“The fundamental principle of any detective story, even one hidden under the “psychological” heading, is intrigue, that hypnotic effect on the reader that makes you put everything aside and read to the point and find out how the author dotted all the “i’s.” This is not given to every writer, but this gift is noticeable in his works.A. Zaitsev wrote not only a criminally entertaining piece, but also a more intellectual story, “The Stopped Clock,” thereby showing that, while remaining himself, he can use a different style of writing. His self-analysis without Freudian delving into the soul is understandable in its simplicity and necessity...”