A review by authortedcross
The Siberian Dilemma, Volume 9 by Martin Cruz Smith

4.0

I've long loved this series, perhaps more due to my nostalgia for Russia than for the quality. That isn't to say that it is bad, because it isn't, but it is getting a bit formulaic in Smith's approach to writing these things. I love them for the feel of Russian life, the morose, plodding, relentless attitude of Arkady Renko. This was probably one of the weaker entries in the series, especially since just when the author finally gave the protagonist a real dilemma, something I really wondered how he would get himself out of it, the author resolved it quickly with a deus ex machine finish that was very unsatisfying. I do hope he will write more of these, and maybe with some of the old magic.