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Great Reading At Dragon Bay

Mar 1, 2010

The Romanov Bride: A Novel by (Robert Alexander)

In this robust historical novel set during the Romanov twilight, chronicles the careers of two emblematic individuals—the real-life Grand Duchess Elisavyeta (Ella), sister of Alexandra, the last Tsarina, and the fictional Pavel, a young revolutionary.

The invigorating narrative with telling details brings the aristocrat Ella, who eventually became an Orthodox saint, convincingly to life. Pavel takes part in key events affecting Ella—such as the planning of her husband's assassination—as well as the street violence that metastasizes into the Bolshevik Revolution. Quick-cutting between the two characters' perspectives gives readers the opposing viewpoints of nobility and proletariat, emphasizing the obliviousness of each group to the other. Coincidence abounds, but this is a compelling journey through momentous events that concludes with a fine, deeply moving finale.

Robert Alexander is the author of The Kitchen Boy and Rasputin’s Daughter. For nearly thirty years, Alexander has been traveling to Russia to pursue his studies and manage his many businesses.

Death of a Valentine (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries) by (M. C. Beaton)

In bestseller Beaton's enjoyable 25th Hamish Macbeth mystery (after 2008's Death of a Witch), a Valentine's Day parcel explodes in the face of the Scottish Highlands' Lammas festival queen, Annie Fleming, as soon as she tries to open it, killing her instantly.

Hamish Macbeth, newly promoted to sergeant, would rather investigate with only his trusty pets in tow, but is instead forced to tote along his new constable, the less than professional Josie McSween. Considered prim and proper and a right innocent, Annie turns out to have been leading a less than virtuous double life, with no shortage of suspects in her murder. A much sought after bachelor, Hamish desperately tries to break the case, while Josie, with dreams in her eyes, strives to crack Hamish's heart.

For all the book's farcical moments, Beaton takes care as usual to provide a satisfying mystery of the Agatha Christie genre – complete with the quaint quirks of Scotland.