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

4.0

This is the first of the Arkady Renko series that I've read, and it's number 9. Smith is a skilled novelist who builds believable characters, knows how to build tension and create a sense of place. It's Putin's Russia and Renko is sent to Siberia to deal with a prisoner who is accused of trying to shoot his boss, a prosecutor who he dislikes. He's also trying to track down his girl friend, investigative journalist Tatiana Petrovna, who is studying the powerful oligarchs of the oil industry. Along the way, Renko gets shot at, mauled by a bear, and has other close encounters. It's a good yarn, and I think I'll track down some more of these stories.