How To Ruin A Queen by Jonathan Beckman

Beckman tells a fascinating tale about the characters in Marie Antoinette's 'Necklace Affair' and it's ramifications for the monarchy in France. There is the Queen who is the victim of a scandalous plot, a poverty-stricken and vengeful girl with delusions of grandeur and the Cardinal who falls for the plot in a careless manner, even though he knows that the Queen hates him! The affair is complicated, but Beckman's narrative is clear, well-researched and written in a captivating way.

The setting- the lead-up to the Revolution is full of atmosphere and colour- and Beckman's describes the dog-eat-dog scenario in a grand style. This is not a dry history. It will capture your attension from beginning to end.