Patrick Radden Keefe releases London Falling

Journalist Patrick Radden Keefe has released a new book titled “London Falling” (published in Spanish as “El hijo del oligarca” by Seix Barral). The work explores the true story of Zac Brettler, who attempted to pose as the heir to a Russian fortune.

The narrative examines the historical context of the post-Soviet era, specifically the massive privatization processes in Russia during the 1990s. This period included the “loans-for-shares” mechanism, which allowed private banks to acquire strategic state assets, such as oil and metals, in exchange for loans to the government. This process concentrated significant wealth and political influence among a small group of oligarchs.

Keefe, known for his investigative work on the Sackler dynasty and the IRA, uses Brettler’s story to investigate the ecosystem of post-Soviet wealth in London and its connections to British elites.