The Man with the Poison Gun

A Cold War Spy Story

By: Serhii Plokhy

Narrated by: Clive Chafer

In the fall of 1961, KGB assassin Bogdan Stashinsky defected to West Germany. After spilling his secrets to the CIA, Stashinsky was put on trial in what would be the most publicized assassination case of the entire Cold War. The publicity stirred up by the Stashinsky case forced the KGB to change its modus operandi abroad and helped end the career of Aleksandr Shelepin, one of the most ambitious and dangerous Soviet leaders. Stashinsky's testimony, implicating the Kremlin rulers in political assassinations carried out abroad, shook the world of international politics. Stashinsky's story would inspire films, plays, and books - including Ian Fleming's last James Bond novel, The Man with the Golden Gun.

A thrilling tale of Soviet spy craft, complete with exploding parcels, elaborately staged cover-ups, double agents, and double crosses, The Man with the Poison Gun offers unparalleled insight into the shadowy world of Cold War espionage.

©2016 Serhii Plokhy (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A thrilling, well-researched tale of espionage that has all the spycraft hallmarks of a blockbuster movie." (Kirkus)

Long…but excellent

This man has a magical ability to tell a story. I’ve read tons of his stuff

Finally finished

Almost gave up on the book about a third of way through but then became much more interested. Perhaps it was the narration which seemed a bit of "sing-song", especially at the end of sentences, or maybe because of the unfamiliar names which I found hard to follow at first. But I am glad I stayed with it. I had come across rumors of these events but understand the history a bit better.

Decent spy novel but not the best

The story is great but the editing / reading could be better. It was a bit monotonous and repetitive in the middle parts.