Polar Star

Polar Star by Martin Cruz Smith is the second in his Arkady Renko series, and the sequel to his bestselling book, Gorky Park. Things ended badly for Moscow investigator Renko in Gorky Park. He's been fired from his job and removed from the party. Polar Star opens with Renko relegated to as close to a modern day Siberian work camp as you can get-a fishing factory ship called the Polar Star in the Bering Sea. Renko has spent a good part of a year stuck on the "slime line," where he guts and cleans fish. Events change quickly for Renko when a young, flirtatious cafeteria worker is scooped up in a fishing net, murdered. Renko is called on by the ship's captain to help assist as Renko is the only person on board with a background in investigation. At first, the officer running the investigation tries to convince everyone it was an accident. But Renko knows better, and finally convinces enough people that he is allowed to investigate independently. The Polar Star is working on a joint fishing expedition alongside American ships, and the possible suspects include not just Russians, but also, Americans. But as more crew members turn up dead, Renko's job becomes more perilous and his life is in danger. There aren't too many good places to hide on a fishing boat. The last chapters will have you on the edge of your seat! I am amazed that Cruz Smith can write about Russian characters in a way that penetrates their psyche in such a convincing manner (especially considering he isn't Russian). Polar Star is also fascinating in that it takes place during the tail end of the Soviet Era, and we get a glimpse of how Russian's struggled to "see things in a new way." Usually, this "new way" was contrary to communist doctrine. Also, not much is known about these joint US-Soviet fishing expeditions. Americans and Russians certainly make for strange bedfellows. The KGB and CIA are always lurking in the background as they each try to spy on the other. Polar Star is also interesting in that it fills in the gaps since Gorky Park. Renko had many unresolved issues at the end of book one. Only one thing would have improved this almost perfect book-a map of the Bering Sea and the surrounding lands. This is not exactly an area well known to most of us. Otherwise, I think that Cruz Smith is one of our finest mystery writers today, and I already have Red Square waiting in the wings.

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.

I have just read the first three Arkady Renko novels (Gorky Park, Polar Star, and Red Square) by Martin Cruz Smith, and am currently enjoying his fourth featuring the Moscow investigator (Havana Bay). I found Polar Star to be an extremely enjoyable read. It is uniquely set on a factory ship on the Bering Sea which consequently infuses a claustrophobic atmosphere into every page. In Arkady Renko, Cruz Smith has created an intriguing and realistic hero. Never before has a leading character been so easy to identify with and warm to. And in Polar Star, Cruz Smith has, in my view, exceeded the standard set by the brilliant Gorky Park. It is extremely well written, with an absorbing plot that gathers momentum as it hurtles towards a gripping climax. In summary, unputdownable.

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?

Polar Star was better than Gorky Park, introducing a more diverse array of characters. I especially like the accurate portrayal of Americans and Russians. Finally, a Cold War book by an American that doesn't glorify Americans and villify Russians! Arkady Renko is a character that one can relate to. Great work Mr. Smith!