In the heart of London, a narrative unfolds that reads like a gripping espionage thriller, yet the haunting truth is that it's a real-life saga of betrayal, murder, and international intrigue. Luke Harding's "A Very Expensive Poison" meticulously chronicles the chilling assassination of Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB officer turned outspoken critic of the Russian government, poisoned with a substance as deadly as it is rare: Polonium-210. Harding masterfully weaves a tale that is as much a detective story as it is a detailed exposé, tracing the radioactive trail through the streets of London, from a plush hotel room to a bustling nightclub, marking a path that leads disturbingly back to the Kremlin's doorsteps. Through Harding's investigative lens, readers are plunged into a shadowy world where the lines between state secrets and criminal undertakings blur. Interviews with those closest to the tragedy, combined with access to trial evidence and a decade of reporting, reveal a labyrinth of corruption, power plays, and espionage. "A Very Expensive Poison" is not just the story of one man's murder; it is a gripping narrative of a family torn asunder by a heartless act and a global reminder of the lengths to which some governments will go to silence dissent. This book is a testament to the courage of those who dare to speak the truth and the perilous journey they embark on when facing down tyrants.