SOVIET GHOSTS IN MODERN RUSSIA - Rated 
Martin Cruz Smith is to Russian psyche what James Clavell was to Far East ethos: a master author that is able to capture and masterfully convey the natives' perspective and an outsider's amazement at the same time.
From Soviet inefficiency and corruption, to the transitional plutocracy flaunting their stolen billions and political clout, and to present day totalitarian oligarchy struggling to consolidate its power, the Russian winter of discontent seems never to end. And in the middle of it all, good old Arkady.
The self-destructive and detached police investigator who knows not when to quit; who knows not how to play the political cards; who will take anything thrown at him; who never takes his eyes from the ball; and who will surprise every so often with his insight or luck, even he cannot be sure.
Soviet era ghosts stir up trouble in modern Russia. Stalin's apparitions seem to be visiting the Moscow Metro station that served as his underground bunker during WWII. Arkady will get stuck with the case of investigating the claims and its implications because of his father special relationship with the tovarich - and because he is expendable, not to mention a constant thorn in the side of his superiors. The way he drinks cheap vodka and brushes the wrong way with powerful underworld characters, he might believe so himself. But then again never underestimate the perceverence of the Russian desperation.
If new to the series, I would advise starting with GORKY PARK and work your way to this one: you will get a panorama of Russian society in the last 30 years. Nevertheless, STALIN's GHOST is a perfect standalone gem on itself.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Modern crime detection in post-Soviet Russia. Superb - Rated 
This is part of Martin Cruz Smith's long-running series set in contemporary Russia, featuring the akward, obstinate and brilliant detective Arkady Renko. In fact, the real star of these novels is Russia itself, as the twisting plotline is set against the backdrop of the post-Soviet state with all of its strange developments, political, sociological and criminal.
If you haven't read any of the earlier books in the series then the main plot won't be a problem, but much of the subtle backdrop will be lost on you, because you need to have developed a relationship with Renko, and an understanding of his personal situation, to feel the impact of events in this book.
Still, you don't need an in-depth knowledge of the characters to enjoy Cruz Smith's brilliant portrayal of the Russian winter, nor to understand the melancholic and nostalgic longing for Soviet-era order or how a military hero in Chechenya might rise to the top of a nationalistic political party.
There's also a good mystery to unravel. Why did travellers start seeing Stalin's ghost at an underground railway station? (And, of course, the deeper meaning of the title: how much of Russia is still dominated by Stalin's shadow?)
This isn't a page-turning, rip-snorting action thriller. Very often the most shocking moments come in mundane situations, when you least expect them. So it's best to pace the reading a little, enjoy the concise, well-crafted text, and let the Russian ambience surround you for a while so you get the most from the clever revelations as they jump out and grab you.
Thoroughly recommended for lovers of thoughtful political thrillers.
9/10
The book and the motorbike - Rated
This latest Renko novel is similar to Renko's Ural Cossack motorbike: it starts off slowly but gets you wherever you wish to go! When you read a Renko story you finish up knowling a lot about Russia which you didn't know you wanted to know.
I really enjoyed this book but then, I'm a Renko fan. After the rather ponderous 'Wolves Eat Dogs' this is Arkady at his best. Which, of course, means that his dogged determination to solve a series of murders, initially disconnected, leads him into pain and anguish both physical and emotional.
His relationship with Eva is not going well, his relationship with Moscow is not going well; indeed, the poor man has lost his sort of adopted son as well.
But, Renko being Renko and Martin Cruz Smith being the high class author he is, the story gathers speed and the reader has to reach the last page to determine how Renko's life will go on - if it will!
MCS is one of the few authors whose books demand that you read every page for fear of missing some crucial information. Or, at worst, picking up some item about Russian domestic history which escaped you before.
If you are an Arkady Renko fan, you won't be disappointed. If you're not, I hope that you will become one after reading this.
Good Read - Rated 
In my opinion just not quite good enough for 4 stars. However, a good read all the same.
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