The Cook of the Adulterous Queen

"The Cook of the Adulteress Queen" centers on the national and international conspiracy to usurp the throne of King Afonso VI by his brother, involving the shameful annulment of his marriage on grounds of impotence, requested by his French wife. It's a tale of betrayal, adultery, and incest, uncovered by the head cook Domingos Rodrigues and his network of spies, sworn in among the lower ranks of the royal household, with access to conversations, letters, and other official or private documents. The plot also unfolds through scattered news—both false and true—rumors, revealed secrets, and satirical writings printed on loose sheets and blind men's papers, precursors to journalism, collected by the characters and transcribed into the novel.
With Domingos Rodrigues, the reader will wander through the streets of 17th-century Lisbon, repulsed by its stench and filth, yet dazzled by its beauty, stopping in squares and markets to buy spices, or in the poorly cooked food stalls of Ribeira to enjoy a snack, listening to the news read aloud by the city's criers and gossipmongers. The reader will also witness the banquets and festivities of the royal wedding, the bullfights and tournaments, marveling at the splendor of the costumes, wigs, and jewels.