The Lost One: A Russian Legacy

by Penelope Haines

THE LOST ONE Author's Best Seller! Spanning three generations, The Lost One begins during the Russian Revolution, as Kyril Komarov flees Moscow - entrusted with keeping two of the imperial family's priceless Fabergé Easter eggs from being lost forever. Balanced between the past and the present, The Lost One is a romantic family saga focusing on the lives of Kyril's three female descendants; Marguerite, a refugee, Tamara, a young woman with a terrible secret, and Purdie, an orphan seeking answers about her unknown heritage. History, intrigue and priceless hidden treasure - an internationally set story unfolding one family's legacy and one woman's discovery of her identity. What Amazon readers are saying about The Lost One ★★★★★ "Great read! I read it in one sitting, so glad I did not start late at night. Great story lines, very well written. Realistic telling of period of history I like to read about. Very satisfying realistic characters and an ending that fits!" ★★★★★ "Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Unexpected at some points. One of those books you finish and half hope there will be a sequel to. Recommended if you're looking for an interesting, well written read." ★★★★★ "If you enjoy historical fiction, this is a good read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Fast paced, well presented characters, and well written. Historical backstories were fascinating, and woven through, from beginning to end. Fairly easy read, and I couldn't put it down till finished." ★★★★★ "Intriguing! The story had several layers of intrigue and depth. I found it nicely crafted and my interest never lagged. I enjoyed the viewpoints of different generations and the actual storyline unfolded well between them as we read it. I found the characters interesting, believable and very genuine. It was a good read with lovely information about Russian culture and the assimilation into Poland and England." ★★★★★ "I got carried away...in a great way! I like novels set in different periods but grow impatient with long detailed descriptions of the times and places. Not so with The Lost One, which seamlessly went back and forth between the struggles and joys of several generations. I found nothing predictable, and that is saying a LOT coming from me. I never really noticed the writing itself --- it was that good! Thank you for carrying me away for hours!" ★★★★★ "An egg hunt of the highest quality. While I was reading this book, I marvelled at the creativity of the story. It was no surprise to find that it was based on the author's family story, the escape of the family from Russia, only to encounter more difficulty. The revelation of the family is astonishing. The lost egg is a significant character. The book is beautifully written. The adventures are gripping, both of the original family and the present members. I do not want to give away the story, but I highly recommend it"

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Russia, Romance

403 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2015

About the author

Penelope Haines became a writer when she realized she could gaze out of the window with a glass of wine in her hands and claim to be working.

Her previous occupations of Nurse, Management Consultant, Parent, Farm Manager, CEO and Commercial Pilot failed to achieve this simple clarity.

Her training as a nurse taught her not to kill patients; her training as a flying instructor convinced her to be patient as students attempted to kill her. Penelope’s current status as ‘alive’ is a testament to the speed of her reactions.

Writing detective novels allows her to explore new and creative ways of murdering those who have offended her. So far the results of that exploration have remained purely fantastical.

Penelope's interests are centered round reading, writing, music, theatre and horse-riding. She maintains she is a single minded person, having one dog, one cat, one horse and one husband.

She lives in Otaki, New Zealand. Penelope hopes you will enjoy her novels.

Reviews

[Suanne Laqueur]

DNF at 10%

[Mysia Thatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy read, but don’t be fooled by the lightness of the story in the beginning. About halfway through (maybe a little earlier) some dark and intense elements are introduced. Overall I enjoyed the mystery, twists, and turns. I’ve given it four stars, rather than five, simply because it wouldn’t be an “omg, you HAVE to read this book!” But if asked if I’d recommend it, I certainly would.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book. A bit of a mystery, some history thrown in there, some suspense...all of it surrounding two lost Imperial Faberge eggs. Some of the writing is a bit juvenile, but overall I enjoyed it!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Anyone who likes historical fiction-romance should read this story. The characters are wonderful and it was nice going between the different times to get the story from different perspectives. I really liked it.

[BrownAyez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book that I’d rate at a 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. Looking forward to reading other books by this author!!

Characters were well-written and I liked the parallel time lines. I was enjoying it so much that it was a bit jarring when plot points served no purpose and/or were resolved too easily. Thank goodness for the fiery Marguerite and the fragile yet strong Tamara because Purdie came off as uninteresting and, sadly, rather dumb. Maybe she was written that way intentionally to be like her great-grandmother? I don’t know but, ultimately, she wasn’t someone I cared about.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut book hits the spot.
I stumbled across this book through a "suggested post" on Facebook, and being honest, I'm a sucker for free books, so I downloaded it. I am glad I did, it's filled with mystery, intrigue, history, some suspense and romance.

Penelope wrote believable characters.

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (3/12/2018)!💝

[Jill Haines · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost One was good from start to finish. Very captivating, one of the best books l have read. The story was intriguing and exciting. I recommend every one to read it.

[DARIO MICHALEK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I'm an avid reader and also very picky. But this book was a great read, it kept me entertained until the very end.

[C. Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story reflecting the social upheavals of the twentieth century. Initially, it seemed to drag a bit. I thought extraneous detail of Purdie's life in New Zealand slowed the pace as the mystery began to develop. Once the action starts, the pace quickens into a good story with real and surprising twists and turns. The backstory is introduced very well building the mystery along with character depth. This is a very pleasant read.
I recommend The Lost One to readers of historical mysteries.

[Ria]

An intriguing and well written story that blends history and fact with fiction and a modern day twist. Purdie has recently lost her adoptive parents and has been receiving very strange gifts through the post not least of which was a Fabergé egg! Puzzled by this and a random request to meet her real grandmother living in London Purdie embarks on adventure and danger when the mysteries of the past and family secrets long hidden for many years finally catch up with the present. Exciting and fast paced with an inventive storyline this is a must read for historical novel / mystery fans.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read, even though it was an easy one. I enjoyed the way the author switched back and forth from past to present to tell the story, keeping us in suspense. The characters were very likable, but I felt like I would like to know more about Purdie. I liked that the story wasn't filled with gratuitous sex, but it was also not prudish. The characters were real in their morality and foibles.

[Patricia J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found Treasure

I thoroughly enjoyed the book The Lost One: A Russian Legacy by Penelope Haines. The plot held enough twists and believability, the characters were well developed and the settings were interesting and entertaining.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in months!!

The history and culture of a troubled time is very Moving. Tracing a family history and lineage to show that all generations are intertwined. Could not put it down!

[Patricia bruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read!

This story held my interest throughout! I enjoyed the author's style of using flashbacks to move the story forward. I would recommend this book to all.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Reminds me of Roses for some reason which I also loved!

[Debbie Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quicker read than I expected and maybe not as detailed as it could have been in places but overall a good story, well told.

[Dee Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Proprietorial" when "proprietary" would do. "Orientated" instead of the simpler "oriented." Niggling little things: a comma at the end of a sentence, before a parenthetical phrase.

SPOILER ALERT: A woman has an adulterous (and unsatisfactory) one night stand and her husband takes a riding crop to her naked behind. He then first sires a bastard during an affair lasting some weeks, then brings the 12-year old boy into their home, entirely disrupting the family and placing their only child together in serious harm's way. Yet she continues to love him, and the author is completely nonjudgmental.

This reviewer began to spend more time editing the story than enjoying it. Read Helen Had a Sister, instead. At least that story criticizes patriarchy by exploding the tale as written by misogynist Aeschylus in 456 B.C.

[Kimber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, but uneven at times

I am always looking for historical fiction to read. While this book was touted as such, it is a very minimal part of this story. There is very, very little with regards to Czar-lead Russia. There are bits of European historical background here and there. Some parts of the story, and the ease with which it can be read I really enjoyed, but there there would be a section that was jolting and almost as though it was written by someone else, with a different tone. Also, after going through many pages of the years and history of the main characters, the end felt rushed, and I'm afraid fairly predictable and formulaic. Not a bad read, but for me, not great either.

[Kathe Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE LOST ONE BY PENELOPE HAINES
Thank you Louise Fletcher for letting us know about this “free book”. A multi-generational book that is loosely based on Haines real life. Filled with mystery, romance, intrigue, suspense, the story begins in Russia in 1914 as the Czar has just abdicated his throne while secluding his family for their protection. Next we are taken to Poland in 1944 followed by the conclusion in present day. I really enjoyed it and when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it. 4.5

[Hannah Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. It weaves through five generations and several continents. Such a richly told story -one of those books you finish and feel like a dear friend has left your life.

The story flows from Russia to Poland, England, New Zealand, China, following five generations. Largely told around Marguerite and Purdie, grandmother and granddaughter. It moved back and forth between history and present in a way that brings so much to the story.

I'm slightly bereft and don't know what to do with myself now I've finished it!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic story

It was a fantastic story. I love the Faberge eggs, and treasure hunting novels, and this one delivers. It only has 4 stars because I disliked the Purdie character so, so badly. A complete twit with absolutely no situational awareness. But Marguerite’s character was absolutely wonderful, that’s where the brains were.
I liked it enough that I’m going to purchase “Helen had a Sister”.

[Rose-Billie Canter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lost Faberge egg and a lost family

While I would like to give this book 5-stars (it is about two of my areas of interest: Russian history and immigration), I am reluctant to do so because the constant skipping of time and place made it a bit disjointed. That said I did enjoy this book and would certainly not hesitate to recommend it to other readers.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Unexpected at some points. One of those books you sort of hope will have a sequel. Recommended if you are looking for an interesting, well-written read.

Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Unexpected at some points. One of those books you finish and half hope there will be a sequel to. Recommended if you're looking for an interesting, well written read.

[Jean St. Pierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having Russian heritage, I was drawn to this story to glean more information about the era in which my grandparents left Russia. As it turns out, the story

Focuses else where. It is entertaining. I gave it 4 stars because I found the character, PurdIe childish, which somehow was annoying..

[Janet Cardillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical and educational

I loved the story, the intertwining of generations. The characters were fully developed and distinct. I loved the irony of clives demise...how his violent act brought about the reason for his denouement. Karma. You gotta love it. I also liked that he chose to end his life in the same way and the same place as Tamara.

[Robin Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to have given a 5

This is a very imaginative book. I’ve never read any stories surrounding Russia’s Fabrege’ eggs. I felt the story was predictable from the start, but getting a feel for the characters was very good. Adding a piece of WW 2 European history was a bonus. I’d recommend as a good read tied with some history.

[Mary Kay Wooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hood Summer Read at the Beach

The Lost One tells the story of a family's obligation that begins in 1917 & tskes you through Russia, Poland, Eastern Europe, & finally to England with a side trip to New Zealand. The characters & plot are fairly well developed. It is light reading that ends, well not going to spoil the ending

[karen Klemme · Rating 4 out of 5]

an easy quick read if you can’t go to sleep

The book was easy to read, I like more depth in a book. However, Marquerite, was my favorite character, she had a lot of depth in how she conducted herself and lots of stamina in dealing with her whole family with 3 different personalities.

[Leigh Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun and interesting book..

It was a treat to read this novel as I’ve been to New Zealand and Britain and the characters definitely resemble their countries peoples!
It was a fun run around and interesting possibilities for where treasures may still lie.
I enjoyed the easy prose, great characters and history.