The Master Craftsman: A Novel

Kelli Stuart

Apr 2022 · Revell

About this ebook

In 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Fabergé, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history--an unknown Fabergé Egg that Peter Karl Fabergé secretly created to honor his divided allegiance to both the people of Russia and the Imperial tsar's family. When Alma and her husband escaped Russia for their native Finland in 1921, she took the secret with her, guarding her past connection to the Romanov family.

Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine is sick and fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers she is about to face. As the stakes are raised, Ava is forced to declare her own allegiance--and the consequences are greater than she could have imagined.

This modern-day treasure hunt from award-winning author Kelli Stuart transports you into the opulent and treacherous world of the Russian Revolution to unearth mysteries long buried.

Ratings and reviews

The Master Craftsman By Kelli Stuart Ava Laine hasn't seen her father for ten years. He was always too busy treasure hunting to settle down and be a present father. But he is dying, and she is his only chance to complete his last hunt - the missing fifty-third Imperial Fabergé egg. But this isn't just any Fabergé egg; no, this is one that was hidden away to preserve it and to keep Karl Fabergé's loyalties secret. And Nick Laine is convinced that the time has come to discover this lost treasure. We are taken from the present to Imperial Russia (1904-1917) in an alternating chapter shift as these two timelines converge at the end of the book. We see Russia through the eyes of Peter Karl Fabergé as discontent grows towards the excesses of the Russian royalty and the rich while the common people struggle to survive from one day to the next. The inhumanity Karl observes inspires him to create one of his greatest works, but the very creation of such a piece endangers him. And as everything comes to a head, Karl is caught in the middle of everything. But he entrusts the protection of his creation to Alma Pihl. Who is Alma Pihl? This is the question that will launch Ava's quest and place her in danger. But Ava has the drive and stubbornness of her parents and is determined to see it through to its success. I found this to be an enjoyable and engaging read. The Master Craftsman is a Split-time Romance set in early Twentieth-Century Russia and the present day. I loved the back-and-forth between the two timelines as the story progressed. The characters have depth, and the settings are detailed without wordiness. But what is the treasure they seek? And will it be discovered? I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.

This was a fascinating book with lots of history, intrigue and takes place in a dual-time style book. It is modern time and as well as the time of the Bolshevik Revolution. Ava travels to Russia for a treasure hunt masterminded by her estranged father, a man who is in quickly declining health. We learn of the Faberge eggs and the mystery that surrounds them and the Faberge goldsmithing family. Ava travels with her mother and others that add to the interest that this story brings out. The historical writings in this book appear so well researched and the author's knowledge of the culture and people are clearly portrayed here. I loved the search for the missing Faberge egg and the adventure that they experience. The Dual time was well done. All in all, a very well written historical! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. All thoughts are my own.

This is well-written and completely absorbing historical fiction with a dual timeline that works well. The historical part of the book is set in St. Petersburg, Russia during the last years of the Tsars and at the time that the House of Faberge was creating unique eggs for the ruling family. The current time includes engaging characters Nick Laine, a treasure hunter, and his estranged daughter Ava whom he convinces to go to Russia and find a missing Faberge egg. Because of his ill health, Nick cannot go so he sends Ava along with Carol, his former wife, and Zak, a computer guru who is secretly in love with Ava. Once there, Ava meets her Russian helpers, Xander and Anatoly, who are to help her solve the mystery of what happened to the missing egg. The historical details included in this book are fascinating with many details that kept me thoroughly enthralled in the story of how Faberge acts were created. There is mystery, subterfuge and family devotion all rolled up into one neat package in this well-written and intricately developed plot. The characters are almost all likable and relatable and even those whom I did not like were well-developed and multi-faceted. My favorite characters were Zak because of his quirkiness and Ava because of her determination to please her father. The themes of understanding, forgiveness and love are the foundations of this wonderful story that is memorable as well as educational. I learned a great deal about Russian history, the revolution that overthrew the tsars and the Faberge family that was caught in the middle. The mental images presented in the book are vivid, but I also found myself seeking real images on a search engine of what the various Faberge eggs looked like. The intricate details in the eggs is matched by the author’s brilliant and insightful descriptions that placed me right there in St. Petersburg, seeking the treasure alongside of Ava. This is a remarkable story that had an intriguing mystery, a love story and a well-researched story to tell. I highly recommend this captivating book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that is profound, thought-provoking and well-crafted. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

About the author

Kelli Stuart is the author of the Carol Award-winning Like a River from Its Course, as well as A Silver Willow by the Shore and Life Creative: Inspiration for Today's Renaissance Mom (with Wendy Speake). Stuart has written for The Huffington Post, 5 Minutes for Mom, Tonic.com, Disney, American Girl, The MOB Society, Extraordinary Mommy, God Size Dreams, Short Fiction Break, and (in)courage. Kelli is a storyteller at heart, fluent in the Russian language, and has spent the last two decades studying the Russian and Ukrainian culture. Kelli lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and five children.