THE TSARINA’S LOST TREASURE

A stranger-than-fiction tale of treasure, shipwrecks and an enduring mystery

Author Gerald Easter and Mara Vorhees Publisher Pegasus Books Price £23.19 Released Out now

In autumn 1771, the Vrouw Maria was wrecked in a storm off the Finnish coast and lost in the depths of the Baltic Sea. She took with her a fortune in artworks that had been part of the collection of Catherine the Great. For two centuries treasure-hunters searched for the near-legendary shipwreck and her priceless cargo, desperate to recover the lost masterpieces that languished in the hold. When the wreck was located in 1999, the race was on to recover the cargo once feared lost forever.

Though The Tsarina’s Lost Treasure tells the story of the Vrouw Maria and the people who sought to salvage her, it also examines the changing cultural landscape of the 18th century and the court of Catherine the Great, as well as the shifting fortunes of Dutch Golden Age artist Gerrit Dou, whose masterpiece was lost in the wreck. In the capable hands of Gerald Easter and Mara Vorhees, these multiple narrative strands are woven together in a compelling and fascinating tale of mystery and investigation. Although the Vrouw Maria set off on her fateful voyage two-and-a-half centuries ago, her remarkable story continues to this day and this lively tale benefits from a well-drawn cast as well as some eyebrow-raising developments.

The Tsarina’s Lost Treasure is a fascinating and highly readable account of a true maritime mystery. Filled with intrigue, adventure and unexpected twists, it’s sure to entertain casual readers and historians alike. CC