"Bayard is a fearlessly confident writer. We are treated to all of the narrative verve and sly wit--both plot twists and turns of phrase--that make his books such a pleasure to read." -- Washington Post

"Delicious. [Bayard] inbues(s) his characters with real soul. You may find yourself, more than two centuries after the fact, aching over the fate of the pitiful young Dauphin. A-" -- Entertainment Weekly

"Louis Bayard repairs to Paris for another daring historical adventure. Bayard makes brilliant application of Vidocq in the fanciful adventure. No snatch-and-run researcher, Bayard takes care to capture Vidocq's roguish voice and grandiose affectations." -- New York Times Book Review

"In the world of historical fiction, Louis Bayard is a master at blending history into intelligent thrillers." -- USA Today

"Louis Bayard finds fictional inspiration in historical fact. He has emerged as a writer of historical thrillers in the vein of Caleb Carr, author of The Alienist, and 19th century writers such as Alexandre Dumas, author of The Count of Monte Christo." -- Wall Street Journal

"A tale that has as much energy and cunning as the detective propelling it forward." -- Christian Science Monitor

"A compelling and sympathetic narrator instantly draws the reader into Bayard's stellar third historical. Bayard keeps the reader guessing until the end. Few writers today can match the author's skill in devising an intelligent thriller with heart." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Having previously channeled Dickens and Poe, historical novelist Bayard throws down the gauntlet to Dumas in another high-energy melodrama. The novel's witty succession of trapdoor endings, culminating in "the quietest of abdications," keeps surprising us. Who says they do