Stalin's Door

by John St. Clair

In the dangerous time of Russia’s Great Terror, a knock on the door late at night could mean only one thing!

Moscow, 1937. As mortal fear engulfs the capital city, a singular man cements his lethal grip of absolute power over an entire nation. Accusations, mass arrests, executions, and deportations become de rigueur. Stalin’s cult of personality is so fearsome, that even a simple question could get you killed—or worse. Stalin’s dreaded secret police, the NKVD, would pit neighbor against neighbor in the insatiable hunt for the spies and saboteurs which threaten the supreme leader’s tyranny. The crisis will irrecoverably overwhelm the body politic—just on the eve of World War II!

Stalin’s Door is the unforgettable story of three extraordinary individuals who lived during the time of Russia’s Great Terror. They share a terrible fate which will forever intertwine their lives. Zhenya is the strong young daughter of an important government official, who is growing up fast in a privileged government enclave. Sava is a devoted husband, unceremoniously dismissed from the Soviet Navy, who considers a new opportunity. Lera is a wise grandmother who bears a crucial responsibility, while forced into exile in the outland of Siberia.

All will discover the heinous secret of Stalin’s Door!

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

424 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2021

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical political thriller that took us back to 1930’s Moscow and Russia’s Great Terror. Author John St. Clair has done a stunning job with research into the history and setting, painting each scene vividly from a traditional dinner at a high-ranking official’s house in Moscow to a Gulag in the far reaches of Siberia where a political prisoner must learn the complicated process of felling trees in a corner of the world where it can be too dangerous to venture outside for days and accidentally getting injured while working means having your rations cut to the point you starve. A harsh and brilliantly crafted story told from three different perspectives, the prose is very smooth and easily accessible, and I appreciated how the intricacies of Russian culture and language were worked into the text with contextual hints so the reader would have no trouble understanding Russian customs, or Russian names for things an English-speaking reader might not be familiar with. I knew a little bit about this time period going in, and I loved seeing familiar little touches, such as receiving the pin for being a young Oktobrist. Highly recommended for lovers of political thrillers and Russian history!

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

[Michele Quirke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of historical fiction over the years, but never one that took place in Russia during the reign of Stalin. This was completely new for me and as I read "Stalin's Door", I found myself sucked into this exceptionally researched story. The novel is told in three distinct POVs and each one of them was informative, emotional, and engaging.

I seriously feel like I learned so much, and I even found myself doing additional research outside of reading this novel due to the interest it provoked. When a book informs, but also entertains, that is historical fiction at its finest. "Stalin's Door" is a perfect example of that.

John St. Clair is a talented writer and I look forward to reading many more books of his in the future!

[E.P. Stavs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving look into the past

I have to say, historical fiction isn't a favorite genre of mine, and if I hadn't heard such good things about this book before hand, I probably wouldn't have picked it out to read. But I'm glad I did. It told a story of Russia (then the Soviet Union) during WW2 that I'd never heard in such detail. It's told from 3 perspectives, but my favorite was when we were with Lera and Zehyna (not sure I remembered the spelling of that correctly). The way Lera protects her adopted granddaughter of sorts is beautiful, her perseverance admirable. That she was able to live through all that she did and still urge her charge to bring kindness and love to the world gave me all the feels. Solid writing and a story that was obviously researched extensively makes this book a definite recommend on my part. So long as your not looking for romance and laughs...

[B. Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong and unexpected!
I am a big fan of historical fiction set in the 20th century, so this title immediately stood out to me.
We follow the journey of three different characters whose lives get interwoven in a dramatic and unexpected way.
I suffered with them, I experienced the cold, the hunger, the terror and the feeling of hopelessness in my own skin. The author does an excellent job giving us just enough information to understand the circumstances sorrounding the characters.
I was left with a feeling of nostalgia when I finished it. I felt like I had lived the long plight myself and was looking back at it.
I absolutely recommend this book, no matter if you have a lot of background knowledge or not, this story will give you what you need to comprehend what it was like to be alive during those terrible times.

[Casie Aufenthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stalin’s Door by John St. Clair is a well-balanced tale of human horrors and capacity for compassion. Following the journey of three very different characters, the novel illustrates perspective in a unique and powerful way, making it feel very similar in tone and nature to the most classic of historical fictions.

I must confess I was nervous to try this book, as I am not a fan of history, and I struggle reading about true human suffering. However, I continued to hear marvelous things about this book, and I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed something so very out of my wheelhouse.

First of all, St. Clair provides a thorough enough background on the language and history that I never felt lost, but at the same time, the details are done in such a poetic or character-driven way they didn’t bog down the story. Secondly, while the times dealt with were harrowing, St. Claire handles them with care, showing how underneath the fear-driven atrocities committed, people at their core want to do what is right, even at great risk to themselves.

Each character’s journey taught me new things, not only about Stalin-era Russia, but also about human nature. There was not a single point of view where I didn’t connect with the character, even while I may have disagreed with what they were doing. They all had motives and emotions that made them painfully relatable, and their individual and unified stories kept me turning pages late into the night.

The effort and passion the author put in this book is tangible, and it created a truly special debut novel. John St. Clair’s talent is unquestionable, and I can’t wait to see what wonderful tale he next weaves.

[K Dezendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stalin's Door is a fascinating historical piece that does well in drawing the reader into another time and place. It was intriguing learning not only about the culture but also the acclaimed Stalin's Door through the eyes of a child. Some moments shook me to the core, the notion that someone in your life could vanish and no one would talk about it, and you're left wondering if they ever existed. Positively chilling, and all the more so that these sorts of things did happen and likely still do to this day in some places. The story really allows the reader to ingrain themselves within the characters' perspectives, allowing the reader to experience their hardships with them. It is a beautifully written historical novel, and I would encourage anyone interested in the genre to give this book a try, and for those who aren't, at least give it a chance to win you over as it did me.

[Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing, insightful read. I was engaged with this story from the first page to the last. Riveting read. I HIGHLY recommend it!

[Cat Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an absolute privilege to read this story. It’s so rare to discover a story that tackles the horror of this period of history but the author makes no qualms. The deep and intense pain of Stalin’s purge is given full attention.

The characters here are given wonderful backgrounds and they’re woven into the facts of history flawlessly. You nearly forget that these are characters created and inserted into historical context.

You’re griped from the beginning and immediately taken back to the cold time of Stalin’s Purge. It will hit you hard with facts more and more people are forgetting.

But this book is a wonderful way to make sure people remember.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read much about Stalinist Russia, but I love historical fiction, and come to discover, the main characters are Jewish. I was hooked! Stalin's Door takes you on a coaster ride of emotion that doesn't stop.

One of the things I really loved is how the author weaves several stories together at the beginning as an introduction as it were to the rest of the book.

You follow the characters from happiness, to sadness, to horror, to hope.

I don't want to give too much away, but I highly recommend this, even if you think this type of historical fiction book isn't for you.

I loved it!

[R. Raeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will admit, I hesitated to pick this book up. I've never had much of an interest in Stalin era Russia and therefore knew very little about it. I'm happy to say that this novel is one of the best historical fiction novels I've read in years.

St. Clair did his research and it shows. As someone who knows next to nothing about this era in history, I appreciated the thought and care that went into the details of this novel. However, it was the focus on the characters–the everyday people suffering through Stalin's regime and how their lives intertwine–that really makes this story shine.

[Vicky Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart breakingly beautiful and brilliant. This book is worth more than 5 stars. The way the author set the scene so beautifully made me feel like I was really there in Stalin's Russia. I was right there with the characters. Told from multiple points of view it was easy to follow and kept me gripped throughout. The author obviously put his heart and soul into writing this and you can tell. Words can't describe how good this book is. Read it!!

[Ellie Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zhenya is a young girl when her father receives a promotion and her family moves to an apartment in the House on the Embankment. There are some strange things about the place, like the fact that the furniture is nailed to the floor, but Zhenya doesn’t care about things like that. Instead, she focuses on her friendship with Zina and working at being the best Young Pioneer she possibly could.

Sara’s career came to an abrupt end when he was dismissed from the Soviet Navy, but another option presented itself. To join the NKVD would be a big change, but it was an opportunity that had been presented to him, and his choices seemed limited. With his wife, Lera, he finds himself moving to the House on the Embankment, and his duties are something he could not have foreseen.

Lera is a supporting wife to Sara, following where his career change takes him. When circumstances change, she is the one to step up and take control, and she excels at it. Thinking quickly under pressure is a skill that proves useful, but there are some things you simply could not think your way out of.

Three different people, all tied together in one way or another. This book tells all three stories, and slowly, brings the characters together. It does not, however, flip back and forth between the characters. We begin with Zhenya, until Sara takes over the story. At a point, Lera then takes it over. The change in characters is prevalent, for Zhenya is very young for the majority of this novel, and there are things that would not have made sense, or been explained, without the perspective of an older generation, one who understood the workings of the world, and who had knowledge Zhenya did not.

I was unaware of what the title, Stalin’s Door, actually referred to when I picked up this book. While I studied this time period for a history exam, my studies were of vague details, spanning a wide time period, and I did not go in-depth to certain subjects or years. I had never heard of the House on the Embankment before, and I only had a vague sense of knowledge about some of the parts of this novel. This did not hinder my reading at all. You do not have to know Russian history to enjoy this novel, for the author explains everything wonderfully. You can easily read this book and come away with more knowledge than you had before.

I adored Zhenya and Lera, for they were both wonderful characters. Sara’s perspective is, unfortunately, not as long as Zhenya’s or Lera’s, so we did not get as much time to properly get to know him in this book. Both Zhenya and Lera are incredibly brave, especially considering everything that happens to them both. The House on the Embankment seems to be the beginning for all the characters, and once they have lived there, their story really begins. I do not want to talk too much about some of the aspects of this novel, as I would be giving away too much of the story to even bring some things up, but the author has made this time period come back to life. You feel like you are in Russia yourself, alongside these characters. Another thing is that the events that occur in this novel actually happened, and people went through these things. To think about it, about people suffering as some do in this book, is enough to bring tears to your eyes, and make you feel incredibly thankful for even just the basic necessities of life.

Something I really liked was that things such as Russian names were written as they would actually be used. People did not simply have their first name and then their surname, they were addressed differently in different circumstances, and by different people. While I do not wholly understand it (there is an author’s note at the beginning explaining it, but I was too excited to start reading to actually study it properly) it wasn’t too difficult to keep up, and I always knew who was being addressed, even if I didn’t properly know the intricacies of the names. This is a detail that I am happy was included, as it immerses you in the story even more.

If you have any interest in Russian history at all, this is a book you should read! It puts you in the story, so you can watch the events happen, rather than simply reading about it. I read this book two weeks after buying it, but I wish I had started reading it straight away, because then I would’ve have two extra weeks of having read this fabulous book!

[Catherine Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, but I had heard so many good things about this book that I had to check it our for myself. I was not disappointed.
I enjoyed the way we saw the same story unfold from a range of perspectives. The wiring flowed well and having visited the former KGB headquarters in Vilnius and having seen first hand the torture and execution rooms, I thought the author did a fantastic job in his description, and while reading I felt the same fear and resignation that I can only imagine the 'accused' must felt in those rooms.
I found the second section of the book quite harrowing. I was reminded of my visit to Birkenau and seeing the vast concentration camps and the conditions and horrors innocent people were forced to endure.
All in all, well researched, well put together and well worth a read.

[M.H. David · Rating 5 out of 5]

My experience with historical fiction books is that it can either tell a great character driven story paralleling actual historical events, or it can be a fun history retelling with the author taking liberties that bend historical events to something almost completely unrecognizable. In my opinion, Stalin’s Door wasn’t just a wonderful middle ground, it was perfect. I’m not fully versed on much of Russia’s history, but the author obviously put an immense amount of effort into research for this book—I couldn’t say with absolute certainty if the author took any liberties with the history, and that may be one of the most chilling aspects of this book. The way it’s written—the author put me in the room with the characters. The paranoia style suspense kept me on edge as the main character’s circumstances progressed and intertwined. I could feel the cold fear that they were facing, as well as the warmth that the characters would show toward one another. I felt as if I had a clear glimpse of what life may have been like under Stalin’s regime. Well done! I also appreciated the subtle supernatural elements—a little unexpected but it worked well. If you’re not into historical fiction, I’ll admit, this book may seem a little overwhelming to pick up, but I promise you, it is worth every word.

[J.J. Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind Stalin's door, you will find yourself immersed in a whole other world full of heartbreak and horrors. The author does an amazing job of portraying the different perspectives and lives of the three people who become intertwined in the midst of the worst of times. This historical thriller lives up to its promise and delivers stellar details of the time period and the Great Terror. This book was eye-opening to the horrors that occurred. The bittersweet ending brings loose ends together nicely without adding too much of an overdone happily ever after premise. I enjoyed this book tremendously and will always recommend this as a must-read!

[Abbi Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved about this book were the different character narratives. They were well done and each of the three had a distinct voice of their own. Also, the background of the story is super realistic - I can imagine a lot of research went into it, and is well-displayed. I love how the author included some seemingly supernatural elements as well, it was super cool :)
The story itself, being based on true events, is pretty terrible, but I enjoyed reading this book & I learned a good bit as well!

[Ruth Chatlien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stalin’s Door by John St. Clair is the story of a family nearly destroyed by Stalin’s Great Terror, the purge by which the dictator imprisoned or executed not only his enemies but also anyone who, in his growing paranoia, he thought might become enemies. Zhenya, the daughter of the family, is the single thread running through the tale. Her father was a rising official awarded an apartment in the House on The Embankment in Moscow, a place where the Soviet elite lived in luxury that was unimaginable to most citizens. However, life there came with the terrible price of greater scrutiny by the secret police. Historically, a very high proportion of residents were dragged off, charged with treason, tortured, and killed or imprisoned. The author has created an almost surreally Kafkaesque scenario to explain why so many residents were disappeared—to borrow a term from Argentina’s dirty war. (I did search to see if the method of spying St. Clair describes was real but without success.) The novel follows Zhenya through the arrest of her parents and down the unexpected path she takes to and through the horrific Gulag system.

This project was an ambitious undertaking for a debut novel, and to a large extent, St. Clair pulls it off. The horrors inflicted by Stalin’s regime are vividly portrayed without gratuitous descriptions of brutality. The five main characters caught up in the story are sympathetic and distinctive. The themes of the novel remind me of The Lives of Others, the brilliant 2006 German film about the Stasi. There is also a touch of magical realism used effectively to enhance the story rather than distract from it.

I have two minor quibbles. I was hoping for an author’s note to explain what was real and what was fictional invention. If St. Clair ever issues a second edition, I think he should consider adding one. The second quibble is that the language was a bit stilted for my personal taste. I suspect this was intentional to evoke both the past and the foreignness of Russian culture. I’d have preferred a lighter hand with that technique, but it wasn’t enough of an issue to slow my reading.

[E.G. Radcliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book very nearly broke my heart.

I read all kinds of books—fantasy, classics, fiction, historical fiction… traditional and indie. Not since Cym Aros’s Trail Markers and Dickens’s Tale of Two Cities have I had my heart handed back to me in pieces the way Stalin’s Door did.

Fantasy speaks in allegories and metaphors and can provide some safe distance for both authors and readers exploring humanity’s highs and lows. Writing as St. Clair does about the real reign of terror in Stalin’s Soviet Union offers only the distance of time, yet he has a graceful way of revealing humanity in both its light and dark incarnations. We experience in first person the earnestness, naïveté, bewilderment, terror, hope and strength of his characters. His writing is direct, yet eloquent. There is a compassionate touch to his style that draws the reader deeply into the hearts and minds of Zhenya, Lera and Sava. In parallel, we can make note of souls distorted by fear, broken by cruel complicity.

A memorable book and an easy 5 stars.

[D.H. Schleicher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stalin’s Door by John St. Clair is a thrilling, epic piece of historical fiction spanning nearly seven decades but centered on the trauma of Stalin’s Great Terror in the 1930s and 1940s. The novel took me by complete surprise and became a chilling, psychologically rich page-turner with all the hallmarks of a new classic.

The multiple-POV narration (book-ended by the wonderful and unforgettable Zhenya character – first as a young girl, and then as an old woman) is marvelously handled. Each story unravels like an episode of an epic mini-series.

Each opening of that titular door is spine-tingling. The suspense is full-throttle and anchored in realistic characters caught up in extraordinarily terrifying times.

Stalin’s Door ranks up there with the best of WWII-era literature. It is a stunning achievement for a debut novel. I beg of you, walk through that door.

[Kit Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stalin's Door is a hugely ambitious and fascinating read, and captures the spirit of the best late 20th Century Russian fiction set in the period. To say parts reminded me of Solzhenitsyn would not be overstating. Following four intertwined stories, St Clair weaves a twisting narrative again the backdrop of the worst horrors of Stalinism. Stylistically, those unfamiliar with Russian literature might find some sections challenging at first, and there are one of two peculiar lexical choices that jarred a little for me, but the story draws the reader in from the fast-paced opening onwards, and should easily overcome this as the narrative is so compelling. I'd highly recommend this book for anyone interested (or anyone unfamiliar) with Russian history, and to all readers as a fantastic and moving story of tragedy and survival.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in alternating viewpoints, STALIN'S DOOR is an intricate, expertly-crafted immersive experience into the lives of those crushed during the Great Purge. These lives are woven together in unexpected ways, and despite the heartbreaking cruelties each experiences, their is hope for humanity here, in gestures of self-sacrifice, bravery, and endurance beyond what we might think ourselves capable of surviving. From a purely academic standpoint, the novel brings to life all the details of what that era entailed, down to the food and drink in the residences and the furniture nailed to the floor, and the processing at the gulags, but it's the human element that elevates the work to a must-read. Highly recommend.

[Whitney Reinhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The trend in historical fiction to focus on Western Europe is shown the proverbial door in this outstanding work by author, John St. Clair. Featuring the gripping tale of two women whose lives become inextricably entangled as they are swept up in the machinations of Stalin's Russia and his Great Terror, Zhenya and Lera lean on each other, uncover strengths they didn't realize were possible, and discover that family isn't always related.

St. Clair's exquisite research lends credibility to his speculation about life during the Stalin regime and, as an added bonus, St. Clair weaves in a bit of the afterlife at the end of his work as he considers what becomes of those who were victimized by the NKVD, banana troikas, and gulag work camps.

[Alma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and Informative. This book is a must read!

[Patty Gilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[J. T. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never was a fan of historical fiction, but I was pleased with this story and characters. Well written.

[Helen Aitchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stalin’s Door is a historical look at the lives of multiple characters living during Russia’s Great Terror in Moscow in the late 1930’s-40’s.
The book explores accusations, secrecy, mistrust, brutality and murder under the horrifying regime of Stalin, who reigned over the area, using political tyranny.
Multiple characters stories are told, characters who share a connection through circumstance and the political ideology of the time.
Different P.O.V allow readers to become immersed in their world and struggles. As the diverse characters tell their tale, the author takes us on an emotional journey, raising awareness and empathy.
The descriptions of place, scenes, character and emotion allows a visualisation and connection to the characters. The author writes with passion and insight.
At times shocking, upsetting and unimaginable, but also fuelled with love, friendship, hope and strength.
An informed, researched book that leaves readers thinking and wanting to know more. Highly recommended and this would make a great TV series!

[K. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an emotional journey.

When you read the synopsis of this book, you think you’re getting into a tense historical suspense. What you find in its pages is history folded into and presented through the viewpoint of very relatable characters.

I read The Diary of a Young Girl at 10. It was one of my most cherished books, reread many times. Zhenya's Tale from Stalin’s Door sent me on a heart wrenching spin back to that first read of Anne Frank.

This is a different sort of story, the kind that can make you understand how people follow orders, what moves them to stop. It’s an incredible journey that circles back around in a tearful and satisfying end.

But don’t let that softness fool you. The history is there and you will walk away with knowledge expertly woven into character’s stories and feel the tension from their bones.

[C.B. Lansdell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many things I can say about Stalin’s Door. It is a work of historical fiction, with the tension of a political thriller, and the artistry of a literary fiction novel. It is in equal parts intriguing, harrowing and hope-filled. What stood out the most for me was the flawless structure of the narrative. I save my 5-star ratings for books like this – where a high level of thoughtfulness is evident.

An older Zhenya’s recollections start and close the novel. Sandwiched in the middle are Zhenya’s, Sava's and Lera’s stories from the 1930s. Each character’s perspective builds on the last, but they are all tonally distinct from one another.

Section Summary:
Zhenya’s story plays out like a mystery. In the beginning her outlook on events is coated in an optimistic, curious veneer – these are her childhood memories. When her father is promoted, becoming a commissar in Stalin’s government, Zhenya's family move to a seemingly idyllic home in a specially designed place called the Embankment, which houses families of high-ranking officials. But there is a disquieting undercurrent running in the background. Suspense builds gradually, and we start glimpsing something ugly below the surface of Zhenya’s charmed life.

Sava provides us with answers to questions that come up in Zhenya’s story. He shows us that even those operating behind Stalin’s door do not see the whole picture. By the time they fully understand the machine they are a part of, it is too late to back out.
There are also poetic touches in Sava’s perspective: repeated themes or symbols.

Lera’s is a tale of resilience. I can say the least about her story without giving away spoilers. We know what she is leaving behind, and we cling to hope for something good to come about.

I don't know much about this period in Russian history so I can’t comment on the accuracy of the events depicted. But the meticulously detailed descriptions and precise language imply that the author has done a great deal of research. Stalin does not make many appearances in this novel, but we can see his paranoia tainting the life of each character in this book. The author has a light touch and trusts the reader enough to step back and not slot everything into place for you. This book reads like an exquisite puzzle that doesn’t give you all the pieces at once.

You don’t feel the author’s presence too keenly, and the characters take on a life of their own. This is an emotionally challenging but rewarding read.

[Ellie Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stalin's Door by John St. Clair ties the characters together creating an over-arching narrative through three separate views of Stalin's Russia. This offers diverse perspectives, including age and socioeconomic background, and gave the reader an overall better view of this time and place.

I love history but Russia during this time was a subject I was not very familiar with. Not only did this captivating and intriguing book teach me quite a bit about this time, but one of the things I love about a good historical fiction, no matter the type of media, is that it entices you to look up more. This book does just that.

I saw another author refer to the writing as "memoir" and I find that a perfect description of the style. I enjoyed that the characters lead the story. This made this period in time more relatable and tangible.

I really appreciated the descriptions of not necessarily commonly known aspect of Russian culture or words occurring more naturally through the story and character interactions, forming a definition for the reader through context rather than a long textbook explanation. I also appreciated St. Clair's ability to deliver the shock of the brutality the characters faced without making it too gory or impossible to read.

I feel like someone who isn't as big a fan of historical fiction could still enjoy this book, because while it presents history, it is very character lead. You come to care for the characters and become invested in their journey the way you would for any fiction story, another sign of a good historical fiction, in my opinion.

My mind kept going to the dystopian genre, which might be because one of the authors who has had a great influence on the dystopian genre came out of Russia a little before St. Clair's book takes place. There's a great deal of similarities and, for me, it was fascinating to see part of what had to have been an influence to a dystopian book I greatly enjoy.

The use of symbolism adds to this idea that it's more than historical fiction, I think. I personally appreciated the symbolism of heat and cold throughout the story. In a similar vein, the slight fantasy aspect was another element of the book that was unexpected but very welcome. I enjoy the questions it leaves in the reader's mind.

To sum up, Stalin's Door is, by my definition, a good historical fiction that is more than just historical fiction. It is captivating and intriguing (It can take my months to get through books at a time, and I devoured this book quickly). Don't read while cooking or you'll burn your dinner and expect some late nights where you just can't put the book down. Five stars! I highly recommend!

[Jennie Griffin, Book Reviewer & Promoter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stalin's Door is a beautifully written story in which St. Clair immediately and effortlessly pulls the reader into Russia during the 1930s and 40s. These years in Russian history, known as The Great Terror, set the grim backdrop for the story of Zhenya and two strangers, Sava and Lera, who impact her life forever through their selfless actions that can only come from a place of pure love and a sense of doing the right thing. Family does not always come in the form of blood relatives. Sometimes our family consists of those we choose to love and keep in our hearts forever.

John made this era of history come alive for me through the unique perspectives of Zhenya, Sava, and Lera. He provided relevant details that set the backdrop for the reader to immerse themself into Russia and its culture. These details never felt cumbersome but, instead, were interesting and supported the reader’s journey through the lives of these endearing characters. I feel as if I better understand the time and the horrors those generations endured under Stalin’s rule. The amount of research that went into Stalin's Door is remarkable. Only a dedicated author could complete such a project.

Stalin's Door took me through such a range of emotions…sadness, anger, confusion, hopefulness, shock, relief, and even admiration. At times I found my heart racing as I turned the pages, wondering what would happen next, and in other moments I found myself savoring each word. The characters were not just characters to me. They had taken on a life of their own, and in the process of reading about their lives, I had grown attached. I even cried as I shut the book for the final time. I found myself longing for more.

Stalin's Door is a story of love, loss, hope, resiliency, and making peace with a devastating past that destroyed the lives of so many Russians. This is St. Clair’s debut novel, and it is my sincere hope that he continues to write and publish stories of this caliber. So, take a chance on Stalin's Door. You will not be disappointed.

(Full review available at: https://theredheadnotes.com/review/st...)