The Woman Before Wallis by Andrew Rose

This is a fascinating non-fiction story excellently written and explained.

The book details the life of Marguerite Alibert, a high class Parisian courtesan who famously married Ali Fahmy, a millionaire Egyptian playboy whom she subsequently shot dead at the Savoy Hotel in July 1923. Marguerite stood trial for murder in London and was defended by Marshall Hall KC.

The retelling of the murder at around 2am during a swelting July London thunderstorm and the resulting trial, is truly suspenseful writing. However, the real mystery is the conduct of the prosecution in the trial. Had an earlier Great War liaison in Paris between Marguerite and the then Prince of Wales and future King Edward VIII, have any significance on that conduct?

The portrait Mr Rose paints: of Marguerite Alibert and the world of the Parisian demi monde; the character and behaviour of the future Edward VIII and his penchant to submit to dominating women; and the high class and high society world they both inhabit, is a searing one.

This book is highly recommended.

Reviewed by STUART MCMARTIN
SMSA MEMBER