Inspired by a real woman and actual historical events, Hall’s latest takes readers to World War I Russia and the last days of the Romanov dynasty. American Eliza Ferriday isn’t bothered by the rumors of war and in 1914, joins a friend, Sofya (cousin to the Romanovs) in Russia where the two enjoy the art and architecture of St. Petersburg. Then tensions boil over, on a global scale and within Russia, as revolution sweeps the nation. Eliza escapes back to America and tries to do her best to aid the “White Russians” who are under imminent threat of death. When letters from Sofya stop arriving, Eliza fears the worst. So often when we think of war or catastrophe, we see things in black and white, and think in terms of number of people killed. Those numbers are always so staggering, we cannot comprehend it and lose sight of the real people who lived, loved, fought and died during those terrible times. Hall brings their stories to life and reminds us we can never forget