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Independence Square

Arkady Renko in Ukraine

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Independence Square

By: Martin Cruz Smith
Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb
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About this listen

 ‘The later Renko novels are stark, spare and beautiful, like trees in winter. Martin Cruz Smith does more on a page than most writers manage in a chapter. He is unique and irreplaceable’ MICK HERRON

ARKADY RENKO IS BACK . . .

Renko has been confined to a desk job by his superiors to keep him out of the way. Although he’s more disillusioned with policing and the general state of Russia than ever, he feels an odd sense of hope. A rebellion is bubbling in the country, with new values butting heads against old-school regimes. People want change and politician Leonid Lebedev could be the man to do it.

When Karina, a staunch supporter of Lebedev and member of the Forum, goes missing, Renko is asked by her father to find her. Soon after his investigation begins, Alex, a close friend of Arkady’s son, is found dead. He was also a member of the Forum.

The night before his murder, Alex sent Arkady a cryptic message, simply containing three pictures of Russian writers. The link between the pictures is there, if only Renko could see it.

But Arkady has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and the physical and psychological effects of the disease are taking their toll. This time, he must fight more than the impenetrable Russian regime to get answers – he will need to fight himself.

PRAISE FOR MARTIN CRUZ SMITH:

‘Smith was among the first of a new generation of writers who made thrillers literary’ Guardian

‘One of those writers that anyone who is serious about their craft views with respect bordering on awe’ Val McDermid

‘Martin Cruz Smith writes with an immediacy, depth and lightness of touch that is rare in its combination, and impossible to resist . . . Independence Square is no exception, and further crystallises Cruz Smith as one of the finest writers of our age’ Charlotte Philby ?

‘The undisputed master of the political crime thriller’ Abir Mukherjee

'Renko started off investigating murders in Soviet Russia, now it's political corruption in Putin's Russia. And it's even more gripping than before' Gareth Rubin

‘Cruz Smith’s most powerful and engaging novel since Gorky Park’ Paul Burke, CrimeTime FM Espionage International Mystery & Crime Mystery Political Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Fiction Russia Detective Crime

Critic reviews

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
All stars
Most relevant
Arkady novels have suffered at the hands of the law of diminishing returns over the last few novels and this book does not reversed that trend. If you have never read an Arkady novel then start earlier in the series and ideally with Gorky park. This is light and lacks a lot of the depth of earlier novels and it is largely saved by the characters momentum from earlier novels. If you started here you may never read another one which would be a shame.

The least best arkady

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