Set in Holland in the late 17th century, The Black Tulip is the story of Cornelius De Witt, a tulip grower who aspires to grow the elusive black tulip. Following the murder of his brother John De Witt, Cornelius is caught up in a web of political intrigue. In The Black Tulip, Dumas masterfully weaves the historical events that surrounded Holland during the tulip-mania of the 17th century into a gripping political allegory.