This is the second novel by Kate Furnival that I have read that is based in Soviet Russia. The horrors of this time in history make for a great plot that takes Lydia Ivanova on a dangerous journey to find her father who has been imprisoned for twelve years. She is with her half brother, Alexei, and her father's old Cossack friend,Liev Popkov, who all have stories unfold around them. As well, her Chinese lover, Chang An Lo, adds to the excitement. I have enjoyed the novels despite the fact that too often I found events to be implausable and her characters lacking depth. Still, it was a good read.