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stjernesvarme's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
bored_desperado's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
2.5**
As the snow begins to melt, three frozen bodies are found in Moscow’s Gorky Park. They’ve all been shot, and their bodies mutilated to hamper identification. Investigator Arkady Renko is brilliant, honest, and cynical, but he’s a professional and acknowledged, even by his enemies, as a stellar investigator. But to solve this case, he’ll have to battle the KGB, the FBI and the New York City police.
This is the first in a series, and Smith gives us an interesting cast of characters, including a dwarf who does reconstructive sculpture from bones to help identify crime victims, a mysterious young woman working with a film crew, a rogue NYC cop, and a rich, ruthless and well-connected American mogul. Renko, for all his skill and tenacity, is flawed, and suffering through the end of his own marriage.
The plot starts out with a bang, but Smith throws in so many side shows and plot twists, including considerable political intrigue, that I began to lose interest. And I found the ending somewhat anticlimactic. I doubt I’ll read more of the series.
As the snow begins to melt, three frozen bodies are found in Moscow’s Gorky Park. They’ve all been shot, and their bodies mutilated to hamper identification. Investigator Arkady Renko is brilliant, honest, and cynical, but he’s a professional and acknowledged, even by his enemies, as a stellar investigator. But to solve this case, he’ll have to battle the KGB, the FBI and the New York City police.
This is the first in a series, and Smith gives us an interesting cast of characters, including a dwarf who does reconstructive sculpture from bones to help identify crime victims, a mysterious young woman working with a film crew, a rogue NYC cop, and a rich, ruthless and well-connected American mogul. Renko, for all his skill and tenacity, is flawed, and suffering through the end of his own marriage.
The plot starts out with a bang, but Smith throws in so many side shows and plot twists, including considerable political intrigue, that I began to lose interest. And I found the ending somewhat anticlimactic. I doubt I’ll read more of the series.
sankitch87's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
splendidpanda's review against another edition
1.0
The first book in a very long time I have given up on!
Boring beyond belief and the Russian names confused me so much about who was who and what city was where! The murder opening was a promising start but the plot was so slow with detours about Russian politics, I can’t take it anymore!
Boring beyond belief and the Russian names confused me so much about who was who and what city was where! The murder opening was a promising start but the plot was so slow with detours about Russian politics, I can’t take it anymore!
martinbazoka's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
karinlib's review
2.0
Gorky Park is one of the books that have been on my radar to read for a long time (I have not seen the movie). To be honest, I was disappointed. The narrative skipped around a lot, so I was confused at times.
I also found the negative attitude toward life in the Soviet Union a bit off putting, even though I don't agree with a communist totalitarian state personally.
Three people are found dead in the popular Gorky Park in Moscow, Arkady Renko, Chief Investigator is charged with finding the perpetrator(s). The Scene of the murder is rather gruesome, with very few clues.
I also found the negative attitude toward life in the Soviet Union a bit off putting, even though I don't agree with a communist totalitarian state personally.
Three people are found dead in the popular Gorky Park in Moscow, Arkady Renko, Chief Investigator is charged with finding the perpetrator(s). The Scene of the murder is rather gruesome, with very few clues.