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bibliomaniac2021's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
stevem0214's review against another edition
5.0
Arkady is one of if not my favorite character in literature. Not as exciting as some (Lucas Davneport) or as personable as others (Walt Longmire), but a great character! Like always, Martin Curz Smith starts slow and builds to a breakneck pace!
gtwelch's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
Audio read by Frank Muller. Arkady Renko is working on the slime line on a fishing boat when one of the crew is found dead.
kynan's review against another edition
3.0
I'm really torn between three and four stars for this one. It continues the story of Arkady Renko and I can't say too much about it without spoiling the ending of Gorky Park (take note that Polar Star begins with a brief review of everything that happened in Gorky Park so you really should read it first if you care about such things).
My initial thought when it came to reviewing was that this is exactly the opposite of the cozy mystery genre. There's nothing cozy about a factory ship in the Bering Sea and the assorted mayhem and murder that surrounds Renko is described in intricately lurid detail. The mystery element is extremely well done. It put me in mind of the way that Agatha Christie writes, there are wee clues spread hither and yon and it keeps you guessing with assorted red herrings and sub-plots right up to the reveal. Even after who killed whom is determined, the thriller side of the plot keeps on kicking through to the bitter end!
Additionally, Mr Cruz has captured well the Russian style and mindset (as best I can tell from my reading of translated works anyway) and occasionally throws some beautifully worded similes out, I think my favourite was "Slava and his sax leaned into 'Dark Eyes', extracting amber from sap."
I'll definitely be following up on Mr Renko in Red Square.
I listened to the audio version of this book, expertly narrated by Frank Muller, and had no issues whatsoever.
My initial thought when it came to reviewing was that this is exactly the opposite of the cozy mystery genre. There's nothing cozy about a factory ship in the Bering Sea and the assorted mayhem and murder that surrounds Renko is described in intricately lurid detail. The mystery element is extremely well done. It put me in mind of the way that Agatha Christie writes, there are wee clues spread hither and yon and it keeps you guessing with assorted red herrings and sub-plots right up to the reveal. Even after who killed whom is determined, the thriller side of the plot keeps on kicking through to the bitter end!
Additionally, Mr Cruz has captured well the Russian style and mindset (as best I can tell from my reading of translated works anyway) and occasionally throws some beautifully worded similes out, I think my favourite was "Slava and his sax leaned into 'Dark Eyes', extracting amber from sap."
I'll definitely be following up on Mr Renko in Red Square.
I listened to the audio version of this book, expertly narrated by Frank Muller, and had no issues whatsoever.
petealdin's review against another edition
5.0
As good as the first in the series, and nicely different. What a wonderful character Renko is.
zdkb24's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
marcel's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
"Just two or three years," [Pribluda] said. "With the new regime, everything is changing—though not all for the best as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, give them a chance to forget you and then come back."
"Well, it was a good act," Arkady said, "but you got me out too easily. You made a deal."
Pribluda killed the engine, and for a moment there was no sound except the settling of snow, all those tons of flakes gently blanketing the city.
"To keep you alive." The colonel was exasperated. "What's wrong with that?"
"Well, it was a good act," Arkady said, "but you got me out too easily. You made a deal."
Pribluda killed the engine, and for a moment there was no sound except the settling of snow, all those tons of flakes gently blanketing the city.
"To keep you alive." The colonel was exasperated. "What's wrong with that?"
ghostroom217's review against another edition
5.0
A great recurring character in Arkady Renko. Wonderful writing! Love that this one takes place aboard a creaky old factory ship in the Bering Sea. Highly recommended.
taque's review
3.0
Interesting read. I enjoyed reading about the deep-sea fishing industry (of course woven into a murder/political mystery :D ) My first Martin Cruz Smith book - I will go back and read Gorky Park next.