Gripping, gritty, COLD! Renko is on a Russian fishing boat in the Bering Sea after being sent to Siberia for his activities in Gorky Park which I read years ago. ' I'm becoming addicted to Martin Cruz Smith, I think. ' A mystery set in exotic location (russian fishing boat in Bering sea). ' Probably my favorite Arkady Renko book, set on a factory ship in the Bering Sea. In this book, he makes you feel the cold and the misery of working on a fish factory ship. I like the personalities and the adventure. The characters are human, believable and fallable. It captures the era of Soviet Russia in the 80's. It is more than just a predictable mystery. Continues with many of the same characters that were in Gorky Park. There seemed to be a couple of loose threads as well as little hints that seemed to lead somewhere yet ended up dying into nothing. ' The sequel to 'Gorky Park' was ok, though I thought not as good as its predecessor. I love this character and Martin Cruz Smith doesn't disappoint. ' An interesting venue for Arkady Renkos' latest murder investigation, in the middle of the Bering Sea aboard a Russian factory ship. One of those rare mysteries that I have enjoyed reading over again. The mystery and investigation is also top notch with typical Renko twists and insights. His first exile and on a Russian fish factory ship where Smith gives you a palpable sense of what that must mean for the body and the spirit. It took some time for me to really establish a feel for the book (perhaps due to the male-dominated storyline), but I enjoyed the Soviet speak and the resolution. It is a completely isolated, foreign environment and rather forbidding, as well as overly male. It takes place on a fishing factory ship in waters off Siberia, close to Alaska. ' A mystery with Arkady Renko as the main character, Polar Star was of interest to me because of its Soviet-era setting.

' slow plodding intricate and with a very different sense of life and humor ' - Tulsi, ' this is the second one - really scary and intense. Who could ask for more? ' - Miles Kirke, The characters are exquisitely drawn, the plot intricate and the dialogue faultless and it's read by the master, the late, great Frank Muller. ' One of the best books of the Renko series by Cruz Smith, which makes it a very good book indeed. Overall Performance: Narration Rating: Story Rating:.

Polar Star by Martin Cruz Smith