The Man from St. Petersburg was published by Hamish Hamilton in 1982. Set in London in June 1914, the novel follows three converging plots: the Earl of Walden is hosting secret negotiations with Prince Alexei Dobrovich, a cousin of the Tsar, to secure a naval agreement that will bring Russia into an alliance with Britain against Germany; Feliks Kschessinsky, a Russian anarchist, arrives in London to assassinate the Prince and prevent the treaty (which he sees as a pact between imperialists that will drag the Russian working class into a capitalist war); and the Earl’s wife, Lydia, recognizes Feliks as her former lover — the father of her daughter Charlotte, whom the Earl believes is his own child.
Follett used the novel to explore how the personal and the political intertwine at moments of historical crisis. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand occurs during the novel’s action, confirming that the forces Feliks represents — revolutionary violence — will indeed reshape the world, though not in the way anyone expects.
Collecting The Man from St. Petersburg
First edition (Hamish Hamilton, London, 1982): Boards with dust jacket.
Market values:
- UK first edition, fine in jacket: $30–$80
- US first edition (Morrow): $20–$50
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
The Anarchist
Set in London in 1914, on the eve of World War I, a Russian anarchist arrives to assassinate a prince who is negotiating a secret Anglo-Russian alliance. An English earl, his wife (who has a secret connection to the assassin), and a suffragette daughter are drawn into the conspiracy. The novel combines Follett’s strengths — espionage plotting, meticulous historical detail, and romantic tension — in a period setting that allows him to explore the tensions that led to the Great War.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Follett different from other thriller writers? Follett’s distinctive quality is the depth of his historical research, combined with a novelistic interest in character and social context that most thriller writers lack. His best books are simultaneously page-turning thrillers and serious historical novels. He has said he wants readers to learn history without realising they are being educated.