First read more than thirty years ago, this novel truly held up remarkably well on a recent second reading. It is an outstanding police procedural/thriller that offers a captivating narrative. The characterizations are extremely strong, bringing the various individuals to life in a vivid manner. Moreover, the fine descriptive detail of crime, forensics, and detection in Moscow toward the end of the Soviet Era is simply superb. It provides readers with a fascinating glimpse into that particular time and place, with all its unique challenges and intricacies. The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to discover what will happen next. Overall, this novel is a must-read for fans of the police procedural/thriller genre, and it continues to be a classic that stands the test of time.

In 1977, during the Cold War years, beyond the police in Gorky Park of the SSCB, a light also shone on a bygone era. Information about many names, places, and institutions that had been forgotten except by the curious, thanks to fictional characters, came back to life in my mind and my reading process led to extensive Google searches (Brejnev, the Great Patriotic War, the Sieges of Leningrad and Stalingrad, the Komsomol, the Politburo, the NKVD, the KGB, the Kolkhozes, Vronskyzim, Botvinnik, Spassky, Fischer, and my dear Olga Korbut :))).

By chance, as the ice began to melt in Gorky, the most beloved and visited park in Moscow (also mentioned in Scorpions' song "Wind of Change"), park attendants found three corpses. These corpses, with their faces and fingers cut off to prevent identification, brought the KGB and the Moscow City Police face to face. Homicide Detective Arkady Renko, at the risk of his career and future, despite inter-agency conflicts, his wife's betrayal, and corrupt colleagues, identifies the killers; he uncovers the murderer and those who helped him. This truth, not accepted by the state, leads to the murderer fleeing the country; Renko is also interrogated by the KGB for months and fired from his job. Given one last chance to find and settle accounts with the murderer who also caused the state financial losses, Renko is sent to New York, where he faces a difficult choice. He will either give in or return to his country as nothing, leaving the woman he loves behind.

The book, which consists of three parts, has in the Moscow part the investigations, betrayals, and efforts to reach a solution; in the Shatura part - which was my favorite part - the interrogation by the KGB and the process of winning the respect of the KGB agent who is his arch-enemy and finally parting as friends; and in the New York part, the settling of accounts and dilemmas.

Nearly 10 years ago, I started the series by reading "Polar Star", the second adventure of Arkady Renko; although it took me quite a while to obtain the other books, I finally found the 4 books published in our country at the bookstores. Now I will continue with "Polar Star" again and complete the series without interruption.

I believe I read this many years ago, but I only recalled the first part. Could it be that I only read the initial portion and then got distracted and never went back to it? It's hard to imagine not remembering (as per the GR description) that Arkady Renko chases after a wealthy, heartless, and well-connected American fur dealer.

Anyway, I'm pleased to have read it now. I don't think it's as consistent as I might have anticipated. I even questioned if this was a debut novel, but it isn't. He had other works published under pseudonyms a full 10 years earlier. That being said, the tension gradually builds. Perhaps the inconsistency is because the author gives us a break from the tension. I confess that there were moments when I had to stop for a few minutes, look at something else, before going back to the novel. I had my own methods of relieving the tension.

This isn't all about action, but there is really only the characterization of Renko that can be described as "characterization". Since we will follow him throughout the series, this is fitting. However, there is also the portrayal, if you will, of life in the Soviet Union. The next book in the series takes place before the breakup, while the others are set afterwards. I'm looking forward to seeing how this aspect evolves. I admit that some may think this makes the series seem outdated. I'll concede that point to them, but they are probably not readers of historical fiction, which, perhaps, these early installments should be categorized as.

I was hoping for something closer to 5 stars, but it's not. I think it's a solid 4 stars and probably falls in the middle of that range.

I always held back from reading Gorky Park

-- despite its decades long service as a dust collector on my shelf

-- for fear that an American author during the Cold War could only deliver the shabbiest form of propaganda if writing about a Moscow cop circa the early 80s. And all this even though I remember William Hurt's turn as Arkady Renko (Gorky Park's relentless protagonist) with fondness.

It turns out I needn't have worried. I can't say how accurate Martin Cruz Smith's portrayal of Moscow and the greater Soviet Union was, but I was impressed by his balancing of Soviet bureaucratic corruption with the West's

-- and in particular the U.S.A.'s

-- dual corruptors of civil service and capitalism (not always necessarily entwined). And once that balance became clear, I was able to sit back and pretend that Renko's Moscow was the actual Moscow of the early 80s and to thoroughly enjoy the maybe Moscow Cruz Smith evoked.

Though not as evocative of the city as some of his crime writing brethren (Rankin's Edinburgh comes to mind) nor as compelling in characterization as others (Sjowall and Wahloo), Martin Cruz Smith does enough to make us care about Arkady Renko and to want more of his imagined Soviet Union. Sadly, his books are hard to come by these days. Once summer comes and the snow parts so that I can make an easy ride to all the used book stores, I will make it my mission to find Polar Star. I hope I won't be forced to wait as long as I foolishly waited before.

I truly believe that Gorky Park is a hidden gem that many might overlook due to initial prejudices. However, once you give it a chance, you'll be drawn into a world that is both fascinating and thought-provoking. The story not only provides an interesting look at the Soviet Union during that era but also makes you question the nature of corruption and justice in different societies. I can't wait to explore more of Arkady Renko's adventures in Polar Star and see what other surprises Martin Cruz Smith has in store for us.

After an intriguing start, the novel seemed to lose its way and became extremely drawn out.

At one particular point, I reached a stage where I truly didn't care what was unfolding in the story and came very close to abandoning it altogether.

Thankfully, it did manage to improve somewhat as the narrative progressed.

I understand that my perspective might differ from that of many others, but I have to admit that the end of the book was a very welcome relief.

It felt as if I had finally reached the conclusion of a long and sometimes tiresome journey.

Overall, while the novel had its moments of interest, its tendency to drag on made it a bit of a struggle to get through at times.

However, I'm glad I persevered until the end to see how the story ultimately resolved.

Perhaps with a bit more editing and tightening up of the plot, this could have been a more engaging and satisfying read.

Nonetheless, it was an experience that I'll remember for both its highs and lows.

I really liked this article.

It presented some very interesting ideas and concepts that really caught my attention.

The writing style was engaging and easy to follow, which made it a pleasure to read.

The author did a great job of presenting the information in a clear and concise manner, without overwhelming the reader with too much detail.

I also liked the examples that were used to illustrate the points being made.

They really helped to bring the concepts to life and made them easier to understand.

Overall, I thought this was a great article and I would highly recommend it to others.

I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Martin Cruz Smith's novels centering around Chief Investigator Arkady Renko have been my favorites for a long time. Since there hasn't been a new Renko book after Tatiana in 2013, I decided to go back (for the fourth time) to the very beginning.

Once again, I'm still extremely excited by the outstanding plotting, the vividly drawn characters, and the author's remarkable ability to paint a captivating picture of Russia.

Gorky Park is not just one of my favorite novels but also one of my all-time favorite films. When I was young, I had the film poster hung on my bedroom wall, and I still listen to James Horner's excellent soundtrack nowadays.

So, if you're looking to read a great thriller, just remember (as the film's tagline states)......It all started with three faceless bodies in the snow. This simple yet powerful image sets the stage for a thrilling and unforgettable story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

Well. Sigh. I'm currently in the process of deciding what to write.

Ok. Let me tell you the truth.

I'm really disappointed with 'Gorky Park', which is the first book in the Soviet Union's Inspector Arkady Renko series.

Oh, it is indeed a fine and inventive entertainment for a mystery. It has a plethora of twists and near-death escapes. There are tons of corrupt cops and officials, and so many betrayals and hidden motives. I'm truly amazed that the body count wasn't even higher considering the undrained swamps that Renko has to wade through, not just in Russia but also in New York City.

However, in Russia, many different official police, prosecutor, and spy departments don't actually want Renko to solve the murders of the three bodies found in Moscow's Gorky Park. Instead, they each want him to claim that he solved the crimes with a falsified story, pointing fingers in the direction that each department head desires. Each of them has a devious plan to force or trick Renko into lying about the murders. After Renko ‘solves’ the murders in the way each department wants, they all plan to file a report of Renko’s sudden death. They hope to say that Renko committed suicide, or was killed by an enemy of the state, or he himself confessed to the murders, or he confessed to working as a corrupt double agent.

There are scenes of meetings between nefarious officials and underworld characters. These scenes made no more sense to me than they did to Renko, other than establishing confusing relationships or misdirections regarding with whom Renko is friendly. Later, in America, Renko is manhandled and passed around in the custody of the FBI, the New York City police, the KGB, and a rogue triple agent. I'm still scratching my head over the supposed reason for the Soviets to allow Renko to travel to America and the Big Finish reveal. It just didn't ring true at all.

But the biggest complaint I have is that the story has too much squirrelly plotting! I simply couldn't suspend my disbelief after I was 60% into the story. Instead, I began to feel that I was reading a sneaky tongue-in-cheek joke mystery or an overcooked Dashiell Hammett The Maltese Falcon! ‘Gorky Park’ is a great summer blockbuster script, one which might have been ordered on spec by a Hollywood producer.

So, other than the fact that I was snorting and guffawing when I wasn't supposed to, it IS a well-written mystery. I'll give it three stars for the good writing and wily twists. Maybe you won't guffaw, gentle reader. I'm going to read the next one, 'Polar Star' because I'm really wondering what new mystery/spy plot inventions the author can possibly have left after throwing in every mystery genre plot mechanism that has ever been created into this book.

Three bodies are discovered in close proximity to the bustling ice skating rink within central Moscow's Gorky park. They have been interred in the snow. Shot, with their fingers removed and their faces skinned, they are rendered almost unidentifiable. Arkady Renko of the military police takes the lead in the investigation.

This is a rather unlikely premise that commences this far-fetched Soviet era thriller, which concludes with a completely implausible ending. However, if one suspends their disbelief, they will find a fairly engaging read. Why not give it a try?

Perhaps it's the mystery that draws the reader in, or the sense of danger that pervades the story. Maybe it's the complex character of Arkady Renko, who is determined to solve the case despite the odds stacked against him.

Whatever the reason, this thriller offers a unique glimpse into the Soviet era and the dark underbelly of Moscow. So, if you're looking for a captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, give this book a chance.

I have long intended to read this novel, and I am truly astonished that I have only just managed to get around to it now. However, I am extremely glad that I did, even though it was not precisely what I had anticipated.

It commences with three bodies found in the park, and Arkady Renko, our principal character and a senior homicide investigator, is dispatched to the crime scene. Nevertheless, KGB Major Pribluda arrives there beforehand and spoils the crime scene. Now we have our main characters and the setting – the Soviet Union during the Cold War, complete with all the secrecy, informers, and intrigue that we would expect. Additionally, Renko, despite the context, is a typical anti-hero. He has a wife who is having an affair and empties his bank account and apartment, right down to the light bulbs. His war hero father calls him a coward, yet he has a tenacious nature and a lack of respect for authority.

Naturally, Renko's investigation into the three bodies discovered in the park leads to a complex unravelling of events, involving the FBI, the KGB, and people much closer to home than Renko might have expected. We journey across Russia and even to New York before the conclusion of this novel. In my opinion, it functions better when set in Moscow than outside it, but it is still an interesting crime novel. I would definitely like to read more of the series featuring Arkady Renko and am delighted that I finally got around to reading this one.

Stealthy Police Procedural set in Moscow prior to Perestroika and Dissolution of U.S.S.R.

Back in the U.S.S.R., life was a complex tapestry. Lennon-McCartney's lyrics from 1968, "Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out / They leave the West behind / And Moscow girls make me sing and shout / That Georgia's always on my mind," captured a certain essence. In this setting, Arkady Renko, the chief homicide investigator for Moscow's Soviet militsiya, found himself in the midst of a baffling case.

When three American college students were found frozen in the snow of Gorky Park, their faces and fingers removed, Renko's investigation was met with resistance from the KGB, FBI, and NYC police. Renko, an intelligent, moody, cynical, and at times defiant detective, doggedly pursued the killer's identity. His pursuit put him at odds with a brash, wealthy American fur trader.

However, Renko's weakness was his love for a beautiful Soviet dissident who would do nearly anything to escape the USSR. What made this 1981 novel truly remarkable was Martin Cruz Smith's meticulous portrayal of day-to-day life in the Soviet Union prior to perestroika and its dissolution. With vivid and stunning detail, Smith brought to life a world that was both captivating and filled with mystery and danger.

Actual rating - 4.5 stars

So, I have finally completed this book and I am at a loss for words as to where to begin.

For beginners, here are some key points. Firstly, this is a political/cold war thriller. It is not your typical hit-and-run crime story. In fact, the crime aspect is not the main focus; rather, it is the cold war that takes center stage. In short, don't be misled by the crime plot. Secondly, the book is all about Akardy Renko.

This is truly a masterpiece. The way the book takes you through the U.S.S.R., delving into all aspects of the party, and following Comrade Renko as he investigates the three bodies found at Gorky Park is simply captivating.

It is a heavy read, and the first 100 pages may seem like any other crime novel. However, after that, the political angle comes into play, adding a whole new layer of depth and complexity to the story.