English Audio - English Audio Books

"The action sequences virtually sing with energy, and the novel's blistering
pace never lets up for a moment."Kirkus Reviews

"Crackling, flamboyantfunny, sad, and magical."Publishers Weekly

"A historical novel with the right kind of hero: virile, ruthless, adventurous."
Independent (London)

"I'm grateful to Fleming for reminding me just how exciting a good novel can be."
Publishing News

The son of an English father and a Russian mother, Charlie Doig is a big manbig in
stature, in spirit, and in sexual appetites. A naturalist, he roughs it around the world
collecting specimens for museums. In 1914, he is on a mission for the Academy of
Science in Russia when war breaks out. His pay is stopped and his companion goes
off to enlist. Doig, however, has no intention of volunteering to be killed. He returns to
his family's home near Smolensk and to the woman he loves, his cousin Elizaveta.

At first, their home remains untouched by outside events, and the familiar ways continue.
But imperial Russia is doomed, and with it all the old certainties. Trapped by the snow
with Doig and Elizaveta are a motley collection of old aristocrats and two soldiers seeking
refugeone of whom, Doig fears, is a Bolshevik out to destroy them all.