The Tsarina and the Philosopher: St. Petersburg, 1762. Is the world ready for a German woman on the Russian throne?

A grand, compelling novel about a fascinating person from history: Tsarina Catherine the Great

After a successful coup, young Catherine crowns herself tsarina. She wants to continue the work of Peter the Great and wants to reform Russia according to the Western model. The world holds its breath: can a German on the Russian throne be trusted?

The King of Prussia sends his subject, the philosopher Stephan Mervier, as a spy to St. Petersburg to discover the plans of the Tsarina. Mervier is impressed by Catherine's cleverness and charisma, but is disgusted by her abandoning the serfs to their fate and stubbornly allowing other abuses to continue. Although Catherine is committed to progress, education and science, she also rules with the iron fist of a despot. The oppressed revolt and Mervier is inclined to side with them. But no one betrays the great Tsarina with impunity.

The press about The City of the Tsar

'I have read this beautifully executed novel with so much pleasure that I very much hope for a sequel. The City of the Tsar brings forgotten history to light in a lively, captivating way.' Nederlands Dagblad

'Against the backdrop of many lives, St. Petersburg takes shape.' Boekenkrant, tip

'A nice cross-section of the society of that time.' NBD Biblion