This story of how wide-eyed German duchess Sophie becomes Catherine the Great, one of Russia's foremost rulers, is narrated by a servant named Barbara (not Varvara?) who doubles as a royal spy. The Polish-born, Canadian-based Stachniak has signed two more books with the publisher, one telling Catherine's story from her own viewpoint. I'd feature pretty much anything titled The Winter Palace; Russian history is so appealing, and unlike some British royalty, Catherine is not overdone.
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