same time the majority of people who populate this novel are not treated with scorn. Samson continues to be a deeply endearing protagonist and I look forward to seeing where his journey leads.

In preparation for the audiobook I listened to the first volume as read by Josh Bloomberg as well and found, in both cases, he made for a good narrator. I always find doing accents a bit of a powderkeg but Bloomberg managed to, for the most part, keep them undistracting. His narration managed to find the right mix of humorous and sincere to fit these works.

The Stolen Heart is a moving look at the desperation and survival strategies dealing with a capricious and brutal regime, so disturbingly timely despite the early 1900s Ukraine setting.
The characters are reeling from Russian takeover -- trying to understand what is safe to think and say about religion, government, and various issues. Most pressing is the need to survive under heavy and ever-changing restrictions on the processing and sale of meat.
The power of the state looms heavily and people's love lives and appetites continually put them at potential risk due to the uncertain and capricious rule changes, the intensity of interrogations, and other powers.
This is a very timely novel to show how close a time was with much less freedom, a time that some seem to want to resume.

This was supposed to be humorous? I don't know if it was the accent or the translation but in no way did I find this book humorous. I was confused by what was happening. I think for me the narrators accent was too distracting for me.

I'm sure 'ear hole' sounds way more poetic in the original Russian, but in English, it was a bit much. Plus the dude held onto the ear for a long time, and somehow it was still good and didn't smell too bad, but still, I might be missing the symbolism behind the ear, or maybe the dude just really likes his unattached ear. Who really knows.

This is book 2, and I feel like it did a very good job of going from book 1 to 2. I did read them very close to each other time wise, but I feel like you'd be fine if there is a great amount of time passing between reading 1 and 2.

There were what felt like many storylines happening at the same time. You had the meat case, the abduction, the war is still going on, a mole in the police, some major public accident, it was a lot to keep track of.

Overall, not bad, decent 2nd book.

The Stolen Heart was another thrilling read from Andrey Kurkov. Super interesting and propulsive. Can't wait to read more from him

I have to admit, that listened to this book because I enjoy previous author's work.

Then I found out it's a second book in a series and had to find first, because... Well that made sense. I suppose you could listen to it without having listened/read the first one. But having done that, it gives you a better picture of things.

I have to admit again, I'm not too big in detectives, but very big historical fiction. I guess this book has a good balance of both!

Some really good insights of how Ukraine and it's people were fighting, living, loving and trying to survive tumultuous times of 1918-1921...

Some grotesque, some absurd, some cruel and sad stories and deep felt love story thorought it all.

The main point of view taken from a young guy who, after the death of his father found himself becoming investigator and what that in entails in extremely fast changing historical environment.. There's a lot of naivety, sincerity in it.

It's interesting read, but I think even though as author himself states, it's primarily a detective, one needs certain degree of interest in history in order to appreciate it fully.

I tried to get into this series, but the author's style is just implossibly hard for me to read :( this seems like something I'd really like, but I just can't get through this! sigh

This was a fun adventure! Admittedly, I don't remember too much from the first book but it was nice to reunite with some characters; Samson and Nadezhda in particular!