Castles in the Air

"Castles in the Air" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy is an intriguing story of an agent, Hector Ratichon, who uses his charm to mask a life filled with dishonesty and minor offenses while moving between different rulers and countries. The story uses both funny and sad moments to show Ratichon's relationships with people around him and his strong wishes for money and romance. It tells a story of goals, lies, and maybe even turning good. The story starts by introducing Ratichon's past and current life as a "confidant" who is proud of his questionable accomplishments. Early parts of the book show his daily life, friendships, and inner struggles, mostly because of Theodore, his helpful helper who actually ends up betraying him. The story gets more complicated when Ratichon gets involved in a plot about a valuable secret treaty, leading to moral problems and dangers from the outside as he chases wealth and connections in a lively Paris after the war.