Not an amazing book I was very excited about reading this one but it wasn’t as good as I was expecting.

The death of Alexander "Sasha" Litvinenko on 23 November 2006, after being poisoned with polonium-210 made headlines worldwide. Litvinenko was a senior investigating officer fighting organised crime and corruption in Russia before rebelling, being imprisoned and ultimately escaping and defecting to the UK, where he worked as a journalist, activist,and commentator.

However, Volodarsky's book is far from a straight forward piece of investigative journalism - which is disappointing as the author's views might have been better served had he followed this well-worn path.

For the reader, there is a lot of information of the state of Russian politics prior to Litvinenko - we begin with a brief summary of events, the author's further questions, the rise of Putin and then the focus centers on Boris Berezovsky. I seriously wondered when the author was actually going to get around to Litvinenko. The fact the there was such a focus on Berezovsky rather than Litvinenko ensured that I became rather disenchanted with the whole tme. I did push on till then end, but Volodarsky provides nothing that a google or wikipedia search could not provide. Litvinenko was never the main focus - he should have been.

Whilst I myself was deeply intrigued by the whole Litvinenko saga as it was played out in real time (at the time), this particular tome barely satisfied my curiosity and the conspiracy theorist in me.

The murder of Alexander Litvinenko after almost two decades since it happened remains a very intriguing mystery. We think we know a lot, but it looks like we know very little. It is a very complex case, to understand it we need to go back in time and look at it from a point that would cover a wide angle.
If I had to use a single word to describe this book, it would be "chaos". First of all, there is no chronology that I can see. The author jumps in time back and forth almost all the time. The first 35% of the book is about Boris Berezovsky, who is vital in this story, but 35%? Litvinenko appears in this book like a firefly, on and off here and there just for a moment. He certainly was an interesting persona, but it´s not as clear in this book as it should be.
Secondly, there are many, many names. It is understandable. To see how politics and business in the 90. Russia looked like, imagine a bunch of octopuses on a single spiderweb, now multiply the cobwebs ten times and see which tentacle is NOT touching the other. The problem lies within the way the author presents these connections. Every time a new name comes up, their background and business connections follow. Sounds logical, but it is really hard to keep up.
To add more to this already chaotic narrative, we have plenty of details. Including who where and when withdrew cash from a ATM. It´s a shame we don´t know how much.

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.
I received this book free from Pen & Sword and Netgalley for a review.

I am truly fascinated by event and this book does a wonderful job of explaining all of the details. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.

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!!!!

The Murder of Alexander Litvinenko by Boris Volodarsky


Writing: 5/5
Informative: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5


I watched a documentary about Alexander’s death and was angered by the way the people who poisoned him did not receive the punishment they deserved. So when I saw this book, I wanted to read it in hopes of learning more about his death.
Alexander “Sasha” Litvinenko was a naturalized British Russian defector and former officer with the FSB. His section of the FSB specialized in tackling organized crime Born August 30, 1962 Alexander was married and had one son. He and his family sought asylum in the United Kingdom due to issues regarding charges that he exceeded his authority in his position at the FSB. During his time in the United Kingdom he worked as a writer and journalist. He was a very outspoken writer who wrote books accusing the secret service of bombing apartments in order to assure Vladimir Putin’s power. November 1 2016 is when Litvinenko became ill and was hospitalized. There it was found he had been poisoned with polonium 210. A very deadly poison that only requires a small amount to be administered.
Litvinenko passed away after suffering and battling the polonium poisoning on November 23 2006. There were two suspects that the British police tried to extradite from Russia but the Russian KGB would not allow that to happen. They lied to the British police and finally after his death in 2011 Litvinenko’s wife and the foundation started for him finally was granted an inquest into his death by the coroner in London. The two men who are believed to have poisoned Litvinenko are Dmitry Kovtun and Andry Lugovoy.. As of today one man is living his dream life and has NEVER been brought to justice The other is dead.

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.


5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review

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.

I just want to say I am blind and so for the record I’m going to call him Alexander due to not knowing how to spell his last name. Here we go I love this book I love how the author talked about other books and articles that covered the murder of Alexander and told the true facts as opposed to the propaganda and made up stories others have told I love how he got to talk to his wife and his wife opinion about what happened in the things surrounding the murder this is a murder committed by the Russian government and so anyone who thinks the spy game is over you’re sorely mistaken. More than just the book of this is what happen AB and say this is more like an essay but a really long and very interesting essay. 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. I received this book from NetGalley and Pen/Sword books but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian spy who became a British citizen, was fatally poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 in London in 2006. That day was no different from any other for Alexander Litvinenko but shortly after he arrived home to his wife and children Litvinenko started vomiting and after being rushed to hospital Alexander Litvinenko died a few hours later.
Litvinenko had originally fled Russia, where he had once been an officer with the FSB security service. Litvinenko became a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin. After his death, the investigation into Litvinenko’s murderer was one of the most extensive in British criminal history which Russia has permanently denied having any involvement in.
A UK public inquiry conducted 10 years later concluded that the killing was "probably approved" by Russian President Vladimir Putin. There was plenty of evidence due to the technology with CCTV footage, and phone records.
Litvinenko's widow, Marina, took the case against Russia to the Strasbourg-based rights court, which agreed with the UK inquiry's conclusion after hearing all the facts.
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. Being a spy in the KB defecting from Russa under Putin's regime was extremely dangerous. Putin is a person you do not cross as many have found out. Putin is one scary M.F. who hopefully will one day be stopped.
There are plenty of notes and photographs at the back of this book for future reference. If you are into history and want to read a book where you can research valuable information and references throughout the book. Put away time for this book with no distractions. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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….