Series
Genres
Publication
Simon & Schuster (2014)
Description
Chief homicide investigator Arkady Renko's investigation of three mutilated bodies reaches to the highest levels of the Communist hierarchy.
User reviews
LibraryThing member mrtall
If there ever, ever were a book that should have ended sooner, this is it.
Gorky Park is, for 80% of its span, a first-rate murder mystery set in an exotic, almost other-planet-like setting, i.e. Moscow in the early 1980s. The story kicks off with a brutal slaying of three ice skaters in the
The period and location detail here are remarkable; I visited the USSR in the 1980s myself, and reading this felt like flashbacks. The greyness, the ridiculous yet menacing bureaucracy, the desperation.
Smith would have had five stars for sure if he'd just ended the book when the time was right. Instead, he takes our hero on a totally implausible junket to New York city, of all places. This silly ending is downright painful to read after the sustained excellence of the bulk of the book.
Recommended nevertheless!
Gorky Park is, for 80% of its span, a first-rate murder mystery set in an exotic, almost other-planet-like setting, i.e. Moscow in the early 1980s. The story kicks off with a brutal slaying of three ice skaters in the
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eponymous park, with Arkady Renko -- who's one of the most well-drawn police detectives I've ever encountered -- assigned to untangle the case and keep himself out of the clutches of his duplicitous supervisors and colleagues, plus the KGB.The period and location detail here are remarkable; I visited the USSR in the 1980s myself, and reading this felt like flashbacks. The greyness, the ridiculous yet menacing bureaucracy, the desperation.
Smith would have had five stars for sure if he'd just ended the book when the time was right. Instead, he takes our hero on a totally implausible junket to New York city, of all places. This silly ending is downright painful to read after the sustained excellence of the bulk of the book.
Recommended nevertheless!
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LibraryThing member aadyer
I came to this with little expectation, although I had heard good things, I tried to keep an open mind. Easy to access in many ways, I think it appears not only dated but jaded as well in the modern era. The setting was well described as was the feeling of Soviet Communist society, I just didn't
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get the rush along with the story that a good thriller needs. At times plodding, and very conservative, at others showing signs of only engaging the reader in a limited way. This didn't work for me & I am unlikely to be reading any more of Arkady Renko's adventures Show Less
LibraryThing member edwardsgt
My first experience of Detective Arkady Renko and a pleasant surprise to find a great thriller with seemingly authentic Russian locations making it different to the usual crime novel. I've since read two more Renko books, which indicates that I rate this author!
LibraryThing member delphica
(#24 in the 2008 book challenge)
I think this was probably more fascinating to read now than it was when it came out, in some ways at least. It's very much a standard police thriller novel -- there's a crime and a police investigator has to solve it, but the novelty act here is that the story is
Grade: B
Recommended: It's neither bad nor remarkable as a detective story, but I feel like this is even more interesting as an artifact of the last years of the Cold War.
I think this was probably more fascinating to read now than it was when it came out, in some ways at least. It's very much a standard police thriller novel -- there's a crime and a police investigator has to solve it, but the novelty act here is that the story is
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taking place in Moscow. Reading it really brought me back to that time in the early 1980s where Moscow might as well have been on Mars. Nobody I knew had ever been to Russia, and nobody I knew was ever going to go to Russia, ever, and this was a basic fact about the way the world worked. The entire novel has this exotic undercurrent as a result, which is only the result of hindsight.Grade: B
Recommended: It's neither bad nor remarkable as a detective story, but I feel like this is even more interesting as an artifact of the last years of the Cold War.
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LibraryThing member Joycepa
Written in 1981, this book has had something of a cult status as one of the first popular entries in the international mystery/thriller genre. It is the first in the Arkady Renko series, the second being published much later, in 1988.
Arkady Renko is a chief investigator in the Moscow militia, the
Until 3 bodies, clearly homicides, are found in Gorky Park, a popular amusement center in Moscow’s heart. The KGB shows both an unusual interest and a complete lack of willingness to step in and investigate these murders, particularly odd since one of the victims is most likely a foreigner. Renko, who smells a rat, is determined to make a case that will force the KGB to take the case off his hands.
The plot is excellent, building up in tension and with enough twists to keep the interest high. Set in 1977, Russian life under Brezhnev was not as bad as in the Stalinist era, but was still highly regimented and repressive; dissent was not allowed, although the mass murders and purges of the Stalinist era were gone. But rigid allegiance to the party line was necessary for any kind of decent life, and obligatory for career advancement. Smith ,as part of the story, shows what daily life for Muscovites was like—the hardships, the lack of decent consumer goods, the regimentation—and it is very well done.
What is a very nice surprise is that 27 years later, the writing is still good—not dated, but taut and spare, portraying both the mood of the average Soviet citizen and the lives they were forced to lead and an excellent plot line. Even given the events over the past 3 decades, the story line does not seem outdated at all—merely a Russian police procedural set in a particular era, which I think is an achievement. His characters seem almost contemporary, and are well-drawn.
Almost 30 years old, this is still a good read. Highly recommended.
Arkady Renko is a chief investigator in the Moscow militia, the
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police section of the MVD. As opposed to the KGB, which investigates cases related to security, the militia are usually concerned with domestic violence, drunkenness and the occasional murder. Moscow, under communist rule, is ostensibly one of he safest cities in the world, since crimes that don’ fit the socialist definition of acceptable are merely defined out of sight. But Renko’s job is usually fairly dull.Until 3 bodies, clearly homicides, are found in Gorky Park, a popular amusement center in Moscow’s heart. The KGB shows both an unusual interest and a complete lack of willingness to step in and investigate these murders, particularly odd since one of the victims is most likely a foreigner. Renko, who smells a rat, is determined to make a case that will force the KGB to take the case off his hands.
The plot is excellent, building up in tension and with enough twists to keep the interest high. Set in 1977, Russian life under Brezhnev was not as bad as in the Stalinist era, but was still highly regimented and repressive; dissent was not allowed, although the mass murders and purges of the Stalinist era were gone. But rigid allegiance to the party line was necessary for any kind of decent life, and obligatory for career advancement. Smith ,as part of the story, shows what daily life for Muscovites was like—the hardships, the lack of decent consumer goods, the regimentation—and it is very well done.
What is a very nice surprise is that 27 years later, the writing is still good—not dated, but taut and spare, portraying both the mood of the average Soviet citizen and the lives they were forced to lead and an excellent plot line. Even given the events over the past 3 decades, the story line does not seem outdated at all—merely a Russian police procedural set in a particular era, which I think is an achievement. His characters seem almost contemporary, and are well-drawn.
Almost 30 years old, this is still a good read. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member BruderBane
“Gorky Park” by Martin Cruz Smith is an incredibly well written Soviet-Era, dour, hard-boiled detective novel with reams of insight into the human character and the pain of simple existence in a world of blight and misery. Even though at times Mr. Smith’s dogged hero, Arkady Renko, is easily
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reminiscent of a Camus’ Mersault than a gritty noir detective, Mr. Smith balances this with femme fatales, evil men, espionage, conspiracy and murder. On the other hand, the final few scenes in New York just didn’t work for me, and came across as drawn out and lacking. Show Less
LibraryThing member soylentgreen23
I don't like detective fiction that much, as I don't like genre writing in general. However, Cruz Smith's style matches his substance - the story is compelling, but the way in which it is delivered is masterful. He captures the atmosphere of communist Moscow so perfectly, and the characters are so
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noir, that I couldn't help loving this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member smik
Three bodies, buried in the snow of Moscow's Gorky Park, and at first taken to be casualties of common violence or the weather, turn out to have every trace of their identities obliterated -- papers, fingertips, faces. For Arkady Renko, a common police homicide investigator in Moscow, this unusual
Renko is a bit of a misfit, and definitely ideologically unsound. Son of a famous WWII general, he would have an easier time of it if he were better at the Party line. Instead, he noodles along in his low-status job, asks too many impertinent questions, and is generally viewed as a failure, especially by his wife. His early conduct of the Gorky Park case is designed to provoke the KGB into taking the matter off his hands -- instead he has a persistent feeling of being watched, and even managed.
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case begins all too familiarly as a jurisdictional squabble with the KGB. Renko is a bit of a misfit, and definitely ideologically unsound. Son of a famous WWII general, he would have an easier time of it if he were better at the Party line. Instead, he noodles along in his low-status job, asks too many impertinent questions, and is generally viewed as a failure, especially by his wife. His early conduct of the Gorky Park case is designed to provoke the KGB into taking the matter off his hands -- instead he has a persistent feeling of being watched, and even managed.
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LibraryThing member DanStratton
This book is a classic who-done-it. The book opens with a triple homicide with all evidence removed, even to the removal of the victim's identity (I'll not give anything away. It is too good of a story.). The book details the Soviet investigator's dogged search for the killer. What I love about
Another coup for Smith was his incredible description of Cold War Soviet life. It is so detailed, it is hard to believe he hadn't spent years in the Soviet Union. The fly leaf said it took him eight years to write Gorky Park. Wonderful book.
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this book is that he solves the mystery about halfway through the book. The rest of the book deals with the fallout of his discovery. I love it when an author recognizes life is not neat when it comes to justice. The second half of the book was even more riveting than the first. During the investigation, I could piece together from the clues Smith expertly drops throughout, so that I solved the case about the same time as the investigator. But during the second half, I was just as out of control and lost as the character as to the ultimate resolution. Brilliant! I haven't read a better book with this ability to turn me upside down. Most mystery books are formula enough to have the endgame guessed before it is over. With this one, I was completely surprised right up to the very last sentence. Don't watch the movie. Read the book. It is a lot better. They had to cut out a lot. Another coup for Smith was his incredible description of Cold War Soviet life. It is so detailed, it is hard to believe he hadn't spent years in the Soviet Union. The fly leaf said it took him eight years to write Gorky Park. Wonderful book.
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LibraryThing member SanctiSpiritus
The author introduces the reader to crime fighting in the USSR. In a land of subversion, and deceit, our hero is an earnest, truthful, and non malleable cop. The book captures the nuances of Soviet, and Russian humor. I was literally laughing out loud in the middle of a crime novel. It was
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fantastic. The characters are richly drawn, and tell the tales of living in the USSR at the height of the Cold War. I will certainly add him amongst my must reads: Harry Bosch, Lucas Davenport, Elvis Cole, and Jack Reacher. Show Less
LibraryThing member tzelman
Top notch police procedural/thriller and an introduction to Soviet detection
LibraryThing member Fluffyblue
I struggled with this book so much. I don't know whether it's just how I am at the moment - unable to remain focussed on anything - or whether the book just didn't interest me. I ended up re-reading a lot of it because I found I'd read bits and just didn't taken it in. In the end I just felt I was
It's sad really, I've got a few Arkady Renko books, and I feel like I'm not going to read them for ages (until the experience of this one has worn off at least!).
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going through the motions.It's sad really, I've got a few Arkady Renko books, and I feel like I'm not going to read them for ages (until the experience of this one has worn off at least!).
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LibraryThing member dwate
Arkado Renko, a Moscow police investigator, is introduced in this complex tale of murder, intrigue and Sable smuggling. Most of the action takes place in Moscow, where three mutilated bodies are discovered in Gorky Park. Renko wants the KGB to take over the case, as it may have state security
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implications, but a former nemesis, Major Pribluda, insists it is a job for Renko. As the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that the authorities do not want any inconvenient findings, especially any revelation that foreigners may be involved. Renko’s marriage is failing, and he becomes obsessed with Irina, a witness in the case. Renko’s determination to investigate thoroughly - along with his failure to toe the party line - are endangering his career. However, it is his life (and those of his closest colleagues, and Irina) that is in the greatest danger, as mysterious and conflicting forces conspire to thwart the investigation. These include a New York policeman (related to one of the victims), a powerful American businessman and the KGB. As always, Cruz Smith’s research is meticulous, the background convincing, and the characters fascinating in this well crafted novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member loveseabooks
A Refreshing tale that is Spellbinding!
Martin Smith created a story with all the right essentials for a super suspense filled mystery. There is romance, companionship, death (brutal mine you; faces mutilated, fingerprints removed), corruption and violence, betrayal and it all takes place in
Martin Smith created a story with all the right essentials for a super suspense filled mystery. There is romance, companionship, death (brutal mine you; faces mutilated, fingerprints removed), corruption and violence, betrayal and it all takes place in
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Russia. Then you combine the story with an author that can write a tale that is fresh and spellbinding then you have super novel. In my opinion this is still one of the best mystery novels out on the market today. Show Less
LibraryThing member m2snick
Detective novels, police procedurals, whatever you call them, are not my cup of tea. However, I really, really liked this one. Well written and unique.
LibraryThing member BrianHostad
Well paced thriller, a knotch above many others, being better written with good characterisation. The plot line wasn't what I expected, so kept me off guard all through the book. However, I did find the central premise that smuggling of some breeding sables was some important and valuable that it
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would lead to the murders and the involvement of the KGB and high levels of Soviet goverment a little surprising and a tad implausable. Show Less
LibraryThing member Daftboy1
This is the first installment of the Inspector Renko books set in Moscow 1981 durinng the cold war.
Three bodies are discovered in Gorky park, Renko investigates he feels the KGB should be more involved, Renko keeps digging, his life is a mess his wife divorces him and his father disowns him, He
I found this book hard going I kept at though.
Three bodies are discovered in Gorky park, Renko investigates he feels the KGB should be more involved, Renko keeps digging, his life is a mess his wife divorces him and his father disowns him, He
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falls in love with a suspect called Irina, alot of suspense and sub plots. Renko ends up in America and kills the main suspect. I found this book hard going I kept at though.
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LibraryThing member ARICANA
A triple murder in a Moscow amusement center: there corpses found frozen in the snow, faces and fingers missing. Chief homicide investigator Arkady Renko is brilliant, sensitive, honest, and cynical about everything except his profession. To identify the victims and uncover the truth, he must
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battle the KGB, FBI, and New York police as he pursues a rich, ruthless, and well-connected American fur dealer. Meanwhile, Arkady is falling in love with a beautiful, headstrong dissident, for whom love he may risk everything... Show Less
LibraryThing member TheWasp
Three people are murdered in Gorky Park and Arkady Renko is the Russian Special Investigator sent to solve the crime. His wife is leaving him and he just wants to be able to hand the case over to the KGB and get back to his regular life. The KGB don't want it.
The story twists and turns to American
The story was fast paced and entertaining, although some of the Russian names were a bit difficult the pronounce.
I will be looking forward to the next installment in "Polar Star"
The story twists and turns to American
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where the crime is eventually solved.The story was fast paced and entertaining, although some of the Russian names were a bit difficult the pronounce.
I will be looking forward to the next installment in "Polar Star"
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LibraryThing member datrappert
This first of Smith's series about Arkady Renko may be the best, although it has been very interesting watching the character's growth through the years through the fall of the Soviet Union to the growth of a chaotic then authoritarian new Russia. Red Square would be my second favorite in the
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series. Show Less
LibraryThing member .Monkey.
Chief Investigator Arkady Renko has to figure out how & why three dead bodies wound up frozen under the snow in Gorky Park, Moscow. Trying to solve their murders seems to lead him from one heap of trouble to the next. I didn't get into this quite as quick as I had expected, but once things started
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heating up I had trouble putting it down. I enjoyed it for the most part. I tried to keep from being irritated by the prejudices in it, and the antisemitism, giving Smith the benefit of the doubt that he was merely attempting to reflect a prevalent Russian attitude of the time; it was a bit much, though, and I hope that's toned down more in the rest of the books. Aside of that, I was pleased with the book. Once the ball was rolling everything unfolded nicely, kept interest high, good twists, realistic characters, good stuff. Show Less
LibraryThing member m2snick
Detective novels, police procedurals, whatever you call them, are not my cup of tea. However, I really, really liked this one. Well written and unique.
LibraryThing member Borg-mx5
Not a big fan of detective novels, but this was excellent.
LibraryThing member thosgpetri
An interesting look at life in Russia, from a different viewpoint. The drawback to living in a totalitarian culture is well drawn, centering on the methods and mindset of law enforcement. Secret police oversee all of society, even controlling other law enforcement agencies. The KBG is the ultimate
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ruler, with powers and methods that are regressive, brutal, and barbaric. Arkady Renko pursues a murderer in the face of opposition from the KGB, the militia (charged with eliminating foreign influences in Russia), and even people who were friends but also part of the investigation. Ultimately the story revolves around Renko's dilemma, solving the murder of 3 people in Gorky Park, without becoming a victim himself. It really gives an interesting look at Moscow, a little of rural Russia, and a serious insight of Russian psychology in the overbearing situation the people are trapped in. Show Less
LibraryThing member rudeboy99
I just reread this and was struck by the authors' grasp of the difficulty of living day by day in the former Soviet Union and his protagonists ( Arkady Renko) ability to struggle on, while not losing his humor or sense of irony.
Subjects
Awards
Language
Original publication date
1981
ISBN
1471137554 / 9781471137556
UPC
001471137554