In the captivating novel "Crown of Straw," Allen Upward weaves a complex tale of intrigue and suspense amidst the grandeur of a royal court. As whispers of a sinister murder plot circulate, the question arises: who will become the victim? The scene shifts to a humble forest dwelling, where a young woman named Dorothea finds herself ensnared in a dangerous web. Unbeknownst to her, the mysterious stranger who showers her with attention harbors dark intentions. Suspicion lingers in the air as her father and childhood sweetheart, Johann, sense the impending threat. Meanwhile, within the walls of King Maximilian's court, questions swirl about his eccentricity and fitness to rule. The kingdom yearns for stability, but the search for a suitable heir looms large. As the threads of the plot intertwine, the boundaries between loyalty, betrayal, and love become blurred, leaving the reader on the edge of their seat until the very last page.