The Queen’s Necklace

By: Alexandre Dumas

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

In 1785, a sensational trial began in Paris that would divide the country and captivate Europe. A leading Catholic cardinal and scion of one of the most distinguished families in France stood accused of forging the queen’s signature to obtain the most expensive piece of jewelry in Europe: a 2,800-carat diamond necklace. Known as the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, it contributed to the French populace’s disillusionment with the monarchy and precipitated the French Revolution.

The Queen’s Necklace, loosely based on the Affair, is Alexandre Dumas’ take on the royal scandal. Originally serialized in the French newspaper La Presse in 1849-1850 (immediately following the French Revolution of 1848), The Queen’s Necklace is an epic tale of love and courage, hatred and betrayal with a missing diamond necklace, an accused queen, a daring manipulator, lovestruck youth, royal revenge, and ecclesiastical machinations all playing out against the backdrop of the rising discontent among the French rabble. It is, in short, a thrilling tale by a master of historical fiction.

Public Domain (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

A great story of intrigue, betrayal and romantic adventure, with some thievery thrown in for spice.

But, you will be advised to read the first 2 stories before this in the series, found elsewhere.

18th Century Confidence Game

I hate reading books out of order and apparently I have. This one is cool. A disaffected royal tries to run a confidence game on Marie Antoinette. It also has an attempted heist. This is the oldest one of these I have ever read.

Fantastic Insight

Into France before their revolution. Rich descriptions of what life was like for the royalty, both physical and psychological.

Too Monotone for many characters

Too monotone for many characters. Hard to track. Seemed like it’d be good, so I tried to stick with it.