A Treasury of Regrets

For police agent and investigator Aristide Ravel, the teeming streets and alleyways of Paris are a constant source of activity. And in the unruly climate of 1797, when gold and food are scarce, citizens will stop at very little to get what they need. When Jeannette Moineau, an illiterate servant girl, is accused of poisoning the master of the house where she works, Ravel cannot believe she is guilty of the crime. With stubborn witnesses, a mysterious white powder, and stolen goods all stacked against her, however, he knows it will not be easy to clear her of the charges. But Ravel finds an unexpected ally in Laurence, a young widow of the house, whose past surprisingly intersects with his own. In a large household brimming with bickering and resentment, everyone seems to have a motive for poisoning old Martin Dupont. But as more family members turn up dead, the list of suspects rapidly dwindles. Tensions rise and Ravel and Laurence must probe the secrets of the city's crafty politicians and confidence artists for clues to clear Jeannette's name. Finding information, though, in dissolute postrevolutionary Paris can lead to costly and dangerous demands. From the author of Game of Patience comes a new historical mystery, bringing alive the sights and sounds of eighteenth-century Paris---brimming with atmospheric details, scandal, and murder. Praise for Game of Patience "Alleyn knows her French Revolution, creates a complex brainteaser of a mystery, and excels in making her characters believable. In short, this book has everything." ---Library Journal "The Paris of 1796 comes alive in Alleyn's fast-paced novel. Readers will be surprised by the ending, with its twisted scenario." ---Historical Novels Review "Grounded by a complex, haunted hero...the suspense in this layered mystery builds slowly but reaches a breakneck speed." ---Booklist "Full of authentic historical detail, ranging from the rise of General Bonaparte to the antics of flamboyant incroyables, the story builds to an emotionally charged climax." ---Publishers Weekly Praise for A Far Better Rest "Engrossing right from the start...Ms. Alleyn brings the period to life.... The reader sees, hears, and smells the past and is, in effect, transported back in time. This novel appreals to the heart and soul." ---Historical Novels Review "Alleyn's command of French culture and historical detail brings the story to life.... We can literally inhale the atmosphere of revolutionary Paris." ---Katherine Neville, author of The Eight and The Magic Circle