Smith, Martin Cruz - Introduction

Martin Cruz Smith 1942–

(Born Martin William Smith; also writes as Martin Smith and under pseudonym of Simon Quinn) American novelist.

The publication in 1970 of The Indians Won marked the beginning of Smith's prolific writings. Since then, he has published over thirty crime and detective novels. Although fairly popular, none of these works generated as much critical and popular acclaim or were as important to his career as his 1981 novel of adventure and intrigue, Gorky Park.

Smith's work is noted for the detailed descriptions of often unusual settings. Gorky Park, for example, has been praised repeatedly for its depiction of Soviet lifestyles and manners. Smith also has the distinctive ability to build credible stories around seemingly odd combinations of people and places. His thriller, Nightwing, for instance, has been commended for its realistic presentation of Hopi Indian society within the context of a vampire story. In his early "Gypsy" series, Smith portrays a gypsy detective whose territory is New York City.

(See also Contemporary Authors, Vols. 85-88 and Contemporary Authors New Revision Series, Vol. 6.)