Published in 1840, 'Derues: Celebrated Crimes' by Alexandre Dumas is a historical novel that chronicles the life of Antoine-Francois Derues, one of France's most infamous criminals. The story begins in September 1751, depicting Derues' childhood and the early signs of his malevolence as he navigates a world filled with deceit and manipulation. Dumas explores themes of wickedness and cruelty, illustrating Derues' transformation into a criminal mastermind. This work is notable for its exploration of the psychological underpinnings of crime and the nature of evil.
![Alexandre Dumas, [Père] (Gutenberg Index)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd3b2n8gj62qnwr.cloudfront.net%2FCOVERS%2Fgutenberg_covers75k%2Febook-58024.png&w=3840&q=75)
