Book Review: ‘Independence Square: Arkady Renko In Ukraine Novel’ By Martin Cruz Smith

Arkady Smith, an investigator, works for Moscow’s Office of Prosecution, who’s been put on desk duty by his boss. A meeting with Fyodor Abakov, who runs a protection racket. whose daughter Karina is missing, asks him to investigate it, and try and find her. He fears that Putin might have something to do with her missing, since she’s anti-Putin. He ends up going to Ukraine, and Crimea in search of her, and also falls for Karina’s roommate Elena. Shocking murders, a medical issue, and falling in love complicates everything, but he is not one to give up, even if his life is also in danger. This is the 10th novel in the series, my first time reading one, and I really liked it. Arkady is an intense, well-written character, and the story is one you easily follow along with and enjoy.

You can pick up Independence Square in stores on Tuesday, May 9th from Simon & Schuster.