"Sex, Murder, and Magic in 17th Century France: The Affair of the Poisons," by Marianna Symeonides
During the early reign of Louis XIV, several courtiers and even the king's official mistress were accused of participating in satanic rites and using poison to satisfy their various illicit goals. Several women were at the center of this scandal, and how they performed their femininity provides insight into how they were ultimately perceived during and after the Affair.
Marianna studied history in undergrad and wanted to write her thesis on something fun and scandalous - hence The Affair of the Poisons. She then earned a MSIS in her quest to become an archivist, and she now works in government records management.
