Boris Akunin writes historical thrillers set in Imperialist Moscow and is the pseudonym of Grigory Chkhartishvili (an academic in his other life). I've read every English translation so far in his "Erast Fandorin" series, and every one is fantastic escapist literature. The characters are a bit over the top (as they should be) and the historical detail is rich. The writing is much better than the kind of blockbuster brain candy you get in most thrillers; they go down easy, but you don't feel stupider in the morning.

Special Assignments introduces Anisii Tulipov as Fandorin's awkward and unlucky new assistant helping him out on two new cases: Jack of Spades, the devious con-man, and The Decorator, an Ivan the Ripper type serial killer. The book is like two fast-paced novels in one, both equally gripping and crafty.