A rip-roaring run through the fictional Ruritania, a country filled with deadly plots, dashing heroes, debonair villains, devoted lovers, and also daring sword-fights featuring valiant tea tables (it makes sense in context). I listened to this as an audiobook (read by Andy Minter for Librivox) and his Rudolf was such a lovable POV protagonist, I'm loathe to lose him in Rupert of Hentzau. An instant favorite and future comfort read. ( )