I read this book on the train to and from New York. It is an exceptional "read while traveling" book-a quick-paced, witty, mystery tale which includes lots of twists and turns and silly fun. The identity of the villains was not at all surprising, but the winning protagonist, Erast Petrovich Fandorin, saves it. Erast's youthful enthusiasm is utterly adorable, and, while less developed, the supporting cast is full of character. 
 Besides the hero, two things stand out. First, the majority of named characters are orphans. This is not unusual in adventure stories. An orphaned character starts out damaged, and often with something to prove. It is the easiest road to both sympathy and empathy. But this novel does something interesting with that trope. Second, the novel is incredibly Russian. I didn't believe the review blurb on the back that read "as though Tolstoy had sat down to write a murder mystery" but having finished it, I agree at least in as far as plotting. It's all very sociopolitical with an underpinning of tragedy that none of the characters can avoid.