The Beria Papers: The scandalous diaries of a Russian tyrant

A really interesting concept - someone sells what are supposedly the secret diaries of Lavrentiy Beria, Stalin's much-feared head of the secret police, which contain lots of juicy references to Soviet politicians who were young at the time, but now running the USSR. The US and the Russians try to find out where the diaries have come from, and whether they are real or not - although it's not really a surprise that they are not.It's well structured, with the story of the diaries forgers told in flashback, and other characters moving in and out of the overall story as required, as opposed to having one hero cop/agent at the centre of the investigation. There are excerpts from the fake diairies included throughout the book - to be honest, these are the best bits! The story also makes sense - there's nothing really outlandish or Hollywood in the plot (apart from the basic concept!) The characters are all perfectly believable, without ever being more than two-dimensional, and mostly one-dimensional - which is fine, as it doesn't clog up the story.The one thing it is not, though, is an actual thriller. There are incidents, but they are not really written in a particularly stand-out way. Towards the end, it becomes obvious where the plot is heading - the main resolution effectively happens off-screen, as it were.I would call it a good book with a great idea, but not a genuine thriller. The plot is more film-noir than anything else.Recommended, with a few reservations - not for those looking for a seat-of-your-pants reading experience.

Difficult to believe that this book was first published over 40 years ago. It received critical acclaim at the time and remains both engaging and lively reading now for the first time. Beria was close to Stalin and this 'diary' certainly has an air of authenticity about the times, the people and Cold War culture. I know little detail about Beria, so I had to keep reminding myself that The Beria Papers is a work of fiction. That, in itself, is surely accolade for a great story, exceptionally well told? I was engaged throughout and have little doubt that much is based on fact...but truth is often stranger than fiction. A great read.

This was a real find ! A clever, literate thriller in the school of Eric Ambler, a genuine period piece full of the Cold War, communist Russia, and waiting for long distance telephone connections. I was delighted to find he has written quite a few more. There are clever nods to his own experiences as a journalist and in smuggling books out of Russia.

This is a basic "thriller" which is light on thrills. I didn't care about the protagonists and struggled to finish. Did I learn anything about Soviet political intrigue? Nothing that I hadn't read before. Forged diaries? Been there, read that.

I found it an interesting subject but felt that the characters were a little unbelievable.I gave it three stars because I did find it an easy read but overall it was not a book that I found riveting.

Eye opening, very authentic, really quite exciting in places. Left me thinking, it could happen!, A really interesting read, indeed

Interesting

This book is a detailed insight Ito one of the most evil man in the Russian government. Feel that I have learned so much historical fact. Yet woven around all this is a 21st century scam. Very good read