A story of greed, duplicity, romance and intrigue, and a mystery said to have brought down the french monarchy.

The world shook at the eruption of the French Revolution, a revolution, some say, precipitated by a single factor: the theft of the Diamond Necklace which, it seemed, had been commissioned for Marie Antoinette and helped to bring both her and King Louis XVI to the guillotine.

But behind the scandal was a complex and daring conspiracy involving a Prince of the Royal House of France, the charming and deceitful countess Jeanne de Valois, and the infamous Comte de Cagliostro – all pawns in a secret, devious plot for wealth and supremacy in Europe.

‘Jean Plaidy, by the skilful blending of superb storytelling and meticulous attention to authenticity of detail and depth of characterisation has become one of the country’s most widely read novelists.’ Sunday Times

‘Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting.’ Observer

‘Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama.’ New York Times

‘Outstanding’ Vanity Fair