"Sharply, evocatively written and elaborately plotted...It should find as many friends as did GORKY PARK."
THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WO... read full description
THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WO... read full description
reviews
Nov 30, 2010
Antonia
rated it: 
i am not quite sure what to think - nor what it actually was about. one might argue that that was exactly what the author intended what with the upheaval in the soviet union at the time and the people caught up in it but personally i don't really like it when i don't know by the end what the crime was all about (and why??? besides greed... and who did business with whom? not sure). maybe it would have helped to know more about the history of the late 80s and early 90s. also: if you put in some g
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Oct 24, 2010
Aniruddha-isb
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 03, 2010
Matt
rated it: 
I was looking for something perfect for reading on the train, and having previously read another Arkady Renko book, I figured this was about as good an option as I was likely to find-- diverting, crammed with detail and some soupcon of geopolitical obscurantism.
It might be a product of the second time never being as good as the first, but I found this one not quite as compelling as _Wolves Eat Dogs_, the other book I read. I mean, it's good, and there are passages of compelling beaut More...
It might be a product of the second time never being as good as the first, but I found this one not quite as compelling as _Wolves Eat Dogs_, the other book I read. I mean, it's good, and there are passages of compelling beaut More...
Dec 18, 2010
Dan
rated it: 
Amazing: 3 books in a row, Mr. Cruz Smith is just a hair away from the next star from me. And, like with "Gorky Park," this time it was nearly a 5 star.
He is back to that exploration of morality that is better than anything the ivory tower ravens have put out in a generation. And, again, he was seeing contemporaneously, just as in GP, the basic corruption of a place and time that everybody else was (and is) missing because they had fallen victim to greed or ideology or simpl More...
He is back to that exploration of morality that is better than anything the ivory tower ravens have put out in a generation. And, again, he was seeing contemporaneously, just as in GP, the basic corruption of a place and time that everybody else was (and is) missing because they had fallen victim to greed or ideology or simpl More...
Sep 23, 2010
Vanessa
rated it:
I am a little torn on what to rate this. I think this book's predecessor, Polar Star, was just so good this one might suffer a bit in comparison. Nevertheless, I still remain a fan of Smith's gift with prose, his cast of compelling characters and his ability to make the reader really live in the Russian and German mindsets in the era between the Wall's collapse and the dissolution of the USSR.
The book has multiple story lines that converge. One is Renko's investigation of the murder More...
The book has multiple story lines that converge. One is Renko's investigation of the murder More...
Apr 05, 2008
Rossrn
rated it:
This is the third in the Arkady Renko series, which began with Gorky Park and then Polar Star.
Red Square brought Renko back to Moscow following his exile in the Bearing Strait (Polar Star) which resulted from the fallout of an investigation that led to a murdered officer and defection of a lover (Gorky Park).
The books present an interesting perspective on the day-to-day lives of the people as the Soviet Union itself changed so dramatically from the time of Gorky Park (1981) t More...
Red Square brought Renko back to Moscow following his exile in the Bearing Strait (Polar Star) which resulted from the fallout of an investigation that led to a murdered officer and defection of a lover (Gorky Park).
The books present an interesting perspective on the day-to-day lives of the people as the Soviet Union itself changed so dramatically from the time of Gorky Park (1981) t More...
Aug 29, 2011
Marcus
rated it:
I am being more and more impressed by the books about commisar Arkady Renko. I have no way to know where Cruz Smith gets his inspiration and wheter or not his depiction of Russian psyke is trust-worthy, but it sure makes for a very good read. Characters are fascinating, depictions of enviroments do ring true and I must say that relation between Arkady and Irina was (at least initially) both captivating and heartbreaking. Last but not least, it's a pretty decent crime story too.
Nov 04, 2010
Rebecca
rated it:
Interesting entry, especially as Irina makes a return; with most of this set in Germany. But overall, I wasn't happy with it, there was something vital missing in it, and while I was happy to read another Renko novel, this one didn't work for me. Three and a half stars rounded up to four.
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Red_Squar...
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Red_Squar...
May 03, 2010
Lois
rated it:
A few passages I loved:
Arkady gives up watching an apartment and goes back to where he's staying: "With a little planning, half his route back lay through parks. . . . He wondered if this was the solace of rabbits--the whispered tread of paths, the soft arms of trees, the balm of shadows."
Coming to talk to a man who is playing tennis: "Michael's opponent hit balls left and right and over Michael's head to the screen. Other times he missed the ball complete More...
Arkady gives up watching an apartment and goes back to where he's staying: "With a little planning, half his route back lay through parks. . . . He wondered if this was the solace of rabbits--the whispered tread of paths, the soft arms of trees, the balm of shadows."
Coming to talk to a man who is playing tennis: "Michael's opponent hit balls left and right and over Michael's head to the screen. Other times he missed the ball complete More...
Dec 03, 2010
Barb
rated it:
Arakdy Renko is back in Moscow and working as an investigator once again. While investigating the death of a black market speculator, he runs up against various Russian mafias. During the course of his investigation, he travels to Germany and comes across stolen artwork.
Renko is his usual resourceful self and although he has his job back, he isn't a cool, slick detective. Still, he gets the job done.
Renko is his usual resourceful self and although he has his job back, he isn't a cool, slick detective. Still, he gets the job done.
Sep 06, 2007
Michael
rated it:
This is one of the best entries in a very good series. A startling change from the brutal edge of Gorky Park and the unrelenting bleakness of Polar Star, the novel adds a touching romance and an art historical subplot to the element that unifies the series: the detective Arkady Renko's sardonic view of Russian society.
One finds a good deal of loose talk about the way that Martin Cruz Smith's novels "transcend the mystery genre." This is rubbish. He is a talented writer who More...
One finds a good deal of loose talk about the way that Martin Cruz Smith's novels "transcend the mystery genre." This is rubbish. He is a talented writer who More...
Dec 20, 2010
Helen
rated it:
Vintage Renko novel, the third installation of the series, which takes place during the momentous events of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Dark and depressing, it is a very good portrait of the country during that time, which also delves into the black market art world. A bit predictable, but still a great read.
Jul 14, 2009
Steven
rated it:
Martin Cruz Smith is among my absolute favorite authors, but he's one of those guys who sometimes runs out of steam at the end of his books. Eighty percent of this book is AMAZING--great story, great setting, great background, great romance, great characters... The next fifteen percent slips into pretty darn good mode--still four stars. That last five percent hits a sharp decline.
Jul 27, 2011
Stuart
rated it:
The third Arkady Renko book. He follows the clues to the klllers of his partner to Germany, during the time of the tanks surrounding the (Russian) White House. Even though the book is close to 20 years old, it's still good. It has a mystery story wrapped up in the atmosphere of 1991 Moscow. Great!
Jun 30, 2011
Barbi
rated it:
Arkady Renko is such an infuriatingly "Russian" character (in a good way). I found myself frustrated with him many times throughout the book, but fully immersed in his world. I don't think this book was quite as good as "Polar Star," but I anticipate reading the follow-up.
May 12, 2010
Matt
rated it:
Not a good book. He has a great Character in Arkady and he brought in some other potentially good new characters, only not to use them. Instead he tried to use the city as a supporting character. Just didn't work. And the villains weren't any good either.
So, if you want 150 pages of plot with 220 pages of Arkady simply walking around Moscow and Munich, dwelling on what it means to be "Russian" then go for this book.
However, if you liked "Gorky Park" More...
So, if you want 150 pages of plot with 220 pages of Arkady simply walking around Moscow and Munich, dwelling on what it means to be "Russian" then go for this book.
However, if you liked "Gorky Park" More...
Jun 23, 2011
Evelyn
rated it:
Another Arkady Renko thriller. Entertaining, as always, and because the books take place in Russia during and just after the demise of Communism, the political perspective and cultural background are as much a part of the story as Renko's investigations.
Nov 07, 2011
Sandi
rated it:
Another excellent read in this series. Arkady has his old job back as an investigator in Moscow but the city is going through some major changes along with the rest of the country. A great look at the Soviet Union during the early nineties.
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Oct 04, 2011
Donald
rated it:
I liked this a lot at the beginning, when Arkady first starts to investigate the murder of his friend/informant. But slowly, and gradually, I lost interest, as the book jumped to Germany and a love lorn Arkady mopes about. By the end, I was done, and wished this book was 70 or so pages shorter. But, I like Arkady and I'm glad I read it.
Feb 21, 2009
Andrew
rated it:
Another enjoyable entry in the Arkady Renko series. An involving mystery paralleled with insightful commentary on the state of Russia (a la 1991). Easy and entertaining to read.
Dec 08, 2010
Martin Cruz Smith delivers a confusing but ultimatley rivetting portrayal of Renko's next adventure. It took many pages before I was able to catch the gist, but worth it after the epiphany. What confused me most was Arkady's choice not to communicate properly with his love interest. This always frustrates me, in any work, as it seems to be used as the catalyst for tragedy as well as comedy, but does not ring "true to life".
The action is packed in, and fast paced, and b More...
The action is packed in, and fast paced, and b More...
Apr 08, 2010
Gary
rated it:
Arkady Renko is a great addition to modern crime fiction. Smith has a terrific eye for detail and the way life must have been in the former USSR. A terrific series!
Oct 21, 2011
Katie
rated it:
Guy named Jaak? Check.
Russians? Check.
Mentions of vodka? Check.
Prostitutes? Check.
It was alright, but the "thriller" kind of fell flat on me. Sort of disappointing.
Russians? Check.
Mentions of vodka? Check.
Prostitutes? Check.
It was alright, but the "thriller" kind of fell flat on me. Sort of disappointing.
Dec 08, 2010
P.
rated it:
I didn't finish it. I didn't care what happened to anyone in this book, including Renko. I found a disconcerting profusion of adjectives, metaphors etc and way too much background - all of it grim. I was a bit surprised at the 'fat' in this book, but it's from 'olden' times, now isn't it?
Dec 29, 2011
Tina
rated it:
This was another of the Arkady Renko books that was very good, but not one of my favorites. It did get 4 stars though!
Aug 29, 2010
Dave
rated it:
This is the last one I hadnt read. I am just prepping for the new book coming out. I love Renko's fatalistic humor.
