An exquisite WWII novel illuminating the strength of three women in occupied Paris, for fans of The Nightingale, The Alice Network and The Lost Girls of Paris.“A truly outstanding novel…reminds us of the power of love, hope and courage.”—Heather Morris, #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of AuschwitzParis, 1944Celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont is both a star and a smokescreen. An unwilling … 1944
Celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont is both a star and a smokescreen. An unwilling darling of the Nazis, the chanteuse’s position of privilege allows her to go undetected as an ally to the resistance.
When her estranged mother, Lillian de Rocheford, is captured by Nazis, Genevieve knows it won’t be long before the Gestapo succeeds in torturing information out of Lillian that will derail the upcoming allied invasion. The resistance movement is tasked with silencing her by any means necessary—including assassination. But Genevieve refuses to let her mother become yet one more victim of the war. Reuniting with her long-lost sister, she must find a way to navigate the perilous cross-currents of Occupied France undetected—and in time to save Lillian’s life.
In this heart-wrenching novel, bestselling author Karen Robards showcases the extraordinary lengths one goes to save their family from a German prison. A web of spies, the resistance and a vivid portrayal of Paris in wartime.
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Karen Robards has done it again. I’ve always been a fan of Ms. Robards’ books and this one is no exception. Tension-filled and romantic, it drew me in and I couldn’t put it down. The research and background information created scenes that crackled with energy. Well done!
The Black Swan of Paris is the first historical fiction book from this prolific author of women’s fiction. This was such a fantastic book that I hope she has plans to write more historical fiction in the future.
It’s 1944 and Genevieve Dumont is a popular singer in Paris known by all as the Black Swan and is loved by the German soldiers who have taken over the city. Even though the people of Paris are starving, the German hierarchy lived well and enjoyed the good life. Max, her manager, is part of the resistance and uses Genevieve to gather information and send messages. Her work goes undetected because she is the toast of the town and able to travel all over Europe to sing. She’s estranged from her mother and sister but when she finds out that her mother, a major member of the Resistance, has been arrested and is being tortured for information, she knows that she must reunite with her sister to save their mother. Will she be able to remain safe while she helps her mother survive?
This is a well researched novel about the war in France. It’s a book about family and forgiveness along with a bit of romance during a tumultuous time in history.
THE BLACK SWAN OF PARIS by Karen Robards is this bestselling author’s first historical fiction book and it pulls you in with a story of estranged family dynamics, loyalty, partisans, spies, intrigue and action. It is a story that features a young internationally acclaimed singer and her perilous life during WWII in Nazi occupied Europe.
Genevieve Dumont is a celebrated cabaret star with a voice and beauty that captivates. In 1944 Paris, Nazis, partisans and spies are everywhere as the Germans prepare for the invasion they know is coming. Genevieve has been both a star and a smokescreen for her manager, Max Bonet. She knows and at times resents how she is being used and she wants to know as little as possible about Max’s secret life, until she overhears about the capture and arrest of Lillian, Baroness de Rocheford.
Genevieve has kept secrets from Max, but now she needs his help to save the baroness, who is her mother. Reunited with her sister, who is working with the SOE, a daring plan is set into motion. Will the little group be able to rescue the baroness directly from the home of the sadistic SS General Claus von Wagner?
I loved this story, but it was a little confusing in the very beginning as all the characters are introduced because the connections and histories are reveled throughout the entire book in flashbacks. Once it started to flow, I was transported back to 1944 occupied Paris. The description of the Nazi opulence contrasted with the deprivation of the Parisians, the sparkle of the cabaret, the partisan spy networks helping to prepare for the invasion, the mistrust and secrets all engage the reader and I was completely engrossed. Genevieve’s story was as tragic as it was triumphant and her entire family’s history kept me turning the pages. Ms. Robards has written historical characters that could walk off the page with a plot that builds to an action filled climax.
I highly recommend this dynamic historical fiction book!
A truly outstanding novel, brilliantly written, that captured me and held me in its grip from page one. At its heart this story is about family love and the umbilical cords that stretch but never break. So much can be learnt from the telling of this story of what is truly important whether we live in a privileged, safe environment or in a theatre of conflict. The Black Swan of Paris reminds us of the power of love, hope and courage.
I don’t normally read historicals in this era, but the title and premise grabbed me. I really enjoyed this story, and I’m looking forward to reading more of the author’s books.
I really enjoyed all the history of WWll that was in this story. I loved learning some of the horrors that the people of France went through. I loved learning how some of the spy networks were run during this war. People still learned to have some good times even through all the horrors. I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
An extraordinarily suspenseful, emotional read — The Black Swan of Paris is a stunning World War II novel that captivated me from the very first page to its breathtaking conclusion.
Long a master of suspense, Karen Robards turns her formidable talents to the Second World War. The Black Swan of Paris tells of singer Genevieve Dumont, who must navigate a tangled web of torn allegiances, painful secrets and a past that refuses to set her free, as she struggles to save all she holds dear from the Nazis. Boldly conceived and richly realized, Robards establishes herself in a single sweep at the forefront of World War II novels with an emotional and powerful tale.
I loved The Black Swan of Paris, which has everything you could ask for in the best historical fiction. A strong heroine to root for, a handsome and seductive spy, and a family secret that drives the plot at breakneck pace, all set against the sweeping backdrop of World War II. This novel is Robards’s best yet!
Robards has written a delightful resistance story showing the deep love and inspiration we achieve through love of family. It is superbly realistic and balanced.
I really loved this book, could not put it down. Robards unfolds the story of three women in Occupied France during WWII – a mother and her two estranged daughters. Moving from the marshes of St. Malo to the glittering wartime theaters of Paris, this well-researched story is rich with suspense, emotion, bravery and romance (ah, the romance!). The writing is gripping, well-plotted and thought-provoking, asking one of the big questions of war – who is innocent, who is guilty? But at its heart, this is a story about family, and the lengths we will go to for love.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Well researched story integrated with slow burn romance & perspective of the resistance.
Beautiful book so many twist and turns hard to put down Really great
Good read for those who liked The Nightingale and The Alice Network
This was a very entertaining, action-packed and historical read using the background of world War II. It brought out the horrors of war and the extreme suffering of so many nationalities throughout Europe. It definitely held my interest.
I thought this book was very intriguing and unique. It definitely was hard to put down. It was full of suspense, a little romance and quite a bit of espionage. I think any reader would enjoy it. It was not a typical read, it was definitely different. I very much enjoyed it.
A very good book and well written
This one kept me up all night!
good story. Not the usual WW11 tale