This is probably one of the strongest Lady Emily mysteries to date, set in the world of the Russian ballet in the year 1900.
Lady Emily is in St. Petersburg for the New Year, bent on celebration and enjoyment. But after an evening at the world-renowned ballet, her deductive skills are suddenly called to work when the body of a ballerina is discovered in the snow outside the theatre. Who could have wanted to do away with her, and why?

I've read all of the Lady Emily mysteries, and at times have taken issue with this Victorian character too loudly and proudly proclaiming her modernity. I'm pleased to say that I didn't notice that tendency in this book. Her character seemed a little more mature, a little more self-controlled.

I also enjoyed the storytelling technique in this book. It's one that Tasha Alexander has used to good effect before, but it was particularly skillful here. She intersperses the Lady Emily chapters with shorter chapters from the point of view of the ballerinas, starting about 10 years prior to the investigation, revealing their relationships and the course of their careers, catching up to Lady Emily's narrative just in time for the big finish. Both narratives were compelling and made me want to keep reading.

The recurrence of Sebastian Capet, unreformed thief and admirer of Lady Emily, lends wit and comedy to the story and is a welcome addition to the plot.

Not least of the accomplishments of this novel is the well-defined setting. St. Petersburg at the turn of the 20th century sounds like quite a place. I enjoyed the glimpses of the Hermitage, the Winter Palace, and the exquisite Faberge eggs.

An "Easter egg," if you will, is the appearance of a character with a subtle connection to Amelia Peabody (the much loved character created by Elizabeth Peters and the main star of about 20 novels in her own series). Blink and you'll miss it, but it's a fun thing. Tasha Alexander is actually not the only author to pay tribute to the late Elizabeth Peters in this delightful way. It's great.

***Thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me a review copy! ( )

Emily has the opportunity to visit her friend Cecile in Russia where Colin is also working. However, the festivities are complicated when a ballerina is found outside the theater with her throat cut. As Emily pursues the murderer, she finds her case may overlap with the anti-revolutionary work that Colin is doing on behalf of the Crown. Told in alternating sections--current and past leading up to the events, Alexander keeps the tone of the series and genre elements while exploring the politics of the Russian tsar.

I had such hopes for this book as it is set in the early 1900s just before the Bolshevik Revolution. There is palace intrigue, there are the poor with their petitions and the murder of a ballerina...

But ooh what a boring read. ( )

I do believe I'm growing tired of this series... so I might have to give it a rest for a bit.

Lady Emily, Colin, & Cecile are in St. Petersburg. He's on Crown business, she & Cecile are visiting w/ royalty, taking in the sights, going to balls, & the ballet.

On the night of Swan Lake during the 2nd interval, the main ballerina, Iruskya goes out the stage door (as her usual habit) but does not return. When she is found stabbed to death, laying atop a Fabergé Egg, her best friend & understudy Katenkya takes her place. Iruskya's secret paramour asks Lady Emily to investigate the murder.

Caught in the intrigue is: Katenkya; her brother Lev, Iruskya's first love; Mitya, Katenka's love interest; & Sonya another friend & ballerina. All with the exception of Iruskya are working for, to different degrees, political change.

After Iruskya's murder on more than one occasion, a ghostly dancer is seen outdoors dancing in a swan tutu waving a red silk sash.

The book has alternating chapters of the childhood - adult, & professional friendship of Iruskya & Katenkya; but here's the thing.... Even though those parts were narrated by Katenkya, that is not the name that was used for her, nor was the name Iruskya used.

What I found highly confusing & annoying was that book switched between different names for the girls from chapter to chapter and this not being the first time the author has done this.

I also found a bit of this quite boring and other than the two ballerinas felt the other characters to be rather weak.

Thankfully Lady Emily's mother was absent from this installment.... If I never read of her again, I will be delighted. ( )

A good look at Russia at the turn of the century. Lots of atmosphere, art and museum visitations; Russia nobility and their attitudes set the stage for the coming revolution. Some good insights into the world of ballet also helped. Russia names and a limp mystery plot made it difficult to sustain interest. ( )