PUBLICATION DATE: AUGUST 7, 2012

he Romanov Conspiracy by Glenn Meade opens with a member of an archaeological team showing forensic pathologist, Dr. Laura Pavlov, the discovery of a woman’s mysterious remains. The body was found in a forest burial ground in the Russian City of Dead Souls. It appears that the mummified body is from the Romanov period. Is it possible that a member of the Tsar’s family has been found, perfectly preserved, in the permafrost? Dr. Laura Pavlov secretly removes an artefact and carries it to Ireland to meet with the person who inspired the dig.

The story begins with the past, January 1918, as the tale is told by the elderly man. More than one kind of war is raging in the world.

In his opening message, author Glenn Meade wrote that much of the story is real, the rest is fiction. It is up to the reader to decide which parts are factual. This should certainly spur a curious reader forward to dig into the book.

Life in Russia was supposed to be better with the citizens treated as equals under the Bolsheviks.  Comrades soon learned that there were ruthless leaders and guards who were far from equals during the revolution. Russian Royalists and sympathizers from around the world were working feverishly behind the scenes to rescue Tsar Nicholas and his entire family. These warring factions are the main characters of the story.

A large cast of characters from around the world come together with main characters from opposing sides. In Siberia there is Uri Andrev, a Royalist, who has endured war, imprisonment and separation from family and close friends. Leonid Yakov, a Bolshevik officer, has been like a brother to Uri since childhood. He is now under the direct orders of Lenin. American born, Irish citizen, Lydia Ryan is running guns from Germany against the British.  The mysterious Boyle is believed to be a wealthy Canadian who may be involved in the rescue plan. Historical figures including Lenin, King George and the United States Ambassador to Great Britain have cameo appearances in the story. As the story unfolds, evil and good battle one another on both sides of the revolution.

A detail of 40 guards watch over the Romanov family who are being held in the Alexander Palace, the summer home of royalty. The family is allowed out of doors for two thirty minute periods a day for exercise. The Kommandant who oversees the secured group uses ways to give the family false hope so he can maintain control over them. During the minutes of free periods a message could be smuggled into the family by throwing it over the wall.

Red Army member Kazan, another ruthless individual has dubbed a spy with the moniker, the “Phantom” who has proven elusive for well over a year. The Phantom has more than one purpose in freeing the Romanov family. His heart is involved. He is in love with the royal daughter, Anastasia. At age 16 the princess is ten years younger than the Brooklyn New York Jewish man. This is one instance where a list of characters at the beginning of the book would have been helpful. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this story. I could easily see that it would make a high-action, dramatic movie if a dynamic scriptwriter and director pair up to take on such a project. With the questions that have circled for decades this book could stir the romantic heart to once again wonder if all of the Romanov family perished nearly 100 years ago.

The violence of war is depicted in the book. There is no foul language or sexual content.