What if Konstantin Gavrilovich, from Anton Chekkov's famous play, did not commit suicide and was murdered instead? And who did it? Boris Akunin's  take on The Seagull unfolds as a comedic murder mystery.

The Seagull

The life of foreman Ivan Plotnikov has been going downhill for a long time because of his invincible habit of enduring everything. But, by chance finding himself at the Russian bathhouse championship, he learns that this is not a curse at all, but a great talent. Now he will have to fully develop his ability to endure in order to finally believe in himself, regain the respect of his loved ones and compete for the solid cash prize that he so desperately needs.