She is rumored to be over one hundred and fifty years old, with powers to read the future in the swirling waters of her oracle glass. Into this world of brilliant debauch and evil enters a dazzling and mysterious figure, the Marquise de Morville. Ladies of the highest fashion frequent the 'fortune tellers' of her secret society to purchase abortions, luck charms, and poisons as easily as they might order a new gown. So great is the power of La Voisin that even the king's mistress, Madame de Montespan, is dosing her royal lover with the sorceress queen's aphrodisiacs. 'It feels like peering behind the curtain of a great stage play to see what's really happening.It is the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, and a Queen of Shadows rules in secret over Paris. And should I come across another of Riley's books in the future, I won't hesitate to add it next to The Oracle Glass on my book shelf.' - Leslie's 2 cents 'The bottom line, I would definitely recommend the book if you enjoy the genre, or if you're looking for a really cheap trip to Paris and have a good imagination. 'This book is packed full of treachery, murder, deceit, revenge, mystery, and secrets.' - Romance Book Junkies

'Historical fantasy is one of my favorite sub-genres, and it's so hard to find good books that fit, but this one was great!' - Readin and Dreamin

'The Oracle Glass was a wonderful, magical read. Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici Based on scandalous true events, The Oracle Glass brims with our human foibles, passions, and eccentricities it's a classic of the genre and unlike any historical novel you have ever read.' - C.W. 'Take a full cup of wit, two teaspoons of brimstone, and a dash of poison, and you have Judith Merkle Riley's mordant, compelling tale of an ambitious young woman who disguises herself as an ancient prophetess in order to gain entry into the dangerous, scheming glamour of the Sun King's court. Auel, author of The Clan of the Cave Bear series

'This historically accurate, exciting novel - and a true-crime story with the flavor of Umberto Ecco's The Name of the Rose and a little Mary Stewart thrown in - is a remarkable tour de force and a compelling read. 'Open the pages and out comes a whiff of brimstone, as The Oracle Glass transports you to the Paris of kings and witches, on a guided tour of corruption, love and sorcery.' - Diana Gabaldon

The Oracle Glass by Judith Merkle Riley