Which novel by a Russian author was first published in the literary journal "The Russian Messenger" and was used by  American educational web series Thug Notes, which had their pilot episode centered on it?
Thug Notes Thug Notes is an American educational web series that summarizes and analyzes various literary works in a comedic manner. "Thug Notes" first aired on June 3, 2013, on YouTube, with the pilot episode centered on "Crime and Punishment". The host of the series is Sparky Sweets, Ph.D., portrayed by actor and comedian Greg Edwards.
Boris Akunin Boris Akunin (Russian: Борис Акунин ) is the pen name of Grigol Chkhartishvili (Russian: Григорий Шалвович Чхартишвили ; Georgian: გრიგოლ ჩხარტიშვილი ) (born May 20, 1956), a Russian writer of Georgian and Jewish origin. He is best known as writer of detective and historical fiction. He is also an essayist and literary translator. Grigory Chkhartishvili has also written under pen names Anatoly Brusnikin, Anna Borisova and Akunin-Chkhartishvili.