Having read numerous books by Jean Plaidy, I’ve concluded that her earlier books are better than the later ones. Furthermore, I usually favour stories featuring her own fictitious characters, as opposed to her sagas, in which she crams a high quantity of “real” characters, and produces a low-quality novel.

“Milady Charlotte” is a 1959 publication, which features fictitious lead characters, who are involved with “real” events.

I liked the story and the characters, especially the oddly-named Homer, the heroine of the piece. ( )

Plaidy on top form! This is the true story of Charlotte Walpole, Lady Atkyns, the 'Scarlet Pimpernel' of Norfolk. After giving up acting on the London stage only to be disappointed in marriage, Charlotte travels to France and falls under the spell of Marie Antoinette. Determined to save her friend from inevitable execution at the hands of the Revolution, Charlotte stages a desperate attempt to trade places with Marie Antoinette in the Temple prison, a la Sydney Carton, but her gesture of self-sacrifice is rejected by the Queen. Milady Charlotte later went on to try and save the Dauphin, Marie Antoinette's young son, but failed once again. She died broken in Paris in 1836.

Telling the story through the eyes of Charlotte's cousin and companion, the bizarrely named Homer, allows Plaidy to maintain an air of mystery and romantic attraction around her idealistic heroine. All characters are convincing, from the brave Richard to revolutionary Jeanette, helping to draw the reader into the adventure. And this being Jean Plaidy, there is a firm foundation of detailed historical research.

A light, enjoyable read - wrapped in a stunning cover! ( )