Lilliet Berne, a famous opera singer in 19th-century Paris, discovers that an opera is being written about her secret past. Shocked and feeling betrayed, she tries to find out who revealed her hidden history.
As she investigates, her life story is revealed: she was orphaned, worked in a circus, survived difficult experiences across Europe, and repeatedly changed her identity before becoming a star.
In the end, the novel explores her rise to fame and the secrets, betrayals, and sacrifices behind her success.