Independence Square: Arkady Renko in Ukraine (The Arkady Renko Novels Book 10)

Detective Arkady Renko travels to Ukraine in June 2021, shortly before the Russian invasion, to locate Karina, an anti-Putin activist who has disappeared. Arkady is dealing with personal challenges: his longtime lover Tatiana Petrovna has left him to pursue work as an investigative reporter, he has been demoted to a desk job by his corrupt boss, and a doctor diagnoses him with Parkinson's Disease. Rather than dwell on his diagnosis, Arkady accepts a case from an acquaintance to find Karina. During the investigation, he develops a connection with Elena, Karina's roommate and a Tatar from Ukraine. The search takes them to Kyiv and Crimea, where signs of armed conflict intensify. When Tatiana reappears in Crimea, she complicates Arkady's budding romance with Elena. As Arkady gets closer to finding Karina, he uncovers information that endangers his life and those of both Elena and Tatiana. This is the tenth novel in the Arkady Renko series, which began with Gorky Park in 1981. The novel explores Ukraine and the events preceding Russia's invasion, combining mystery and political thriller elements.