League of Spies

Fortunes of France: Volume 4

by Robert Merle

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Pub Date Feb 05 2019 | Archive Date Oct 07 2018

Pushkin Press

Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction

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Description

The fourth book in the bestselling Fortunes of France series, in a brand new look.

An uneasy peace reigns in France, but behind the scenes Catholics, Protestants and the agents of foreign powers are still locked in secretive, bloody combat as they struggle to control the country's future. In this unstable atmosphere Pierre de Siorac again leaves his Perigord home for Paris, but his apparent employment as a doctor masks an even more serious and deadly occupation - as a spy working for King Henry IV, using fair means and foul to protect his rule and the peace of the realm.

As the plots against his king thicken, Pierre finds himself struggling to save not only his country, but the lives of his entire family. With his back to the wall, he will need a keen wit and as steady sword arm to fight his way to safety.

Behold the Prince is the fourth book in the swashbuckling Fortunes of France series.

Advance Praise

Praise for the Fortunes of France series

   • 'A master of the historical novel.' - Guardian
   • 'France's modern Dumas.' - Sunday Times
   • 'Both wise and audacious, constantly nudging up against the extraordinary.' - New York Times Book Review
   • 'Historical fiction at its very best.' - We Love this Book
   • 'Swashbuckling historical fiction... For all its philosophical depth [The Brethren] is a hugely entertaining romp.' - Christobel Kent, Guardian
   • 'A sprawling, earthy tale of peril, love, lust, death, dazzling philosophical debate and political intrigue - Gransnet
   • 'Sword-slashing action.' - The Connexion

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781782273929
PRICE	CA$22.95 (CAD)
PAGES	576

Additional Information

Average rating from 7 members

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Featured Reviews

Keith C, Educator

Machiavelli in France

Each of the three preceding volumes in the Fortunes of France series has ended with a bloodbath and this one is no exception. However, the reader has to wait a very long time for the bloody denouement. For most of its length this novel focuses on the cat and mouse chess game between Henri III of France’s dogged defence of his rule against the aggression of the fanatical Catholic Duc De Guise and his supporters.

Henri has repented of his anti-Protestant excesses during the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre and has come to see that a prosperous France depends on peace between the religions. He faces very strong opposition. Luckily he has Pierrre Siorac on his side, officially court surgeon, unofficially Henri’s spy and agent plenipotentiary. Pierre, now married to his beloved Catherine, has become a nominal Catholic, but fights for reason against fanaticism.

There is a lot to enjoy in this fourth outing for Pierre Siorac: a visit to Queen Elizabeth of England, negotiations between Henri and his Protestant cousin, Henri of Navarre, the Spanish Armada, as well as a running joke on the half-Florentine Henri’s ‘Machiavellian’ plans, which inevitably leave the king and his kingdom worse off than before. In the end the only solution to the impasse is bloodshed. Roll on volume 5.

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Librarian 431790

A wonderful historical novel that reminded me of Dumas, a writer I really like.
It's enjoyable, entertaining, well written and full of interesting characters.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Pushkin Press for this ARC

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Haydon S, Reviewer

I've really enjoyed following this series up to now and this new volume does not disappoint. It is a gloriously detailed piece of historical fiction with a fine narrative.

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Sue B, Reviewer

Thankyou to NetGalley, Pushkin Press and the author, Robert Merle, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of League Of Spies in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I enjoy reading historical fiction and this book was no exception. It was wonderfully descriptive and entertaining. Definitely well worth a read for fans of the genre.

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Beata B, Reviewer

*Many thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Unfortunately, I hadn't read the previous Books before starting League of Spies so I did have some diffuculty catching up with some characters, however, the novel developed very well, and as some reviews mention, the plot and narration did remind me of Alexandre Dumas whose writing I enjoy. A very good HF!