Some more thoughts on Red Square

Martin Cruz Smith knows how to create a compelling female character. He even says in the interview in the back that Polina, the forensic specialist, nearly takes over the novel like the woman in Polar Star did (like in life, I don't remember character's names in books once I've finished.) I also really like the German cop Peter and the Russian emigre Stas.

Poor Jaak, Renko's murdered partner, was Estonian. Estonia declared Soviet occupation illegal on March 30, 1990. Lithuania declared its independence earlier that month. Latvia would do so in May. Lithuania was blockaded by the Soviets and some of its citizens were killed in protests. Not sure about Estonia. I need to read Lenin's Tomb after this book. Jaak comments that Estonians are treated the best in the Union and complain the most.

Red Square takes place in August 1991. Not a coincidence of timing since the Soviet Union was breaking up around Renko's ears. Actually Smith published this in 1992 so it was breaking up around his ears as he wrote it.

Peter refers to an East German as an Ossie. Apparently this is a Wall-era term used to described GDR residents. Osten is the German word for east, appropriately. Further Googling tells me this term can be perceived as rude and is best avoided.

I like how at the art show Irina compares smuggled art relics like to emigres "with the unlikely stories that survivors have of being stuffed in false bottoms or hidden behind wallpaper."

There is indeed a Malevich painting called "Red Square" (full title: "Red Square: Painterly Realism of a Peasant Woman in Two Dimensions.") It was painted in 1915. I can't say I get the hoopla but the guy sure had a hard life. About all I know is that he founded Suprematism. The Wikipedia page has the self portrait mentioned in the book. He also was Ukranian.