Tarnished Icons [Mass Market Paperback]

Stuart M. Kaminsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 1997

"Rostnikov is quite simply the best cop to come out of the Soviet Union since Martin Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko in Gorky Park."
--San Francisco Examiner

In the topsy-turvy world of post-communist Russia, Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov's work is never done. Three congregants from a local synagogue, gunned down in the night, are the latest victims in the seemingly systematic execution of Jews in Moscow. But the shocking identity of one of the murdered men leads Rostnikov to suspect that, rather than simple intolerance, a more calculated motive lies behind the slaughter.

Meanwhile, the city's women are under siege by The Shy One--a knife-wielding rapist who strikes without being seen. And as the last vestiges of order spin wildly out of control, a rabid antinuclear crusader plans to send a message to the New Russia via an "explosive" special delivery. It's up to Rostnikov and his fellow cops to stop the madness before it stops Russia--for good. . . .

"Stuart Kaminsky's Rostnikov novels are among the best mysteries being written."
--The San Diego Union

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Stuart Kaminsky first came to my attention when he won the Edgar Award for A COLD RED SUNRISE, one of his novels starring Russian police inspector Porfiry Rostnikov. And when I devoured that novel, I went back to read the earlier titles in the series. Stuart is extremely prolific -- writing other series, short stories, non-series thriller novels (some of which have been made into movies); but the Rostnikov novels are really something special, and they have inspired critical comparisons with Martin Cruz Smith's GORKY PARK. So if you liked Arkady Renko in that wonderful thriller, then I can definitely recommend the Rostnikov novels to you.

--Joe Blades, Associate Publisher

From the Inside Flap

"Rostnikov is quite simply the best cop to come out of the Soviet Union since Martin Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko in Gorky Park."
--San Francisco Examiner

In the topsy-turvy world of post-communist Russia, Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov's work is never done. Three congregants from a local synagogue, gunned down in the night, are the latest victims in the seemingly systematic execution of Jews in Moscow. But the shocking identity of one of the murdered men leads Rostnikov to suspect that, rather than simple intolerance, a more calculated motive lies behind the slaughter.

Meanwhile, the city's women are under siege by The Shy One--a knife-wielding rapist who strikes without being seen. And as the last vestiges of order spin wildly out of control, a rabid antinuclear crusader plans to send a message to the New Russia via an "explosive" special delivery. It's up to Rostnikov and his fellow cops to stop the madness before it stops Russia--for good. . . .

"Stuart Kaminsky's Rostnikov novels are among the best mysteries being written."
--The San Diego Union

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 277 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett; Reprint edition (May 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804112894
• ISBN-13: 978-0804112895
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #924,837 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended, May 31, 2000

By 

John D. Costanzo "johndc" (Bensalem, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tarnished Icons (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a satisfying crime novel set in a gloomy Russia. It was so gloomy I was reminded of New York in the classic sci-fi movie Escape from New York. Is it really so horrible? But the characters sparkle, especially Rostnikov, as they somehow survive and cope amidst the corruption, crime and depression.

This book is composed of three interesting and suspenseful crime stories. Rostnikov's team is split up into three pairs and each pair is assigned to a case. All three tales are compelling and all of the characters, both good and bad, are fully developed.

This was as good as A Cold Red Sunrise, which won an Edgar. Recommended reading for all mystery fans.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nicely done...., August 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tarnished Icons (Mass Market Paperback)

I like the Rostnikov detective series because while certainly living in a depressing climate the characters all seem to show their humanity in small ways. Even the gaunt unsmiling Karpo shows that he can care with his befriending of mad genius in the forensics department.

If you like mysteries that tell you everything then you'll like this one. I can only hope though that Russia gets less depressing as time goes on because no matter if it is even greatly exaggerated it makes America's ghettos pale in comparison.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome back Porfiry !!!, September 21, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tarnished Icons (Mass Market Paperback)

Porfiry is back and the saga continues. Oh, how he's been missed. All the regulars are there and it's like a visit with the family to find out what they've been doing. Of course, the path of the Russian police is never without a new twist or a more difficult challenge. The new boss seems much more likeable and appreciative of Porfiry's intellect. Hope the next reunion isn't so long in coming