I am not terribly familiar with the history of the Romanovs (only in the wider sense of world/Russian history) or the details concerning their murders--except of course the speculation over what really happened in 1918 when Tsar Nikolai, Tsarita Aleksandra and their five children were murdered (or were they all killed?). For me this made the story of The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander a fresh and interesting subject. It is a combination of historical fact and fiction as well as mystery that Alexander fairly deftly weaves together.
He bases his story on an obscure comment that Aleksandra made in one of her diaries about the kitchen boy who had worked for the family and then left, and she curiously wonders if he will return. From this one little mention Alexander creates a story of what really happened to the Romanovs. We are lead to believe that the kitchen boy, many years later is telling his story (he wants to leave a tape with this information) to his granddaughter before he dies. The first half of the book describes what daily life is like for the Tsar and his family when they have been imprisoned in Ipatiev House in Yekaterinberg after Nikolai abdicated. It was interesting to get a feel for what Nikolai and Aleksandra might have been like and what they had to endure during their imprisonment. Daily they hope that the White army will come and save them. Of course that never happened. The first half of the book was interesting, but perhaps a tad bit on the slow side. Once July 17, 1918 comes, however, events start moving at breakneck speed and I couldn't put the book down. I hadn't even planned on finishing the book (which I did last night) as soon as I did, but I couldn't help myself. And yes, there is a very good twist at the end, which I didn't expect. If you are a fan of historical fiction, or are at all interested in the Romanovs, you might give this book a try--I thought it was well done. And definitely take a look at Alexander's website (be careful that your speakers are not turned up too loud...)! Now I am wondering about what is fact and what is fiction and want to read more about the Romanovs (one thing always leads to another in my reading!).
On a little side note, I am really getting into David Copperfield! I am just trying to read one chapter a day, but I usually want to just keep reading. Dickens certainly knew how to create wonderful Characters (I think his characters aren't just characters, they're Characters!). I don't think I could have chosen a more Victorian book than this!
Just curious...what was your most recent (or current) page turner of a book?