For centuries, history has recorded that Napoleon Bonaparte died of natural causes. Yet, before
his mysterious demise at the age of 51, the exiled emperor himself suspected otherwise. In one
of his final wishes, he demanded a thorough autopsy—fearing foul play. His instincts were not
unfounded. However, the crime was so meticulously executed that, for nearly two centuries,
forensic science failed to uncover the truth.
This gripping book unravels a shocking revelation: Napoleon’s true killer was finally exposed,
thanks to the relentless pursuit of a brilliant investigator.
Set against the backdrop of Napoleon’s final years in exile on the remote island of Saint Helena,
the story follows the growing paranoia of European rulers who feared his escape and triumphant
return. Then, suddenly, the once-indomitable leader—renowned for his iron constitution—fell
mysteriously ill.
Drawing from eyewitness memoirs, particularly those of Napoleon’s devoted servant, Louis
Marsan, twentieth-century detective Sten Forshufvud embarks on a riveting investigation. His
astonishing discovery? Napoleon did not succumb to stomach cancer, as widely believed, but
was slowly poisoned with arsenic. Yet, proving such a long-buried crime is no easy task.
With relentless determination, Forsufoot pieces together long-lost clues, battles skeptics, and
unearths a chilling truth: the assassin was not a distant enemy, but someone within Napoleon’s
inner circle—someone who feigned loyalty while carrying out a masterfully hidden murder.
Readers will be captivated by this brilliantly woven historical mystery, a tale of betrayal,
deception, and one of the greatest forensic breakthroughs in history.
This book was written by the late Mr. Ben Wieder, a businessman and founder of the
International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB), with the assistance of Mr. David Hapegood.
Mr. Wieder was also an active participant and collaborator in uncovering this historic plot
against Napoleon.
Dr. Lilly, an international judge for the IFBB Federation, is also a Fellow of the International
Napoleonic Society (FINS).
