Independence Square

Arkady Renko in Ukraine

Martin Cruz Smith author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Simon & Schuster Ltd

Published:11th May '23

Should be back in stock very soon

This hardback is available in another edition too:

Independence Square cover

In Independence Square, Arkady Renko navigates a treacherous investigation amid political upheaval and personal struggles, revealing the complexities of modern Russia.

In Independence Square, the latest installment in the Arkady Renko series by Martin Cruz Smith, readers are drawn into a complex narrative set against the backdrop of modern Russia. Arkady Renko, once a prominent investigator, now finds himself relegated to a desk job by his superiors. Disillusioned with the state of policing and the political landscape, he grapples with a sense of hope as a rebellion stirs among the populace. The emergence of new values clashes with entrenched regimes, and the enigmatic politician Leonid Lebedev becomes a focal point for change.

When Karina, a devoted supporter of Lebedev, goes missing, her father turns to Renko for help. As he delves into the mystery, the discovery of a close friend’s murder adds urgency to his quest. The victim, Alex, had sent Renko a cryptic message containing images of Russian writers just before his death. This puzzling clue becomes a key element in Renko's investigation, as he seeks to unravel the connections between these literary figures and the unfolding political drama.

However, Renko faces more than just the oppressive political regime; he is also battling his own health issues, having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The physical and psychological challenges he encounters force him to confront not only the external threats but also his internal struggles. Independence Square is a gripping tale of resilience and determination in the face of adversity, showcasing Martin Cruz Smith's unparalleled storytelling ability.

PRAISE FOR MARTIN CRUZ SMITH:

‘Martin Cruz Smith writes with an immediacy, depth and lightness of touch that is rare in its combination, and impossible to resist. With characters you know instantly and care deeply about – never more than now – he creates a world that is both brilliantly contemporary in its understanding of world politics, and timeless in its grasp of people and human nature. Independence Square is no exception, and further crystallises Cruz Smith as one of the finest writers of our age. I loved it’ Charlotte Philby

‘Arkady Renko, one of the most iconic detective creations of the last half century is back in another nail biting, hotly topical adventure, that once more cements Cruz Smith’s place as the undisputed master of the political crime thriller’ Abir Mukherjee

‘Renko, never far from trouble, is enmeshed in the cesspit of Russian politics and corruption and Putin’s bellicose intentions toward Ukraine. Lured by his compulsion for the truth behind a disappearance and an assassination, Renko steps directly into the firing line. This is Renko’s most zeitgeisty investigation and definitely Cruz Smith’s most powerful and engaging novel since Gorky Park’ Paul Burke, CrimeTime FM

‘Martin Cruz Smith makes tension rise through the page like a shark's fin’ Independent 

‘Smith not only constructs grittily realistic plots, he also has a gift for characterisation of which most thriller writers can only dream’ Mail on Sunday

‘Brilliantly worked, marvellously written . . . an imaginative triumph’ Sunday Times

‘Drips with atmosphere and authenticity – a literary triumph’ David Young

‘Forty years ago, Gorky Park established a new high-water mark for the thriller. It has yet to be surpassed’ Mick Herron

‘When first published Gorky Park was an instant classic; and its reputation has only grown since 1981’ Adrian McKinty

ISBN: 9781398510425

Dimensions: 234mm x 153mm x 21mm

Weight: unknown

272 pages