Investigator Arkady Renko, the pariah of the Moscow prosecutor’s office, has been assigned the thankless job of investigating a new phenomenon: late-night subway riders report seeing the ghost of Joseph Stalin on the platform of the Chistye Prudy Metro station. The illusion seems part political hocus-pocus and also part wishful thinking, for among many Russians Stalin is again popular; the bloody dictator can boast a two-to-one approval rating. Decidedly better than that of Renko, whose lover, Eva, has left him for Detective Nikolai Isakov, a charismatic veteran of the civil war in Chechnya, a hero of the far right and, Renko suspects, a killer for hire. The cases entwine, and Renko’s quests become a personal inquiry fueled by jealousy.
The investigation leads to the fields of Tver outside of Moscow, where once a million soldiers fought. There, amidst the detritus, Renko must confront the ghost of his own father, a favorite general of Stalin’s. In these barren fields, patriots and shady entrepreneurs—the Red Diggers and Black Diggers—collect the bones, weapons and personal effects of slain World War II soldiers, and find that even among the dead there are surprises.
Stalin’s Ghost is replete with Martin Cruz Smith’s trademark wit, dark humor and action. In this tale of Arkady Renko, Smith has again fashioned an unforgettable character as cynical as Philip Marlowe, but with the heart of a Chekhovian Everyman. The reader is treated to an unparalleled thriller woven with a depth of humanity found in the finest literature.

(I found this book during a road trip through NSW, Victoria and South Australia. It might have been in Darlington Point, between Hay and Narrandera NSW.)

This book was a good find, as it was an enjoyable read. I must find the books in this series I haven't read and read them. I have read three of them now. I believe there is eight in the series.

Released in King O'Malley's Pub in Civic, ACT. Enjoy.

Crime story set in Russia.

At Canberra BookCrossers monthly meet

Picked up at King O'Malley's pub at the monthly meeting of Canberra Bookcrossers.

This book will be released during the Darwin UnConvention 15-17 July 2016 in Darwin city or surrounds.