I Was Anastasia: A Novel

Tobolsk, Russia. December 24, 1917: Winter in Siberia is long and bleak. The girls continue to sew jewels into every garment they can. Anastasia dreams of rescue. Leshy allows them to attend Christmas services. The family stands in the back, but they are still recognized. The priest recites the mnogoletie—a prayer for the imperial family—and Leshy fears he has made them targets. He warns Nicholas II that the Bolsheviks want to put the family in prison. Nicholas II tells the family they are safe in their exile, at least until the spring thaw. They celebrate Christmas, bringing the soldiers gifts and putting up a Christmas tree. However, the guard Anastasia dislikes, Semyon, puts a stop to it.

Seven weeks later. Tobolsk, Russia. February 14, 1918: The Russian calendar switches to the Gregorian calendar. Anastasia sees Red Guards marching to the house across the ice. A new officer in charge, Yakov Yurovsky, tells the family it is time for them to be brought to justice.

Kenwood Estate, Oyster Bay, New York. July 1928: Anna knows that Xenia Leeds, with whom she is living, is watching Anna closely. Xenia is a Romanov relation and a princess in her own right. Xenia’s husband, William, is a rich businessman.