League of Spies: Fortunes of France 4
By (Author) Robert Merle
Translated by T. Jefferson Kline
Translated by T. Jefferson Kline
4
Pushkin Press
Pushkin Press
27th June 2018
5th July 2018
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
843.914
Paperback
672
Width 129mm, Height 198mm
An uneasy peace reigns in France, but behind the scenes Catholics, Protestants and the agents of foreign powers are still locked in secretive, bloody combat as they struggle to control the country's future. In this unstable atmosphere Pierre de Siorac again leaves his Perigord home for Paris, but his apparent employment as a doctor masks an even more serious and deadly occupation - as a spy working for King Henry IV, using fair means and foul to protect his rule and the peace of the realm.
As the plots against his king thicken, Pierre finds himself struggling to save not only his country, but the lives of his entire family. With his back to the wall, he will need a keen wit and a steady sword arm to fight his way to safety.
League of Spies is the fourth book in the swashbuckling Fortunes of Franceseries.
Praise for the Fortunes of France series
'A master of the historical novel.' - Guardian
'France's modern Dumas.' - Sunday Times
'Both wise and audacious, constantly nudging up against the extraordinary.' - New York Times Book Review
'Historical fiction at its very best.' - We Love this Book
'Swashbuckling historical fiction... For all its philosophical depth [The Brethren] is a hugely entertaining romp.' - Christobel Kent, Guardian
'A sprawling, earthy tale of peril, love, lust, death, dazzling philosophical debate and political intrigue - Gransnet
'Sword-slashing action.' - The Connexion
Robert Merle (1908-2004) was born in French Algeria, before moving to mainland France in 1918. Originally an English teacher, Merle served as an interpreter with British Expeditionary Force during the Second World War, and was captured by the German army at Dunkirk, the experience of which served as the basis for his Goncourt-prize-winning Weekend at Zuydcoote. He published the 13 volumes of his hugely popular Fortunes of France series over four decades, from 1977 to 2003, the final volume appearing just a year before his death in 2004.