The novel "Princess Tarakanova" begins in the winter of 1775. In Europe, a young aristocrat appears calling herself the daughter of Empress Elizabeth, born from her secret marriage to her favorite, Alexey Razumovsky. Princess Tarakanova lays claim to the Russian throne and tries to secure the support of European monarchs and influential Russian nobles, including the powerful Count Orlov. The princess does not suspect that Empress Catherine has already ordered her loyal count to catch the “adventuress” and deliver her to St. Petersburg.
The novel "Burnt Moscow" tells of the darkest days of the Patriotic War of 1812, when soon after the Battle of Borodino, Field Marshal Kutuzov decides to surrender the former capital of the Russian state to the French. Napoleon’s troops occupy Moscow, believing they have won the war. However, left behind by Russian forces, the city very quickly turns into a real hell for its occupiers.