Alexandre Dumas 
Black Tulip 

Craving some first-rate historical fiction? Slip into this tale of intrigue and romance from Alexandre Dumas (pere), who is regarded by critics as one of the masters of the genre. In The Black Tulip, turmoil befalls the Dutch aristocracy and the nation struggles to regain its international standing. An unusual horticulture prize is devised as a way to channel the country’s attention toward something positive, and an unlikely romance blossoms as a result.