Blanche

It is 1791, the beginning of the third year of the French Revolution. Sophie and Armand de Boise arrive back home in the early morning of New Year's Day to find that their footman, Marc Paquet, is dead. During the course of her investigation into the circumstances surrounding Marc's death, Sophie experiences a series of dreams and hallucinations about a fascinating and beautiful woman called Blanche who lived during the previous century and who was condemned to death for a terrible crime. The story is further complicated by the arrival of Armand's nephew, Benjamin, who was in contact with Marc before his death and who, with good reason, suspects Sophie of his murder. Gradually, the past merges with the present and time itself seems to be fluid. The lives of Marc, Sophie, Blanche and Benjamin are entwined, with near-disastrous consequences.

Sophie's life continues amidst the turbulence of the political, social and economic times of Revolutionary France and she is caught up in the main events of 1791: the departure of the King's aunts to Italy; the so-called "Day of the Daggers"; the debacle of the oath of the civil constitution of the Clergy; the recommendations of Dr Guillotin; the amassing of counter-revolutionary armies across the borders of France under the leadership of the Prince de Condé; the flight of the royal family, their arrest in Varennes and their forced return to Paris; the lynchings at the Champ de Mars on 17 July when thousands demanded the dethronement of the King; the signing of the first Constitution; the reckless printing of money and the rampant inflation that it caused. The historical facts in this book are all true and are based upon meticulous research. The lives of Sophie, the de Boise household and Blanche are imaginary.