The Empress Spy

Set in the glittering and dangerous courts of 18th-century Russia, this novel follows a fictionalized version of Princess Tarakanova, a mysterious claimant to the Russian throne. Tarakanova, a real historical figure shrouded in intrigue, posed as the "daughter" of Empress Elizabeth and tried to seize power during Catherine the Great's reign. But what if she wasn't just an imposter?

In this twisty retelling, the story reimagines Tarakanova as a young woman forced into espionage by shadowy European powers seeking to topple Catherine. Torn between her role as a pawn in their game and her desire for independence, she infiltrates the Russian court, where she discovers that Catherine isn't just her rival but a surprising mentor and a woman with struggles not unlike her own.