This is the story of Maximilian Ophuls, America’s counterterrorism chief, one of the makers of the modern world. His Kashmiri Muslim driver and subsequent killer is a mysterious figure who calls himself Shalimar the clown. Max’s illegitimate daughter, India, and a woman who links them, whose revelation finally explains them all, are central to this narrative.

It is an epic tale that moves from California to Kashmir, France, and England, and back to California again. Along the way, there are tales of princesses lured from their homes by demons, legends of kings forced to defend their kingdoms against evil. And there is always love, gained and lost, uncommonly beautiful and mortally dangerous.