The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart

 

Review: What an incredible story. I felt like I went on a more believable version of National Treasure within these pages. Ava, a history major who has spent her twenties working dead-end jobs, is called to the death bed of her father who left when she was only three years old. As a teenager, she learned that her long-lost father was a well known treasure hunter with many successes to his name. Growing up, she used to dream that he would sweep in and take her on one of his adventures. Instead, adventure stole him away and left Ava and her mom Carol alone to eek out a living. 

 

Despite the heartache that treasure hunting has delt her family, Ava can't deny the pull of adventure. It must be in her blood. When she finds out the Nick Laine, her father, is looking for one last person to help him pull off his final hunt she forces him to choose her. Armed with her history knowledge, a keen 'gut' instinct, a techy nerd who also happens to utterly adore her, her reluctant mother, and some seriously attractive 'muscle', Ava heads to Russia to find the lost Faberge Egg made for the Imperial family. 

 

This story is a grand adventure and I loved every second of it. It is well written and I LOVED the history. I've actually been googling the House of Faberge (and you should too), the Imperial Eggs that they made were far beyond their time and utterly stunning. It is easy to see how Kelli Stuart latched onto this piece of history to mold her treasure hunt around. It is amazing!

Here is the Winter Egg made by Alma Pihl, one of the House of Faberge's master craftsmen.

  

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications and the Baker Publishing House for a copy of this book.