Crown of Straw

Crown of Straw, written by Allen Upward, is a mystery novel set against the backdrop of the court of King Maximilian in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a plot to commit murder, with the innocent Dorothea, the daughter of an old forester, caught in a web of intrigue involving a mysterious stranger and her protective father and childhood sweetheart, Johann. The novel explores themes of loyalty, suspicion, and the eccentricity of royal power, making it a notable work in the mystery genre.