Special District: Harbin by Tim Stickel is an original historical novel that holds a mirror before the reader to ask questions about identity. It tells the coming of age of Patrolman Borya Melnikov during the tumultuous times of Manchuria in 1929. He is just one of the many inhabitants of Harbin trapped in the growing tension brought about by Soviet aggression and a stoked Chinese nationalism that is starting to push White Russian privilege away. But for all of Harbin’s imperfections, Borya feels that he belongs. Having a Russian father and a Korean mother, the city for him is a majestic blend of logic and the mystical. When he is paired with one of the city’s top detectives to investigate the death of Manfred Geiger, a German businessman, they must navigate their way through bureaucracies, prejudices, back-stabbings, and the Red Terror campaign. In the end, despite his dedication and achievements, an edict is issued releasing all White Russian officers from the police force as part of the peace agreement with the Soviets. It is the last thing that Borya expected, and being a policeman is the only thing he knows.

These fictional characters live in factual events so that these people all seem to have existed. You do not need to be close to them to feel that they are pulsating with life from their backstories and sentiments. It is all in Tim Stickel’s showing and not just telling. He writes in solid, digestible prose that tackles a timeless subject about identity and nationality. It is the type of story that does not let you just sit there and be entertained. It is a thinking story that challenges you to ponder issues of identity, and whether or not identity can remain independent of culture and society. Special District: Harbin is a profound story that gives you a three-dimensional feel of the 1920s and all the political upheavals that go with it. This is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction for its representation and larger than life characters.

Special District: Harbin is a historical novel by Tim Stickel set against the backdrop of Sino-Soviet tensions during post-civil war Russia in the Manchurian city of Harbin. Borya Melnikov is a Special District policeman who gets the case of his life when he is assigned to investigate the murder of a Caucasian man by Superintendant Liu. The investigation takes Borya and his supervisor Inspector Chinn to the Kwantung-controlled city of Changchun, where they identify the mutilated corpse as Manfred Geiger, a German employee of the Binjiang Products British Import and Export Company. However, things get complicated with the Soviet bombing raids and Bolshevik-led Mongol parties attacking White Russian farming villages. Following clues, the duo travels to the Mongol district of Hailar, where events take a drastic turn.

Special District: Harbin takes the reader to an immersive world of pre-World War II era northeast China, where a host of different cultures and ethnicities including Han, Korean, Japanese, Cossack, and Russian blend to form a rich, diverse, and vibrant landscape. Author Tim Stickel utilizes actual historical facts and events to pull off a tantalizing murder mystery that always keeps the reader guessing. The pages breeze by as Tim Stickel keeps the narrative at a steady pace with lots of character development and a fluid flow to the plot. I adored the scenes between Borya and Chinn, and their mentor-student relationship was my favorite aspect of the novel. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Special District: Harbin, and I would recommend it to fans of murder mysteries and history buffs alike.

A masterfully-written historical mystery novel, Special District: Harbin by Tim Stickel features a young, obscure Special District policeman in 1920s Harbin, Manchuria. While working as a patrolman, Borya Melnikov is assigned to Inspector Chinn, one of Harbin’s most skilled detectives. Borya is excited at the prospect of working alongside Chinn. Together, they work to solve a harrowing murder that begins when the body of a white man is found in the then Japanese-controlled Changchun. The two set out to uncover the truth while also navigating the city’s cultural biases and dangerous political struggles. A keen observer and quick learner, Borya eagerly learns from his senior who becomes a great mentor to the younger man.

Special District: Harbin begins by offering a comprehensive description of the economic, geo-political, and ethnic issues in Harbin during the 1920s. The Bolshevik and Chinese struggle for control over Harbin forms a volatile situation, adding to the tension that surrounds the murder mystery. I liked that the prevailing circumstances were also reflected in the experiences of the book’s main characters. With a Korean mother and a Russian father, Borya Melnikov feels a special attachment to the city. Not only because it has been his home for the last twenty years but also because, like him, the city is a mix of different cultures. The pacing is easy and allows for the development of the plot and the inclusion of significant details regarding Harbin. Special District: Harbin by Tim Stickel combines great writing, extensive research, and a gripping mystery. The book is skilfully written and suspenseful. It is a must-read for every fan of historical/mystery novels.

Special District: Harbin is the first novel in the Harbin Mysteries series by Tim Stickel. The story is set in 1929 when we meet Borya Melnikov, a patrolman who is in for some strange days ahead. Being of mixed race is not easy, especially considering that his social standing is not that good. However, things take a massive turn for Borya when a foreign businessman turns up dead. Borya is partnered with one of the best detectives to figure out what happened and why the man was murdered. But that is not the only thing that Borya should be worried about. There is tension on the border with the Soviet Union, and the tension is high in the city too. It looks like Borya has to keep his friends close and his enemies closer if he wants to survive and prove that his ethnicity has nothing to do with the person he is. But can he?

Special District: Harbin is the kind of murder mystery that makes you sit on the edge of your seat and cheer on the protagonist. Borya is a smart man who is a little unsure of himself, but as the story continues, he develops more confidence in his abilities and the person he is. The background building is phenomenal. Tim Stickel adds just the right amount of action and mystery to the story, giving readers everything they need to stay hooked and want more. Out of all the secondary characters in the story, Detective Chinn is the one that stands out the most. He gives Borya a real chance to prove himself, and Borya learns to respect Chinn. The story keeps moving forward, there is never a lull, and the action is always an active participant in the plot. Special District: Harbin is definitely entertaining! I loved it. I highly recommend this book.