Behind the Throne

"Behind the Throne" by William Le Queux is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is rooted in political intrigue and corruption, focusing on the morally ambiguous dealings of Camillo Morini, Italy's Minister of War, and his underling, General Angelo Borselli. As they navigate a world rife with bribery and ethical dilemmas, the novel introduces Mary, Morini's daughter, who remains unaware of the dark undercurrents shaping her father's actions and their consequences. The beginning of "Behind the Throne" sets the tone for a complex interplay of power, deception, and familial relationships. The narrative opens with a clandestine discussion between Morini and Borselli about accepting a substantial bribe from a German contractor, which reveals their willingness to sacrifice the integrity of the Italian military for personal gain. As their conversation unfolds, Morini's internal conflict becomes apparent, torn between his ambitions and a desire for honesty, while hints of impending political turmoil and a looming betrayal slowly introduce the reader to a larger web of intrigue surrounding the Morini family, whose seemingly quiet life in rural England is anything but simple. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Tufnell Le Queux was an Anglo-French journalist and writer. He was also a diplomat, a traveller, a flying buff who officiated at the first British air meeting at Doncaster in 1909, and a wireless pioneer who broadcast music from his own station long before radio was generally available; his claims regarding his own abilities and exploits, however, were usually exaggerated. His best-known works are the anti-French and anti-Russian invasion fantasy The Great War in England in 1897 (1894) and the anti-German invasion fantasy The Invasion of 1910 (1906), the latter becoming a bestseller.