Independence Square: Arkady Renko in Ukraine

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The later Renko novels are stark, spare and beautiful, like trees in winter. Martin Cruz Smith does more on a page than most writers manage in a chapter. He is unique and irreplaceable MICK HERRON

ARKADY RENKO IS BACK . . .

Renko has been confined to a desk job by his superiors to keep him out of the way. Although hes more disillusioned with policing and the general state of Russia than ever, he feels an odd sense of hope. A rebellion is bubbling in the country, with new values butting heads against old-school regimes. People want change and politician Leonid Lebedev could be the man to do it.

When Karina, a staunch supporter of Lebedev and member of the Forum, goes missing, Renko is asked by her father to find her. Soon after his investigation begins, Alex, a close friend of Arkadys son, is found dead. He was also a member of the Forum.

The night before his murder, Alex sent Arkady a cryptic message, simply containing three pictures of Russian writers. The link between the pictures is there, if only Renko could see it.

But Arkady has just been diagnosed with Parkinsons and the physical and psychological effects of the disease are taking their toll. This time, he must fight more than the impenetrable Russian regime to get answers he will need to fight himself.

PRAISE FOR MARTIN CRUZ SMITH:

Smith was among the first of a new generation of writers who made thrillers literary Guardian

One of those writers that anyone who is serious about their craft views withrespect bordering on aweVal McDermid

Martin Cruz Smith writes with an immediacy, depth and lightness of touch that is rare in its combination, and impossible to resist . . . Independence Square is no exception, and further crystallises Cruz Smith as one of the finest writers of our age Charlotte Philby

The undisputed master of the political crime thriller Abir Mukherjee

Cruz Smiths most powerful and engaging novel since Gorky Park Paul Burke, CrimeTime FM

Reviews

PRAISE FOR MARTIN CRUZ SMITH:

Martin Cruz Smith writes with an immediacy, depth and lightness of touch that is rare in its combination, and impossible to resist. With characters you know instantly and care deeply about never more than now he creates a world that is both brilliantly contemporary in its understanding of world politics, and timeless in its grasp of people and human nature. Independence Square is no exception, and further crystallises Cruz Smith as one of the finest writers of our age. I loved it Charlotte Philby

Arkady Renko, one of the most iconic detective creations of the last half century is back in another nail biting, hotly topical adventure, that once more cements Cruz Smiths place as the undisputed master of the political crime thriller Abir Mukherjee

Renko, never far from trouble, is enmeshed in the cesspit of Russian politics and corruption and Putins bellicose intentions toward Ukraine. Lured by his compulsion for the truth behind a disappearance and an assassination, Renko steps directly into the firing line. This is Renkos most zeitgeisty investigation and definitely Cruz Smiths most powerful and engaging novel since Gorky Park Paul Burke, CrimeTime FM

Martin Cruz Smithmakes tension rise through the page like a shark's finIndependent

Smith not only constructs grittily realistic plots, he also has a gift for characterisation of which most thriller writers can only dreamMail on Sunday

Brilliantly worked, marvellously written . . . an imaginative triumph Sunday Times

Drips with atmosphere and authenticity a literary triumph David Young

Forty years ago,Gorky Parkestablished a new high-water mark for the thriller. It has yet to be surpassedMick Herron

When first published Gorky Park was an instant classic; and its reputation has only grown since 1981 Adrian McKinty

Author Bio

Martin Cruz Smiths novels includeGorky Park,Stallion Gate, Nightwing, Polar Star,Stalins Ghost,Rose, December 6, Tatiana,The Girl from Venice, and The Siberian Dilemma. He is a two-time winner of the Hammett Prize, a recipient of the Mystery Writers of Americas Grand Master Award and Britains Golden Dagger Award, and a winner of the Premio Piemonte Giallo Internazionale. He lives in California.