The story of the diamond necklace : told in detail for the first time, chiefly by the aid of original letters, official and other documents, and contemporary memoirs recently made public; and comprising a sketch of the life of the Countess de la Motte, pretended confidant of Marie-Antoinette, and particulars of the careers of the other actors in the remarkable drama

The Diamond Necklace affair, long cited as a prelude to the French Revolution, is unpacked with an unprecedented level of detail. Drawing on unpublished letters, courtroom testimonies, and memoirs that have only recently become available, the author reconstructs the tangled web of deceit surrounding Countess Jeanne de la Motte, Cardinal Rohan, and the ambitious courtiers who exploited the queen’s reputation. By presenting the exact language of witnesses and supplying missing dates, the narrative strives to separate fact from the many myths that have grown around the scandal, ultimately clearing Marie‑Antoinette of any complicity.

The book reads like a guided tour through Parisian salons, royal chambers, and the grim courts where the case unfolded. While it stays firmly rooted in the first act of the drama, it offers vivid portraits of the players and the political currents that Talleyrand and others sensed were about to upend the monarchy. Listeners will find a compelling blend of documentary precision and human intrigue, making a well‑known episode feel fresh and immediate.