Death and deception, love and honour, ice and action -- this sixth book in the Arkady Renko series has it all. For die-hard fans of the unlucky Russian detective, Stalin’s Ghost stands as one more proud installment in the on-going tale of corruption, loss and hope that has emerged from Martin Cruz Smith, author of the International Bestseller Gorky Park.

On the slippery slope of Arkady’s tenuous reality, things could indeed be going better. He has become a ‘persona non grata’ within the department, an invisible man lugging around a spiraling career. Along with his partner, Victor, he finds himself in the unenviable position of having to investigate a fellow Detective whom he suspects of multiple murders, a decorated war hero, former Black Beret Nikolai Isakov, an old flame of Eva’s who is currently campaigning for election.

When the ghost of the late beloved leader Josef Stalin appears on the Moscow Metro, some see it as an omen predicting change, others as a potential embarrassment to the existing government. For those opportunists who pride themselves on their ability to make lemonade, the great one’s ‘spirit’ becomes a guiding light that will shine on their favourite candidate: Isakov.

But when Arkady’s girlfriend Eva returns to her former lover Isakov, the beleaguered Detective struggles to remain impassive in his investigation. Meanwhile, Arkady’s honorary son Zhenya has disappeared into Moscow’s jungle of homeless boys, taking with him nothing more than his beloved chess set.

As always with Smith’s novels, there is no shortage of eccentric and fascinating characters in Stalin’s Ghost. The plot is dense to the point of near incomprehension at times, but comes together skillfully in the final analysis and at all times is carried smoothly by the intensely human element of the protagonist, Arkady Renko.

Having read all of Smith’s Renko books to date, I have no hesitation in recommending Stalin’s Ghost to anyone who has a passion for mystery. Smith’s masterful storytelling is surpassed only by his understanding of the fine layers of motivation that propel us all. The blend of rich plot coupled with intricate characterizations creates a novel that is utterly compelling -- truly a tough one to put down.

What can I say about this character that hasn’t been said before? Only this: If I were single and if Renko were a real man…. But, my friends, that is perhaps another story…

Posted by Donna Carrick, September 12, 2007 As always, feel free to contact me.