Martin Cruz Smith

Martin Cruz Smith (né Martin William Smith, later changed his middle name to Cruz after his grandmother's surname) was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA in 1942. Educated at the University of Pennsylvania, Smith received his BA in 1964. From 1965 to 1969 he worked as a journalist, and began writing fiction in the early 1970s. His first mystery, featuring a Gypsy art dealer in New York named Roman Grey, Gypsy in Amber (1971), was nominated for an Edgar Award. His second book, Nightwing, was made into a movie.

Related Topics:
Changed his middle name - Reading, Pennsylvania - USA - 1942 - University of Pennsylvania - BA - 1964 - 1965 - 1969 - Journalist - Writing - Fiction - 1970s - Mystery - Gypsy - Art dealer - New York - Gypsy in Amber - 1971 - Edgar Award - Nightwing - Movie

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However, his main objective in writing was to write a book with a Russian cop as the main character rather than an American one. In 1981, Smith wrote Gorky Park, featuring Arkady Renko, which was called the "thriller of the '80s" by Time Magazine. It became a bestseller and won a Golden Dagger Award from the British Crime Writers Association. Renko has appeared in four other novels by Smith, Polar Star, Red Square, Havana Bay, and Wolves Eat Dogs .

Related Topics:
Russia - Cop - 1981 - Gorky Park - Arkady Renko - Time Magazine - Bestseller - Golden Dagger Award - British Crime Writers Association - Polar Star - Red Square - Havana Bay - Wolves Eat Dogs

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Martin Cruz Smith now lives in California with his wife and three children.

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