A distinctive feature of Ilya Derevyanko’s fascinating detective stories, written in the “black” detective genre, is the authenticity of the events described. While working in a security agency, the author more than once encountered various situations, which were later reflected in his works, for example, the struggle for spheres of influence between large criminal groups (“Showdown”). In addition, for the first time in our literature, the author spoke about the “doll” - a suicide bomber used by special services as a living simulator when saboteurs practice hand-to-hand combat techniques.