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In Search of the Romanovs: A Family’s Quest to Solve One of History’s Most Brutal Crimes
In 1918 a famed general of the Russian White Army battled through the Red Army to save Emperor Nicholas II—but he arrived too late. The Romanovs had already been murdered.
In this thrilling true-life detective story, we follow Anna, the general’s courageous young daughter, who fled across the continent and boarded a ship with her husband to escape the bloodshed. Beneath her bunk was a box, and in this box lay grisly evidence of what had become of Russia’s royal family, the Romanovs. Generations later, Anna’s grandson Peter Sarandinaki set out to finish his great-grandfather’s mission to find the Romanovs’ remains, enlisting searchers and scientists to finally piece together the answers to some of history’s most perplexing questions: What really happened to Tsar Nicholas, Empress Alexandra, and their children? And what about the tsar’s brother, Michael, who simply disappeared?
Set against the disparate backdrops of the Russian Revolution and the twenty-first century’s leading DNA laboratories, In Search of the Romanovs weaves together historical records, forensic science, and the diaries, recollections, and experiences of Sarandinaki’s own family. Follow Sarandinaki as he fits together the final fragments of the mystery: a piece of topaz jewelry, a blood-stained shirt once worn by Tsar Nicholas II, the fabled Solokov box, and clandestine initials carved into a tree. A riveting and deeply personal story, In Search of the Romanovs reveals hidden truths in the legends about the murder and disappearance of Russia’s most famous royal family.
In this thrilling true-life detective story, we follow Anna, the general’s courageous young daughter, who fled across the continent and boarded a ship with her husband to escape the bloodshed. Beneath her bunk was a box, and in this box lay grisly evidence of what had become of Russia’s royal family, the Romanovs. Generations later, Anna’s grandson Peter Sarandinaki set out to finish his great-grandfather’s mission to find the Romanovs’ remains, enlisting searchers and scientists to finally piece together the answers to some of history’s most perplexing questions: What really happened to Tsar Nicholas, Empress Alexandra, and their children? And what about the tsar’s brother, Michael, who simply disappeared?
Set against the disparate backdrops of the Russian Revolution and the twenty-first century’s leading DNA laboratories, In Search of the Romanovs weaves together historical records, forensic science, and the diaries, recollections, and experiences of Sarandinaki’s own family. Follow Sarandinaki as he fits together the final fragments of the mystery: a piece of topaz jewelry, a blood-stained shirt once worn by Tsar Nicholas II, the fabled Solokov box, and clandestine initials carved into a tree. A riveting and deeply personal story, In Search of the Romanovs reveals hidden truths in the legends about the murder and disappearance of Russia’s most famous royal family.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 23, 2024
This was really fascinating, particularly the sections on White Russians migration post-Revolution. I think I had expected this to be a bit more straight history as opposed to familial memoir which was my own failing. I also really liked the insight on the search for the bodies of Grand Duke Michael and his secretary as that is a portion of the story that often gets glossed over. As ever though, the tragedy of this story really gets to me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
April 5, 2024
“Uncovering bones was one thing; uncovering buried resentments was quite another.” (page 136)
While the bones of the Romanovs were buried over a hundred years ago, their story continues to fascinate readers and armchair historians worldwide. Sarandinaki comes to the story from a different angle than most, having a personal connection to the secret investigations of the assassinations and then later participating in the inquiries. Sarandinaki’s ties give us the first part of his book, which focuses on his grandmother Anna and her life as nobility in Russia as the country turned towards revolution and later communism. Through his grandmother and great-grandfather, he manages to bring the reader into the atmosphere of 1918’s Russia and the following years of political terror and tension.
Sarandinaki effortlessly balances his discussions of the mystery's details, providing enough details to satisfy the more knowledgeable true crime readers while supplying sufficient context and explanation for those unfamiliar with forensic techniques. He manages to do the same in his discussions of Imperial Russian culture. Though he clearly remembers the homeland his grandmother described fondly, he certainly does not hesitate to criticize Russia, especially as the book continues and he steps into the role of mediator and liaison between American and Russian scientists.
While he may have only set out to fulfill his great grandfather’s wish to solve the mystery of the Romanovs’ deaths, Sarandinaki accomplishes much more. He gives his readers insights into the last years of imperial Russia and life afterward. He showcases the White Russians emigrating to escape communism and finding themselves both as a community and at odds with one another.
In the end, Sarandinaki fulfills his great-grandfather’s wish to find the truth of the Romanov’s murders. However, he is still working to achieve his own goal— to provide all the assassinated Romanovs with a proper burial according to their religion and sainthood.
I received this book for free on NetGalley #InSearchoftheRomanovs #NetGalley
While the bones of the Romanovs were buried over a hundred years ago, their story continues to fascinate readers and armchair historians worldwide. Sarandinaki comes to the story from a different angle than most, having a personal connection to the secret investigations of the assassinations and then later participating in the inquiries. Sarandinaki’s ties give us the first part of his book, which focuses on his grandmother Anna and her life as nobility in Russia as the country turned towards revolution and later communism. Through his grandmother and great-grandfather, he manages to bring the reader into the atmosphere of 1918’s Russia and the following years of political terror and tension.
Sarandinaki effortlessly balances his discussions of the mystery's details, providing enough details to satisfy the more knowledgeable true crime readers while supplying sufficient context and explanation for those unfamiliar with forensic techniques. He manages to do the same in his discussions of Imperial Russian culture. Though he clearly remembers the homeland his grandmother described fondly, he certainly does not hesitate to criticize Russia, especially as the book continues and he steps into the role of mediator and liaison between American and Russian scientists.
While he may have only set out to fulfill his great grandfather’s wish to solve the mystery of the Romanovs’ deaths, Sarandinaki accomplishes much more. He gives his readers insights into the last years of imperial Russia and life afterward. He showcases the White Russians emigrating to escape communism and finding themselves both as a community and at odds with one another.
In the end, Sarandinaki fulfills his great-grandfather’s wish to find the truth of the Romanov’s murders. However, he is still working to achieve his own goal— to provide all the assassinated Romanovs with a proper burial according to their religion and sainthood.
I received this book for free on NetGalley #InSearchoftheRomanovs #NetGalley
October 16, 2024
A companion to and continuation of Massie's Nicholas and Alexandra and Last Chapter, Sarandinaki combines family history with forensic science to reveal the final resting place of the Romanovs. Divided into 2 parts with a short interlude, Sarandinaki starts with his grandmother's life in Russia during the revolution, the family's flight from the war, and their connects with Sokolov and his investigations into what happened in Yeketerinburg. The short interlude deals with Anna Anderson and her place in the story, as well as the divisions in the White Russian communities outside the Soviet Union.
Part 2 brings the focus to Sarandinaki himself, starting with a short autobiography as he details how he became involved in the search for answers and missing children. We do get bogged down here, as Sarandinaki is determined to cover every aspect of the search, from planning, team building, to the actual serach. But mostly the pace is quite quick, written more as a conversation or oral history. He has a compelling tone - this is clearly important information to Sarandinaki and he wants us the reader to be just as impressed and involved in the history and truth as he is.
Sarandinaki continues on past the main event and shows how the two missing children were found, an event that got much less press. And he continues on, looking for the Tsar's brother and his secretary, still on-going as of the end of the book. He also takes several chapters to discuss the doubters, considers why people don't trust the discoveries, and lays out the proof to counter all accusations. Sarandinaki very clearly feels the science is trustworthy but he has empathy for the doubters. He too grew up in White Russian exile, but he has a clear-eyed approach to the search, nourished by the life stories of his grandmother's family and their experiences with the Romanov remains.
Part 2 brings the focus to Sarandinaki himself, starting with a short autobiography as he details how he became involved in the search for answers and missing children. We do get bogged down here, as Sarandinaki is determined to cover every aspect of the search, from planning, team building, to the actual serach. But mostly the pace is quite quick, written more as a conversation or oral history. He has a compelling tone - this is clearly important information to Sarandinaki and he wants us the reader to be just as impressed and involved in the history and truth as he is.
Sarandinaki continues on past the main event and shows how the two missing children were found, an event that got much less press. And he continues on, looking for the Tsar's brother and his secretary, still on-going as of the end of the book. He also takes several chapters to discuss the doubters, considers why people don't trust the discoveries, and lays out the proof to counter all accusations. Sarandinaki very clearly feels the science is trustworthy but he has empathy for the doubters. He too grew up in White Russian exile, but he has a clear-eyed approach to the search, nourished by the life stories of his grandmother's family and their experiences with the Romanov remains.
May 15, 2024
Wow, this is packed with information and so much detail! I am not extremely knowledgeable on this subject but have always been interested. The writing can feel a little choppy and doesn’t have that overall polish of a mass marketed book. But I quickly became absorbed in the story and actually ended up feeling this added to the charm! It’s incredibly touching what great lengths the author went to, in order to tell his grandmother’s story and not have it lost. The history can be complicated but feels accessible and is balanced with emotion and personal impressions. It does get bogged down in parts but overall I learned a lot and enjoyed this exclusive perspective.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 1, 2024
My husband and I lived in Finland from 2010-2012 on a job assignment and were fortunate to travel to St. Petersburg while it was still relatively easy to do so. I have long been fascinated by the history of Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, and after them, the Romanovs. This book adds to our understanding of the terrible fates of the Romanovs, and the author’s due diligence in adding to the knowledge of the era and his family’s legacy. This is a well-researched and interesting book, although the reader should probably have an interest in Russian history to fully appreciate it.
July 4, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and University of Nebraska Press for an Advanced Reader Copy - pub date 7/1/2024. Practically everyone has heard the tragic story of Russia's final Imperial family, the Romanovs. The lies and the mangled murders and the slapdash burials and the decades-long cover-ups and rumors. That is only half of this book and, while it is a very impressive half, the half that lands best is actually the first part - the story of author Peter Sarandinaki's family and their connection to the murders, culminating in his deep desire to find the truth. You see, in one of those twists of real life being stranger than fiction, his grandmother Anna's grew up as one of the favored landed gentry, daughter to a great military officer who rose to the fight as part of the White Army during the revolution. More to the point, he was close friends with Nikolai Sokolov, the first formal investigator into the deaths of the Imperial family. Sarandinaki grew up listening to stories from his grandmother about her family's fight and flight in those turbulent years. He was especially taken with the stories about the box which Sokolov kept beneath Anna's bunk on the ship which brought them all to the Western hemisphere at last. The box containing precious documents and a scrap of graffitied wallpaper and some buttons and hooks and a finger - evidence of the violent murders at Ipatiev House.
So the book is a clear two parter with the first part being the very personal family history and reasoning behind Sarandinaki's connection to the Romanov murders and the second part being the long, winding road to the historical facts of the revolution, the murders, and the discoveries of the bodies. While quite a bit of the second half was well-known to me (true crime buff and Dr Maples' book is one of my favorite non-fiction reads), there were additional details and a sort of deep passion behind the story that is lacking in a lot of Romanov books. Sarandinaki cares and cares deeply. One could say he is even obsessed with the topic and, at times, I winced in sympathy for his wife as he devoted endless hours and energy toward making the right contacts, pushing the right buttons, going on the trips. But shouldn't we all care about truth? More to the point, you never felt like he was doing this for fame and glory. He honestly seems upset and worried over the idea of the family members never having a sanctified burial and recognition. There is an underlying fear, too, of how we can quickly mess things up if we don't trust science and follow due diligence, how lives can be ruined. The finding of the final two children was utterly new information to me and I found it just as affecting as he did. Just as I found myself sharing his outrage at loud dissenting skeptics denying all of the proof just to be contrary. I hope he continues to push. I also hope that he or another team can finally find two other victims of the revolution, the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich (the man who never wanted to be an aristocrat!) and his secretary Nicholas Johnson.
Overall, it is a very thickly packed read between dates and names and places but it was a refreshing take with a more personal look at the Romanovs and how truth was pursued over the years. Thank heavens for hard work and dedicated people and scientific diligence.
So the book is a clear two parter with the first part being the very personal family history and reasoning behind Sarandinaki's connection to the Romanov murders and the second part being the long, winding road to the historical facts of the revolution, the murders, and the discoveries of the bodies. While quite a bit of the second half was well-known to me (true crime buff and Dr Maples' book is one of my favorite non-fiction reads), there were additional details and a sort of deep passion behind the story that is lacking in a lot of Romanov books. Sarandinaki cares and cares deeply. One could say he is even obsessed with the topic and, at times, I winced in sympathy for his wife as he devoted endless hours and energy toward making the right contacts, pushing the right buttons, going on the trips. But shouldn't we all care about truth? More to the point, you never felt like he was doing this for fame and glory. He honestly seems upset and worried over the idea of the family members never having a sanctified burial and recognition. There is an underlying fear, too, of how we can quickly mess things up if we don't trust science and follow due diligence, how lives can be ruined. The finding of the final two children was utterly new information to me and I found it just as affecting as he did. Just as I found myself sharing his outrage at loud dissenting skeptics denying all of the proof just to be contrary. I hope he continues to push. I also hope that he or another team can finally find two other victims of the revolution, the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich (the man who never wanted to be an aristocrat!) and his secretary Nicholas Johnson.
Overall, it is a very thickly packed read between dates and names and places but it was a refreshing take with a more personal look at the Romanovs and how truth was pursued over the years. Thank heavens for hard work and dedicated people and scientific diligence.
May 31, 2024
4.5/5 rounded up to 5 stars
Nonfiction books can be hard to suggest to people, you hear nonfiction and immediately think of boring books. However I’m so glad that books like In Search of the Romanovs exist, to show that nonfiction can be fascinating, educational, and eye opening.
If you like CSI, historical fiction novels, true crime, or the legend of Anastasia I think you will definitely enjoy this book.
The story of the Romanov family has fascinated people on an international scale for over a century. The author approaches this famed story with a personal connection, and his passion for this subject is evident on every page.
This nonfiction story is told in 2 parts. The first part through the memory of the author’s grandmother, Anna. Detailing her family’s perilous journey as they fought for their lives, and eventually fled their homeland of Russia when the Bolsehviks rose to power and slaughtered the Imperial family.
The second part is told through the author’s own perspective. Explaining how he ended up being a champion for the discovery of the Romanov family. Helping to uncover the truth of what happened to them, and provide a proper burial to honor their memories.
The first part of this book read more like a historical fiction novel, it was a heartbreaking journey that Anna and her family had to endure. The sheer strength they showed during the destruction that surrounded them was astonishing.
The second part is written more like a true crime story. It can get pretty technical with all the forensic details, but the author did such a great job at explaining the process of forensic sciences. I’m not the most scientific minded person, if I could understand it you can too! Part 2 also shows the political loopholes that had to be found in order for the research teams to get around Russian bureaucracy.
I learned so much from this book, and highly recommend it. It was heartbreaking, educational, and full of hope. This was a fantastic way for the author to honor his grandmother and those like her that faced a dangerous adversary and chose to stand up to it.
“In that way, what Anna began, a century ago, will move forward, generation by generation, and perhaps we’ll care more about justice, more about our history, and more about the kind of place the world needs to be.”
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!!
Nonfiction books can be hard to suggest to people, you hear nonfiction and immediately think of boring books. However I’m so glad that books like In Search of the Romanovs exist, to show that nonfiction can be fascinating, educational, and eye opening.
If you like CSI, historical fiction novels, true crime, or the legend of Anastasia I think you will definitely enjoy this book.
The story of the Romanov family has fascinated people on an international scale for over a century. The author approaches this famed story with a personal connection, and his passion for this subject is evident on every page.
This nonfiction story is told in 2 parts. The first part through the memory of the author’s grandmother, Anna. Detailing her family’s perilous journey as they fought for their lives, and eventually fled their homeland of Russia when the Bolsehviks rose to power and slaughtered the Imperial family.
The second part is told through the author’s own perspective. Explaining how he ended up being a champion for the discovery of the Romanov family. Helping to uncover the truth of what happened to them, and provide a proper burial to honor their memories.
The first part of this book read more like a historical fiction novel, it was a heartbreaking journey that Anna and her family had to endure. The sheer strength they showed during the destruction that surrounded them was astonishing.
The second part is written more like a true crime story. It can get pretty technical with all the forensic details, but the author did such a great job at explaining the process of forensic sciences. I’m not the most scientific minded person, if I could understand it you can too! Part 2 also shows the political loopholes that had to be found in order for the research teams to get around Russian bureaucracy.
I learned so much from this book, and highly recommend it. It was heartbreaking, educational, and full of hope. This was a fantastic way for the author to honor his grandmother and those like her that faced a dangerous adversary and chose to stand up to it.
“In that way, what Anna began, a century ago, will move forward, generation by generation, and perhaps we’ll care more about justice, more about our history, and more about the kind of place the world needs to be.”
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!!
June 25, 2024
In Search Of The Romanoffs, A families quest to solve one of history‘s most brutal crimes by Peter Sarandinaki is a great book that turns from a mystery to an autobiography to a biography to an investigation that all makes for one great read. When Zar Nikolai Alexander and his family were murdered they were all buried together but when the bodies were found two were missing his only son Alexi and one of his daughters either opal or Anastasia but what I didn’t know is there were also two other bodies missing, that of the grand Duke Mikal Alexander in his secretary and Long time friend an English man named Nikolai Johnson. The author is a relative of the family and when he talks about his grandmother Anna’s remembrances of Russia it shows you a whole new landscape besides the communist rigid unforgiving country most Americans have come to know. Instead we are treated to the beautiful landscape the museums the quaint little villages of her childhood and so much more, including her and her mother‘s bravery in there final escape from the country they love. We also get to learn things about the victims and we get to hear from the Murderers and last but not least Mr. Sarendiniki’s and many others long time quest to find the lost bodies. Since the day the victims were murdered people have been trying to make money off of their brutal murders in Mr. Sarendiniki spent almost as much trying to set things right. This is a great book and one I definitely recommend to any history fan it was so good I absolutely loved it and totally totally recommend it. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.#University of Nebraska press, #NetGalley, #PeterSarandinaki, #InSearchOfTheRomanoffs,
April 12, 2024
5 stars
This wonderful book is the comprehensive story of the search for the assassinated family of Tsar Nicholas II and his entire family in 1918 Russia.
The sad story begins with the horrible killings of the royal family as well as some of their loyal servants. When the killers went to destroy the bodies, they ran into all kinds of problems. Thankfully, they did a sloppy job.
Several interested and devoted persons went in search of the bodies. There is where it all began.
The book outlines the multitude of problems they ran into along the way. At first the USSR resisted. Then arguments between various scientists, governments and church authorities. There were arguments between the Romanov survivors and descendants. The search for the truth was slowed to a crawl.
It was a very time consuming and frustrating search. If only the different parties would have cooperated, think what could have been accomplished!
The book is well written and researched. It reads smoothly and fairly quickly. It covers all aspects of the search for the truth as well as the Anastasia mystery. The book is not at all dry. It is more like telling a story - a true story. There is a short bibliography at the end for those who would like to further explore the deaths and subsequent consequences.
I want to thank NetGalley and the University of Nebraska Press/Potomac Books for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
This wonderful book is the comprehensive story of the search for the assassinated family of Tsar Nicholas II and his entire family in 1918 Russia.
The sad story begins with the horrible killings of the royal family as well as some of their loyal servants. When the killers went to destroy the bodies, they ran into all kinds of problems. Thankfully, they did a sloppy job.
Several interested and devoted persons went in search of the bodies. There is where it all began.
The book outlines the multitude of problems they ran into along the way. At first the USSR resisted. Then arguments between various scientists, governments and church authorities. There were arguments between the Romanov survivors and descendants. The search for the truth was slowed to a crawl.
It was a very time consuming and frustrating search. If only the different parties would have cooperated, think what could have been accomplished!
The book is well written and researched. It reads smoothly and fairly quickly. It covers all aspects of the search for the truth as well as the Anastasia mystery. The book is not at all dry. It is more like telling a story - a true story. There is a short bibliography at the end for those who would like to further explore the deaths and subsequent consequences.
I want to thank NetGalley and the University of Nebraska Press/Potomac Books for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
May 20, 2024
Thank you to the author and publisher for making this book freely available via NetGalley. My review is my honest opinion.
I chose In Search of the Romanovs because the topic of the Romanovs and the Russian Revolution interested me since reading/watching books and movies that were directly based on those topics. I tend to prefer nonfiction told in a more narrative style, so the start of this book was satisfying. However, the chapters that detailed the background (lead up to the revolution) were dryer and more like a history text book. As the investigation began, it became more narrative, but also repetitive. It did present a lot of information in a prose that was relatively easy to follow except for some of the detailed scientific explanations.
Overall, it was informative but I think I was looking for a book that went into more detail about the revolution itself. Still, it would probably be of interest to someone specifically interested in The Romanovs and forensic investigations. If I could use half stars, I would rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I chose In Search of the Romanovs because the topic of the Romanovs and the Russian Revolution interested me since reading/watching books and movies that were directly based on those topics. I tend to prefer nonfiction told in a more narrative style, so the start of this book was satisfying. However, the chapters that detailed the background (lead up to the revolution) were dryer and more like a history text book. As the investigation began, it became more narrative, but also repetitive. It did present a lot of information in a prose that was relatively easy to follow except for some of the detailed scientific explanations.
Overall, it was informative but I think I was looking for a book that went into more detail about the revolution itself. Still, it would probably be of interest to someone specifically interested in The Romanovs and forensic investigations. If I could use half stars, I would rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
June 25, 2024
Thank you Netgalley & Potomac Books Publishing for an eARC ♥️
I've always been fascinated by the Romanovs, and this book totally drew me in. Born in the Soviet Union, I'm super familiar with Russian history, and I've watched tons of documentaries about the Romanovs dynasty. But this book still managed to surprise me with its unique perspective and personal touch.
Peter Sarandinaki’’s family connection to the Romanovs makes the story feel personal and real. I loved how he wove together history and mystery to create a narrative that's both informative and engaging. The author's got some valuable insights into Russia's complex past, and his passion for the subject shines through on every page.
Even with my background knowledge, I found myself learning new things and seeing the Romanovs in a new light. This book's a must-read if you're into the Romanovs, Russian history, or just a good story. It's a personal and powerful look at a pivotal moment in history that resonates deeply with me.♥️
I've always been fascinated by the Romanovs, and this book totally drew me in. Born in the Soviet Union, I'm super familiar with Russian history, and I've watched tons of documentaries about the Romanovs dynasty. But this book still managed to surprise me with its unique perspective and personal touch.
Peter Sarandinaki’’s family connection to the Romanovs makes the story feel personal and real. I loved how he wove together history and mystery to create a narrative that's both informative and engaging. The author's got some valuable insights into Russia's complex past, and his passion for the subject shines through on every page.
Even with my background knowledge, I found myself learning new things and seeing the Romanovs in a new light. This book's a must-read if you're into the Romanovs, Russian history, or just a good story. It's a personal and powerful look at a pivotal moment in history that resonates deeply with me.♥️
June 26, 2024
In Search of the Romanovs is a biographical memoir of one families pursuit to find the truth of what happened to the famed Romanov family.
The story follows Anna from Childhood to adulthood, as she leaves behind her home to flee from the Russian Revolution.
In a unique way of combining historical events with forensics, diaries, and recollections of his family’s history, Peter Sarandinaki uncovers this incredible mystery.
I will admit, while I’ve always been intrigued in the Romanov family and the mystery behind their story, I was not super knowledgeable about the factual history.
This was a fascinating tale about one family’s legacy to find out the truth.
The beginning, where we are learning about Anna, her history, and the connection to how her family would help solve the case was a little hard to follow. However, I do not think that was any fault of the author. I believe it was from my own lack of understanding on the matter.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Potomac Publishers, and Peter Sarandinaki for allowing me to review this arc!
The story follows Anna from Childhood to adulthood, as she leaves behind her home to flee from the Russian Revolution.
In a unique way of combining historical events with forensics, diaries, and recollections of his family’s history, Peter Sarandinaki uncovers this incredible mystery.
I will admit, while I’ve always been intrigued in the Romanov family and the mystery behind their story, I was not super knowledgeable about the factual history.
This was a fascinating tale about one family’s legacy to find out the truth.
The beginning, where we are learning about Anna, her history, and the connection to how her family would help solve the case was a little hard to follow. However, I do not think that was any fault of the author. I believe it was from my own lack of understanding on the matter.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Potomac Publishers, and Peter Sarandinaki for allowing me to review this arc!
June 30, 2024
This book gave a unique look into one of the greatest mysteries of Russian history, because the author is a Russian himself, whose relatives were closely acquainted with the Romanovs. The story explores not only the immediate family of Tsar Nicholas II, but also gives Russian history extending back to the late 15o0s. Details of the Romanovs' imprisonment and murder are given, as well as the abdication and murder of Nicholas' younger brother, Mikhail Romanov. I learned about the difference between Bolsheviks and those loyal to the tsar(the White and Red Armies). The author is a reader, and references several books about the Romanovs for further study.
The only thing I didn't love about the book was one sentence in which the author makes a reference to his sub conscience. This seemed like an anti Christian phycological statement, but again, this was my only complaint.
Very informative account of the search for the Romanov corpses that started in the 1920s and ended in the early 2000s. Highly recommend.
Thank you to Net Galley for giving me this book in advance.
The only thing I didn't love about the book was one sentence in which the author makes a reference to his sub conscience. This seemed like an anti Christian phycological statement, but again, this was my only complaint.
Very informative account of the search for the Romanov corpses that started in the 1920s and ended in the early 2000s. Highly recommend.
Thank you to Net Galley for giving me this book in advance.
May 5, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Potamac books for the ARC of this book. This was my first ARC and I wasn’t disappointed.
I have been interested in the Romanovs since seeing a movie about them in middle school. Then came the Anastasia movie, which continues to be one of my favorite animated films. Then later I wrote a report on the use of mitochondrial DNA to identify the Romanov remains. Needless, to say, I continue to be fascinated by this story and now I can add Peter Sarandinaki’s account to my knowledge. I enjoyed how the story unfolded as if Peter himself was telling you his experience over dinner which helped prevent the story from being the dull recounting that some non-fiction can be. He also manages to make the reader feel invested the whole way through, to the point that I now find myself wondering when, if ever, the Russian Orthodox church will accept the buried remains as actually being the Romanovs.
I have been interested in the Romanovs since seeing a movie about them in middle school. Then came the Anastasia movie, which continues to be one of my favorite animated films. Then later I wrote a report on the use of mitochondrial DNA to identify the Romanov remains. Needless, to say, I continue to be fascinated by this story and now I can add Peter Sarandinaki’s account to my knowledge. I enjoyed how the story unfolded as if Peter himself was telling you his experience over dinner which helped prevent the story from being the dull recounting that some non-fiction can be. He also manages to make the reader feel invested the whole way through, to the point that I now find myself wondering when, if ever, the Russian Orthodox church will accept the buried remains as actually being the Romanovs.
July 7, 2024
I’ve always found the story of the Romanov family intriguing, so I was immediately all in on IN SEARCH OF THE ROMANOVS by Peter Sarandinaki. As a fan of historical true crime explorations, this was right up my alley, and did not disappoint.
The historical aspects of the book are enriched by Sarandinaki’s connection to it through his grandmother, Anna. I was drawn in by her childhood memories of fleeing her home (and eventually Russia) with her family, and the extreme danger they faced.
It’s easy to understand why the author felt compelled to pursue the search for the Romanovs and discover what really happened to the family. Weaving together the historical details and modern forensic science, Sarandinaki details the work that has gone into solving the mystery of what happened to the Romanovs, and brings their story closer to resolution in an engaging way. I look forward to reading more when the final pieces of the puzzle come together.
The historical aspects of the book are enriched by Sarandinaki’s connection to it through his grandmother, Anna. I was drawn in by her childhood memories of fleeing her home (and eventually Russia) with her family, and the extreme danger they faced.
It’s easy to understand why the author felt compelled to pursue the search for the Romanovs and discover what really happened to the family. Weaving together the historical details and modern forensic science, Sarandinaki details the work that has gone into solving the mystery of what happened to the Romanovs, and brings their story closer to resolution in an engaging way. I look forward to reading more when the final pieces of the puzzle come together.
May 11, 2024
History is one of my loves and I have always been enamored with the assassination of Czar Nicholas II and his entire family by the Bolsheviks during the revolution.
This account reads like a crime novel told from the point of view of a family that had ties to the Romanovs and stories passed down through generations about the murders. The author, the recipient of those stories, takes on the task of discovering the bodies buried unceremoniously by their killers and identifying them so there would be no doubt to their identity. Along his journey he will dispel the rumors of a surviving daughter and bring to rest what really happened.
Science is the winner here, where strides in DNA research has made it possible to identify remains from so long ago. An interesting read.
This account reads like a crime novel told from the point of view of a family that had ties to the Romanovs and stories passed down through generations about the murders. The author, the recipient of those stories, takes on the task of discovering the bodies buried unceremoniously by their killers and identifying them so there would be no doubt to their identity. Along his journey he will dispel the rumors of a surviving daughter and bring to rest what really happened.
Science is the winner here, where strides in DNA research has made it possible to identify remains from so long ago. An interesting read.
June 18, 2024
A famed general’s young daughter, Anna, crosses the globe to escape the Russian Revolution and carries a box with her. The box held evidence of what became of the Romanovs’, the Russian Royal Family. Anna’s grandson, Peter Sarandinaki, set out to find the truth. He has the help of an international team of searchers and scientists.
While I say the only royal family that intrigues me is the Romanovs, I had no idea that 18 family members were killed, including the Tzar’s brother..whose body is still missing. Nor did I recognize how controversial in Russia, the church, and immigrant communities, identifying the bodies was (still is).
Thank you NetGalley and University of Nebraska Press | Potomac Books. I always enjoy learning!
While I say the only royal family that intrigues me is the Romanovs, I had no idea that 18 family members were killed, including the Tzar’s brother..whose body is still missing. Nor did I recognize how controversial in Russia, the church, and immigrant communities, identifying the bodies was (still is).
Thank you NetGalley and University of Nebraska Press | Potomac Books. I always enjoy learning!
May 21, 2024
I am very disappointed in the story and basis. As someone with a deep fondness of the European dynasties, I was excited to give this a read. Part one read as a lead up, but unfortunately, it never led to true involvement in any part (from our author). It felt like "the lost city of Z" all over again, but on an already overwritten subject matter. It It unfortunately seemed more like a story someone was excited to tell than being worth a 300-page book. I did enjoy the investigation coverage. It was a new level to an over documented mystery. Though it was well written and easily read, and the author has passion, this story was lacking.
July 21, 2025
This book is a good follow up to Robert Massie's The Romanovs: The Final Chapter (the author was friends with Massie). Though for someone who is familiar with the last Romanovs this covers a lot of the same ground before getting to the discoveries/events after 1996. The author's family history is entwined with that of the last Romanovs, so the personal aspect of his quest to identify and find Alexei, Maria, and Mikhail feels intimate. There were a few instances of skipping around in time and repeating stories and facts, but not badly enough to make those instances more than an annoyance.
Definitely a must read if you enjoyed Massie's book.
Definitely a must read if you enjoyed Massie's book.
July 15, 2025
Really wonderful, especially due to how recently it was published.
Subtracted one star, only because there are a few little errors here and there (a bigger one is that the author states Olga Alexandrova accepted Anna Anderson as Anastasia, when in fact despite Olga's affectionate attitude she became an adamant denier of Anderson) as well as the fact that the lack of citations makes it hard to verify anything.
Subtracted one star, only because there are a few little errors here and there (a bigger one is that the author states Olga Alexandrova accepted Anna Anderson as Anastasia, when in fact despite Olga's affectionate attitude she became an adamant denier of Anderson) as well as the fact that the lack of citations makes it hard to verify anything.
July 5, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a very in-depth and researched book about what happened to the Romanovs. It also intertwined the author’s family history as well. The mystery of what happened to the Romanovs has finally been solved.
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April 3, 2024I am not really a non-fiction reader, but I do love the Romanov's, so I took a chance. I would say that it was very good for a non-fiction book.
April 15, 2024
Interesting read! Really enjoyed the book & would highly recommend!
April 15, 2024
This is a must read! The author is very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the subject.
April 15, 2024
This reads like a very exciting mystery. I highly recommend!!
April 27, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this summary of all the investigations to try to find the Romanov family remains. It's a detailed review of all the different finds, medical investigations and politics but it's through the lens of the author's family history, which is a different perspective. I really enjoyed the history/family lore he shared of his grandmother (and extended family) and her experiences as well as getting a few more glimpses into some of the conflict/disagreements in the scientific community around the remains/investigations.
I received an advance readers copy from the publisher and net galley to review.
I received an advance readers copy from the publisher and net galley to review.
May 30, 2024
Brilliant and thorough - I could not get enough of this history and the author’s personal connection to this tragic event and the people involved
August 8, 2024
Fascinating book beautifully written. Impressive pursuit by writer, Peter Sarandinaki under difficult circumstances. Very gripping story that makes it hard to put down this engaging book.
August 9, 2024
Interesting, especially the parts about the exiled whites, the 1919 investigation headed by Nikolai Sokolov and the (mis)adventures of the writers grandmother. I would gladly read a future by Mr. Sarandinaki wholly dedicated to these subjects.
August 11, 2024
This book deserved three stars I didn’t get through it. I’m going to return it today. It’s just confusing and I thought I was going to be able to, but I guess not.
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