This is a first novel for Jennifer Laam whose intense interest in the Russian Royal family led to her writing this story of three women, Veronica, Lena, and Charlotte, of all whom lived within different periods of time, yet who are connected by history. Veronica, living in the present day is anxious to write an academic book about the last empress of Russia, Alexandra. Lena, is a servant in the imperial palace of the Romanovs and is privy to may of the royal family's secrets. Charlotte, a former ballerina, is determined to survive the Nazi occupation of Paris. Little does Charlotte know that one high ranking German officer has discovered her secret and will stop at nothing to capture her and take her and her son back to Russia.
Then, Veronica meets a self-proclaimed heir to the Russian throne and her research not only turns dangerous to herself, but begins to reveal a long-held secret the Romanovs were determined to take to their grave.