The Czar's Spy: The Mystery of a Silent Love is a 1905 fictional mystery written by English/French journalist and writer, William Le Queux. He was inspired to start writing this genre after his stories in French magazine, 'The Petit Journal', were extremely well received.
A lot of the themes of this book have been influenced by Le Queux’s own life experiences. Stated to have worked as a member of the British Secret Service, Le Queux wrote books that are heavily embroiled in mystery and espionage.
Le Queux himself admitted to having encountered highly important world leader during his service for British intelligence, not dissimilar to the main protagonist of this story, Gregg. He detailed these high profile meetings in his memoir, 'Things I Know about Kings, Celebrities and Crooks' (1923). He was also Consul of the Republic of San Marino at one point in his life, hence the heavy themes of the consulate in this book.
