The Conscience of the King

London: Michael Joseph, 1987. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good. An historical novel set in Sylvania, a land of deep pine forests, distant mountains and turreted castles, a crumbling kingdom where passion, jealousy and betrayal are played out. It is 1889 and the capital city, Rosenholm, is on the brink of revolution, the reigning king is an invalid, his queen a brave but innocent girl, tragic figures manipulated by the unscrupulous Count Vielfrass and his secret police and there is rioting on the streets. Suddenly the enigmatic Maximilian arrives on the scene transforming the situation with his claim to be the heir to the Sylvanian throne and he deposes the king and forces the queen to marry him. She resists but has no choice and begins to wonder about his past and whether he is an usurper or rightful heir. Narrated by Maximilian's wife Marie and his cousin and courtier Anton von Tarn, bitter rivals for the king's attentions. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall