The Lost Girls of Paris

by Pam Jenoff

'A gripping tale' MY WEEKLY
'Thrilling' WOMAN
'A truly gripping read of mystery, love and heroism' FROST MAGAZINE

The Lost Girls of Paris is an emotional story of friendship and betrayal during the second world war, inspired by true events - from the international bestseller Pam Jenoff.

1940s. With the world at war, Eleanor Trigg leads a mysterious ring of female secret agents in London. Twelve of these women are sent to aid the resistance.

They never return home.

1946. Passing through Grand Central Station, Grace Healey finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench. The case is filled with a dozen photographs, each of a different woman.

Setting out to find the women behind the pictures, Grace is drawn into the mystery of the lost girls of Paris. And as she delves deeper into the secrets of the past, she uncovers a story of fierce friendship, unthinkable bravery - and, ultimately, the worst kind of betrayal.

Praise for The Lost Girls of Paris:

'Fraught with danger, filled with mystery, and meticulously researched, The Lost Girls of Paris is a fascinating tale of the hidden women who helped to win the war.' Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

'A smart, suspenseful, and morally complicated spy novel for our time. Eleanor Trigg and her girls are every bit as human as they are brave. I couldn't put this down.' Jessica Shattuck, New York Times bestselling author of The Women in the Castle

'Pam Jenoff's meticulous research and gorgeous historical world-building lift her books to must-buy status. An intriguing mystery and a captivating heroine make The Lost Girls of Paris a read to savor!' Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network

Praise for Pam Jenoff:

'Wonderfully compelling... The story grips from the very first page, and the atmosphere of the circus is entrancing - you feel all the terror and thrill of the flying trapeze.' Margaret Leroy, author of The Soldier's Wife

'Secrets, lies, treachery, and passion...I read this novel in a headlong rush.' Christina Barker Kline, #1 bestselling author of Orphan Train

'A thrilling, yet heart-breaking story of life and love, heroism and sacrifice in wartime Europe' My Weekly

'This is a book not to be missed' Melanie Benjamin, bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator's Wife

'Jenoff has written a tribute to the human spirit that soars in the midst of epic despair...' NPR

'Jenoff's prose is evocative and compelling' The Globe and Mail

'An emotional tale of survival and courage during a difficult time in Europe.' Suzy Approved Book Reviews

'Jenoff keeps readers on their toes with the numerous twists and turns... as well as the emotional peaks and valleys that had me reaching for tissues more than once.' Romance Dish

'THE ORPHAN'S TALE takes us on a heartbreaking, hopeful, touching and emotional journey; one that is not to be missed.' Jennifer Blankfein

• ISBN10: 0778330273
• ISBN13: 9780778330271
• Publish Date: 29 January 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Park Row
• Edition: Original ed.
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

Grab your earbuds, a bottle of wine and travel to 1946, Manhattan where Grace Healey,  a young widower finds an abandoned suitcase in Grand Central Terminal. The suitcase belonged to Eleanor Trigg, former leader of a group of female secret agents who were deployed out of London during the war. The tale that unfolds has us crossing into Soviet-controlled France as twelve woman work undercover to undermine Hitler. They placed these brave young women undercover in Occupied Europe and worked as couriers and radio operators to aid the resistance, but they never returned home and their fates were a mystery.

Graces curiosity regarding the photos and Eleanor soon have her investigating with a little help from a friend. The story that unfolds was riveting. Told in from multiple perspectives - before, during and after the war, we get Grace's story,  Elenor's, and a young, single mother named Marie a young spy posing as a French woman.

Jenoff pulled me in from all angles and the different story lines were equally strong. Marie's story perhaps touched me the most from her bravery to the climatic events that unfolded around her. I devoured her chapters. Along with Grace I demanded to know her story. I laughed, wept and found myself experiences her emotions.

While rich with period details and historical details the story focus is more character driven.  There are two romantic threads, one of growth and one of fate. One will leave you hopeful the other in a puddle. You will come to admire all three women and this group of female spies and their role in WWII.

Elizabeth Knowelden, Henrietta Meire, and Candace Thaxton each did an outstanding job of capturing these characters from Grace's curiosity to Marie's strength. The book lends itself perfectly to audio from the pacing to the story lines and there was no confusion as to whom was speaking as we hopped from Paris, London, Germany and New York. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

I think this book is what I hoped The Alice Network would be. Telling the story of women agents in France during WWII, Jenoff covers some tough ground about the realities of war. The book is well written and heartbreaking. Made me want to read Code Name Verity again.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.