The Lost Daughter

A Novel

By: Gill Paul

Narrated by: Helen Duff

If you loved I AM ANASTASIA by Ariel Lawhon you won't want to miss this novel about her sister, Grand Duchess Maria. What really happened to this lost Romanov daughter? A new novel perfect for anyone curious about Anastasia, Maria, and the other lost Romanov daughters, by the author of THE SECRET WIFE.

1918: Pretty, vivacious Grand Duchess Maria Romanov, the nineteen-year-old daughter of the fallen Tsar Nicholas II, lives with her family in suffocating isolation, a far cry from their once-glittering royal household. Her days are a combination of endless boredom and paralyzing fear; her only respite are clandestine flirtations with a few of the guards imprisoning the family—never realizing her innocent actions could mean the difference between life and death.

1973: When Val Doyle hears her father’s end-of-life confession, “I didn’t want to kill her,” she’s stunned. So, she begins a search for the truth—about his words and her past. The clues she discovers are baffling—a jewel-encrusted box that won’t open and a camera with its film intact. What she finds out pulls Val into one of the world’s greatest mysteries—what truly happened to the Grand Duchess Maria?

Gill Paul NEVER disappoints

I’ve waited for this new release since reading The Secret Wife 2 yrs ago. Not only is her literary skills perfect, her gift to intertwine real history and fictional characters is mind blowing. I’ve read all of Paul’s books and not one ever disappointed me! This one was just as amazing as her others! My only disappointment after reading/listening to novels is them ending and me having to wait on her next one! 😭

Amazing

I struggled with the abuse in the beginning. I almost stopped listening to the book; however I kept going and loved this book! I couldn’t put it down the last few hours. I would highly recommend this book. Amazing insight into a time in history not well documented from this lens.

love the love story

Mingling the love story and historical events together is absolutely wonderful. knowing that people adopt to their situations to survive and that surviving is encouraging.!

Hard to get into but worth it

I really enjoyed this book although the first few chapters I found very hard to get into and almost gave up. Glad I didn’t, good storyline with some historic facts that highlighted how awful the whole Romanov execution and Russian way of life was at that time.

What could have been

I read the other Romanov Princess book by the same author and really enjoyed the "what if" aspect of the story. when I saw that this one followed another daughter I was interested. I also like that this story mentions Tatiana's escape as it played out in the other book as well. The murder of the family was absolutely deplorable. Gill Paul's books on this topic provide a hopeful look at what could have been.
I enjoyed going through the two timelines and hearing accounts of Maria's life based on letters and notes. This was a well written book that was interesting and full of emotional swings. I also liked the narrator. There were times where the tone of voice was so calm and soothing that I tuned out and had to back up the audiobook to listen again.

Loved it! It’s a lovely thought

I loved this book and Gill’s other Romanov book, the Secret Wife. But read the other one first - this book alludes to the other story. Both are just wonderful fantasies of what might have happened to the 2 of the girls in a better world.

The one issue I had was the narrator’s accents. I don’t know whose decision it was - the narrator, director, author - but there are no Russian accents used, only a variety of UK accents. So for upper class Russians, there’s a proper British accent. And for lower class Russians, it’s Irish or northern English accents. It’s just an odd choice. It didn’t ruin the book at all - I just thought it was strange.

Amazing story

This is a great listen! I love dual stories that are interwoven through generations and come together in the end. The narrator was fantastic! Very enjoyable; did not want it to end.

FANTASTIC

This book hooked me immediately! I lost nights of sleep because I could not stop listening! One of the best books I’ve ever heard. Narration is fantastic!

Wonderful Book!

This book had me hooked right from the beginning. I do love reading historical fiction and I haven't read too much in regards to Russian history. I enjoyed the weaving of fiction and actual historical facts. I really enjoyed the historical afterword at the end. I'm looking to reading more books by this author. The narration was good.

History

I love history! Husband history teacher 28 years. I could not stop listening! I know not all was true, but it could have been! I have my children and grandchildren. Can’t imagine all that really happened to these people. Thank you for the insight!