Book description
Detective Arkaday Renko--"one of the most compelling figures in modern fiction" (USA TODAY)--risks his life when he heads to Ukraine shortly before the Russian invasion to find an anti-Putin activist who has mysteriously disappeared. Martin Cruz Smith has written nine previous novels featuring Arkady Renko, one of modern detective fiction's most popular characters. These novels, beginning with 1981's international sensation Gorky Park, have collectively traced Russia's evolution over the last half-century. Now, with Independence Square, Smith focuses on the fraught and frenzied days leading up to Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine. It's June 2021, and Arkady knows that Russia is preparing to invade and subsequently annex Ukraine as it did Crimea in 2014. He is, however, preoccupied with other grievances. His longtime lover, Tatiana Petrovna, has deserted him for her work as an investigative reporter. His corrupt boss has relegated him to a desk job. And he is having trouble with his dexterity and balance. A visit to his doctor reveals that these are symptoms for Parkinson's Disease. This is an ingenious autobiographical conceit, as Martin Cruz Smith has Parkinson's, and is able through Arkady to movingly describe his own experience with the disease. Parkinson's hasn't stopped Smith from his work, and neither does it stop Arkady. Rather than dwell on his diagnosis, he throws himself into another case. An acquaintance has asked him to find his daughter, Karina, an anti-Putin activist who has disappeared. In the course of the investigation, Arkady falls for Karina's roommate, Elena, a Tatar from Ukraine. The search leads them to Kyiv, where rumblings of an armed conflict grow louder. Later, in Crimea, Tatiana reemerges to complicate Arkady's new romance. And as he gets closer to locating Karina, Arkady discovers something that threatens his life as well as the lives of both Elena and Tatiana. Few fiction writers have better captured contemporary Russia with more insight or authenticity than Martin Cruz Smith. He does the same here for Ukraine and the events that preceded Russia's invasion. Independence Square is a timely and a uniquely personal mystery novel-meets-political thriller by a master of the form.
NoiseFire
βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Hella Fella
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. ListenBook's sleek design and easy chapter access make navigation a breeze. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. π±π This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Winter Underdog
This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. π±π§ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey.
Bourbon Mirage
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. πΆββοΈπ§ Walking has never been this productive β exploring new worlds while I exercise! ποΈπ« CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
RedMouth
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls β it's a joy to navigate. With this app, I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and real life. πΆββοΈπ± I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. ποΈπ ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Feral Cookie
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app!
Short Firecracker
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track.
Troublemasher
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere β it's a reader's dream come true. The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits. Iβve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers! As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Snow Hound
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
High Kingdom Warrior
π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Mad Viral
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Sneaky Lady
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. This app has become my go-to companion, making my daily routine more exciting and insightful. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Divine Bramble
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout.
Fire Fish
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Station WMD
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again β but in a modern, convenient way. Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
MythMaker
ππ This app has rekindled my love for books β I can't stop listening! ππ§ I can't get enough of ListenBook's silky-smooth playback and intuitive design. It's my go-to app for both leisurely listening and study sessions. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§ I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Mother Night
πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ π The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. π±π Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience.
Dance Cannon
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Pink Hopper
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I can't get enough of this app's easy navigation and quick access to chapters and playback controls. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is a triumph. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Dangle
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience