Independence Square: Arkady Renko in Ukraine
£4.70
ARKADY RENKO IS BACK . . .
Renko has been confined to a desk job by his superiors to keep him out of the way. Although he’s 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 Arkady’s 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 Parkinson’s 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 with respect bordering on awe’ Val 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
‘A moving portrayal of struggle against political and personal tides’ New York Times
‘Renko started off investigating murders in Soviet Russia, now it’s political corruption in Putin’s Russia. And it’s even more gripping than before’ Gareth Rubin
‘Cruz Smith’s most powerful and engaging novel since Gorky Park’ Paul Burke, CrimeTime FM
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster UK (11 May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 1925 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 268 pages |
by Paul S
Set in 2021 on the eve of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Independence Square is an outstanding crime thriller and, in my opinion, one of the best in the series that features Russian investigator Arkady Renko. It has everything one looks for in a story; atmosphere, an intriguing, tension filled storyline and a cast of very believable characters.
Initially there appear to be two separate storylines but they soon merge. Renko has been assigned a desk job by his politically ambitious boss who dislikes Renko’s numerous successes in uncovering corruption in various areas of Russian society. So, not surprisingly, Renko jumps at a chance to help an old ‘acquaintance’ (a gangster called Bronson) who asks Renko if he can find his daughter, Karina, who has disappeared. Karina has two passions, music and politics and more specifically, the anti-government Forum for Democracy movement. Around the same time, Alex, the son of a close friend of Renko, has been found dead and it turns out he too was a member of the Forum for Democracy. So Renko, with the help of one of Karina’s fellow musicians, sets out first to Crimea and then later to Kyiv, to try and find Karina while also looking into who killed Alex. Needless to say, complications arise in the course of his investigations!
As the story unfolds we discover a number of new facets of Renko’s character which add a degree of pathos to the story. For example, Renko learns he is suffering from the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, his old flame, Titania, has left him and he is in a somewhat vulnerable state emotionally as a result.
The story is atmospherically multi-layered. Besides the emotional aspect already mentioned, there is the politically charged climate surrounding the growing popularity of the Forum for Democracy movement and the government’s determination to stamp it out, the physical deterioration in Renko’s health and his ability to do his job; and the geographic locations (Moscow, Sebastopol and Kyiv) and finally a pervading sense that war is just around the corner.
One other aspect I enjoyed about this novel was the fleeting references to Renko’s past. They remind us not just of what he has been through in the course of his career but also the other terrific stories in the series!
So, for me, this is not only an outstanding story, but also one of the best, if rather more poignant stories in the series … and one I do not hesitate to recommend to anyone who enjoys reading multi-faceted crime thrillers.
by MRS OLGA RICKARD
As with all the Arcady Renko books, this was superb reading. I didn’t want the story to end and felt sad when I had read the last line of this excellent book. His books in this series just get better and better.
by Lagoon
Renko isn’t in his boss’s best books but when a young lady goes missing, events have a domino effect and Renko is asked to find a killer. The trail leads Renko to Ukraine and, this being Putin’s Russia, Renko knows he needs to tread very carefully. Understanding Russia itself and its people is a puzzle but if anyone can put the pieces together, it is Cruz Smith.
The other fascinating aspect was Renko being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Being more than tolerably familiar with this condition, I found the narrative to be not only realistic but understanding and insightful.
An expertly written book that captures Russia, Ukraine and so much more around them.
by R. P
A strong narrative with interesting political insight into Putin’s Russia
by W. Stephens
First to state, I am a huge fan of the author and especially of the Renko series. Have read and re-read them many times over.
This installment is a disappointment.
First half of the book seems rushed, with just characters moving from A to B. None of the usual verbal sparring, cynical insights etc.
Second half of the book picks up and the usual Renko character and some suspense finally kick in.
Then a rushed brief ending with too much left unknown.
Very disappointing.
by gerardpeter
This is the latest episode in the career of Arkady Renko, the Moscow detective introduced to us forty years ago. It is set in the period leading up to the invasion of Ukraine.
It is topical, draws on the real corruption of Putin and how he exercises power. There are some thrilling passages too. However, it is rather thinly plotted, and a light read. I was also puzzled by Arkady’s age – how can he be only 54? The love story with a woman very much younger was overplayed, too, and implausible for me.
He is suffering, as is the author, from Parkinson’s disease and the description of his condition is obviously authentic, and even courageous.
by Howard pirece
Putin’s Russia; same old for our protagonist. However Arkady is really aging now and not even the introduction of his Parkinsons can mask the fact he would probably be long retired by now.
Book was too short as well.
by Patrick
I have read and enjoyed all of the Renko series of books, but sadly this book left me feeling underwelmed. It never really took off,and the plot including Renko, felt a bit tired. and the ending was a bit rushed. .