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The Unseen

Echoes from the Past, Book 5

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The Unseen

By: Irina Shapiro
Narrated by: Wendy Wolfson
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Summary

What price is too high for survival?

Petrograd, 1917. Eighteen-year-old Valentina Kalinina’s life of aristocratic privilege is shattered in an instant when Bolshevik rebels storm her home. Her father is murdered before her eyes, her beloved fiancé Alexei falls to a revolutionary’s bayonet, and Valentina barely escapes to England with her life. Stranded in a foreign country with no money or support, salvation arrives in the form of a charming cousin, Dmitri, who offers her sanctuary in his Belgravia mansion. Valentina believes her nightmare is over, until she realizes that Dmitri’s generosity comes at a horrifying price…

Present day. When archaeologist Quinn Allenby discovers a skeleton sealed behind a wardrobe in a London house, she expects another routine investigation. But the moment she touches a delicate Fabergé necklace, Quinn is thrust into Valentina’s world of revolution and betrayal. As Quinn pieces together the Russian girl’s desperate story while juggling new motherhood, she realizes that exposing the truth about the mysterious skeleton will have devastating consequences for her own future…

Fans of Diana Gabaldon, Barbara Erskine, and Susanna Kearsley will devour this gripping story of survival, betrayal, and the dangerous lengths we go to protect those we love.

©2018 Irina Shapiro (P)2019 Irina Shapiro Fantasy Fiction Romance Russia
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I can’t say enough how much I love and enjoy this series! The historical part is fascinating and I’m ever thankful that I was born in the late 20th century. I’m no feminist, but the injustices of centuries ago make my blood boil. In this story, archeologist, Dr. Quinn Allenby, is investigating the discovery of a skeleton in a hidden bathroom. What she sees, through the use of an inherited faberge egg necklace, is the story of a young Russian woman, who was the daughter of a Count. The time is during WW1, when civil unrest between the ‘working ppl’ and the Russian monarchy turned deadly. Young Valentina is engaged to her childhood friend and love of her life, Alexie, but the planned celebration never comes to pass. When rebels break into their house, her father is killed, as well as Alexie, who came to their aid. Valentina, her mother, sister and brother travel to London, in search of her mother’s cousin. After several months of no response, and the small family barely surviving in a hovel, cousin Demetri arrives. Surely life will be better for Valentina and her family...it does...for a while...then Valentina’s life is shattered! No spoilers but I must say that it’s gut wrenching! Meanwhile, Quinn is searching for her twin sister, while adjusting to motherhood with a kindergartner and a baby.
This is another fantastic book in the series...each one is better than the last! The narrator is perfect for this series and does a fabulous job with all of the characters. Truly another ‘unputdownable’ book.
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This series just keeps getting better!

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Loved the combined story line but the child emma need some manners and learn some respect and not be so greedy

Good story

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Yet another book in this brilliant series. Irina has a wonderful way of capturing peoples lives and portraying them in a very realistic way.

Brilliant

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Listener received this title free

1917: On the eve of the Russian Revolution, newly engaged, seventeen year old Valentina Kalinina has no idea how drastically her life is about to change. Having come from a privileged and sheltered background, she is unprepared when revolution breaks out, bringing unspeakable pain and loss. Her country now in turmoil, Valentina and her family seek refuge in England, in the hopes of a new life. Thrust into the role of head of the family, Valentina must contend with lies and deceit, betrayal, sacrifice that will end ultimately murder.

2014: When skeletal remains are discovered in a bathtub, concealed in a hidden chamber of a London mansion, Quinn’s only clue is is Fabergé necklace that may have belonged to the victim. As she tries to piece together Valentina’s life, Quinn must juggle her job, motherhood, her search for her twin sister as well as her relationship with her estranged mother.

The Unseen is the fifth compelling instalment of the Echoes of the Past series and is a dual time novel set in 1917 and 2014. This time the author transports us back to the eve of the Russian Revolution. We’re given a brief insight into the chaos and violence following the storming of the Winter Palace by the Bolsheviks who ousted the provisional government and proclaimed Russia to be the first communist state.

Due to their wealth and prestige, which had now become a death sentence, Valentina is forced to flee to England where they must rely on the hospitality of a friend of their mothers, Dimitri Ostrov. And so begins the defining chapter in Valentina’s life that will see her try to put her grief aside for the life she has left behind, in place of the hardship she experiences as she tries to adapt to her new life a foreign land. Some of the things that Valentina had to endure was extremely hard to read and yet despite it all I couldn’t help but admire her quiet strength and self sacrifice.

It was great catching up with Quinn as she juggled motherhood as well as her job. It was good to see Gabe being so supportive as a husband and father. We finally learn the truth about Sylvia and the night Quinn was conceived as well as answers on the whereabouts of her twin sister, Jo.

This has been another well executed thoroughly entertaining novel, magnificently threaded and building to a climax that is neat and satisfying.

I received an advanced free audible copy of The Unseen and I am voluntarily reviewing it. Wendy Wolfson has once again masterfully brought the characters and story to life with her clear, concise narration. I recommend this series for fans of historical fiction, dual time mysteries and psychic gifts.

Compelling fifth instalment

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I enjoyed the story, despite the actor narrator's constant mispronounciation of the word 'Scythe' and her insistence at making Quinn's voice so weak and ineffectual. Quinn is supposed to be an intelligent women but the narrator makes her sound like a frightened,mouse. I find it hard to believe she would have been a successful TV presenter if she spoke with so little authority.

Another great story but the narrator needs to check pronunciation.

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