Killer in the Kremlin: The Explosive Account of Putin's Reign of Terror by John Sweeney

3.9 AVERAGE

thelibraryofklee's review

4.0
"By the time I get to the Post Office building a great curl of sound walls up in front of me like a monster wave at sea. It’s the air-raid siren, going off big time, warning of incoming Russian artillery or mission fire. The noise is obscene.
They call it Putin’s lullaby."

Explosive. Volatile. Violent. All adjectives to describe this novel and Putin's rise to reign. Sweeny breaks down Russia's modern history and comes to the conclusion that it is "… an ethno-nationalist kleptocracy run by a pleonexiac …", this description is all encompassing. What makes Putin tick? No one is completely sure but a history of events sure gives us a good idea of the evil that is Putin. The death count of his rule is horrifying and cruel - the sneaking wide powers of the FSB are truly something to be feared. Once Russia sets its eye on you, beware. This account, which includes first hand reporting from the streets of Ukraine under siege, we travel back in time to Putin's early years (adopted? abused?) to current day invasion. It will give you chills and leave you mortified at the world's response to this dishonourable fascist who rules with a poisonous, iron fist.

John Sweeney is an award-winning journalist and author, who brings a novel to the layman that truly confirms the Russian powers mindset - "Oderint dum metuant. Let them hate so long as they fear."

"You may succeed in silencing one man but the howl of protest from around the world will reverberate, Mr Putin, in your ears for the rest of your life - Alexander Litvinenko"

Thank you to the publisher for trusting me with an honest review.

tempamatic's review

3.0
The last chapter of this book easily merits five stars! However, the rest of the book reads like a gruesome list of murder, mayhem and torture.

I won’t give away any secrets by mentioning that the main point of this book, accompanied by dozens of examples, is that Vladimir Putin is a mass-murdering despot.

nerfnerder's review

5.0
informative medium-paced
I feel as though this book is a must read for everyone. It takes the reader step by step through Putin’s early life, his rise to power, his manipulation on the global stage of other world leaders, through to the invasion of the Ukraine. Along the way John Sweeney’s insights on what makes Putin tick adds another interesting lair. I couldn’t put it down.

jacbradley's review

4.0
dark informative medium-paced

bookaholics_anonymous's review

3.5
informative reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: N/A
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A
lovefromnikki's profile picture

lovefromnikki's review against another edition

3.75
challenging dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

divya5's review

4.0
dark informative reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

josiebug's review

4.0
challenging dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

jlr192's review

4.0
informative fast-paced

charl149's review

4.0
challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: N/A
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A