Death in St. Petersburg: A Lady Emily Mystery

Description

After the final curtain of Swan Lake, an animated crowd exits the Mariinsky theatre brimming with excitement from the night's performance. But outside the scene is somber. A ballerina's body lies face down in the snow, blood splattered like rose petals over the costume of the Swan Queen. The crowd is silenced by a single cry- "Nemetseva is dead!" Amongst the theatergoers is Lady Emily, accompanying her dashing husband Colin in Russia on assignment from the Crown. But it soon becomes clear that Colin isn't the only one with work to do. When the dead ballerina's aristocratic lover comes begging for justice, Emily must apply her own set of skills to discover the rising star's murderer. Her investigation takes her on a dance across the stage of Tsarist Russia, from the opulence of the Winter Palace, to the modest flats of ex-ballerinas and the locked attics of political radicals. A mysterious dancer in white follows closely behind, making waves through St. Petersburg with her surprise performances and trail of red scarves. Is it the sweet Katenka, Nemetseva's childhood friend and favorite rival? The ghost of the murdered etoile herself? Or, something even more sinister?

Tasha Alexander, the daughter of two philosophy professors, studied English Literature and Medieval History at the University of Notre Dame. She and her husband, novelist Andrew Grant, live on a ranch in southeastern Wyoming.

"Consistently witty, smart, and entertaining." --Booklist "Alexander is at the top of her game...(her) impeccable research and smart storytelling keep readers on the edge of their seats...A gripping tale by a grand mistress of the genre."--RT Book Reviews (Top Pick) "The breathtaking beauty of St. Petersburg before the Russian Revolution provides a dazzling backdrop for murder. . . . The purest mystery among Alexander's adventures presents a challenging puzzle, a historically interesting period, and detailed descriptions of one of the world's most beautiful cities." --Kirkus Reviews "In addition to a satisfying puzzle and the always appealing protagonist, Alexander delivers a memorable portrait of a fairy-tale city dancing on the brink of revolution." --Publishers Weekly On the Lady Emily Mystery Series: "Author Tasha Alexander is one to watch--and read. . . . despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, there's a depth of sensitivity which sets her apart." --The Huffington Post on Dangerous to Know "With wisps of darkness, shadows of a ghost story and embers of heightened Freudian themes, Dangerous to Know is the perfect novel to curl up with and chase away the world." --Examiner.com "Infused with wit and charm, with just the right amounts of danger, romance and detection blended in." --Denver Post on Tears of Pearl "[Tears of Pearl] will please readers of Anne Perry, Laurie R. King, and Deanna Raybourn seeking a new fan-favorite author." --Library Journal on Tears of Pearl "A thoroughly enjoyable adventure with both historical texture and emotional depth." --Anne Perry, New York Times bestselling author on A Fatal Waltz "Alexander's sweetly choreographed plot dances between her wonderfully drawn sleuth, Lady Ashton, and Victorian high society." --Julie Spencer-Fleming, Edgar Award finalist and author of All Mortal Flesh on A Poisoned Season "Alexander excels in depicting the social mores of a society uncomfortable with the independence of women, and deftly allows the plot to develop in tandem with Emily's growth." --The Baltimore Sun on And Only to Deceive