There is so much historic fiction set in France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars but this is a unique book in that it is sent slightly later. At a time when France was still tumultuous, a young provincial man, Beaulieu Delhomme, moves to Paris. After getting kicked out of two schools, he finds his place as an apprentice piano tuner. With little money and no family left, he is pulled in to a life of spying. As part of his spy mission he is sent to befriend Chopin and become Chopin's piano tuner. A second branch of this mission involves getting close to George Sand, Chopin's lover. Spying isn't the life Beaulieu wants, but spying isn't as easy to get out of as he would like.

Chopin, Sand, and various other historic figures are brought to life in this delightful book. The characters are the main focus of the novel, and they're incredibly well rounded. A wonderful book that explores friendship as well as the politics of the time.