Martin Cruz Smith

Martin Cruz Smith (1942-2025) was an acclaimed American author of mystery and suspense fiction, best known for his Arkady Renko series beginning with the international bestseller Gorky Park (1981), which won the CWA Gold Dagger, followed by other hits like Polar Star and his final novel Hotel Ukraine (2025). He also wrote notable works like Nightwing (1977, Edgar nominee and film adaptation) and Rose (1996, Hammett Prize), earning the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award in 2019 among other honors.