The Kingmakers

"The Kingmakers" by Burton Egbert Stevenson is an early 20th-century novel that explores the treacherous world of European politics following a major war. The story centers on Selden, a perceptive journalist who gets caught up in the schemes of Countess Rémond and Baron Lappo, two individuals deeply involved in the power struggles between newly formed republics and old monarchies seeking to reclaim their thrones. Selden's journey begins in a Monte Carlo hotel, where he meets Countess Rémond, a mysterious woman haunted by past events including the assassination of a relative. Their discussions hint at a grand plan concerning Central Europe’s liberated states, drawing Selden into a complex game where former kings, revolutionary leaders, and their supporters clash in a web of love, ambition, and treachery amidst the backdrop of wealthy society and fading aristocracy. Selden will be intimately involved with the characters personal and political aspirations, facing the nuances of virtue and deception.