The
Pearl of Dubai is an Historical Love Story / Mystery.
The
ancient legend of the Bird of Souls weaves a web of mystery
and intrigue; love and passion; adventure, fear and loss around
one amazing secret that was guarded by the Imperial family of
Russia and dismissed as lies by their executioners.
Marie,
the second youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra,
is having her seventeenth birthday.
A ball is held at the Winter Palace. It is a wonderful, exciting
evening of discovery, romance and secrets.
What
evolves from the night of June 14, 1916 is the beginning of
an adventure for her sister Anastasia that will lead to one
of the greatest cover-ups in history. A plan devised by the
highly spirited fifteen year old will have the palace in turmoil
and force
the family to lie. As they kept their son’s illness, haemophilia,
a secret from the people of Russia and the world,
Anastasia’s plan will also be kept a secret.
As
the story unfolds we are introduced to Fabergé and his colourful
agent Terence Hodge, a noted female impersonator who opens a
club in Paris. It is Paris of the inventive 1920's where his
club "TRACY’S" thrives and becomes a centre for creative
indulgence.
The
exploits of the charming, handsome, Grand Duke Dimitri Pavlovich,
cousin to the Tsar are revealed.
He has no choice but to help with her plan after the secrets
of the Paradise Maze are discovered: an area within the
Winter Palace that is frequented by some, but kept hidden from
the Imperial Family.
We
witness Nicholas and Alexandra's unwavering and misguided reliance
on Rasputin.
We
see the love blossom between Marie and Sacha, an officer on
the Standart, the Royal Yacht.
They, along with Dimitri are forced to help Anastasia with her
plan.
The story introduces Regina, the sister of Sacha, who is similar
in appearance to Anastasia and who falls deeply in love
with Pashenka, a determined young officer who becomes influenced
by the Bolshevik movement.
We
follow the lives of Grigori, also an officer on the Royal Yacht,
and Levka, a young servant boy.
We
are taken into the world of Countess Basilevsky: a world for
the privileged few and one of excess.
The
horror of the Revolution builds to a frightening climax when
the truth is revealed about the two missing bodies
in the early hours of July 17, 1918.
Dubai,
(in 1916 it was a fishing village that was also noted for high
quality pearls), becomes the focus of
the novel when a catastrophic sand storm throws Rashed, a simple
young Bedouin, into a world he could never have imagined.
One where he determinedly fights to nurture and save the woman
he loves.
Many
of the names and characterizations are correct. Historical detail
has been carefully researched and blended in with the story.
The journeys taken by members of the Imperial Family within
Russia and Europe actually occurred, and the Tsar was indeed
in Mohileff during the dates mentioned in the novel. The Dowager
Empress had already left Petrograd at the commencement of Anastasia’s
adventure and was, surprisingly, allowed the one visit to see
her son when he was being held at the
Alexander Palace. My description of the execution of the family
is based on documented material.
The
importance of Rasputin’s influence cannot be overstated. He
was a complex and disturbing character and a major reason
for the downfall of the Tsar and collapse of the Government.
