A riveting true story of murder and detection in 15th-century Paris, by one of the most brilliant medievalists of his generation.
On a chilly November night in 1407, Louis of Orleans was murdered by a band of masked men. The crime stunned and paralyzed France since Louis had often ruled in place of his brother King Charles, who had gone mad. As panic seized Paris, an investigation began. In charge was the Provost of Paris, Guillaume de Tignonville, the city's chief law enforcement officer -- and one of history's first detectives. As de Tignonville began to investigate, he realized that his hunt for the truth was much more dangerous than he ever could have imagined.
A rich portrait of a distant world, Blood Royal is a gripping story of conspiracy, crime and an increasingly desperate hunt for the truth. And in Guillaume de Tignonville, we have an unforgettable detective for the ages, a classic gumshoe for a cobblestoned era.
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“Though the story is ostensibly
about the murder of Louis, brother to mad King Charles and frequent regent of
France, it takes on a much larger scope as the uncovering of the mastermind
leads to political maneuvering, civil war, and ultimately invasion by
England…Jager’s attention to atmosphere and detail allows the setting to come
to life in all its gruesome detail, especially as he explores the nature of
crime and punishment and the many grisly repercussions for those held
responsible. Despite the misleading focus on Tignonville’s investigation, this
is a fascinating and complex look at the tumultuous events of early fifteenth
century France.”
—
Publishers Weekly