The Orphan's Tale (Book I) (Malet's Story)

Paris, Autumn 1834:

A routine arrest in the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral yields the hint of a growing menace. For Chief Inspector Paul Malet, acting as Prefect of Police for Paris, the triumph of the arrest is overlaid by a sense of gathering danger.

All becomes clear when Malet learns that Victoria, England's Heiress Apparent, will be traveling to Paris at Christmas for a state visit. Her assassination on French soil would shatter the accord between France and England, and Malet knows all too well how profitable war can be for those daring enough to mold events to suit their own purposes.

Malet, embarks on a hunt. The safety of everything he loves is at stake, and he will fight this battle on ground of his own choosing. Intentions are not necessarily accomplishments. The foes Malet is fighting are formidable, and he finds his life in danger at every turn.

If that is not enough, he has also succeeded in angering a street urchin quite determined to have his revenge, or, at least, ruin his hat.

And now, as his investigation gains momentum, Malet has fallen in love, a distraction too dangerous to indulge and too delicious to ignore.

It is going to be a busy season.

The Orphan's Tale, Book I, set in 1830's Paris, is a story of intrigue, vengeance, and retribution in the City of Lights-and shadows.