Celebrated Crimes Series

How much power can one family wield before they're corrupted?In this first volume of his "Celebrated Crimes" series, Alexandre Dumas tackles the notorious Borgais. Originally from Spain, this noble family's political influence was felt across Europe through much of the 15th and 16th centuries. But their name also became synonymous with scandals and murder. "The Borgais" is a fictionalised account of the family's machinations. These include Rodrigo Borgia and his reign as Pope Alexander IV, when rumours abounded of orgies at the Vatican. A must read for history buffs, and any fans of "The Borgias" television series starring Jeremy Irons.-

Accused of sorcery, a man of God is put on trial for his life. But the dark forces leading his persecution are far from supernatural. In "Urbain Grandier", Alexandre Dumas recounts one of France's most infamous witchcraft trials. The story begins in the early 1600s, in the parish of Loudon. A convent of nuns claim demonic possession, and the finger of blame is pointed at local priest Father Grandier. What follows is a horror story of exorcisms, torture, and execution. Dumas offers a gripping account of the trial, but also shows us the powerful figures who orchestrated the plot. They include Cardinal Richelieu, who Dumas later made the lead villain of his classic novel "The Three Musketeers". -

Beatrice Cenci laid her neck on the chopping block. She'd helped to beat a powerful nobleman to death, but for many in Rome, her execution was a tragic perversion of justice. Beatrice's father, Francisco, was a horrible abuser. His wife and three children all suffered at his hands. Pushed to the brink, the four Cencis grouped together to put an end to Francisco's evil. The ensuing trial enthralled the city's population, and gave rise to a legend about Beatrice that persists to this day.This entry in Dumas' "Celebrated Crimes" nimbly explores issues of morality and justice, whilst also delivering a juicy true crime story. -

Two queens, joined by blood and rivals for the throne. Only one would survive their decades-long power play. "Mary Stuart" is a fictionalised essay about Mary Queen of Scots. Mary's reign in Scotland was marked by scandal. Her first husband was murdered, and she was heavily implicated in the crime. Forced to flea to England, Mary counted on the support of her cousin Elizabeth I. But Elizabeth feared that Mary had her sights set on the English crown. So she imprisoned her, and began building a case for her execution. Dumas portrays his protagonist as an enigmatic figure, driven by lust and a thirst for power. This story is a great companion to the many movies about Mary, such as "Mary Queen of Scots" starring Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan.-

For hundreds of centuries, one of Europe's great powers was the stage for untold death and destruction. In "The Massacres of the South", Alexandre Dumas leads us through the many bloody events that shaped modern France. He begins in the 1500s with the Wars of Religion, which pitted Catholics against Protestants. And he ends with the Second White Terror, when thousands of Napoleon's supporters by killed following the return of King Louis XVIII. The period in between is a ghastly catalogue of assassinations, mob violence, and merciless monarchs. This entry in the "Celebrated Crimes" series is a recommended read for scholars, Dumas fans, or anyone with an interest in grisly historical facts.-

In a morally corrupt society, where does the guilt for a crime really end? In "La Constantin", Alexandre Dumas introduces us to two women who met untimely ends—Angelique-Louise de Guerchi and Josephine-Charlotte Boullenois. While they were killed by a pair of poisoners, Dumas points the reader towards other forces that led to their deaths. Namely, the husbands and fathers who controlled their lives.A history of violence, "La Constantin" also doubles as a critique of the sexist morals and codes of 17th Century France. The book will definitely appeal to lovers of true crime fiction and diehard fans of Dumas.-

The Prince of Brancoleone has a reputation for breaking hearts. And now he's set his sights on a new conquest. She's Nisida, the beautiful daughter of a Naples fisherman. The prince disguises himself as a commoner and seduces her. But Nisida's little brother Gabriel intervenes, setting off a bloody tale of revenge, suicide and family secrets.Part of Dumas' "Celebrated Crimes" series, "Nisida" is an enthralling look at honour and justice in 19th century Italy. Based on real events, it was co-written with Italian author Pier Angelo Fiorentino. Before "The Three Musketeers", Alexandre Dumas explored some of history's darkest chapters in "Celebrated Crimes". These true crime stories cover famous murders, conspiracies and executions, from Mary Queen of Scots to the Borgias.

Fanatic. Murderer. Martyr. Karl-Ludwig Sand was all of these things and more. Alexandre Dumas delves into his fascinating story as part of the "Celebrated Crimes" series. Sand was a devout believer in German unification. At the time, Germany existed only as a loose confederation. In the name of this cause, he broke into the house of the conservative writer August von Kotzebue and stabbed him to death. Tried and executed in 1820, Sand became a nationalist icon. Dumas' depicts a man driven to extremes by radical ideas. It's a story that remains frighteningly relevant to this day. -

How far would you go to secure a fortune? In late 18th Century Paris, one man turned to murder. In this volume of his "Celebrated Crimes" series, Alexandre Dumas takes on the subject Antoine François Derues. Convicted of double poisoning, Derues was executed in 1777. His victims were the wealthy Madame de la Motte, whose country estate he wanted for himself, and her teenage son. In this gripping psychological portrait, Dumas ventures into the murderer's mind, recreating scenes that stretch back to Derues' childhood. A must read for true crime fans, this work places Derues next to the other great names in the criminal pantheon – Jack the Ripper, H. H. Holmes, or Ted Bundy.Before "The Three Musketeers", Alexandre Dumas explored some of history's darkest chapters in "Celebrated Crimes". These true crime stories cover famous murders, conspiracies and executions, from Mary Queen of Scots to the Borgias.

Plagues, assassinations and warring popes. The reign of Joan I had it all. Her domain was the Kingdom of Naples. And she held onto it for forty years, resisting everything from a Hungarian invasion to the scourge of the Black Death. Her most scandalous moment came in 1345, when her first husband was murdered. And Joan was one of the main suspects. This killing would eventually lead to Joan's dethronement and her execution. Alexandre Dumas paints a complex picture of a powerful woman in a man's world—beautiful and learned, but also ruthless. It's a fascinating entry in his "Celebrated Crimes" series. -

When it came to the art of poisoning, Marquise de Brinvilliers had a rare talent. She honed her craft by testing out mixtures on hospital patients. And then began her most ambitious project, murdering first her father, and then her two brothers. Her motive? The substantial family fortune. Her crimes shocked 17th century France, and triggered a nationwide panic about poisoners in the nobility. Her story inspired works by numerous writers, including Robert Browning and Arthur Conan Doyle. In his version, Alexandre Dumas picks apart the Marquise's case and trial, including her excruciating torture by 'water cure'. Recommended for fans of grisly true crime. -

The only way to secure her fortune was by committing a heinous crime. This shocking tale of greed and murder is recounted here by master storyteller Alexandre Dumas. Marchioness de Bouille ​is looking forward to being very rich. She stands to inherit her brother's money, as he and his wife, Countess de Saint-Geran, are childless. But her dreams are dashed when the Countess suddenly becomes pregnant. Together with her lover, the Marchioness hatches a plan to remove the newborn from the picture.Based a real case from 17th century France, "Marchioness de Bouille" is a true crime fan's dream. -

Imprisoned for three decades. His face never seen. Who was "The Man in the Iron Mask?"In the novel "The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later", Dumas revealed the man to be Louis XIV's identical twin. But that's far from the definitive answer. Here, Dumas dives into the real events that inspired his story, and dissects the other theories of the time. Was the prisoner in fact The Duke of Monmouth, illegitimate son to England's King Charles II? Or the disgraced French minister Nicolas Fouquet?A recommended read for fans of Dumas' novel, but also anyone who loves a great unsolved mystery. -

Martin Guerre's disappearance has changed him. In fact, he's no longer Martin Guerre at all. In this true crime tale, Alexandre Dumas explores an outlandish case of impersonation. The year is 1556, and French peasant Martin Guerre has been missing for six years. But then he suddenly returns, and is welcomed back by his wife and son. But others in the village sense something amiss. They suspect the man is a total imposter.It's a story that's truly stranger than fiction, and Dumas navigates its many twists and turns with aplomb. An essential for mystery fans. -

Facing the firing squad, Joachim Murat told them to aim for his heart. Courageous until the end, his life is one of the great rise and fall stories. And Alexandre Dumas is the perfect author to tell it. Murat was a trusted general under Napoleon Bonaparte. His marriage to Napoleon's sister, Caroline, only served to deepen the bond between the two men. But he would eventually betray the emperor by switching allegiances during the Napoleonic Wars. This fateful decision would prove to be Murat's undoing. Dumas paints a fascinating portrait of Murat; a brave commander with a taste for extravagance. It makes his fall from grace all the more tragic. -

Bloodthirsty tyrant or brilliant statesman? Alexandre Dumas explores the complicated legacy of Ali Pacha in this fictionalised biography. A leader under the Ottoman Empire, Pasha ruled over a large portion of Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. There's no doubt he was politically astute—he maintained his power by signing alliances with both Napoleon and the British. But Pasha's not part of Dumas' "Celebrated Crimes" series for nothing. His brutality was legendary, and his reign was marked by numerous atrocities. Dumas reckons with these complexities in the enthralling "Ali Pacha". It's a must read for Dumas fans and history buffs alike. -

In 19th century Russia, a pair of lovers risk their lives by defying the tzar. Based loosely on true events, "Vaninka" takes place during the reign of Paul I. The lady of the title is a general's daughter, who is due to be married, in a match approved of by the tzar. But Vaninka has fallen for another man—an officer under her father's command. The pair's illicit romance sets in motion a dark tale of death and dangerous secrets. One of Alexandre Dumas' "Celebrated Crimes", "Vaninka" is in the tradition of great tragic love stories, from "Romeo and Juliet" to "Wuthering Heights".-

She had a fortune to her name. And it made her an irresistible target. A famous beauty, Marie de Rossan married the Marquis de Ganges in 1658. It appeared to be a happy match, but trouble began over the issue of Marie's will, and who stood to inherit her money. The Marquis' two brothers hounded her relentlessly, pressuring her to make revisions. And then, after months of threats, their campaign took a violent turn. A sordid tale of murder and greed, it's perfect subject matter for Alexandre Dumas' "Celebrated Crimes" series. The case also peeked the interest of the Marquis de Sade (who inspired behind the term 'sadism'), who wrote his own novel on the subject. -