In the midst of the Russian revolution, a very rich prince and his family were targets of the revolutionaries. The prince and princess were killed and the rest of the family were presumed dead. However, they have survived and the granddaughter of Prince Ivanoff has sold an emerald that could only be one of the Ivanoff jewels. The KGB, the CIA and one other mysterious player are hot on the trail of this granddaughter, believing she will lead them to the Ivanoff billions that are in a Swiss bank, and the deed to some very important mines.The story is told partly in the present day and partly in flashback. The history of practically everyone involved with the emerald and the missing Ivanoffs is laid out in this book. Sometimes flashbacks can be either confusing or boring, but these are neither. In fact, the action and characters in the present day pale in comparison with those of the past.The sentence structure is sometimes awkward and confusing. Pronouns are overused to the point that it's hard to tell to whom the pronoun is referring, especially in the beginning of the book. Also some clauses are misplaced so that the subject and verb agreement is somewhat stultified. As I got interested in the story, however, I didn't notice it as much unless I really couldn't figure out who or what they were referring to.The climax of the novel is exciting and satisfying, although there was one element, which I can't reveal, that I thought rather unnecessary. Actually, it seemed a little like the author changed her mind about how the book would end at the last second, but it still works.I would recommend this book to fans of family saga novels, but probably not mystery and suspense novels.
This book has stayed with me for more than 15 years. Read it as a teenager and was hooked from the beginning. In the grand tradition of Mitchner, Cauldwell this is a sweeping epic that spans multiple generations and takes us through most of the notable moments of the early 20th Century through the eyes of a Russian emigree of the Romonav aristocracy. Sure, we get a lot of "flashing eyes" and "seal brown hair" descriptions but what a tale! There were some rather bizarre and uncomfortable plot twists but just the fantasy of going from the Romonavs to the 20's high fashion modeling in New York to Hollywood's golden era is well worth the ride!! Still thinking about it 15 years later.
What do You think about The Property Of A Lady (1991)?
I hesitated alot before reading this book; but once I started I fell in love I could have given it 5 stars but the ending was rushed and I really didnt like it (spoiler). she was insinuating the relation between genie and valentine as a romantic one then she goes and kills him I mean she would have thought of a better ending. the whole book was written im amazing details that made you really feel the anguish and pain that the characters felt but, the ending just didnt sit right with me. That Alexie has been in injustice the whole book and even the ending didn't give him any kind of justice for the misery he had through the whole book above that he looses his son and the only connection he had to ivanoff was killed and he retired. I mean come on..
—Nora Moushtaha
