While on honeymoon in Vienna in June, 1998 - at the height of the tourist season - Gerald Daniel Blanchard, an accomplished thief, happened upon the greatest challenge of his life when he spotted the last remaining "Sisi Star" on display in Schonbrunn Palace. Named after its former owner, the Empress Elisabeth, the ten-pointed diamond and pearl star was originally one of 27 that the enigmatic Sisi wore in her extravagantly long hair. Despite the multi-layered security system protecting the priceless jewelry, Blanchard decided then and there to steal it.

The star remained missing for nine years until two Canadian police investigators launched a joint task force to bring down a criminal organization that had robbed banks, stores and ordinary citizens on several continents. When their chief suspect offered to reveal the whereabouts of the Sisi Star, the investigators realized they were dealing with no ordinary thief. But no one involved in the case fully understood the history of the star, its ties to obsession, suicide and assassination.

About the Author
Jennifer Bowers Bahney has written and produced for local news as well as internationally for CNN. She lives in Circleville, Ohio, USA.

Reviews
"It would be criminal for lovers of historical nonfiction to miss this story of theft, sadness, and obsession...provides a fascinating peek at 19th-century thinking"-Kirkus Reviews; "the true story of a ten-pointed diamond and pearl star that entwines theft, obsession, suicide, and assassination"-Ohioana Library Association.


Awards
Short-listed for Ohioana Book Award-Ohio Library Association (United States).



Book Information
ISBN 9780786497225
Author Jennifer Bowers Bahney
Format Paperback
Page Count 212
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc