Let's set the scene. Before the French Revolution turned everything upside down, Parisian society was obsessed with status, connections, and money. Enter Antoine Caillot, who reinvented himself as the noble-sounding 'Caillot-Duval.' His game? To convince people—often wealthy, educated, and powerful people—that he was a man of importance with access to royal favors, government posts, and lucrative investments.

The Story

The book is essentially the case file from his 1784 trial. Judge Boisgelin de Kerdu lays out the evidence, which is a parade of witnesses and documents showing how Caillot-Duval operated. He promised one man a high-ranking military commission, another a prestigious legal position, and swindled others out of large sums of cash for supposed business ventures. He used forged letters, invented influential friends, and played on everyone's ambitions and vanity. The narrative follows the investigation as each lie is exposed, showing how one fabrication required ten more to keep it going, until the whole intricate web collapsed.

Why You Should Read It

What's fascinating is how modern it feels. This isn't about a simple theft; it's a psychological study. You see how Caillot-Duval identified what people wanted most—a title, a career boost, social climbing—and sold them a dream. Even more compelling is watching the victims explain, in their own words from the trial, how they were taken in. It makes you think, 'Would I have fallen for that?' The book also offers a raw, street-level view of pre-Revolution France, far from the palaces, where everyone was scrambling for advantage.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for true-crime enthusiasts who want to go back to the genre's historical roots, and for readers who enjoy immersive historical nonfiction that feels like a narrative. You don't need to be a French history expert; the human drama of deception and downfall is universal. It's a short, gripping, and surprisingly relatable account of a scam that proves some cons are truly timeless.