INBLOOM - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$3.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

John St. Clair
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Stalin's Door Kindle Edition

by John St. Clair (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 174 ratings
See all formats and editions

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!

Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    424 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 9, 2021
  4. File size
    3.0 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08YMD8Z5M
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (March 9, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 9, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 424 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B08YQCNSVV
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 174 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
John St. Clair

John St. Clair

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

John St. Clair started his career as a novelist after spending 25 years battling fraud and abuse in the cyber realm.

John St. Clair lives with his wife in the northern Virginia suburbs. Stalin's Door is his debut novel.

Feel free to reach out!

@johnstclairbooks (Facebook & Instagram)

@uusaint (Twitter)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
174 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the story compelling and epic. They describe the book as an entertaining read with immersive descriptions and multiple points of view that provide a larger perspective. The era is interesting and fascinating for customers. The writing quality is well-written and creative, with a touch of magic. Customers enjoy the interesting characters and vivid portrayal of events without gratuitous brutality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

Story qualityReadabilityEnlightenedEraWriting qualityCharacter developmentPacing
22 customers mention "Story quality"22 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the compelling story and authentic feel of the book. They find it gripping and epic, weaving several stories together in an engaging manner similar to Ken Follett's books. The story is intriguing and bleak at times, depicting life in the Stalinist era. Readers describe the book as an ambitious undertaking for a debut novel.

"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..." Read more

"...This book is a work of fiction, but the author definitely did some research on the culture in Russia at the time, traditional naming conventions..." Read more

"...Boy, I wish I would of read it sooner! This was such a well told story about the journey of several fictional characters who lived in..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the authentic feeling of the story...." Read more

19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and memorable. They describe it as an entertaining read that keeps them hooked until the end. Readers praise it as an impressive first novel that leaves a lasting impression.

"...Stalin’s Door ranks up there with the best of WWII-era literature. It is a stunning achievement for a debut novel...." Read more

"...This book has made a big impression on me, it will stay with me for a long time. I am so incredibly happy that I read it, and I will read it again...." Read more

"...This is a beautifully written book that pulled me in and kept me reading through the end." Read more

"...A fascinating read throughout, but impressive to me were facets of the ending...." Read more

14 customers mention "Enlightened"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and engaging. They appreciate the author's research and attention to detail, describing the culture and city vividly. The multiple perspectives provide a larger perspective on what it felt like to live there. Readers feel educated about the history highlighted in the book.

"...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..." Read more

"...The settings depicted in the book felt authentic, and the story itself was compelling...." Read more

"...Heading in to this book, I felt pretty informed and educated on the history it highlighted...." Read more

"...to life by the use of Russian words and names, the descriptions of the culture and the city, and the humanity of its characters...." Read more

14 customers mention "Era"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's era. They find it interesting, compelling, and thrilling with a brilliant interweave of flashbacks and multiple perspectives. The story is enjoyable with its attention to detail and evocation of sights, sounds, and sensory details. Readers describe the journey as incredible and powerful, leaving them with a feeling of nostalgia when finished.

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

"...It was an interesting portrayal of a period in history that is sadly glossed over in today’s school curriculum, and an important reminder of what..." Read more

"...This is a beautifully written book that pulled me in and kept me reading through the end." Read more

"...The way Lera protects her adopted granddaughter of sorts is beautiful, her perseverance admirable...." Read more

14 customers mention "Writing quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book. They find it well-written and creative, with an odd quirk using certain words. The author does an excellent job showing the reader the extent of censorship. Readers praise the skill with which the author embodies the characters' fears and hopes. However, some feel it's easy to read dry historical data and lose touch with the individual experiences.

"...is marvelously handled...." Read more

"...This is a beautifully written book that pulled me in and kept me reading through the end." Read more

"...Solid writing and a story that was obviously researched extensively makes this book a definite recommend on my part...." Read more

"...The book is well-written, and I like its odd quirk of using certain words that are more in keeping with 1930s and 1940s Russia...." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters interesting and the storyline compelling.

"...The suspense is full-throttle and anchored in realistic characters caught up in extraordinarily terrifying times...." Read more

"...From Zhenya to Sava to Lera, the characters were well-rounded, deep and so three-dimensional they could have been pulled from the pages of..." Read more

"...names, the descriptions of the culture and the city, and the humanity of its characters...." Read more

"This novel follows three distinct personalities before, during, and after Stalin's Great Purge...." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the pacing of the book. They found the characters sympathetic and distinctive. The brutality of Stalin's regime was vividly portrayed without gratuitous descriptions, and a touch of magical realism was used effectively to enhance the story.

"...novel took me by complete surprise and became a chilling, psychologically rich page-turner with all the hallmarks of a new classic...." Read more

"...There is also a touch of magical realism used effectively to enhance the story rather than distract from it. I have two minor quibbles...." Read more

"...because it was educational as to Stalin's reign and his paranoia and cruelty. The characters were interesting and the storyline was compelling...." Read more

"This is an emotional journey...." Read more

A STORY OF THE PAST AND WHERE WE MIGHT END
5 out of 5 stars
A STORY OF THE PAST AND WHERE WE MIGHT END
Stalin's Door by John St. Clair is the incredible tale of Zhenya and her astonishing boggle. Her story is one of survivance in the face of unimaginable hardship. There is also great joy to be found in the lives of Zhenya and the intersecting characters that inhabit this novel. I learned much about Stalinist Russia by reading this fictional novel and the author's diligent research shows. I definitely recommend this book as a lesson in history, a story of one family's narrative, or a cautionary tale. An impressive first novel I anxiously await John St. Clair's next.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • D. H. Schleicher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Go through that door...and experience a new classic!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    Helpful
     Report
  • A.J.
    4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting and compelling read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Stalin’s Door follows the intertwined stories of three people affected by the ruthless policies of Stalin’s government during the mid- to late-1930s. The secret police, or NKVD, are tasked with monitoring civilians and government officials alike. Every conversation is recorded or observed. Stalin’s paranoia is so high, a single question or off-hand remark is grounds for arrest. Most of the men arrested are executed for treason. Their families—even children—are considered guilty by association, and many are sent to the work camps in Siberia.

    While I can’t claim familiarity with much of that period in history outside of World War II, I’ve always been interested to learn more. Sadly, my history classes in school tended to skip from World War I to World War II and were very focused on western European history during that time period. I don’t recall Stalin being mentioned in my high school classes until Russia entered World War II, and this book is set in the years prior to that.

    This book is a work of fiction, but the author definitely did some research on the culture in Russia at the time, traditional naming conventions among families, and the history of that era. I was very grateful a glossary of terms was included at the end, as well.

    The settings depicted in the book felt authentic, and the story itself was compelling. I can’t comment on the accuracy of the history depicted, as it isn’t my specialty, but I did enjoy the story (which is why I read to begin with.) It was an interesting portrayal of a period in history that is sadly glossed over in today’s school curriculum, and an important reminder of what fear is capable of doing to a nation.

    If you’re into historical fiction and 1930s Russian history, check out Stalin’s Door.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • KDM
    5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful story that will stick with you
    Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I will have to say, this book sat on my TBR list for a while. I was afraid of what I would find within its pages. I knew there would be some serious and heavy content, that would probably get me down. Boy, I wish I would of read it sooner!

    This was such a well told story about the journey of several fictional characters who lived in Russia during Stalins reign. Seeing each persons POV as they go about their lives, living the only way they know how during a very dark time in their history, was enlightening. I became deeply invested in each person, watching how they and others around them navigated day to day life. The fear that was present in every moment of every day was truly awful. Stalin was a paranoid man, he trusted no one, so no one was safe. He had people watching people and people watching them. Eyes and ears were everywhere. We see the results of this time and time again throughout the book. Entire families disappearing, once trusted officials arrested and promptly executed as well as others sent off the Gulags. It truly was heartbreaking and infuriating. My heart ached for these characters. It made me reflect on our worlds violent history and the terrible things so many had to go through. I found myself so thankful for what we have today. While I know we are FAR from perfect, we are in a much better place.

    Heading in to this book, I felt pretty informed and educated on the history it highlighted. Once finished, I was reading up on more, searching for all things Stalin and Russia. This book has made a big impression on me, it will stay with me for a long time. I am so incredibly happy that I read it, and I will read it again. I loved the way John St Clair spun this tale, you can clearly see the time and care he put in to every word. I look forward to reading any future books he publishes!!!
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • llama llama
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Story of Dark Times
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    When I was much, much younger, I eschewed the popular language classes in my high school and took instead Russian, facilitated by an eccentric teacher who would have fit perfectly within the pages of John St. Clair's debut novel, Stalin's Door. And because I was that kid, I also took an interest in all things related to the Soviet Union, from the Revolution through the Cold War and its eventual fall. I was also--perhaps morbidly--interested in the Gulag and its system of prison camps.

    Reading this novel was like diving back into that research, diving back into the horrors of Stalin's regime and hearing from those who lived it first-hand. While the characters may have been fictional, their voices are in my head. St. Clair's grasp of the language and his research into the nuances within the culture were obvious wins. From Zhenya to Sava to Lera, the characters were well-rounded, deep and so three-dimensional they could have been pulled from the pages of history.

    I cannot express this enough: although I am admittedly not a fan of historical fiction, I am a HUGE fan of John St. Clair and especially Stalin's Door. This is a beautifully written book that pulled me in and kept me reading through the end.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Sheila
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Gifted Storyteller
    Reviewed in Canada on April 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I've got to be honest. I've been struggling to find the words to write this review. It is not often I deliberately slow down when reading a book because I do not want it to end. Yet, this is exactly what happened when reading John St. Clair's novel, Stalin's Door.
    It takes place during Stalin's rule in the Soviet era. The descriptions of that time provide a clear visual for the reader, from the opulence to the oppression. You root for the main characters thanks to St. Clair's uncanny ability to create a thread that weaves itself through the story from start to finish.
    I really do not want to give anything away. But I will say that St. Clair is one gifted storyteller. I do not say that lightly.
    I highly, highly recommend this book.
    Report
  • Rachel L
    5.0 out of 5 stars Chilling Historical Saga
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    An incredibly well researched book which seemed to uncover and reveal so much about the inner workings of Stalin's regime. The writer hooked me quickly and I happily became a passenger in Zhenya's life. Some of the extraordinary tiny details about Russian culture and language made everything plausible & I happily sat back alongside whom I thought would be the main narrator throughout.
    Living and observing Zhenya's life alongside her parents and her 'observers' is chillingly intimate and changes from feeling increasingly uncomfortable to tense dread.
    The POV changes as we are thrust out into the open elements and the narrator this time is an aging, motherly but canny woman. It's quite fitting that as the reader we helplessly watch Zhenya, she like us is quite powerless she is forced to go on, adapt to her circumstances as a matter of survival. It's a saga covering most of her lifetime and the selection of material and editing is precisely done. I like history delivered like this, multi layered, up close and personal with real characters inhabiting the time and then scanning back, placing the geopolitical landscape. I can tell this book is a labour of love but any chance you could apply this technique to Franco or Mussolini please. I'm not complaining but I want more.
    Report
  • D.M.Barnham
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
    Reviewed in Australia on January 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Amazon Rating: ★★★★★
    Book Rating: ☆★★★★

    General and historical fiction aren't really my thing. I usually struggle to get through them, but I had seen many positive reviews for this indie book so I thought I'd also give it a go and I'm glad I did.

    Now not everything sat with me right, but I believe that was just me reading outside my own usual type of book. Ignoring that I really did enjoy this story. It actually felt classical (or more old school?) In the way it was written. The story itself was interesting and engaging and I can tell you now that I kept jumping onto google and looking many things up, curious about a country and time (I'm ashamed to admit) I don't know that much about.

    As is I came out the other side a little more knowledgeable and appreciative.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good story.
    Reviewed in Canada on August 31, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The story was good but the supernatural bits at the end were a bit jarring.
    Report
  • S. S. Frankowska
    4.0 out of 5 stars a time vehicle
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    “Stalin’s Door” is a time vehicle. John St. Clair has done an outstanding job of depicting the era of Stalin’s regime in Russia. Right from the beginning, I was immediately immersed in the story through the vivid imagery, captivating language, powerful emotions, and rich cultural elements. The author skillfully enables readers to easily transport themselves to a time long ago, where they can experience the chilling Russian air.

    The characters in the narrative are expertly portrayed, each offering their own distinct perspective on the unfolding events. They are also believable and easy to connect with. Their stories are filled with truly heartbreaking moments and events that will keep you up late at night turning pages.

    The first portion of the book was fast-paced and full of tension, whereas the second half, potentially due to the remote location, had a slower pace and was more driven by external events. Nevertheless, both the first and second parts of the book successfully captured the essence of Russian society's perception of World War II and the time period immediately preceding it.

    Combining fantasy/magical realism, this novel offers an incredible historical fiction experience. This book invites readers to immerse themselves in the horrid times of The Great Purge, where sorrow and injustice of the era seep through the pages. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring times of terror in Soviet Russia.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report