About This Book
A tightly plotted historical tale of court intrigue and deception centers on a celebrated jewel and the chain of schemes it provokes. Ambition, imposture, and manipulation draw together conspirators, a high-ranking courtier, jewelers, entertainers and occult figures in a web of secret meetings, forged letters and social maneuvers. The narrative moves through salons, the royal household and public spectacles, exposing vanity, credulity and the fragile reputation of notable personages. Episodes alternate lively adventure, legal and financial bargaining, and ironic observation, building toward the scandal’s public unmasking and its moral and social consequences.