How a curious box of contraceptives helped solve an international mystery

By Peter Hannam
Updated January 12 2017 - 6:10pm, first published January 11 2017 - 8:50pm
Images of Ye Qun, wife of Lin Biao. If she was not on the plane that crashed in Mongolia, who was the woman travelling with Lin? Photo: Supplied
Images of Ye Qun, wife of Lin Biao. If she was not on the plane that crashed in Mongolia, who was the woman travelling with Lin? Photo: Supplied
KGB spy Vitali Tomilin investigated the mysterious plan crash that allegedly killed Lin Biao in 1971. Photo: Supplied
KGB spy Vitali Tomilin investigated the mysterious plan crash that allegedly killed Lin Biao in 1971. Photo: Supplied
Toilet paper holder sign recovered from the 1971 plane crash in Mongolia that allegedly killed Mao's No. 2 Lin Biao. Photo: Louise Kennerley
Toilet paper holder sign recovered from the 1971 plane crash in Mongolia that allegedly killed Mao's No. 2 Lin Biao. Photo: Louise Kennerley
A purported image of Lin Biao's decomposing body.  Photo: Supplied
A purported image of Lin Biao's decomposing body. Photo: Supplied
Metal fragments of the aircraft that crashed in Mongolia in 1971. Photo: Louise Kennerley
Metal fragments of the aircraft that crashed in Mongolia in 1971. Photo: Louise Kennerley
Mao's second-in-command Lin Biao capless and an image of his skull found in KGB archives.  Photo: Supplied
Mao's second-in-command Lin Biao capless and an image of his skull found in KGB archives. Photo: Supplied

It's not often a novel launches a journey around the world and back.

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