Shadows of the Prince's Estate

A new book from the series “Secrets of the Institute of Noble Maidens”: a young sleuth faces fresh mysteries, hidden truths, and increasingly risky trials.

St. Petersburg, 1908.

In the Golitsyn family estate, preparations for the princess’s name day are in full swing. But an innocent divination in the middle of a festive evening suddenly turns into a worrying prophecy—and what is said begins to come true with frightening accuracy. Coincidence? Or is someone deliberately turning a pastime into a prophecy?

For a Smolny Institute student, Varvara Vorontsova knows there are no coincidences. She is sure that behind the mystical veil there is a sober, carefully constructed plan. And yet the old estate holds not only family heirlooms and memories. Behind the glitter of clever schemes lie financial intrigues and secrets that could destroy the name of an ancient family. In the dark corridors, the creaking of floorboards is heard more and more often—and Varvara begins to feel that someone is watching every move she makes.

Varvara is forced to forge a dangerous alliance—with a dazzling aristocrat capable of breaking her heart, and with a mysterious adventurer who carries someone else’s secrets. The investigation she embarks on may cost her far too much. After all, the divination has already come true once.

And if Varvara doesn’t find out who is behind what’s happening, the next victim could be her herself.