All the King's Ladies

In 1664, Marquise Athénaïs de Montespan returned to the Court of Versailles. At twenty-three, she was young, beautiful, and highly intelligent, but burdened with a young son, a mad husband, and big debts. The way to power and prosperity at Versailles led through Louis XIV, well known for his susceptibility to pretty ladies. Athénaïs befriended his current favorite, dazzled everyone, and bided her time. Soon Athénaïs was a power in the glittering, dangerous court, and the sinister La Voisin, abortionist, witch, and poisoner, appeared to whisper that with a little help, Athénaïs could maintain her influence forever. With a cast of characters ranging from the royal family and their dissolute courtiers to defrocked priests and poisoners to the Police Lieutenant of Paris, All the Kings Ladies captures a turbulent and ruthless and glamorous society.Janice Law is the author of 'All the King's Ladies' with ISBN 9780312019662 and ISBN 0312019661.