Rating: 
Summary: Again, above the rest.
Review: 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.' Here, he will have to use his talents to solve the murder of a young Georgian (Soviet Georgian, that is) woman who had been in contact with Americans. As in "Gorky Park," the Americans are not portrayed too kindly, which only adds realism to the story. The most extraordinary thing about this book is the absolute control that Smith has of its setting. Once again the author has proven that he can not only tell an interesting tale, but that he can do it with enviable talent: the ice, the cold weather, the trapped ship, the people who lie to Renko for their own reasons, the plots within plots, all of this is masterly interwoven by Smith with apparent ease. Although "Polar Star" does not advance the story of Arkady and Irina (for those with a touch of the romantic in us), it does provide the credible setting for the investigator's return home, opening the way for the third book. The Renko novels are all good, even if the fourth one goes against my romantic streak, and Smith only proves that he is one of the best American writers today, period.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: This author has produced a thoroughly compelling tale with strong believable characters and realistic settings. The plotting is tight and extremely suspenseful. The portrayal of Renko, the main protagonist, as a man with a tortured soul, is finely drawn and most convincing. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: Renko rules!
Review: This book is a goldmine full of Arkady Renko's thoughts about the situations he finds himself in. It is hilarious and serious at the same time. There is nothing I would rather read than Renko's subtle, humerous outlook on Soviet life and this book has lots of it. Great plot about a great survivor. Martin Cruz Smith is a master.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Detective Story
Review: 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. I remember how vivid the scenes were. I could easily picture in my mind what it must have looked like and been like. The icy water, the towering waves.... The rocking ship, the smell in the confined places. Smith did a wonderful job of creating the scenes.... The story was good too... A little slow in the beginning, but once the characters were created, it moved along quickly.
Rating:
Summary: Good Detective Story
Review: 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. I remember how vivid the scenes were. I could easily picture in my mind what it must have looked like and been like. The icy water, the towering waves.... The rocking ship, the smell in the confined places. Smith did a wonderful job of creating the scenes.... The story was good too... A little slow in the beginning, but once the characters were created, it moved along quickly.
Rating:
Summary: A high-impact mystery thriller
Review: This is a superb mystery/adventure/thriller which shows Martin Cruz-Smith's ability to place a sympathetic "hero" in an offbeat, unusual locale that he invests with so much life that you're there with the lead character, in the scene, experiencing what he experiences and moving with him inexorably toward a completely satisfying resolution of the mystery. I found Polar Star totally engaging, almost impossible to put down, and absolutely fascinating. Who could ask for more?
Rating:
Summary: Fast and exciting
Review: This is great! A worthy follow-up to "Gorky Park." I find it to be a much quicker read though, as it seemingly has more action going on in the begining.
Rating:
Summary: Yes! You can pick up where Gorky left off!
Review: When our love of fantactic story telling meets the extreme world or Arkady Renko there is no limit to the danger and excitement. Frozen seas, romance, internal strength and a cunning intellect. Was there something else you were looking for? You may find it here as well
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