The Holmes Factor — Brian Freemantle

The second in the Sebastian Holmes series, following The Holmes Inheritance It's just weeks from the outbreak of the First World War, a conflict few expect to erupt. If it does, Russia is pivotal. But Russia, having survived one abortive revolution, seethes with unrest. Will Russia fight? Will the Romanov dynasty be overthrown? If they are, will Britain accept them in exile? To answer such questions, Sebastian Holmes, son of the legendary Sherlock Holmes, is despatched to St Petersburg . . .