Ready for a story that's part history, part true crime thriller? 'La Constantin' pulls back the velvet curtain on 17th-century Paris to show you the grime and sin underneath.

The Story

This isn't a grand adventure with sword fights. It's a chilling look at a real scandal. The story follows Catherine Deshayes, a fortune-teller and 'pharmacist' known as La Constantin. From her shop in Paris, she sells more than just herbal remedies. For the right price, she provides desperate clients with love potions, abortions, and deadly poisons. Dumas walks us through her network of clients—from jealous lovers to greedy heirs—and the slow, terrifying investigation that begins to close in on her and her powerful, aristocratic customers. It's a tense cat-and-mouse game that threatens the very heart of the French court.

Why You Should Read It

If you only know Dumas for d'Artagnan, this will be a revelation. It shows his incredible skill as a historical writer. He takes dry court documents and turns them into a gripping narrative. La Constantin herself is a fantastic, sinister character—not a cartoon villain, but a shrewd businesswoman operating in a shadow economy. You get a real sense of the fear, superstition, and corruption of the time. It’s a fascinating and morbidly compelling slice of social history.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs who like their facts served with drama, or for true-crime fans looking for a historical deep dive. It's also great for Dumas completists who want to see the master tackle something darker and more factual. It's a short, focused, and utterly absorbing book that proves some of the best stories are the ones pulled from the police archives.