This satisfying mystery has multiple virtues. The basic trajectory of the plot - a investigator's entire life is effectively destroyed, piece by piece, by his heroic pursuit of truth - is a common cliche; but Gorky Park makes it plausible, fresh, and even hopeful. I have no idea whether Smith's depiction of late 1970s Moscow is accurate, but that's really beside the point: the novel's rich and claustrophobic setting feels real, and allows the story to unfold credibly. Smith keeps the story taut, but weaves in great dialogue, perceptive comments on human nature, and splendid minor characters. I agree with other reviewers that the last 90 pages or so do not hang together well - they carry the themes of entrapment and loyal sacrifice, built through the rest of the book, to their logical conclusion, but they lose the magic and clarity of the other chapters. Still, a more realistic ending - one confined to Moscow - would probably have finished off Inspector Renko, ending this series after the first volume. ( )

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 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. ( )

Series: Arkady Renko #1
Published: 1981
First Line: All nights should be so dark, all winters so warm, all headlights so dazzling.

After three mutilated bodies are found in Gorky Park Chief Investigator Arkady Renko is called in to head the investigation, a job he doesn’t want, and one which he tries his best to hand over to the KGB. The strength of Smith’s novel is his fantastic recreation of the pre-perestroika Soviet Union with its vodka swilling corrupt officials and its deep rooted fear of foreigners. Renko is a typically flawed detective who has a failing marriage and no respect for the system which threatens not only the investigation but Renko’s own life. It is easy to see why the novels originality made it an instant success upon publication and spawned many imitations. ( )

Arkady Renko is a detective in Moscow that has to investigate the death of three people who have been found in Gorki Park. It is a great thriller which has the added attraction of offering an insight into the everyday life and 'politics' of Russia during the soviet era. The inclusion of a USA detective in the plot allows the author to draw interesting parallels between the two countries and to move the action to NY as well. The characters are complex and the plot is very engaging. Great fun. ( )

“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 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. ( )