Recently finished reading this book

I recently finished reading the book The Chess Artist by J.C. Hallman. It was very interesting because he and Glen took a trip to the "Chess City" in Kalmykia, Russia. While they were on this trip they met a whole host of interesting characters and played chess with many of them. All this took place while the mystery of a murdered journalist hung over the whole setting.They also met Kirsan Ilyumsinov while there. He is an avid player and politician.
This is only some of the things that happen in that book. This book makes for alright reading if you are looking for something to read about chess which isn't crosstables and move patterns. Anyone else read this book? If so, let me know what you think of it.