Late 1898. St. Petersburg is excited: the fear machine has died, a new invention is needed that goes beyond the boundaries of science. The reason is too important: the throne has no heir. Who knows, perhaps the new device will be useful to the imperial court. A hunt begins for the truth machine, during which the inventor’s wife dies... Rodion Vanzarov is the only one of the detectives who can unravel the sophisticated mystery, but will he be able to withstand the influence of secret forces this time and reveal the plans of dangerous criminals? Anton Chizh is a popular Russian detective writer . His books have been published in a total circulation of over a million copies. Based on the action-packed novels of Anton Chizh, the series “Agatha and Detective” were filmed. Queen of Diamonds" and "Agatha and Detective. Roulette of Fate." In 20 novels, the writer created perhaps the most beloved heroes of historical detective stories by readers: Rodion Vanzarov and Apollo Lebedev, Alexei Pushkin and Agatha Kern. The sharp, dynamic, unpredictable plot of the novels unfolds in the scenery of Russia in the 19th century. The intrigue keeps you in suspense until the last page. In addition to exciting entertainment, the modern reader finds in these detective stories answers to questions that concern us today.