The Master Craftsman

A Novel

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"Compelling, exhilarating, and richly imagined, The Master Craftsman is historical fiction at its best."--Patti Callahan, New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis

In 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Fabergé, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history--an unknown Fabergé Egg that Peter Karl Fabergé secretly created to honor his divided allegiance to both the people of Russia and the Imperial tsar's family. When Alma and her husband escaped Russia for their native Finland in 1921, she took the secret with her, guarding her past connection to the Romanov family. 

Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine is sick and fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers she is about to face. As the stakes are raised, Ava is forced to declare her own allegiance--and the consequences are greater than she could have imagined.


"The Master Craftsman is the perfect blend of intrigue, suspense, history, and romance. This novel has it all!"--Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things

"This novel was a delightful escape."--Susie Finkbeiner, author of The Nature of Small Birds

"Part contemporary, part historical, part treasure hunt, part mystery . . . this book is unlike any you've ever read."--Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Perennials


Endorsements

"The Master Craftsman is a fascinating treasure hunt, an atmospheric tale of the Russian Revolution, and a heart-thumping generational story: what more do you want? Kelli Stuart takes us inside the enthralling world of Fabergé while introducing us to deeply felt characters who must put everything on the line to discover the truth. Compelling, exhilarating, and richly imagined, The Master Craftsman is historical fiction at its best."

Patti Callahan, New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis

"Artfully crafted and constructed, The Master Craftsman is the perfect blend of intrigue, suspense, history, and romance. This novel has it all! Lovers of transportive historical fiction will find all their delights met within these pages."

Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things

"Every so often I want to fall into a story that takes me on an adventure. One with twists and turns that I don't expect and surprises that keep me engrossed. Kelli Stuart's The Master Craftsman was such a book for me. This novel was a delightful escape from housework, a lovely distraction from daily tasks. More than once I completely lost track of time while reading and took a break only so I could Google pictures of St. Petersburg and the particular Fabergé eggs that Stuart described so well. Grab yourself a copy of this book, then buckle up for an escapade you won't soon forget!"

Susie Finkbeiner, author of The Nature of Small Birds

"With in-depth research and a passion for Russia's unique culture, Stuart delivers a colorful and complex story that's sure to delight. Part contemporary, part historical, part treasure hunt, part mystery . . . this book is unlike any you've ever read. Sit back and enjoy being transported to early-twentieth-century Russia where nothing is what it seems."

Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Perennials


The Author

  1. Kelli Stuart
    Christina Sallustio

    Kelli Stuart

    Kelli Stuart is the author of the Carol Award-winning Like a River from Its Course, as well as A Silver Willow by the Shore and Life Creative: Inspiration for Today's Renaissance Mom (with Wendy Speake). Stuart has written for The...

    Continue reading about Kelli Stuart


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