Red Square (novel)

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Red Square
Author Martin Cruz Smith
Country United States
Language English
Series Arkady Renko # 3
Genre(s) Crime novel
Publisher Random House & Ballantine Books
Publication date 1991
Media type Print (Hardcover, Paperback)
Pages 400pp (paperback edition)
ISBN ISBN 0-345-38473-3
Preceded by Polar Star
Followed by Havana Bay

Red Square is a crime novel by Martin Cruz Smith, set in the Soviet Union in the year 1991. It is a sequel to Gorky Park and Polar Star and features Investigator Arkady Renko.

The Red Square in Moscow
The Red Square in Moscow

As the existing social and economic structure of the Soviet Union breaks down, Arkady Renko has been reinstated as an Investigator in the Moscow Militsiya (Police Force). He is trying to clear up a nest of illicit traders when his chief informant dies in a horrific fireball. At the late informer's flat, his fax machine keeps asking the apparently meaningless question, "Where is Red Square?"

The question does not pertain to a location but to a painting by suprematist painter Malevich, which has resurfaced on the black market after being lost since World War II. The story however reverts to the August Coup, which takes place in and around Red Square, and indeed through out Moscow in August 1991, leading to the fall of the Soviet Union.

Black Square (Malevich, 1915) similar to the painting "Red Square" in all but colour.
Black Square (Malevich, 1915) similar to the painting "Red Square" in all but colour.
Rotes Viereck (Red Square, Malevich, 1913), much more like the painting "Red Square" in shape, colour and name.
Rotes Viereck (Red Square, Malevich, 1913), much more like the painting "Red Square" in shape, colour and name.