The ever-irresistible Irene Adler, her dashing barrister husband, Godfrey Norton, and the indomitable Miss Nell Huxleigh have arrived at last as their French cottage-having survived dastardly plots, Russian spies, pistol-wielding criminals, and the occasional cobra. The happy trio seeks nothing but rest and peace-but Irene has always chafed under idle conditions, and Paris, she says, is pretty and urbane, but hardly a center of excitement. So when Charles Frederick Worth, the Parisian king of couture, invites Irene to become his mannequin de ville, to wear the fabulous worth creations to stimulate his trade, Irene leaps at the chance.
But what was a joyous lark soon turns into a journey that can lead to disgrace, dishonor, and death when Irene, Nell, and Godfrey are drawn into a series of events that will compel Irene to the one place that she daren't go and the one man she must not confront-Prague and the King of Bohemia.
Some women are just born to have grand adventures. . . .This enchanting paragon comports herself beautifully. The New York Times
An absolutely ripping adventure! Anne Perry
To capture the attention of the misogynistic and asexual Sherlock Holmes, a woman would need to be quite remarkable, and Douglas's Irene is beyond remarkable . . . and a detective at least as skillful as the great Holmes. Mary Willis Walker, Edgar-winning author of All The Dead Lie Down
Carole Nelson Douglasis also the author of theMidnight Louiemystery series, theTaliswomanseries, and numerous other mysteries, fantasies, and romances.