Andrew Cook, the author of To Kill Rasputin: The Life and Death of Grigori Rasputin, is a well-known author and historian. He has been a specialist in foreign affairs and defense for many years and has gained access to the classified archives of the intelligence services. Cook is one of five historians given special permission under the 1992 "Waldegrave Initiative" by the Cabinet Office to examine closed M15 documents. Andrew Cook writes this book to further investigate Rasputin's death and uncover the masterminds behind the murder for the first time. Rasputin is said to have been first poisoned, then shot dead, and finally drowned in a frozen river. Many people wanted Rasputin dead for many different reasons. Andrew Cook is meticulous in telling the whole story of Rasputin's growing influence over the Tsarina and the belief of many that he virtually ruled the country. Rumors and conspiracies circulated that the “Mad Monk” wielded enormous political power, was said to be living a life of debauchery, was planning to have the Tsar sign a peace pact between Russia and Germany, and was more than friendly with the Tsarina and his daughters. . It was certainly a fact that the desperate Tsarina relied on him to alleviate her son's illness and believed in his healing power, as well as asking for his opinion on all important decisions both about the country and about the war. Something had to be done, and some Russian aristocrats decided to take matters into their own hands. We've all heard of Prince Felix Yusupov and his fellow collaborators, but Cook's book manages to offer some new information and provide details on all the important people. involved, a reconstruction of what happened, the investigations and the consequences of Rasputin's murder. Prince Felix Yusupov......in the center of the sheet......about the Tsar and his family. His murder was seen by many as the means to end political instability in a time of great conflict. Cook argues that it could be classified as a political crime, especially when investigating the possibility that English agents were involved. The most notable aspect of the night in question is that the admitted conspirators all seem to recount very different scenarios, both out of confusion and to hide a larger truth. With so many theories, testimonies and inconsistencies, and the fact that this crime was never tried and no one was charged or punished for it, the night of Rasputin's murder remains shrouded in mystery. Cook attempts to clarify many aspects, such as a contemporary review of Rasputin's autopsy and newly available archives, but it is not definitive and there may well be more revelations.