The time of the assassins

The Time of the Assassins was published in 1984 during the height of the Cold War, a period marked by intense geopolitical suspicion following the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II. Claire Sterling, a veteran investigative journalist known for her focus on international terrorism and intelligence, wrote this book to argue that the plot was not the work of a lone gunman, but a state-sponsored conspiracy orchestrated by the Bulgarian secret service on behalf of the Soviet Union. The book was a product of rigorous, albeit controversial, investigative journalism that aimed to expose hidden networks of global subversion.

The design and narrative structure of the work reflect the tense, analytical tone of 1980s political non-fiction. Sterling’s thesis challenged contemporary mainstream reporting, sparking significant debate within intelligence and academic circles regarding the nature of Soviet foreign policy and the mechanics of Eastern Bloc espionage. While the book was widely read and cited as a seminal text by those who believed in the 'Bulgarian Connection,' it faced scrutiny from other historians and intelligence analysts who questioned the veracity of her primary sources and the broader implications of her conclusions.