Stalin's Ghost (Arkady Renko Series #6)

Stalin's Ghost should have stayed in the grave

This book was not up to Smith's usual standards. The plot was weak and disjointed. The characters were not believable or likeable. I expected more after Gorky Park. A disappointment!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

a well written detective story

This is a book that I hated to finish. I've read all of this author's previous titles, this may be my favorite. I felt I was in Moscow and although I don't really drink I began craving vodka. Authors tend to get too wordy when they use a continuing character but this book was well edited. The type is spaced well on the page too, making it really easy to read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Martin Cruz Smith, Stalin's Ghost

In his sixth novel of Arkady Renko, Martin Cruz Smith continues to depict a calm, to some cold, Moscow detective, suffering through professional and personal setbacks. Arkady is challenged and even threatened by superiors and colleagues, while growing more fearful of losing his Eva to a young, popular hero of the Chechen war and fellow detective Nikolai Isakov. When Isakov takes over - and quickly solves - a couple of suspicious deaths, Arkady cannot leave it alone. But is it jealousy of a romantic rival that compels him forward or real evidence that Isakov is not what he seems. As always, Cruz enables the reader to feel life - and death - in Russia. The cold of the streets, the avarice of the new capitalists, the bitterness of the old guard. Stalin's Ghost was a fantastic read.

This Ghost Is Recommended

Not a fan of mystery novels, I did find Stalin's Ghost a true page turner due to the intensity of the series of events and outcomes. The story starts where Renko has heard of the sighting of Stalin's ghost, which gives everyone chills. Arkady Renko can be identified as a man who's "private life is a shambles", as well as an investigator who is devoted and obsessed with his work. He is also the guardian of an orphan named Zhenya who loves to play chess. He pursues the investigation and comes across the ideals of human morals which includes corruption and dishonesty that surrounds him. The major themes in the novel are the realities of human morals which plays well within the story. Although, one thing I do dislike about the novel is how short the story is. It could've been longer, which could have also given the audience more feeling of obscurity, which would prolong some events. But, I did enjoy the dialogue of the characters because it gave the feeling that the characters had a sense of life in them, unlike other mystery novels which I find that many characters have similar characteristics from other mystery novels. I believe that others should read this just for sheer fun, and the gripping sensation of a great mystery novel. I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend Gorky Park, and Wolves Eat Dogs to others.

A Real Winner!

Mr. Smith's novels are one of the few that I must have the day it is released and I believe that "Stalin's Ghost" is one of his best. Gorky Park is my favorite. It is rare for an author of a series to be so reliably outstanding but Smith does it in style. The story with the main character Arkady Renko is solid and the author doesn't disappoint. Again, Smith demonstrates in this novel that he is a master at having separate scenarios taking place, (3 in this novel) and blending them seamlessly.

Arkady endures

I fell in love with William Hurt in the movie Gorky Park; I got over him in The Big Chill... But I digress. I discovered that the author of GP, Martin Cruz Smith, has written sequels with the same droll investigator as the central character. I took a trip to modern day Russia with his novel Stalin's Ghost, and enjoyed the non-stop action - a bit "Bourne" - while the historical detail was interesting as it shed some light on my shadowy concepts of that part of the world and its history. In the CD version, the narrator has this gruff Russian accent which adds to the ambiance. Definitely adult language, content, so be forewarned. (originally posted in my now-defunct book blog 5/22/08)

Stalin's Ghost

He uses more swear words, much more than he used to. He didn't have to before. He can be such a good writer, he doesn't need to swear. A book you can hardly put down, like most of his. Arkady Renko is a great character.

Stalin's Ghost

In his sixth novel of Arkady Renko, Martin Cruz Smith continues to depict a calm, to some cold, Moscow detective, suffering through professional and personal setbacks. Arkady is challenged and even threatened by superiors and colleagues, while growing more fearful of losing his Eva to a young, popular hero of the Chechen war and fellow detective Nikolai Isakov. When Isakov takes over - and quickly solves - a couple of suspicious deaths, Arkady cannot leave it alone. But is it jealousy of a romantic rival that compels him forward or real evidence that Isakov is not what he seems. As always, Cruz enables the reader to feel life - and death - in Russia. The cold of the streets, the avarice of the new capitalists, the bitterness of the old guard. Stalin's Ghost was a fantastic read.

Excellent book

An in-depth book, very imaginative and complete. This book does not leave you hanging. Excellent!

Great reading very different plot

Very intreagueing.

Good Addition to the Arkady Series

Arkady is back, a little more worn and torn, and although far from the freshness of Gorky Park I still found it an enjoyable read.

Great book. Great characters.

I love the development of Arkady Renko from Gorky Park to this novel. I love the wicked humor among the characters in the book. Martin Cruz Smith is a great writer. He's complex, and visual, and emotional. I appreciate his talent so much.

Huh?

Confusing. Hard to follow. Made it for 100 pages and couldn't struggle anymore. At least that's better than my wife who read 23 pages and tossed it.

A reviewer

Arkady Renko...I couldn't resist re-visiting this old friend. Satan's Ghost takes us back into his world, a new Russia where crime and mobsters rule rather than Soviet bureaucrats. Cruz Smith does his usual good job except that the suspense of his previous novels is not quite here. This is more of a leisurely walk than a high-paced thriller. He left me wanting more...in this book and hopefully many more.

This is an excellent Russian police procedural

Moscow Police Department Senior Investigator Arkady Renko is horrified by the path that the clues of his current investigation take him as he looks into an apparent murder for the ¿firm¿. The evidence stacks up that the killers have employed two former Black Beret Chechnya War heroes turned police detectives, Nikolai Isakov and Marat Urman.------------------- That murderer for hire case is bothersome because of the apparent killers being his peers. However, the second case is more bewildering as Renko investigates accounts by seemingly reputable witnesses who claim they have seen STALIN¿S GHOST in the subways. Finally he also inquires into the sudden deaths of Black Berets who served with Isakov. As he works his three cases, Arkady sees the tie between them is Isakov, who is an untouchable as he runs for public office. Still Renko, in spite of threats warning him to back off or join the growing morgue population, seeks proof that will hang even the powerful Isakov.------------------------ This is an excellent Russian police procedural that will provide acclaim to Martin Cruz Smith as he excels with this deep look at the forces manipulating contemporary Moscow. The story line is classic sleuthing as Arkady methodically works one clue at a time on his three cases. His efforts serve as the focus keeping the investigations moving forward and coherent. Readers will enjoy his sixth outing as STALIN¿S GHOST will be considered one of the sub-genre¿s top tales of 2007.---------------------- Harriet Klausner

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