Central Asia correspondent Joanna Lillis provides a detailed account of corruption, violence, and propaganda in the corridors of power in Kazakhstan.

Since its economic boom at the start of the 21st century, Kazakhstan has secured the attention of international media, though often not for good reasons.

In Dark Shadows, Almaty-based journalist Joanna Lillis records the political history of the former Soviet nation from her experience of on-the-ground reporting.

Lillis reveals the reality of the feel-good mirage that controversial president Nursultan Nazarbayev conjured to maintain his power.

Originally from Britain, Lillis has spent most of her professional life in Russia and Central Asia and has worked as a freelance journalist for the Guardian, The Moscow Times, and The Independent.

Currently, Lillis writes for The Economist and EurasiaNet covering Central Asian politics.