Great

This one isn't totally fabulous, but I love Arkady and it was still a treat nonetheless.

A Ural motorcycle figures into the story modestly, along with it's modestly interesting background; wiki which see.

The very next day, I see one the street.
The very next day. ( )

Martin Cruz Smith forces so many historical themes, plot turns, and cardboard characters into Stalin's Ghost that the book is both confusing and a little tedious. Though there is some evocative and/or witty description, the book is a weak effort. ( )

1950's Russia — good — small world, corrupt, etc. man of few words all cryptic "Red Dragon" Carpets loose ends — Eva — still alive
Isakov — mystery past college drop-out still @

Investigator Arkady Renko, the pariah of the Moscow prosecutor’s office, has been assigned the thankless job of investigating a new phenomenon: late-night subway riders report seeing the ghost of Joseph Stalin on the platform of the Chistye Prudy Metro station. The illusion seems part political hocus-pocus and also part wishful thinking, for among many Russians Stalin is again popular; the bloody dictator can boast a two-to-one approval rating. Decidedly better than that of Renko, whose lover, Eva, has left him for Detective Nikolai Isakov, a charismatic veteran of the civil war in Chechnya, a hero of the far right and, Renko suspects, a killer for hire. The cases entwine, and Renko’s quests become a personal inquiry fueled by jealousy.

Set in Russia, and filled with Russians, Stalin's Ghost has that typical depressing, fuck life sort of attitude that seems to define the stereotypical Russian story. Everyone drinks vodka and smokes. Nobody cares about violence and crime, it's the stuff of everyday life. It's an attitude filled with hopelessness and resignation that life will never get better. As if Russia is trapped in its past, unable to move forward, no vision for rebirth. If you like that kind of setting, you'll enjoy the book.

I thought the story was worth the read. I was happy to keep turning pages with no desire to stop. My personal criticism might be that I wouldn't mind seeing a little more heroism, a little more hope beneath the grit. And I felt that the ending lacked punch. It felt a little too quick, a little lacking in drama, and a little unresolved, though that is probably to preserve things for future novels in the series.

I would read further novels from the series. It's not the kind of story that leaves you breathless or excited, but it's filling fare between great novels that don't come along everyday. ( )