Exile and Sinner — Andriy Kokotyukha

Set in autumn 1916, Exile and Sinner by Andriy Kokotyukha (the fourth installment in the "Exile" series) immerses readers in a gritty detective story against the backdrop of World War I. Former police officer Platon Chechel is covertly reassigned to uncover crimes in the rear lines and travels to provincial Chernihiv. There, he is tasked with orchestrating an exchange of money for proof of the client’s daughter, Yulia, in a scandalous murder of a wealthy lover. As Chechel investigates, he becomes entangled in criminal and political underground networks—leading to a brutal chain of homicides, dangerous betrayals, and the chilling disappearance of Yulia from a monastery where she sought penance. At 304 pages in a hardback edition, this compelling Ukrainian historical detective novel blends suspense, moral complexity, and wartime intrigue. Ideal for adults interested in retro-detective fiction, historical mystery and character-driven drama.