League of Spies: Fortunes of France: Volume 4

By Robert Merle and T. Jefferson Kline

The fourth book in the bestselling Fortunes of France series, in a brand new look.

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 as steady sword arm to fight his way to safety.

Behold the Prince is the fourth book in the swashbuckling Fortunes of France series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Feb 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781782274070

Robert Merle

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.

Reviews for League of Spies

[kuiperdolin · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Déjà fatiguée dans le tome 3, la série a pour moi "sauté le requin" avec le tome 4. Désormais ce ne sont plus les aventures des Siorac avec la grande histoire en toile de fond, mais l'histoire de France raconté par un protagoniste inutile qui doit cavaler d'un bout à l'autre de l'Europe pour arriver à temps pour la coïncidence suivante, sans véritable enjeu pour lui ni pour sa famille. Décevant.