Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

 

Title: Last Twilight in Paris

Author:  Pam Jenoff

Narrated by:  Thérèse Plummer, Saskia Maarleveld

Publisher: Harlequin Audio

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 31 minutes

Source: Review Copy from NetGalley.  Thank you!

What is the genre of the book you are currently reading?  I am currently reading a historical fiction novel.

In 1953, Louise discovers a necklace in a secondhand shop that brings back memories from her time in France working for the Red Cross during WWII.  Her friend had the necklace from a musician, and she was killed immediately after Louise last saw her holding the necklace.  Will Louise be able to solve the mystery of the necklace?

Helaine is estranged from her Jewish parents for marrying a non-Jew, cellist Gabriel. Gabriel goes missing when he is forced to play in concerts by the Nazi around Germany. Helaine is arrested and forced to work in Levitan.  Will Helaine and Joe be reunited?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a dual timeline novel.  I enjoyed the characters and both storylines equally.

·       This was a good strong story and very engaging.

·       This book was also a story of marriage for both couples.  Joe and Helaine have been estranged due to war experiences and not wanting to talk about them.  I like how they work on their marriage and come to an understanding.

·       The intriguing mystery of what happened to Louise’s friend Fanny during the war had a satisfying conclusion.

·       There was a great authors note on Levitan, a real store in Parish where Jews are forced to sort plunder from Jewish homes and get it ready to sell.  Also, it was disturbing about how the Red Cross had a checkered past in WWII.  They knew what was going on in the concentration camps but did nothing about it.

·       I read this book mostly on my Kindle, but I did finish it on audiobook.  It was engaging in both formats.

·       This was the February pick for the Brenda Novak Book Group.  There was a great virtual book club with the author on Brenda Novak’s Facebook page.  This book group meetings are always enjoyable.

Overall, Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff was an engaging dual timeline WWII historical fiction novel.  I liked the unique storyline.