The Laughing Cavalier

Before the French Revolution, before Sir Percy Blakeney's daring rescues, there was The Laughing Cavalier — the swashbuckling tale of his 17th-century ancestor, Percy Blakeney of old. Set in Holland during the turbulent 1620s, this novel brims with duels, conspiracies, and dangerous plots against the young Dutch Republic. Known for his charm, courage, and irrepressible laughter in the face of danger, the cavalier finds himself entangled in treachery and romance as he battles ruthless foes and navigates a deadly political game. Baroness Orczy's prequel is rich in action, intrigue, and high-stakes drama, showing that the legendary wit, gallantry, and daring of the Scarlet Pimpernel runs deep in his bloodline.

Baroness Emmuska Orczy (1865–1947) was a Hungarian-born British novelist, playwright, and artist, best remembered as the creator of the legendary hero The Scarlet Pimpernel. Born in Tarnaörs, Hungary, she moved to London in her youth and established herself in literary circles with her flair for romantic adventure and historical drama. Orczy's groundbreaking novel The Scarlet Pimpernel (1905) introduced readers to Sir Percy Blakeney, the daring English aristocrat who, in disguise, rescued French nobles from the guillotine during the Revolution—an archetype that inspired countless masked and double-identity heroes in popular culture, from Zorro to Batman. Beyond the Pimpernel series, she penned detective stories such as The Old Man in the Corner, historical romances, and even works on Hungarian life and folklore. Her works combined suspense, wit, and a deep love for heroism, earning her international acclaim. Orczy continued writing until her final years, leaving behind a legacy as one of the pioneers of modern adventure and mystery fiction