A Very Expensive Poison: The Definitive Story of the Murder of Litvinenko and Russia's Threat to the West

by Luke Harding

1 November 2006. Alexander Litvinenko is brazenly poisoned in central London. Twenty two days later he dies, killed from the inside. The poison? Polonium; a rare, lethal and highly radioactive substance. His crime? He had made some powerful enemies in Russia. Based on the best part of a decade's reporting, as well as extensive interviews with those closest to the events (including the murder suspects), and access to trial evidence, Luke Harding's A Very Expensive Poison is the definitive inside story of the life and death of Alexander Litvinenko. Harding traces the journey of the nuclear poison across London, from hotel room to nightclub, assassin to victim; it is a deadly trail that seemingly leads back to the Russian state itself. Harding argues that Litvinenko's assassination marked the beginning of the deterioration of Moscow's relations with the west and a decade of geo-political disruptions - from the war in Ukraine, a civilian plane shot down, at least 7,000 dead, two million people displaced and a Russian president's defiant rejection of a law-based international order.
With Russia's covert war in Ukraine and annexation of the Crimea, Europe and the US face a new Cold War, but with fewer certainties. This is a shocking real-life revenge tragedy with corruption and subterfuge at every turn, and walk-on parts from Russian mafia, the KGB, MI6 agents, dedicated British coppers, Russian dissidents. At the heart of this all is an individual and his family torn apart by a ruthless crime.

• ISBN13: 9781783350933
• Publish Date: 17 March 2016 (first published 11 February 2016)
• Publish Status: Transferred
• Out of Print: 6 January 2017
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Guardian Faber Publishing
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[Beth C.]

Alexander Litvinenko died on November 23, 2006 in London. The cause of death? A cup of tea...spiked with Polonium, supposedly at the behest of Putin himself. What did Litvinenko know that would cause his death? Was Putin really involved? Luke Harding takes us on a harrowing ride through the life (and death) of Litvinenko, and the eventual inquiry that made history.

This real-life story reads like a Hollywood spy novel. Harding, as a journalist, knows how to throw out a hook to keep the reader's interest. He did an excellent job here, particularly with a wealth of detail that could have bogged down a book done by another author. And frankly, the book is timely and frightening, considering the allegations that have sprung from our latest election. There are people questioning whether or not Putin/Russia would be really capable of interfering - with the question often asked in a tone of slight mocking. However, a reading of this book will show definitely that not only are they *capable*, they are more than willing to get involved in another country, then sit back and make up stories mocking the reports.

Harding takes the reader into Litvinenko's background, the run-ins he had with Putin while still living in Russia, his escape from his country, and his attempts to settle into a new life living in London. Then Harding goes into the entire wolf-in-sheep's-clothing background of Litvinenko's death - the multiple farcical attempts, the sudden rise in status of the main assassin, and the years-long attempt to get an inquiry. He also discusses the data demonstrating that Russia was, in fact, behind the downing of the passenger airline, MH17, as well as the lies and cover-ups behind the Ukraine, Chechnya, and Syria. Included is information that Russia is, basically, a Mafia state and their "President" benefits greatly from the deaths and terror. What he does *not* do is engage in a lot of speculation - the story is put together from interviews and multiple sources exposed through the inquiry that the UK finally held. It's a fascinating book - both in its thoroughness, and it's ability to reveal the lengths Putin will go to get his way.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. It would have been an excellent book *before* the 2016 election. Now? It's both excellent AND important.