The Conspiracy & Other Stories

Dec 31, 2025 3:37 AM

Author:Jaan Kross

When these stories were written the Estonians were not masters of their own house: the Soviets had been the occupying Power since 1940, apart from the three years 1941-44 when the Nazis were in occupation. Young Estonians, conscripted into the armies of both belligerents, found themselves compelled to fight each other. This is the background of these six stories featuring Peeter Mirk, a young law student who is more often in than out of prison and labour camp during these years - like his creator Jaan Kross. Forever carrying a charge of guilt that he has only contributed to his friends' misfortunes, he describes two thwarted attempts at escape ("The Wound", "Lead Piping"), his own dilemma when he can save his life only by sacrificing a friend's ("The Stahl Grammar"), his hand in a practical joke perpetrated by prisoners on one of their number in Tallinn Central Jail, which goes badly wrong ("The Conspiracy"). The last two stories (" The Ashtray", "The Day Eyes Were Opened") involve train journeys, chance encounters, and the unavoidable necessity of giving Fate a run for its money.

If the tone is necessarily sombre as Kross recalls the years when Hitler and Stalin determined his countrymen's destiny, a wry humour keeps slipping through at every turn, which will suggest to the reader that Peeter Mirk must be cousin to the Good Soldier Schweik.

Reviews

A spirited and adventurous writer, Pietroni loves words and takes joy in story-telling... As well as dark secrets, concealed hatreds, ambiguous identities and tormented relationships, it is about a child in need of parents

—— Independent

A charismatic coming-of-age tale glimmering with dark magic, lost families and closely guarded secrets

—— Marie Claire

One of the best first novels I have ever read

—— Susan Hill

[A] grown up fairy tale... replete with folklore, revelling in character and dialect

—— Guardian

This enthralling, suspenseful debut novel...has the feel of a grim fairy tale. Of the many riches it offers, is the winning lead character...who will capture readers' hearts

—— Booklist (starred review)

In turns modern and folkloric, this is an ambitious and unique debut

—— Historial Novels Review

Pure delight to revel in ... rich and rare ... Anna Lawrence Petroni has a remarkable talent

—— Susan Hill , The Lady

A rich, tightly woven web... Ruby's Spoon is a book of dark near-realism, a study of complex family relationships and secrets in a world as pained and impoverished as it is fanciful

—— Oxford Times

A heartbreakingly realistic account of social upheaval and family tragedy... A spellbinding first novel, distinguished by unforgettable storytelling

—— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

I'm going to stick my neck out and predict prize-winning nominations for this debut novelist's astonishing first book

—— Lesley McDowell , Sunday Herald

Spirited

—— Catherine Taylor , Guardian

A wonderful coming-of-age tale...she twists gritty realism with folklore themes in a truly mesmerising prose

—— Good Book Guide

Jilly's descriptions of the glorious Cotswold countryside are some of the most lyrical ever written and her comedies of manners rival Nancy Mitford, if not Jane Austen

—— Daily Mail

As plots go you can't get more charming than this

—— Daily Express

The narrative zips along, pierced with her characteristically brilliant ear for dialogue and empathy for human relationships of all kinds... You won't be able to put it down once you get going

—— Daily Mail

A rollicking fantasy

—— Horse and Hound

I loved it

—— Rosie Boycott

Sit back and enjoy the ride as the queen of the bonkbuster, Jilly Cooper, delivers another fabulously entertaining saga

—— Good Housekeeping

Sharp, funny and touching

—— Times Literary Supplement

The Spoiler - set in the halcyon days before phone hacking - was one of the funniest and sharpest fleet street novels in years.

—— David Robson , Sunday Telegraph Seven

McAfee - herself a former journalist - evokes two distinct eras and styles of journalism, that of fearless frontline reportage and that of its successor: style-oriented, celebrity-obsessed features coverage... This is a pacy read that leaves little doubt in the reader's mind that one school of journalism deserves more mourning than the other

—— Alex Clark , Guardian

Marvellous satire...the novel is cunningly plotted and satisfyingly nuanced

—— Independent on Sunday

If the peek into the world of newspaper journalism afforded by the Leveson inquiry has you gasping for more, then this timely paperback release is perfect...a fiendishly funny (and frighteningly plausible) world of fiddled expenses and suspect tactics

—— Shortlist

Thoroughly enjoyable behind-the-scenes expose of an ambitious celebrity journalist's attempt to nail the scoop of her life

—— Metro

This is the paperback edition. The hardback appeared before the News Corporation bosses were dragged into the Commons. McAfee was either very prescient or close to the action, holding her fictional hacks to account for printing false stories gleaned from disreputable sources

—— Julia Fernandez , Time Out

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