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The Murder of Alexander Litvinenko (Hardback)

To Kill a Mockingbird

Military P&S History > British History P&S History > By Century > 21st Century P&S History > Social History P&S History > Social Science & Culture > Politics > Political History P&S History > Social Science & Culture > Politics > Political Sciences & Current Affairs P&S History > True Crime World History > Europe > Russia

By Boris Volodarsky
Imprint: White Owl
Pages: 288
Illustrations: 32 colour illustrations
ISBN: 9781399060172
Published: 30th June 2023

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In his famous Moonlight and Vodka, Chris de Burgh got it right: Espionage is a serious business. And like every serious business, it must be taken seriously. Less than two decades after the untimely death of Sasha Litvinenko, poisoned at the heart of London’s Mayfair by Russian secret agents by the previously unknown radioactive substance containing a fatal dose of Polonium-210, it is hardly remembered by anyone in the West. No wonder, we live in an information-rich world when the wealth of information means a dearth of something else: a scarcity of whatever it is that information consumes. Such an obvious thing was suddenly discovered by a simple old man from Milwaukee, and he’s got a point there.

This book is about the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, whose legal case seems to many people like open-and-shut. Even to his widow Marina and their son. To MI6, MI5 and the Special Operations branch of the London’s Metropolitan Police who presented it to the public as thoroughly investigated and closed. To judge Sir Robert Owen appointed to hold the inquest “into the death of a Russian Spy” as the BBC and other media has put it – a terrible mistake. To journalists and writers who had been following this case for as long as a decade, not to mention the prime suspect living a good life in Moscow. But not for me. For me this case remains open.

The book can be described as a factual story of corruption, complex relationships, influence, betrayal and murder.

Read the Full Review Here

Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

As featured in 'Mysterious deaths of Russians in UK ‘bear hand of Putin’s secret services’'.

Read the full article here.

Metro UK

As seen on London Live News

London Live News, 24th July 2023

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The book describes the death of a Russian defector, Sacha Litvinenko, in London, in 2006. It's a well-researched study of what led to his assassination. The readers are provide with historical background and terminology of Soviet's KGB and Russian espionage and deception. Highly recommended book!!!!

NetGalley, Meg Gajda

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An eye opening not just the murder of Litvinenko but an insight to Russian secret services and the West in not understanding Putin. A cracking read for anyone interested in this crime.

NetGalley, Neville Townsend

In 2006 the world was shocked when Russian defector and former officer of the FSB Alexander "Sasha" Litvinenko was assassinated by a fatal dose of Polonium-210 in the heart of London.

Boris Volodarsky has written a clear-cut account of the horrific demise of Litvinenko. By painting an uncomplicated image of the, at-times, convoluted practicing of Russian espionage, the reader is able to grasp a detailed overview of the stories of corruption, double-dealing and suspicious deaths that surround the Russian government.

Alexander Litvinenko's case is handled with grace and sensitivity at all times, highlighting the importance for his story to be told.

The lack of proceedings against the killers of Litvinenko are presented with impeccable research as the political pressures dominated the murder case.

Volodarsky's passion and frustration resonates across the pages and acts as fuel to the reader, investing them in this case. A definitive insight into this troubled period of history, this book ought not to be missed.

NetGalley, Kirsty Whyte

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The author has done a brilliant job of telling the story of Alexander Litvinenko’s earth as well as the court proceedings that took place after, or rathe the lack of. whatever court proceedings there would be. . The emotional, psychological, and physical pain Litvinenko experienced was shared so delicately through the pages of the authors story. I cried and felt as though I was right there. The way the author detailed the events brought me through the experience and helped me to understand the truth behind the espionage and corruption that has gone on in Russia for many many years. Unfortunately, Litvinenko became embroiled in something that would ultimately lead to his demise. Volodarsky took a case that devastated a nation and brought us the case behind the death as well as the aftermath. Thank you for using your amazing writing abilities to inform you readers about the death of Alexander “Sasha” Litvinenko.

NetGalley, Laura Forbes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I thought the author did a wonderful job with respect to the different countries and different people involved I just really enjoyed this book I read it all in one day as soon as I got it and found it also very interesting.

NetGalley, Janalyn Prude

The AUTHOR: Boris Volodarsky has written a remarkable interesting piece of history which is very professionally researched and will leave readers with their own questions conspiracy hunches and theory's. Like the author I feel there are many questions and answers still open.
One of the best books I have read in a long time.

NetGalley, Kathleen RIGGS

I remember this case well and was excited to read an in depth analysis of the case. The author shows their passion for the case and explores depths of detail which were not made public at the time of the murder. It made me wonder how much has changed….

NetGalley, Louise Gray

As featured in

The Bookseller, Jan 23

About Boris Volodarsky

Boris Volodarsky is one of the very few people uniquely qualified to write this book. Boris began investigating the poisoning of Alexander “Sasha” Litvinenko even before the victim passed away in the University College London Hospital. His famous article, “Russian Venom”, was published by The Wall Street Journal on 22 November 2006 correctly describing the then unknown substance that would kill Sasha hours later as a radioactive poison before anyone, even experts from the UK Atomic Weapons Establishment were able to identify it as Polonium-210. Invited to take part in the investigation, Boris collaborated with SO15 and served as a main consultant to the BBC Panorama documentary “How to Poison a Spy” (BBC One, Monday, 22 Jan 2007 at 20:30).
A former military intelligence officer who defended his doctoral thesis in intelligence history at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Dr Volodarsky is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and author of several important non-fiction books published in Britain and the USA, including Stalin’s Agent (Oxford University Press, 2014) and his most recent new history KGB: The West Side Story to be published this year by Pen & Sword. Boris currently works an independent intelligence analyst in London and Washington.

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