The first two-thirds of this Moscow-based police procedural are truly riveting. It serves both as a profound character study of a painstakingly diligent detective and as a scathing indictment of the system.

Beyond that point, however, it leans rather heavily on the differences between the USSR and the USA, and the thriller elements verge on the exceedingly preposterous.

The bodies of three young people are discovered buried in the snow of Gorky Park. Chief Investigator Renko, despite attempting to pass the case over to the KGB, becomes increasingly fixated on it. To be honest, the actual identity of the culprit is revealed surprisingly quickly. But this allows Cruz-Smith to craft a compulsively engaging look at the inner workings of a murder investigation within such a constricted society.

All in all, it is a smart thriller that, unfortunately, lacks consistent quality. Nevertheless, it remains a worthwhile read.

Crisp, punchy, hilarious and to-the-point.

The language used in this work is truly fantastic - sparse and clean.

And of course, it involves Soviet Russia, vodka, murder, snow, political intrigues, the KGB, the FBI, furs, gold, power, and love.

The amount of knowledge about Russia presented here is simply stunning. It's brilliant.

One of my favorite quotes from the interview in the back of the book is: "The thing about writing is, you may starve, but you don't get fired."

This quote sums up the unique nature of the writing profession.

Despite the potential hardships, such as financial difficulties, writers have the freedom to express themselves and create without the fear of losing their job.

It's a powerful statement that emphasizes the importance of following one's passion, even in the face of challenges.

Overall, this work is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

The first book in the Arkady Renko series was written in 1981.

In the past year, I have delved into the two most recent books in the series. I found them so enjoyable that I decided to go back to the very beginning. Gorky Park was indeed a thrilling ride.

At times, it can get quite confusing, and I must admit that the last section of the book, set in New York, was rather mind-numbing.

If I had read this book way back when it was first published, I'm certain I would have relished it. However, I don't think I would have anticipated it evolving into a series.

I have a great fondness for Arkady, and there are many other well-developed characters in the book. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to others.

It offers a unique and engaging story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Whether you're a fan of mystery novels or simply looking for a good read, Gorky Park is definitely worth checking out.

In an unjust society, a man might violate laws due to valid social or economic reasons.

However, in a just society, the only valid reason for such an act could be mental illness.

This is an excellent book. It is a perfect piece of crime fiction and has the potential to become an instant classic.

The best aspect of this book is its Russian backdrop. It is a crime thriller set in a completely new and unique background.

I have read many crime thrillers before, but this one is truly outstanding.

It is a great read and I highly recommend it to all fans of the genre.

The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Overall, it is a must-read book for anyone who loves crime fiction.

I gave this book 4 stars because it is undoubtedly a complex, unexpected and praised thriller. However, I didn't really enjoy reading it because of the terrible translation, really terrible. I had to read it in English. Because of this, it also took me so much time to read it.

The main character, Arkady Renko, is wonderful, and I'm considering reading the sequels to find out what happens to her next.

This book reminded me a lot of "The Stasi Child" and also a bit of "Child 44".

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

This book remained on the list for a considerable period of time. I came to realize that it was extremely challenging to locate this book within libraries and bookstores. However, I managed to obtain it by purchasing it online, and I have no regrets about doing so.

It is such an excellent novel. If you have a penchant for spy or historical thriller novels set during the Soviet Union era, then you are certain to appreciate it! I was fond of it, not merely because of the story itself. Instead, it provides you with an understanding of what life was like, the rules that prevailed, and the consequences that society had to face while living under the Soviet Union flag.

I wholeheartedly recommend it! It deserves a rating of 4 stars.

Because Tawni O'Dell reads him too. We truly and deeply lovvvess her.

There seems to be something mysterious going on, perhaps something to do with sables, luxurious fur coats and a woman?

And of course, Russia cannot be ignored in this context.

I really liked that the story is set in the cold war period. It adds a layer of historical and political intrigue. The hero being Russian and the writer being American creates an interesting dynamic.

It makes me think about how the real world often imitates art, or perhaps vice versa. In this case, the fictional tale seems to draw on the real tensions and cultural differences of the cold war era. It makes me wonder what other hidden meanings and messages might be lurking within the story.

Overall, I'm intrigued by this combination of elements and can't wait to see where the story takes us.

I've just looked this up after being reminded of it. This was one of my favourites at the time when I was deeply immersed in espionage novels. The intrigue and mystery that these novels offered always had a captivating allure for me.

I really enjoyed this book to such an extent that I couldn't contain my excitement and couldn't wait to see the movie when it was released. The movie, which starred William Hurt and Lee Martin, was also something that I liked a great deal. Their performances added another layer of depth and authenticity to the story.

That was back in 1983, a time when espionage was very different from today's versions. The technology was not as advanced, and the methods used were more traditional. However, the essence of espionage, the cloak and dagger operations, the double agents, and the high-stakes games, remained the same. It was a thrilling era, and this book and movie captured that essence perfectly.

Another book from the past is recalled.

Unfortunately, it is obscured by the subsequent movie, so I am unable to state precisely how well I believed it was written.

Back in the eighties, I delved into a significantly larger number of thrillers compared to what I do nowadays.

I vividly remember this particular book captivating and entertaining me.

The story likely had elements that kept me on the edge of my seat, with its twists and turns.

Perhaps the characters were well-developed, making it easy for me to become invested in their fates.

Even though the movie may have overshadowed the book, the memories of the entertainment it provided still linger.

It makes me wonder if I should revisit the book and see if it holds up to my current standards and expectations.

Maybe I will discover that it was even better than I initially thought.

Only time will tell if I decide to take that trip down memory lane and give the book another chance.

Really good.

This simple phrase holds a world of meaning. It can be used to express approval, admiration, or satisfaction. When we say something is really good, we are acknowledging its excellence, its quality, or its positive impact.

For example, we might say that a movie is really good because it had a great story, excellent acting, and beautiful cinematography. Or we might say that a meal is really good because it was delicious, well-prepared, and served in a pleasant atmosphere.

Really good can also be used to describe a person or their actions. We might say that someone is really good at their job because they are skilled, knowledgeable, and dedicated. Or we might say that someone did a really good deed because they were kind, helpful, and selfless.

In conclusion, really good is a powerful and versatile phrase that can be used to express a wide range of positive emotions and evaluations. It is a way of recognizing and celebrating the good things in life, whether they are big or small.

Exciting! Arkady is a character that truly left a lasting impression on me. Even after several years of reading this, his image still vividly remains in my mind. The story of Arkady not only entertained me but also provided me with a profound understanding of Russia during that particular era. Through his experiences and actions, I was able to catch a glimpse of the social, political, and cultural aspects of the country at that time. It was fascinating to see how the author brought the character to life and used him to convey the essence of Russia. I found myself completely immersed in the story, eager to learn more about Arkady and the world he inhabited. Overall, this character and the insights into Russia that I gained from reading about him have made a significant impact on me.