Betsy Prioleau’s biography of the 'Queen of Park Place' is an appropriately twisty tale of someone trying to outrun her origins.

Ms. Prioleau brings this forgotten woman vividly to life in Diamonds and Deadlines.

Eye-widening.

Immersive.

An outsize, obnoxious, 19th-century self-made millionaire is restored to her rightful place.