The Paris Assignment - Rhys Bowen

 The Paris Assignment - Rhys Bowen

Publication Date: Aug. 8, 2023

While spending a semester at the Sorbonne, British citizen Madeleine Grant falls in love with Giles Martin. Madeleine defies her mother and stepmother to return to Paris and Giles, whose wealthy mother also disapproves of the match.  Despite that, they live a happy life with their son, Olivier,  until war breaks out and the Nazis occupy France. Mother and child flee to London, while Giles remains in his homeland to join the Resistance.  When the bombings start in London, it isn’t safe there either.  Madeleine sends Olivier to the country only to be informed that he has been killed when his train is bombed.  Despondent over her loss and wanting to do something for the war effort, she joins an elite group of French speaking women who are trained as spies and sent to France.

From Britain to France to Australia, this sweeping novel follows the Martin family through World War II and into the initial post war years. It is an enthralling tale of love, sacrifice, the horrors of war, and the hope that can spring from its end.  Yes, there are quite a few convenient coincidences that are probably unrealistic, but they did make for a good story and I couldn’t put this book down, reading it late into the night.

Every time I read a historical fiction novel set in WWII, I think the same thing….how have we not learned from the mistakes of history?.  People still gravitate toward narcissistic authoritarians and elevate them to positions of power.  When will we ever learn? 

This is only the second book I have read by prolific writer Rhys Bowen; I have enjoyed  both of them.

For sensitive readers, there are some tough subjects here…sexual abuse, child abuse, and the atrocities of war.

Thanks to #netgalley and #lakeunionpublishing for the ARC.

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