The Torment of a Broken Heart by Boris Akunin. Short summary

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During World War I, the «Spy Exchange» operates in Switzerland. Russian counterintelligence develops a special operation to steal the spy-commercial organization’s files.

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After a failed debut as a counterintelligence agent, Alexei Romanov volunteers for the front of World War I. In the battles, the young man wants to atone for a failed special operation. Due to his wound, non-commissioned officer Romanov is discharged.

On his return from the front, Alexei learns of the betrayal of his beloved and experiences a suicide attempt. The proposal of an old acquaintance, staff sergeant Kozlovsky, helps the young officer to get out of the depression.

Romanov again in business, he becomes a participant in an important operation of the Russian counterintelligence. General Zhukovsky sets him the task of suppressing the activities of a certain «Spy Exchange» in Switzerland.

It is known that the organizer of this espionage commercial enterprise deals in military secrets. Russian scouts must get hold of Sommer’s files.

A group led by Kozlovsky operates in Switzerland under cover, posing as touring artists.