Drawing from decades of work, travel, and research in Russia, the author recreates the tragic, perennially fascinating story of the final days of Nicholas and Alexandra as seen through the fictional eyes of the Romanovs' young kitchen boy, Leonka. Now an ancient Russian immigrant, Leonka claims to be the last living witness to the Romanovs' brutal murders and sets down the dark secrets of his past with the imperial family.

Originally published: New York : Viking, c2003.