The book «Brilliant and Criminal: Chronicles of Petersburg Crimes» – is an engaging and quite instructive narrative dedicated to the criminal life of the capital of the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th century. The author of the book – the famous Petersburg poet, publicist, historian Andzhey Ikonnikov-Galitsky – does not limit himself to stories about the most interesting and suspenseful criminal cases: murders, thefts, frauds, duels, counterfeiting, etc. The book provides insights into the state of the law enforcement system, courts, police, prisons, and the peculiarities of legal relations of that era. Moreover, the reader is offered sorts of excursions to crime scenes committed in different areas of the city (Sennaya Square, Kolomna, the vicinity of the Obvodny Canal, Vasilievsky Island, etc.).
The publication is accompanied by an insert with rare illustrations and is addressed to a wide range of readers.