Polar Star - the Sequel to Gorky Park [Paperback]

 

 

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Martin Cruz Smith is a former journalist and magazine editor. "Polar Star" was first published in 1998 and is the second of his books - after "Gorky Park" - to feature Arkady Renko.

Renko was once the Chief Homicide Investigator for Moscow's militia - more or less the 'standard' police force, which saw Renko dealing with the 'everyday'. (The KGB dealt with the really interesting cases). However, following the investigation outlined in "Gorky Park", Renko's life and career has taken a major nosedive. He's been dismissed from the Prosecutor's Office, dismissed from the Party for a lack of `political reliability' and sentenced to a life in Siberia - but only after being kept for psychiatric `observation'. He's found it difficult to make a new life for himself, as his past has always caught up with him. Usually, that costs him whatever job he happened to be doing. He now works as a Seaman (Second Class) on the Polar Star, a factory ship working in American waters between Siberia and Alaska. The operation is a joint Soviet - American venture : the smaller ships, American trawlers, catch the fish, while the Polar Star processes the catch. The Soviets take the fish, while the Americans take the money.

Four months out of Vladivostock, the nets return a little more than the usual catch : the body of Zina Patiashvili. Zina, a pretty blonde who worked in the cafeteria, was well-known onboard. Slava Bukovsky, the ship's third mate, is put in charge of the investigation into Zina's death. However, despite his lack of political reliability, Renko is appointed Bukowsky's assistant by the ship's captain, Viktor Marchuk. The captain makes it absolutely clear he wants no suggestion of a cover-up or a lack of a proper investigation. Things are made a little complicated, however, by the American fishermen : many of them were onboard the night Zina died, attending a dance in the cafeteria.

While Marchuk doesn't appear too bother with Renko's lack of political reliability, the ship's first mate, Volovoi, isn't quite so forgiving, Volovoi is no sailor, despite his position : he holds his rank as the ship's Political Officer. Therefore, he's responsible for morale and discipline and reports directly to the KGB. It's clear to Renko that Zina was murdered, though it appears that some of the officers would prefer a verdict of suicide. Contrary to the captain's orders, Volovoi wants to be in absolute control : he wants no information to be passed to the Americans and to be briefed before any report is made to Marchuk. Volovoi's duties include writing a report on every crew member for the KGB. He makes it clear that Arkady's only hope of ever setting foot on dry land again rests on a very positive evaluation in that report. Trapped on a ship with conflicting orders from the senior officers and the strong possibility that the murderer is a fellow sailor, this is going to be a difficult investigation.

I enjoyed "Polar Star" a great deal - even more, I think, than "Gorky Park". However, I would recommend starting with "Gorky Park", as there are several nods to Renko's past. Definitely recommended.

The second in Martin Cruz Smith's wonderful Russian-themed detective series, Polar Star lives up to the promise of the first book, Gorky Park. Polar Star is a Russian fishing ship off the coast of Alaska, working in conjunction with a team of US trawlers. Moscow detective Arkady Renko is being rehabilited after the events in Gorky Park and finds himself on board when a murder takes place. The setting, on a freezing fishing ship in the icy Bering Sea, lends a heavy pressurized feeling to every page. Smith has done the research, his writing is self-assured but not self-conscious. He doesn't show off, but casts plot and dialogue and characters and scenery with the true ring of authenticity. Renko's self-deprecating honesty and Columbo-like detective style brings a smile. Smith is a good writer and this is a good book.

I thought this was a very solid follow up to Gorky Park. The characters lot in life and situation make since to me. The same strong character building comes through to thus book and that dark, a bit desperate feel is there also. I look the feel of the book, in describing the fishing ship - I can smell it, the description is that good. I also liked the story, I was wondering how he was going to give us a fulfilling murder mystery to solve and he did it. If you liked his last book in this series then you will really like this one.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good Detective Story
This is a good story. Murder on the high seas... With a Russian twist. I read this book a while back and can still remember most of the details. Read more

Published on Aug 1 2001 by Sonterro

5.0 out of 5 stars I Could Smell the Fish!
Martin Cruz Smith again proves himself to be a master story teller. For Americans, the settings and charachters that flourish in Smith's novels are exotic, unforgettable, and... Read more

Published on Jun 28 2001 by J. Liberty

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and entertaining, start to finish
Smith finds all the right notes in 'Polar Star.' The Arkady Renko character is really unique in popular fiction--a mix of resignation, reluctance, intelligence, and doggedness is... Read more

Published on Jun 9 2001 by Matt Pletcher

5.0 out of 5 stars Polar Star
I picked up a copy of Polar Star when I was 12 and now, 2 years later, I still think it's one of the best book I've ever read. Read more

Published on May 19 2001 by Nikki Williams

5.0 out of 5 stars Again, above the rest.
The second novel in the Arkady Renko series is the one I actually read first. Renko has escaped his enemies by going to work in a factory ship, the 'Polar Star. Read more

Published on Mar 9 2001 by Sergio Flores

5.0 out of 5 stars Again, above the rest.
The second novel in the Arkady Renko series is the one I actually read first. Renko has escaped his enemies by going to work in a factory ship, the 'Polar Star. Read more

Published on Mar 9 2001 by Sergio Flores

5.0 out of 5 stars CLASS ACT
"Polar Star" brings about the very best in contemporary thriller writing. The setting on board the Soviet factory ship is as bleak and unforgiving as you can imagine... Read more

Published on Mar 8 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional read
I have just read the first three Arkady Renko novels (Gorky Park, Polar Star, and Red Square) by Martin Cruz Smith, and am currently enjoying his fourth featuring the Moscow... Read more

Published on Nov 13 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book
A compelling and exciting read from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down.

Published on Nov 8 2000 by Charles F. Morris

3.0 out of 5 stars More into the heart and soul of Arkady Renko
Polar Star is the first sequel to Gorky Park. In this version Arkady Renko has paid the price of principle and is a man on the run east through Siberia. Read more

Published on Aug 31 2000 by Baltic Books

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