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There are currently 16 member reviews
for The Last Tiara
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Maribeth K. (Milton, NY)
A Glimpse into Lost Tiara
This is a delightful mystery juxtaposed with a mother character at the end of the Russian Romanov era and her daughter in post-World War II New York City. While light on historical detail, the story evolves to keep the reader engaged, anticipating how the lost tiara's past relates to its current state and meaning. The story has unexpected twists and turns that add to its suspense. The characters are developed in such a manner that the reader feels their emotional states and conflicts. This is an easy read for those who enjoy historical fiction combined with a mystery/thriller.
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Diane S. (San Jose, CA)
The Last Tiara
I thought the book was pretty interesting. But the main character Isobelle was extremely insecure and frustrating. To constantly read about her insecurities irritated me. I enjoyed learning a little about the Romanovs and how they hid their jewels. That was amazing. I would have enjoyed learning more. The other characters were interesting. It was a good book.
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Kristen K. (Atlanta, GA)
History, Mystery & Romance
The Last Tiara was an enjoyable read. The story is historical fiction, a mystery and a romance rolled into one page turning novel. The story takes you from post-World War II New York to Russia in the 1920s and 30s. Chapters alternate between a mother and her daughter. Both of these characters were admirable women. The daughter had to solve a mystery to understand her mother's life in Russia. The fact that this mystery involved a tiara that once belonged to a daughter of the last Czar of Russia could have made the story unbelievable but the way it unfolded made it seem very real and definitely keeps you interested in finding out what is going to happen next. This book lends itself to getting comfy on a rainy Pandemic day and losing yourself in a captivating story.
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Chris (CA)
Interesting Russian history
This story hooked me from the beginning. Having married into a Russian family and having recently lost my own mother, I was further intrigued. The history of Russia was interesting. However, I don't think this book reached its potential. The plot was good, but the writing isn't very sophisticated. I liked the two alternating stories although the passionate love scenes seemed a little unnecessary for the overall story. Learning more about Russian history and culture was a plus. Readers interested in Russian history would enjoy this story. There are a few topics for discussion by a book group.
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Arlene J. (Sanford, ME)
The Lost Tiara
M J Rose takes you on a journey during Imperial Russia at the time of the Russian Revolution. The exploration of the downfall of the aristocracy and all of its wealth is the setting for this book. Two timelines are followed by the characters and their families. The story comes to the United States as immigrants leave this totalitarian country
Their family life is affected and influenced by the new culture they have adopted. Jewels, romance and drive is the focus in this adventure that you can't put down. The quest for the answer to the Last Tiara is truly exciting.
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JW - MI
Good Story
This story is about Isobelle and her mother Sofiya in alternating stories. Isobelle's mother came from Russia with Isobelle when she was a very young girl. Sofiya never talked about Russia where she was an art restorer and tutor for the Romanov girls. Isobelle, being close in age to the girls, was allowed to attend these classes and became friends with the Romanov girls. When the Romanovs knew they were going to have to leave Russia, Isobelle's friend the Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna gave her her tiara full of jewels. And most of all Sofiya never talked about it to her father, only that he was the love of her life. After Isobelle's mother dies in an accident, she decides to renovate the apartment they lived in and finds a jeweled tiara inside one of the walls. That is where the story really gets on. Isobelle decides she has to find out about the tiara, who her father was. This is basically a good story and with some twists and turns and a good plot. The only part of this book I did not like, and I put it down a couple of times because of it, were the sex scenes. I don't think the elaboration was necessary. You can get the drift without it being stated so explicitly. For that I would give the book a 3 but for the story itself I would give it a 4.
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Linda M. (Milton, DE)
History, Mystery and Romance
Thank you to BookBrowse and NetGalley for sending me an arc copy of The Last Tiara in exchange for my honest review.
I am a big fan of historical fiction and was looking forward with great anticipation to reading The Last Tiara. Since I am not well versed in Russian history or the Romanov family, I expected it to be somewhat eduational as well. Unfortunately, it was not.
Written in two time lines and locations, Isobelle in late 1940's America and her mother, Sofyia in 1920's Russia, adds some interest to the plot but also contributes to confusion. There was a great deal of background information to be shared which seemed very random. I almost thought I should be taking notes so I wouldn't forget where and when things were happening. While it was interesting to read about Sofyia's early life in the palace with the Romanov daughters and her work in the hospital, it did not add intrigue to the story. Everything seemed very predictable, there was no intrigue. Isobelle's work at Oak Ridge, how she became an architect and landed in New York City, while interesting to a point, did not seems to move the plot along either. The characters seems "shallow" and not very well developed. All in all, the story was very "cut and dried" and did not live up to my expectations.
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