London Gliterary Lunch, 2nd December 2026

Marina Litvinenko  was born opposite the Kremlin in 1962 and married Alexander in 1994 but with their lives in danger they fled Russia and claimed political asylum in England in 2000.  Since his murder in 2006, Marina has campaigned for justice for her husband and to bring the Putin regime to account.  She lives in London.

The photo of Alexander Litvinenko lying on his deathbed, poisoned by polonium, caused shockwaves around the world.  But how did it come to this and why is this important twenty years later?

Marina, a dancer, met Alexander while he was an agent in the Russian security services.  They married and had a family. But after uncovering corruption at the heart of the state and being imprisoned under false charges, the Litvinenkos fled Russia, seeking political asylum in the UK.

“The writing, like Marina herself, shines with luminous fearlessness.  This is a ferociously beautiful account of one woman’s fight for justice after the loss of her husband and her country and the old world order.  Marina Litvinenko is a beacon and an inspiration in these dark times.” Lucy Prebble

Jane Corry started her career in women’s magazines (interviewing celebrities such as Julie Waters and ABBA) while writing romantic fiction.  Her first marriage ended on the same week that a long-term column came to an end and through financial necessity, she applied for the post of writer in residence at a high-security male prison – a role which she came to relish despite the fears which came with it. The experience helped inspire many of her bestsellers, including her breakout Sunday Times bestseller, My Husband’s Wife.

A gripping and emotional suspense about two sisters and the dark past that binds them, from the eight-time Sunday Times bestselling author, Jane Corry.

Rosy is the responsible one, well-behaved and organised. Amy is the free spirit, always breaking the rules. But despite their differences, they can never be apart. Only they know what happened that day and one wrong move could destroy them both.

When Amy confides in her new psychiatrist, he begins to suspect one sister is covering for the other. His gut tells him to run, but his own dark past draws him ever closer to the two women, and they to him. As cracks form in the sisters’ carefully constructed facade, one thing becomes clear: three’s a crowd, and one of them has to go.

“Scarily believable.” Jeremy Vine

“Jane Corry writes compelling and deliciously dark stories.” Claire Douglas