Synopsis (from Goodreads):

The secret is hidden within a collection of Dior dresses...

London, 2017. There's no one Lucille adores more than her grandmother. So when her beloved Granny Sylvie asks for Lucille's assistance with a small matter, she's happy to help. The next thing she knows, Lucille is on a train to Paris, tasked with retrieving a priceless Dior dress. But not everything is as it seems, and what Lucille finds in a small Parisian apartment will have her scouring the city for answers to a question that could change her entire life.

Paris, 1952. Postwar France is full of glamour and privilege, and Alice Ainsley is in the middle of it all. As the wife to the British ambassador to France, Alice's job is to see and be seen--even if that wasn't quite what she signed up for. Her husband showers her with jewels, banquets, and couture Dior dresses, but his affection has become distressingly elusive. As the strain on her marriage grows, Alice's only comfort is her bond with her trusted lady's maid, Marianne. But when a new face appears in her drawing room, Alice finds herself yearning to follow her heart...no matter the consequences.

The City of Light comes alive in this lush, evocative tale that explores the ties that bind us together, the truths we hold that make us who we are, and the true meaning of what makes someone family.

Review:

Historical fiction is my favorite genre.  I love all the details of other eras, particularly of the clothes.  That's why I was so keen to read The Last Dress From Paris, by Jade Beer.  The story follows the wife of a British ambassador in Paris in the early 1950's.  I loved all the descriptions of that world, with the details of how each diplomatic event was planned, and the high fashion that needed to accompany it.  The story of the crumbling marriage of the ambassador and his wife, and the young man who gets in the middle of it was not very compelling.  Considering the young wife's life leading to that point it didn't make a lot of sense for her to risk everything.  With an ending that was surprisingly realistic, and not romantic in the least, I was not satisfied with the book.  This would make for a solid library read, but I wouldn't recommend buying it.

What I Liked: 

Setting/Details:

I'll never know what it's like to live in high society, or be a young bride in the 1950's, but the author's depiction of these things puts me in the center of it.  Living in Paris as the wife of an ambassador was full of social obligations to plan beautiful parties and receptions, and dress in the latest fashion.  I was particularly struck by how Alice had to weigh all her choices, right down to her choice in flowers, against any political implications.  She couldn't be seen as only favoring British things, or she would be insulting her French hosts.  But she also needed to make sure British influences were represented, as she and her husband were an extension of England.  It was a tightrope of balancing two opposing forces.

Fashion:

Alice reveled in her role as an ambassador's wife, and really loved that she had access to couture apparel by designers such as Dior.  As her husband was an ambassador, no expense was spared to dress Alice in the most exquisite gowns.  I loved the descriptions of the clothes, and how they were made.  These works of art were made to actually be worn, so the construction of each piece had many features to aid in the comfort of the woman who wore it.  We also get a glimpse behind the scene as Alice, and later Lucille, learn about the mannequins (the women who modeled the clothing).  These were hard working women who not only modeled the clothes in the showroom, they also had to endure countless hours standing stock-still as the designer draped various fabrics on them to find the perfect materials for each design.

Story:

I really enjoyed the more modern story of Lucille as she tries to solve the mystery of the eight dresses that her grandmother owned.  She travels to Paris, thinking that she only is there to retrieve one dress, but then finds that there are actually eight dresses, two of which are missing.  How could Lucille's grandmother own any Dior dresses, let alone eight?  And why can't the grandmother just tell her the story?  While I felt that these were legitimate questions, I loved the scavenger hunt this put the character on.  It was fun to unravel the mystery.  And I loved the people she met along the way.

What I Was Mixed About:

Story:

While I enjoyed Lucille's story, I was less impressed with Alice's tale.  And that's a problem, as it is the basis for Lucille looking for the dresses in the first place.  I am not going to go into too much detail, as I hate spoilers.  But, much of the story didn't make sense to me.  Given that Alice was much younger than her husband (she was 25, while he was in his 40's), I can understand that she was restless.  But she seems totally stunned that her husband is all business when he becomes ambassador.  I felt that the author gave him a personality change in order to justify that Alice was unhappy.  But she was certainly happy to wear Dior every chance she got!  The risks Alice took to find happiness seemed reckless.  I don't think a woman in such a high profile social position would have jeopardized her entire world for a budding romance.

Ending:

Again, I do not want to spoil anything.  But I thought the ending was really strange.  It was surprisingly realistic, given how romantic the novel wanted to be.  I really wanted the ending to be a lot more hopeful.  What I did enjoy was the resolution of Lucilles story, and that the mystery of the dresses was solved.  

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: June 16th, 2022

Author:  Jade Beer

Publisher:  Berkley Books

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Page Length:  384 pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format: E-Book

Recommendation:  If you love the world of Paris fashion, you may be able to get past some of the flaws in the story.  This would be a library read for me.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.   This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Clementine is a seventy-two year-old reformed con artist with a penchant for impeccably tailored suits. Her life of crime has led her from the uber-wealthy perfume junkies of belle epoque Manhattan, to the scented butterflies of Costa Rica, to the spice markets of Marrakech, and finally the bordellos of Paris, where she settles down and opens a legitimate shop bottling her favorite extracts for the ladies of the cabarets.

In 1941, as the German's stranglehold on the city tightens, Clem's perfume-making attracts the notice of Oskar Voss, a Francophile Nazi bureaucrat, who comes to demand Clem's expertise and loyalty in his mysterious play for Hitler's favor. Clem has no choice but to surrender fully to the con, but while she knew playing the part of collaborator would be dangerous, she never imagined it would be so painfully intimate. At Oskar's behest, and in an effort to win his trust, Clem recounts the full story of her life and loves, this time without the cover of the lies she came to Paris to escape.

Complete with romance, espionage, champagne towers, and haute couture, this full-tilt sensory experience is a dazzling portrait of the underground resistance of twentieth-century Paris and a passionate love letter to the power of beauty and community in the face of insidious hate. 

Review:

Historical fiction centered around WWII could be an entire genre in and of itself.  There's All The Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale, and The Paris Library, just to name a few.  One would think that everything on this subject has already been written.  And you'd be wrong.  I believe this is because WWII really was a world-wide event, that everyone on the planet was affected in one way or another.  The Perfume Thief, by Timothy Schaffert, comes from the perspective of people on the fringe of Parisian society:  gays and lesbians, prostitutes, singers, actors, and entertainers.  These are people who the Nazi's either loved or hated (or both).  If you were a member of one of these groups, you could never feel safe, as the Nazis would applaud them one day, and then round them up and send them to camps, the next.  

Perfume is actually the perfect metaphor for this ever-changing state of danger.  Fragrance evokes powerful memories, and yet can smell different on different people, or in different seasons. And the same smell can make each person react differently.  It's all in the eye (or nose) of the beholder.  

This is a story, not just of WWII, but of memories.  Clementine, who is in her seventies, is hardly your typical senior citizen.  She has lived an extraordinary life as a lesbian in eras from the Gilded Age in America through the Roaring Twenties, the Great War, and now WWII.  Her memories are held as various perfumes and what meanings they had for her.  This was a more cerebral book than I thought it would be.  The characters, unusual storytelling, and insight into the world of perfume made this an outstanding reading experience.

What I Liked:

Historical Details:

Clementine's entire world is centered around perfume.  She uses it to help people recall memories of lost loves, nostalgic childhoods, exciting vacations, or whatever her clients want to cling to.  The language used in this book is lush in its details that conjure images of steamy nights, and exotic locales. 

 There are also details that I hadn't known about concerning Paris during the occupation.  Jewish businesses, seized by the Nazis, became private department stores of pilfered Jewish goods.  Rich Parisians, Nazi Officers, and others had their choice of what was stolen from the Jews,  It was quite disturbing.

The novel also details the cabaret and bordellos of Paris.  These establishments mostly catered to Nazis. But the novel shows that the people who ran these businesses couldn't have chosen to turn the Germans away. It's sad to remember that many of the women who became pregnant by Nazis were tormented at the end of the war, and often killed, for being seen as collaborators.  But most of them had no choice in the matter.

Characters:

I love how Clem forms many strong friendships with people of different ages.  She has friends her own age, but she also befriends young people, as well.  But she does not take on the role of a parent to these younger people.  I found this refreshing.  Older people don't need to become a "mentor" to people just based on their age difference.  But she does worry about her friends as the Nazi occupation drags on.  As more and more homosexuals are targeted and sent away to camps, Clem is very concerned with protecting her young male friend named Blue.  As Blue starts to take risks, Clem worries that she is the only one to see the danger ahead. 

Day is another memorable character.  Fashioned after the great Jazz signer, Josephine Baker, Day is an African-American woman who has settled in Paris after years of missed opportunities in America.  With one mega hit song to her credit, she is a popular entertainer in Paris.  But even though she is not French, she takes risks moving information from Nazi's to the Resistance.  I loved Day's spirit.  

Zoe is another entertainer in the nightclub that Clem frequents.  This is one of those situations where you can't tell, from first glance, how she is resisting.  She is having an affair with a Nazi officer, after all.  But, really, she doesn't have a choice in the matter.  If a Nazi officer wants to make you his mistress, their is little a woman can do.  But Zoe remains strong.

Storytelling:

As Clementine narrates the story, we read snippets of her extraordinary, long life.   From a girl on a farm, to an woman who daringly wears men's clothing, Clem has lived life on her own terms.  There are letters between Clem and her one great love, spanning decades.  In order to ingratiate herself with a Nazi, she tells stories of her life as a con artist and thief.  These elements, as well as Clem simply recalling her many exploits, makes for a rich tapestry of storytelling. 

Ordinary People Fighting Back:

All of the people in this book, each in their own way, find ways to resist the Nazi's.  Although it would seem like the people working in the brothels are collaborating with their oppressors, that is far from the case.  Several of the prostitutes are spying on the soldiers, and they find ingenious ways to send messages to the established Resistance.  Plus, many of the characters resist in other ways.  The singers in nightclubs might sings songs in English.  People go out in the evening, daring the Nazi's to round therm up for being out past curfew.  Even Clem's choice to wear men's clothing is a risk, as a Nazi might decide she is a lesbian and make an example of her.

Perfume:

The depictions of the perfume industry was truly fascinating.  From the design of each bottle, to the ways in which the perfumes were manufactured, this was a true marriage of science and art.  The story centers around a mysterious diary of a famous Jewish perfume maker.  One of the characters is related to the creator of the diary, and if this connection is discovered, it would be a death sentence.  Clem vows to find the document before the Nazis do.  This leads to a journey of reflection as Clem uses her immensely interesting life to entertain the Nazi officer who is also in search of the elusive object.  It's a game of cat and mouse that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  August 3, 2021

Author:  Timothy Schaffert

Publisher:  Doubleday Books

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Page Length:  368 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Filled with lush descriptions, this historical novel of WWII is unlike any other.  A reminder of how the resilience of people, even in direst of situations.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Paris, 1925: To enter the Secret Circus is to enter a world of wonder-a world where women tame magnificent beasts, carousels take you back in time, and trapeze artists float across the sky. But each daring feat has a cost. Bound to her family's strange and magical circus, it's the only world Cecile Cabot knows-until she meets a charismatic young painter and embarks on a passionate love affair that could cost her everything.

Virginia, 2005: Lara Barnes is on top of the world-until her fiancé disappears on their wedding day. Desperate, her search for answers unexpectedly leads to her great-grandmother's journals and sweeps her into the story of a dark circus and a generational curse that has been claiming payment from the women in her family for generations.

Review:

I first became familiar with Constance Sayers when I read her novel, A Witch in Time, for my book club.  It was a good blend of the modern with the supernatural.  The Ladies of The Secret Circus moves further into the fantasy realm, with much of the novel set in the magical "Secret Circus", and the rest set in a small Virginia town.  Both settings had wonderful world-building, intriguing characters and a plot full of mystery and suspense.  This was a fun, exciting read.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

I enjoyed both the small town of Kerrigan Falls, Virginia and the chic world of Paris in the nineteen-twenties.  Sayers got the details of a small town just right.  Everyone had known each other since childhood.  This could be stifling, but also a comfort in difficult times.  I loved the details of how the downtown area changed over the years.  While there were several new businesses run by the younger generation, they were all housed in older buildings.  The radio station used to be a pharmacy, and the new coffee shop had been repurposed from a feed and supply shop.  

In the world of nineteen-twenties Paris, there was both excess and destitution.  While the young and carefree lived it up in bars and nightclubs, many people barely eked out a living.  Artists, especially, suffered in order to afford their paints.  

The Circus itself was a gothic nightmare, run be a daemon, Althacazur.  All of the performers were living in their own personal Hell.  There was a whole mythology associated with the Circus.  People in Paris would need to desperately willing to do anything in order to the Circus, and only then would they receive a ticket.  Did they sell their souls for this?  Possibly so.  But the Circus itself was so magical, people were eager to do whatever it took to get in.

Characters:

In Kerrigan Falls, Lara has been left on the altar by her fiance, Todd.  Is he really missing or did Todd just skip out on his wedding?  Lara is both angry that he abandoned her, and worried that he may actually be missing.  It's hard for her to move on.  

Lara relies on Ben, the police chief. At first, he is a strong, reassuring presence as Todd's disappearance brings news outlets from all over the U.S.  But when a year passes and there is still no lead on what happened to Todd, Lara begins to see Ben as a person she enjoys spending time with.  Ben, a divorced man who is a good ten years older than Lara, is obviously interested in Lara.  But he also worries that Lara isn't ready to move on.  I liked that even though Ben was very comfortable with himself, he still wasn't sure about starting a relationship with Lara.  He was also a shot of realism to the story that kept the novel from going over the top with the fantasy elements.

Cecile (of the Circus) is very innocent considering she lives in actual Hell.  Her Father, Althacazur, seems to indulge her, but is harsh with her twin sister, Esme.  Yet, Cecile is terribly jealous of Esme, who is the star of the circus.  Cecile doesn't feel as though she is really a part of the circus, since she only helps behind the scenes.  She is constantly looking to be valued by others.  It's no wonder that when a Parisian painter is interested in her, she falls madly in love.

Esme is both a tragic figure and a villain in the story.  Given how she is punished by Althacazur, it's no wonder she resents Cecile.  She has many reasons for hating her sister, which are revealed as the story progresses.  While this doesn't excuse her behavior, it does explain it.

Plot:

The main plot takes place in the more realistic world of Virginia, where there have been several mysterious disappearances, each thirty years, to the day, apart.  Somehow, they are connected to the Barnes family and their ancestor's past in the Secret Circus.  As Lara grieves for her missing fiance, she begins to learn about the Secret Circus, and it's connection to her family.  The portion of the plot reminds me more of a crime novel than a fantasy book, with Ben, the no-nonsense cop, following the clues.

Whenever the story switches to 1925 Paris, we are transported to a strange, gothic world.  Cecile and her sister are humans living among daemons and magical creatures.  One false move, and the punishment could be being sent to the White Forest (where people go mad) or worse.  

The main plot in the circus portion of the book revolves around the rivalry between Cecile and her sister, Esme, and their infatuation with a French painter.  This is a wonderful vehicle for the author to delve into the fabulous Paris of the nineteen-twenties.  Famous artists, such as Hemingway, Picasso, and Gertrude Stein make cameo appearances.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 23rd, 2021

Author:  Constance Sayers

Publisher:  Redhook

Genre:  Fantasy

Page Length:  448 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A suspenseful fantasy tale with the excitement of the circus and a murder mystery, as well.  A page-turner.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (From Goodreads):

Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together, perfect for fans of The Lilac Girls and The Paris Wife.

Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.

A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are—family, friends, and favorite authors—The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places. 

Review:

There have been so many books in the last few years about Paris during WWII, with many different angles.  This novel is set in the real-life American Library in Paris, a private library where patrons paid a yearly subscription fee to gain access to books in English.  The book follows the heroic efforts of the employees to keep the library open throughout World War II, and the many challenges they faced.  There are two timelines, first taking place during the Nazi occupation, and then in The United States during the 1980's.  I found the settings,  historical details, and characters to be compelling, with a story that was full of suspense.  If you enjoy historical fiction, you are in for a treat. 

What I Liked:

Historical Details of 1940's Paris:

The historical details of wartime Paris were particularly well done.  To think there was this gem of a library (and ones from other countries, as well) in the heart of Paris?  I had no idea.  The author went to great lengths to describe this real-life place, and how it worked.  She used letters and archives from the actual American Library to lend details and a level of accuracy that was stunning.  

She also showed how people found ways to still keep living their lives, despite the war.  The descriptions of the food situation, in particular, were vivid.  Slowly, all the little luxuries were stripped away as the war progressed.  A scene where a group of characters pool all their rations together to help a couple celebrate their wedding was very moving.  

Characters:

Odile is a young, very strong-willed woman in Paris as the war breaks out.  She certainly is one to buck tradition when she gets a job, and is not enthusiastic about marriage.  But her hot temper is not an asset once Paris is occupied.  She has to learn quiet ways to defy the Nazis, or risk the lives of her co-workers, and family.  But is she too complacent? She is very young when the book begins.  As the war progresses, things she doesn't think about much, such as what her father and boyfriend, do as police officers, start to nag at her.  How is her friend getting all those extra rations?  How does her boyfriend seem to know when fantastic apartments will be empty?  Odile learns some hard lessons. But she also learns not to come to quick assumptions and judgements.

Lily is the teenager in Montana who lives next door to Odile in the 1980's. She shares many of the traits of the young Odile, especially her hot temper and snap judgements.  While Lily doesn't need to deal with danger, she does face terrible heartache as her mother is dying.  When her dad quickly remarries, how is she supposed to move on?  Lily needs to understand how she fits into her new family, and half-siblings.  While Lily seems bratty at times, it's very understandable.  She is still mourning the death of her mother.  With her clueless father being no help, Lily gravitates towards Odile. Their friendship helps both of them move on from tragedy.

Story:

The story set in Paris is really compelling.  It is hard to fathom the lengths that the staff of the American Library went to keep the operation going.  They didn't just hide a few rare books, they risked their lives delivering books to Jews, who were banned from entering the library.  If they had been found to do this, they (and their families) would have been shot.

But beyond that, the part of the story that really got to me was how Parisians adapted to, and sometimes assisted, the Nazi occupation.  The author used real letters, called crow letters, to show how people informed on their neighbors to the Nazis.  Police had no choice but to assist in rounding up Jews, sending them to their deaths concentration camps.  Of course, some people were happy to do this.  

There were also heart-wrenching scenes of how the women who slept with Germans were treated once the war was over. While the mobs were brutal, the author did an admirable job of showing the roots of this violence.  Men felt emasculated from years of humiliation at the hands of the Germans.  Sadly, they took their frustrations out on women who probably had little choice but to sleep with the occupiers. 

The scenes that take place in Montana are of a smaller scale of tragedy, but also riveting.  Lily's life is turned upside-down by the death of her mother.  And there is also the mystery of why Odile wound up in Montana in the first place.  She had a wonderful, French, boyfriend during the war.  What happened?  The answers to this make this novel a page-turner! 

What I Was Mixed About:

Setting:

What could be more exciting, and scarier, than Paris in the 1940's?  Not Montana in 1983, that's for sure!  The contrast between the two time periods was deliberate.  After narrowly surviving the Nazi occupation of WWII, it's no wonder that Odile is happy to live out the rest of her life in small-town Montana.  But, even in rural America, life can still have some drama.  While the Paris setting was rich in details, I didn't get the true flavor of America in the 1980's. Where was Madonna, MTV, and all those shoulder pads? 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  February 9th, 2021

Author:  Janet Skeslien Charles

Publisher:  Atria Books

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Page Length:  368 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation: Full of historical detail, this book about the American Library in Paris is a treat.  Highly recommended.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Séverin and his team members might have successfully thwarted the Fallen House, but victory came at a terrible cost — one that still haunts all of them. Desperate to make amends, Séverin pursues a dangerous lead to find a long lost artifact rumored to grant its possessor the power of God.

Their hunt lures them far from Paris, and into the icy heart of Russia where crystalline ice animals stalk forgotten mansions, broken goddesses carry deadly secrets, and a string of unsolved murders makes the crew question whether an ancient myth is a myth after all.

As hidden secrets come to the light and the ghosts of the past catch up to them, the crew will discover new dimensions of themselves. But what they find out may lead them down paths they never imagined.

A tale of love and betrayal as the crew risks their lives for one last job. 

Review:

This series has so many elements that I just adore.  It's set in the Gilded Age in Paris, there is magic, a group of misfits who become friends, and (at it's core) a heist.  Gilded Wolves, the first in the series, was fun, had an complex world of magic, and an exciting story.  The Silvered Serpents continues the adventure.  But this time, we get a more in-depth look at several of the supporting characters.  This was a highly entertaining page-turner!

What I Liked:

Recap:

One of the unfortunate aspects of reading a sequel is that I often can't remember who the characters are, or what happened in the first book.  The Silvered Serpents solves this problem by subtly recapping important events from the first book.  I really appreciated this as a reader. 

Characters:

While the first book was all about world-building, the second book is more character driven.  We really get to know Enrique and Zofia, and see why they are such valued members of the group.

Enrique, a young Filipino man in Paris, has a lot of bravado.  But this masks a deep unease as he navigates European society.  He is keenly aware of how he is treated by most people.  This affects his self-esteem and makes him question his worth to the group, and it's leader, Séverin.  He is also the book's conscience, noticing how the Europeans conquer and pillage from other cultures. 

Zofia is another character who we learn more about in this book.  While not saying it outright, Zofia exhibits characteristics of Autism and anxiety.  Zofia has very particular habits such as needing food to be bland (and not touching on the plate), and she soothes herself by counting objects.  She knows she is different and that her friends do small things to accommodate her.  While she uéderstands this is done out of love, she also doesn't want to be a burden.

Romances:

The love/hate relationship between Laila and Séverin is even more intense in this book.  While they are drawn to each other, they have many misunderstandings, which lead to intense anger.  I think both of them are confused by their feelings.  How can you be so attracted to someone who hurts you so much?

The relationship between Enrique and Hypnos is also complex and touching.  It's heartbreaking to see how Enrique wants a real relationship with Hypnos.  But the object of his affections just can't take Enrique seriously.  If this were a book set in modern times, Laila would be telling Enrique, "He's just not into you"!

Story:

The story is, again, filled with adventure, and puzzles.  It was a lot of fun to follow the gang as they look for The Divine Lyrics, which could be the key to saving Laila.  I really liked all the clues and puzzles they must sort through to find their prize. 

Who else is looking for The Divine Lyrics?  What will Séverin (or anyone) do with the prize once they get it?  Who can they trust?  So many questions...   I liked that most of these questions are answered.  Even though there was a cliff-hanger, the main plot points were resolved.  This makes for a satisfying ending, while leaving the reader eager for the next novel in the series.

Rating: 

Release Date:  September 22, 2020

Author:  Roshani Chokshi

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length:  416 pages

Source:  Netgalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  An entertaining sequel to The Gilded Wolves.  I highly recommend this book.  

Please Note:  I received an advance audiobook copy of this novel from Libro.fm in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Kate Rees, a young American markswoman, has been recruited by British intelligence to drop into Paris with a dangerous assignment: assassinate the Führer. Wrecked by grief after a Luftwaffe bombing killed her husband and infant daughter, she is armed with a rifle, a vendetta, and a fierce resolve. But other than rushed and rudimentary instruction, she has no formal spy training. Thrust into the red-hot center of the war, a country girl from rural Oregon finds herself holding the fate of the world in her hands. When Kate misses her mark and the plan unravels, Kate is on the run for her life—all the time wrestling with the suspicion that the whole operation was a set-up.

Cara Black, doyenne of the Parisian crime novel, is at her best as she brings Occupation-era France to vivid life in this gripping story about one young woman with the temerity—and drive—to take on Hitler himself.

Review:

Cara Black is a prolific writer of crime fiction set in Paris.  Her novels are gritty and exiting.  Three Hours in Paris, is another thriller, but this time, it is set in the Paris of WWII.  Kate is uniquely qualified to go behind enemy lines to attempt to assassinate Hitler.  Although an American, Kate is an expert markswoman who is also fluent in French.  But what is most qualifying for Kate is that she has a very personal reason to kill Hitler, he is responsible for the deaths of her husband and daughter.

This is a thrilling novel, where we follow Kate on a nearly impossible mission to France to kill Hitler, and get back to England alive.  Can she do it?  Or is she being set up to fail?  Although the beginning is needlessly melodramatic, I loved the characters, and the complex plot lines.  This was a very entertaining read.

What I Liked:

Setting:

I liked the attention to historical details of life during WWII.  Aside from clothes and food, I could got a strong sense of how Paris became a different city due to the occupation. You could feel the desperation in neighbors and shop owners.  Neighbors could inform on each other.  But many people did want to help fight the Nazis in small, quiet ways.

Characters:

Kate was resilient, fierce and so determined to survive.  I loved that she never gave up.  She was able to adapt and change her plans quickly.  She was like a female McGyver! 

Her trainer, although on the Allied side, was the true villain of the story.  He wrote off Kate as expendable, mostly because she was a woman.  His willingness to send people to their deaths showed how ruthless he was.  It also showed that the behavior of the British were not as pristine as they wanted anyone to believe.

Story:

I loved how fast-paced the story was.  In the chaos of war, none of the plans Kate was directed to follow work out.  Following Kate as she finds workarounds to problems was exciting and made this book a page-turner.  I really wanted Kate to make it out alive.  And, I wanted the men who were so wiling to throw her life away to pay for cruelty.  I couldn't stop listening. 

What I Didn't Like:

Melodramatic beginning:

I know that the author needed Kate to be highly motivated to hate Hitler.  But the killing of her husband and daughter was very dramatic.   Of course, Kate's life was practically perfect.  She had a loving husband, and adorable daughter.  When they die, it's brutal and disturbing.  Afterwards, she really doesn't have anywhere to go.  I wished the author could have made a motivation that was more subtle.  I didn't like that she was so alone. 

Rating: 

Release Date:  April 7th, 2020

Author:  Cara Black

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Audio Publisher:  Recorded Books Inc.

Narrator:  Elisabeth Rodgers

Audio Length:10 hours, 21 minutea

Print Publisher:  Soho Crime

Page Length:  350 Pages

Source:  Libro.fm

Format:  Audiobooks

Recommendation: I thrilling historical fiction.  Highly entertaining.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this audiobook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

On their first night in Paris, the Gamaches gather as a family for a bistro dinner with Armand’s godfather, the billionaire Stephen Horowitz. Walking home together after the meal, they watch in horror as Stephen is knocked down and critically injured in what Gamache knows is no accident, but a deliberate attempt on the elderly man’s life.

When a strange key is found in Stephen’s possession it sends Armand, his wife Reine-Marie, and his former second-in-command at the Sûreté, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, from the top of the Tour d’Eiffel, to the bowels of the Paris Archives, from luxury hotels to odd, coded, works of art.

It sends them deep into the secrets Armand’s godfather has kept for decades.

A gruesome discovery in Stephen’s Paris apartment makes it clear the secrets are more rancid, the danger far greater and more imminent, than they realized.

Soon the whole family is caught up in a web of lies and deceit. In order to find the truth, Gamache will have to decide whether he can trust his friends, his colleagues, his instincts, his own past. His own family.

For even the City of Light casts long shadows. And in that darkness devils hide.

Review:

This is the sixteenth book in the Inspector Gamache mystery series, and I have read them all.  Besides the challenge of solving whatever crime is featured in the novel, I love the people and village of Three Pines, Quebec.  This is the first novel in the series that is not set in that idyllic small town.  But, the Paris setting, a more in-depth look at the Gamache family, and the complex mystery in this book, I didn't mind this detour.  This book widens the world of the series and was as thrilling as any of her other books.  I loved it.

What I Liked:

Setting:

Who doesn't like Paris?  The author does a wonderful job of showing what this city is like for Quebecois visiting France.  They don't quite fit in.  Similar to when Americans go to England.  They may speak the same language, but that's the only thing they have in common.  Parisians consider themselves to be superior to all others, and treat anyone with a Quebecois accent like they are country bumpkins.

But Penny also shows the magic of Paris, with it;s many lovely parks and monuments, museums and libraries.  It is a place of culture and privilege.   One can definitely see why so many people want to live in such a magical place.

Characters:

All of the Gamache family are in Paris in this book.  Daniel, Armand's son, is a banker and has made a comfortable life for himself and his family.  Jean Guy Beauvoir, married to Gamache's daughter Annie, has just taken a job in the private sector (and away from all the bullets).  Armand, and his wife Reine Marie, are in Paris for the birth of Annie and Jean Guy's baby.  Everyone is looking forward to a happy occasion.

When Armand's godfather is attacked, Gamache must find out who is behind it.  This strains his relationships, particularly with his son, Daniel.  Daniel is a very complex character.  Outwardly successful, he is actually full of insecurities, and anger towards his father.  I vacillated between finding Daniel annoying, and feeling sympathy for his tragic misunderstanding of his father.  So many years are lost to hurt feelings and grudges.  This dynamic illustrates how difficult it is to see your parents as adults, and for parents to look at their kids as grownups.

Plot:

Once again, the plot is a web of conspiracies, and unlikely connections between people that lead to a satisfying puzzle.  The author gives just enough information so the reader will have the possibility of solving the mystery along with Inspector Gamache.  I loved figuring out the clues and piecing it all together.  I also loved how the book focuses on how (and if) Armand can heal his relationship with Daniel.

What I Was Mixed About:

No Three Pines Characters:

I really liked this book, but I cannot lie:  I missed the people of Three Pines.  I think the purpose of this book was to focus on Armand and his family relationships, so it was natural for the plot to be set away from the village.  The contrast between the small Canadian village and big old Paris couldn't be more stark.  But this did end up being less cozy and more real world, as a result.

Rating: 

Release Date:  September 1st, 2020

Author:  Louise Penny

Narrator:  Robert Bathhurst

Audio Length:  14 hours

Audio Publisher:  Macmillan Audio

Print Publisher:  Minotaur Books 

Page Length: 448 Pages

Genre:  Mystery/Thriller

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  Audiobook

Recommendation:  Another wonderful book in the Inspector Gamache series.  A must read for fans.