City of Light, City of Poison: Murder, Magic, and the First Police Chief of Paris

In the late 1600s, Louis XIV assigns Nicolas de la Reynie to bring order to Paris after the brutal deaths of two magistrates. Reynie, pragmatic yet fearless, discovers a tightly knit network of witches, poisoners, and priests whose reach extends to Versailles. He learns that no one is safe from their deadly love potions and inheritance stews, not even the Sun King himself. Holly Tuckers' true crime narrative follows the police chief into the dark labyrinths of crime-ridden Paris, royal palaces, secret courtrooms, and torture chambers in a tale of deception and murder.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 336 pages
\n Publication date: 10 May 2018
\n Publisher: WW Norton & Co
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In the late 1600s, Louis XIV, seeking to restore order in the city of Paris following the gruesome deaths of two magistrates, appoints Nicolas de la Reynie to take charge. De la Reynie, known for his pragmatic yet fearless approach, embarks on a mission to navigate the treacherous and terrifying streets of Paris. However, his investigation leads him to uncover a tightly woven network of witches, poisoners, and priests whose influence extends to the opulent Versailles. As the chief delves deeper into a series of deaths at court, he uncovers a shocking truth: no one, not even the Sun King himself, is immune to their deadly love potions and inheritance stews.

Holly Tuckers captivating true crime narrative brings the characters to life on the page, as she follows the police chief into the dark labyrinths of crime-ridden Paris, the grand halls of royal palaces, secret courtrooms, and torture chambers. The story unfolds like a thrilling novel, filled with deception and murder, reminiscent of fiction.

Through meticulous research and her ability to reconstruct events, Tuckers paints a vivid picture of 17th-century Paris, a city teeming with political intrigue, social unrest, and a relentless pursuit of power. The reader is transported to a world where magic and superstition coexist with the harsh realities of crime and punishment.

De la Reynie, the protagonist, is a flawed but determined character. He is a man of honor who values justice and is willing to risk everything to uphold the law. However, his past and his connections to the royal court make him a target for those who seek to exploit his knowledge and power.

As the chief investigates the growing number of deaths, he encounters a cast of characters who are equally complex and intriguing. There is Madame de Montpellier, a powerful witch who wields her magic with deadly precision; Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the Sun King's trusted advisor who is secretly involved in a plot to overthrow the monarchy; and Lucie, a young woman who is caught in the middle of the chaos and must navigate the treacherous waters of court politics to protect herself and those she loves.

The story is filled with suspense, plot twists, and unexpected revelations. Tuckers keeps the reader guessing until the very end, as she skillfully weaves together the threads of the investigation and uncovers the shocking truth behind the deaths and the conspiracies that surround the royal court.

In conclusion, "The Murder of the Sun King" is a gripping and meticulously researched true crime narrative that delves into the dark underbelly of 17th-century Paris. Holly Tuckers storytelling is compelling, and her ability to bring the characters to life makes the story feel as if it could have happened in a different era. This is a must-read for anyone who loves history, mystery, and the power of storytelling.

\n Weight: 318g\n
Dimension: 138 x 209 x 28 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780393355437\n \n