Dreadful Paris

by Melissa A. Thompson

Having written this down on the second-to-last page of a borrowed copy of Art in America, at the age of 26, in the Turkish Delight Specialty Cafe, Ramona De Lottenville conspires to find her own glittering corner of the world. Further down that same page, Southebys announces the upcoming auction of a collection of rare thaumatropic devices. Cherished by Cheltenham Ladies College since 1887 and now available for public auction, a glorious possibility presents itself to Ramona. Dreadful Paris is a tale of private Mona Lisas, photographic decadence and, above all, distractions of the exquisite sort.

124 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006