One Night in Winter
A gripping tale of secrets and tragedy in Stalin's Russia.
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Cornerstone
Published:27th Feb '14
Should be back in stock very soon
Set in Moscow in 1945, this gripping tale unfolds as the deaths of two teenagers—children of powerful leaders—spark a chilling investigation, revealing dark secrets and dangerous truths in Stalin's regime.
In One Night in Winter, the narrative unfolds amidst the backdrop of post-World War II Moscow in 1945, a time when the Soviet Union is celebrating its victory over Hitler. However, the atmosphere is anything but festive when a shocking event occurs: two teenagers, the children of the nation's most powerful leaders, are found dead on a bridge. The incident raises immediate questions—was it murder, a suicide pact, or an act of rebellion against the state?
As the investigation is led by Stalin himself, the situation becomes increasingly dire for the young witnesses. They are arrested and coerced into testifying against one another, revealing not only their own secrets but those of their parents. This chilling witch-hunt exposes a hidden world of forbidden romances and family betrayals, where even the slightest misstep could lead to fatal consequences. The story delves into the complexities of loyalty, love, and the harsh realities of life under a totalitarian regime.
Drawing on true events, the author crafts a gripping tale that intertwines personal tragedy with historical significance. One Night in Winter is not just a story about a tragic loss; it is a poignant exploration of the human spirit amidst oppression, making it a compelling read for those interested in the darker facets of history and the resilience of youth.
Gripping and cleverly plotted. Doomed love at the heart of a violent society is the heart of Montefiore's One Night in Winter... depicting the Kafkaesque labyrinth into which the victims stumble. * The Sunday Times *
A nail-biting drama ... Montefiore writes brilliantly about love, timeless dilemmas, family devotion, teenage romance and the grand passion of adultery. Readers of Sebastian Faulks and Hilary Mantel will lap this up. * Mail on Sunday *
A master storyteller when writing as a historian, Sebag Montefiore’s fiction is just as compelling in this thriller set in Stalin’s Moscow. * GQ *
A thrilling work of fiction. Montefiore weaves a tight, satisfying plot, delivering surprises to the last page. Stalin's chilling charisma is brilliantly realised. The novel's theme is Love: family love, youthful romance, adulterous passion. One Night in Winter is full of redemptive love and inner freedom. * Evening Standard *
There were several first-class novels of historical intrigue in 2014; this finely written chronicle of privileged adults and children afraid for their lives in the treacherous upper reaches of Stalin’s Russia in 1945 is ina league of its own. * Wall Street Journal *
What happens when you cross Donna Tartt’s The Secret History with one of the scariest times in Russian history? You end up with Simon Sebag Montefiore’s One Night in Winter ... Based in truth, this novel will keep you biting your nails until the very end. * Books and What Not Blog *
Snuggle up in front of the fire with a glass of red and this captivating story ... a dark enigmatic thriller ... the way he weaves fiction and history is a true gift. * Marie Claire *
Seriously good fun... the Soviet march on Berlin, nightmarish drinking games at Stalin's countryhouse, the magnificence of the Bolshoi, interrogations, snow, sex and exile... lust adultery and romance. Eminently readable and strangely affecting. * Daily Telegraph *
Not just a thumpingly good read, but also essentially a story of human fragility and passions, albeit taking place under the intimidating shadow of a massive Stalinist portico. * The National *
Compulsively involving. Our fear for the children keeps up turning the pages... We follow the passions with sympathy... The knot of events tugs at a wide range of emotions rarely experienced outside an intimate tyranny. * The Times *
ISBN: 9780099580331
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 29mm
Weight: 341g
496 pages