A New York Times Bestseller“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 YoursFrom the author of the runaway bestseller The Orphan’s Tale comes a remarkable story of friendship and courage centered around three … Before We Were Yours
From the author of the runaway bestseller The Orphan’s Tale comes a remarkable story of friendship and courage centered around three women and a ring of female secret agents during World War II.
1946, Manhattan
One morning while passing through Grand Central Terminal on her way to work, Grace Healey finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench. Unable to resist her own curiosity, Grace opens the suitcase, where she discovers a dozen photographs—each of a different woman. In a moment of impulse, Grace takes the photographs and quickly leaves the station.
Grace soon learns that the suitcase belonged to a woman named Eleanor Trigg, leader of a network of female secret agents who were deployed out of London during the war. Twelve of these women were sent to Occupied Europe as couriers and radio operators to aid the resistance, but they never returned home, their fates a mystery. Setting out to learn the truth behind the women in the photographs, Grace finds herself drawn to a young mother turned agent named Marie, whose daring mission overseas reveals a remarkable story of friendship, valor and betrayal.
Vividly rendered and inspired by true events, New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff shines a light on the incredible heroics of the brave women of the war and weaves a mesmerizing tale of courage, sisterhood and the great strength of women to survive in the hardest of circumstances.
A Cosmopolitan Best Book Club Book, PopSugar Must-Read, and Glamour Best of 2019
“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
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Pam Jenoff’s meticulous research and gorgeous historical world-building lift her books to must-buy status. Her latest interweaves the gritty World War II exploits of England’s female spies with the post-war struggle of damaged survivors trying to build new lives in the fallout of tragedy. An intriguing mystery and a captivating heroine make The Lost Girls of Paris a read to savor!
Jenoff deftly brings to life the history of ordinary women who left behind their home-front lives to do the extraordinary — act as secret operatives in occupied territory. 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.
Great story about women of courage and strength during WWII. I listened to the audiobook and couldn’t wait to hear what would happen next.
A historical novel with a huge heart. Pam Jenoff brings 20th century history to life like no other. Wonderful story!
In The Lost Girls of Paris, Pam Jenoff has used her finely honed story-telling skills to give us 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.
Wow! What an amazing journey Pam Jenoff has taken us on!
Eleanor Trigg recruited a group of women that would become an important part in the war against Germany. They were trained rigorously to infiltrate occupied France without detection and transmit messages back to London.
These women were beyond brave -they faced certain death if caught and they all knew it. Yet they still went, still believed in the cause. From teenagers to mothers, these women sacificed everything.
The adventure had me sitting on the edge of my seat for most of the novel. The detail the author put into describing the surroundings and feelings of the characters made me feel as if I was part of their team. I can’t imagine the terror these women felt! In an age where technology is so readily available to us (I don’t go to Walmart without my phone), it’s unimaginable how these women went blind into enemy territory and got the job done! From sleeping in sheds to hiding in safehouses to being arrested. And with no contact with their loved ones! Absolutely mind-boggling. It certainly puts things into perspective.
As the first book I’ve read this year, it’s going to be a very tough act to follow! Well done Pam Jenoff!
This is one of the best WWII books I’ve ever read. This is due to the author’s meticulous research and fabulous characters. It’s also a story unlike any I’ve ever heard of. A must read if you like the period.
Favorite Quotes:
Professor Digglesby walked back into the workshop and returned with what appeared to be feces. “We plant detonators in the least likely of places,” he added. The girls squealed with disgust. “Also fake,” he muttered good-naturedly. “Holy sh*!” Josie said.
Eleanor produced a necklace with a silver bird charm and held it out. Marie was surprised. But it was not a gift; Eleanor twisted the necklace and it unscrewed to reveal a cyanide capsule. “The final friend,” Eleanor declared.
Grace imagined herself at seventeen— she had been concerned with coming-out parties and summers at the beach. She could not have navigated her way across Manhattan at that point. Yet these girls were on their own in France battling the Nazis. Grace was overcome with awe and inadequacy at the same time.
My Review:
This was my first experience reading the talented Pam Jenoff and I became an instant and ardent fan. She has mad skills. I was quickly immersed in her tale and so fully invested and simpatico with her characters that I found myself flinching when one was injured. I seldom read historical fiction, as I don’t enjoy being reminded of the ignorant and concerted behaviors that oppressed women for centuries, although I will readily consider the genre when strong female trailblazers are featured. I cannot resist a kick-ass heroine! Such was the case with The Lost Girls of Paris, which featured everyday women who were recruited by for a specialized project within a little known agency of the British government during WWII, the SEO. I had never heard of this branch before but it was an actual section during Churchill. After significant failures and heavy losses of male agents, Eleanor, the secretary to the SEO Director, convinced her boss to employ female agents instead, an idea that was not well received by the Neanderthals of the day but was put into place under Eleanor’s exacting eye. The women weren’t spies and were resented and dismissively scoffed upon by MI6 and the British military, although once in place, the female’s contributions were soon heavily relied upon and invaluable, until through no fault of their own, something went amiss.
The compelling and well-crafted storylines were fictional although well researched, impeccably detailed, and featured three strong and admirably tenacious women across three timelines but only one of which, Marie, had been an actual operative and Eleanor her feared and revered supervisor/mentor. Marie’s story was the most poignant and perilous, and I often found myself taut with tension with my shoulders in my ears while I read. Grace came into the story shortly after the war when she stumbled upon Eleanor’s abandoned suitcase in New York’s Grand Central station with no awareness of what she had found until much later. Grace seemed to have sticky fingers, as she pocketed not only a set of photos before replacing the bag where she had found it, she also pilfered something else later on in the story. Grace had moxie and her own set of skills beyond typing. It was Grace’s insatiable curiosity that led her to uncover the intriguing tale of Eleanor, the SEO, Marie, and the other women’s poignant tales of heroism and sacrifice, as well as the ultimate betrayal that led to their demise. But who had compromised their mission? The answer was heartbreaking, the premise was ingenious, and the writing was transcendent.
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff is Historical Thriller Fiction set in World War II and just after. I loved this book as I have every book Pam Jenoff has written. The characters and settings are well written, the reader is immediately drawn into their world and lives. This book has non stop action, thrills, tragedy, mystery and love. The girls work in conjunction with various groups and citizens to thwart the Nazi forces.. It is a story of their strength, bravery, hardships and sorrows that they endured. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. My thanks to the author, the publisher and netgalley for the privilege to read, review and enjoy this book.
The Lost Girls of Paris is a dual timeline novel about a top-secret group of British female spies. They were recruited to aid the allies and smuggled into occupied France during World War II. Without them, there would have been no communication between the allied forces and the French resistance. With their lives in peril, they operated as radio operators and couriers. Many of these brave women would not survive the war.
It all begins in New York the first year after the war when Grace Healey finds a suitcase at Grand Central Station. The only clue is the name, Trigg. When no one claims the case, she opens it and finds photos of a group of women in uniform. Inexplicably she becomes engaged in finding out who they are and what happened to them during the war.
In 1943 London, Eleanor Trigg works for the director of Special Operations Executive (SOE). All the radio operators and spies in France are men, and the Germans are rounding them up at an alarming rate. Torturing and murdering them. Miss Trigg suggests sending women who will fit in better with the population. She is tasked with recruiting and training French-speaking British women. She throws herself wholeheartedly into the task and finds herself developing motherly feelings for the girls, which can only lead to problems. This is war, and there is no room for sentimentality.
The Normandy invasion is being planned. The British need to arm the resistance and aid their efforts to sabotage the Nazi war machine. Sacrifices will be made, and there will be collateral damage. Unsung heroic men and women will sacrifice all, but many will be forgotten amid the chaos of war and the rebuilding afterward.
Two stories, Grace, who is trying to recover from losing her fiancé in the war and make a new life, and Eleanor, who feels she’s failed the women she swore to protect.
It was a tragic time, and those who resisted were unimaginably brave. What happened to this group of girls is tragic. It’s a story about making the ultimate sacrifice for your beliefs. Grace and Eleanor will have to make choices to see that justice is served. Jenoff has seamlessly woven two stories together. Although some holes in the plot stretch one’s credibility, I still found it an enjoyable read.
Another wonderful read from Jenoff. She makes you feel like you are right there witnessing the entire story. I love how much research Jenoff does and then combines truth with fiction so it reads as factual. Thank you Ms. Jenoff!
I enjoyed this story about women who served as couriers and radio operators to aid in the Resistance during World War II. The stakes were high, and the sacrifices were hard, but these women could slip around in Occupied Europe more easily than their male counterparts, thus, providing meaningful service to the Allies. The book highlights the chapters left out of the history books and gives new meaning to the “Greatest Generation.” Jenoff’s characters leap from the pages and into our hearts.
Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you have to discover the truth, even if you weren’t/aren’t personally involved. It becomes personal. That is the crux of this story. A young woman finds a mysterious group of photos and feels compelled to discover the truth about the girls in the pictures.
This fictional story set during and just after World War II follows the efforts of Grace as she learns about a group of female British spies sent into France to help The Resistance. The author reveals how brave these women were and how they helped set the stage for a successful Allied invasion of France.
I love learning about ordinary people doing extraordinary things,and I love discovering bits of history that are hidden gems. Pam Jenoff does a great job researching the topic and then sharing her research in such a well written way. Highly recommended!
A heartbreaking and breathtaking tale. This book is a tribute to the human spirit. It shows us how powerful friendship can be and it brings to light some important events that took place in WWII. I truly enjoyed this book by Pam Jenoff.
Women sent into war to fulfill a role men couldn’t. Deployed as spies and saboteurs. Women who were successful because they represented a gender that is underestimated time and again. Invisible. Women intentionally sacrificed. Undervalued and disposable. Women who step up to the plate in spite of it all because that’s what we do. Is this a true story? Of course it is.
In The Lost Girls of Paris, author Pam Jenoff has written engaging historical fiction based on very real women and events. In the 1940’s, British women were secretly recruited to serve behind enemy lines in World War II occupied France. Tasked with a variety of duties, their job was to make productivity as difficult as possible for the Germans in an effort to pave a smoother road for the resistance. But being part of a secret operation is just that…a secret. No one knows of your contribution and the government is conveniently not held accountable. As women fall off the chess board one by one, it’s as if they never existed. But it is the human condition to leave a legacy. To say, “I was here. Remember me.” Jenoff has done a beautiful job of remembering by giving voice to this group of unrecognized heroes. Emotional, informative, and empowering, The Lost Girls of Paris is worth the read. Check it out.
Another beautifully written heartbreaking novel by Pam Jenoff. . I read WWII novels to remind me as Americans how lucky we have been not to have these world wars happen on our door steps and to honor all those lost.
Pam writes holocaust and war genre better than any author I know. You are always moved to tears by the sacrifices by so many people during WWII that were just citizens.
This is such a moving story of the women of WWII that played such important roles but were forgotten. I hope everyone read this one and enjoys it as much as I did. A very strong 5 star book.
Pam Jenoff is a master of historical fiction and I am always waiting with eager anticipation when I know she has a book coming. I remember wanting one so badly before I was reviewing, my father in law ordered it special just for me. If that doesn’t give you a good sense of my appreciation for her writing, well, clearly I’m doing something wrong. Or you’re crazy.
The Lost Girls of Paris is one of her best yet. Told from dual timelines, the story moves seamlessly. One woman (Grace) finds what seems to be official military-looking pictures of mysterious girls in an abandoned suitcase. Going against her better judgement, she surrenders to her curiosity and gives in to her need to find the answers of who these mysterious 12 young women were.
What she discovers is a somewhat secret organization run by an Eleanor Trigg. A leader who handpicked and trained women for the resistance against Germany in Europe. Just like Grace, you as the reader will become whole heartedly attached to these women. These men and women in this story are so full of heart and courage that I could never imagine having myself. These women had gumption. Then men- nerve.
The Lost Girls of Paris is inspired by true events, which makes this story even more amazing. A little more heartbreaking as well, to be honest. I had emotional reactions to this book. I laughed, I shouted out, I mourned. And yes, I cried. Actual tears. Jenoff took true events and recreated them in the written word. She puts you there. She makes you care. You’d be missing out completely if you did not read about those lost girls of Paris.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “The Lost Girls of Paris” by Pam Jenoff, Park Row Books, January 29, 2019
Pam Jenoff, Author of “The Lost Girls of Paris” has written a captivating, enthralling, suspenseful, intriguing, intense, emotional, edgy and thought-provoking novel. Kudos to Pam Jenoff for her amazing well written novel that vividly describes the characters and landscape in the story. I appreciate the historical research that went into this story. The Genres for this story are Historical Fiction, inspired by true events, Partial Fiction, Suspense and Espionage. The time-table for this story is 1946, and just during the war and after the war. The author describes her dramatic and colorful cast of characters as complex and complicated.
It is just after the war, and Grace Healey, now a widow has come to live in New York, while dealing with her loss. A tragic car accident forces her to go through Grand Central to get to work. She trips over a suitcase. Grace sees a name on the outside, and curiosity gets the best of her, and she opens it up. She cuts her hand on something and sees that it is an envelope with pictures that are in lace. They are young women , some dressed in uniforms. Grace tries to see if someone is looking for a suitcase or pictures. Short on time, Grace puts the pictures in her pocket-book and heads for work.
Grace learns that the suitcase belonged to a woman named Eleanor Trigg, the leader of recruited females in England used as spies that were sent to France during the war. Twelve of the women disappeared and never came home. Grace, with the help of her deceased husband’s friend start to look for more information.
In the pictures are young women named Marie and Josie, amongst others. They were a group of women operatives working for Britain’s Special Operations during the war, stopping and sabotaging efforts of the German as much as they could. It was extremely dangerous, and could mean these young women’s death. Some handled the radios transmitting information, and others blended into the French countryside getting information. Some would blow up things to stop the Germans.
It seems that these women had a friendship and sisterhood that kept them going. They were brave and courageous. Unfortunately their positions were compromised by betrayal from possibly someone in London. Why are these girls missing?
Grace wants answers as to who, what and why this happened. This novel has twists, and turns. There is danger, murder, betrayals, and heart-break. This is an intense and edgy novel that I would highly recommend for those readers who enjoy a thought-provoking novel. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
I read a lot of historical fiction and I had read “The Orphans Tale” by Pam Jenoff and really enjoyed it. I most recently read “The Light Over London” by Julia Kelly which was about the Brtitish “gunner girls” who worked atop London’s rooftops calculating the firing of anti-aircraft guns.
This novel drew me in from the beginning, it was a quick, satisfying read with characters that I could root for. The story starts in 1946 Manhattan when a young woman, Grace, comes across a suitcase in Grand Central Station. She is running late for work but looking inside the suitcase she sees the photographs of 12 young women in uniforms and on a whim takes them with her. When she returns the next day for the suitcase, it is gone. She decides to try and learn who these women are and their fate. She is a recent widow, her husband killed while in training for the Army, the war is still a very real part of her life, even though it is officially over.
Eleanor Tripp was working closely as a secretary for the Secret Operations Unit (SOE) an agency in London which was created to sabotage German efforts in France, all presumably for the invasion of Normandy within a few months. Eleanor convinces the Director that women would be the most useful as they could blend in with French women, particularly if they spoke French fluently. Soon a plan was formulated to train the women that were hand picked for this job, they were dropped into France, expected to find a safe house and transmit information back and forth from London to their locations within France, they were extensively trained in radio transmissions. Ms. Tripp was in charge of the entire women’s corp of volunteers and cared deeply about the girls.
Marie is one of the group of women dropped into French territory, alone, with little to go on besides her instincts and a map. She makes it to a safe house with the help of the leader of the entire operation in France, known as Vesper (his real name is Julian). Marie begins her work of transmitting messages until she starts noticing messages that seem inconsistent and incorrect to her. Within weeks she will find out the reason. Julian and his cousin Will tell her that there is something very wrong about the operation, someone has betrayed them, but who? Is it one of the girls, someone back in London? Marie is told to get out of France, but her pilot, Will, never shows up for the planned extraction.
The story is told from the POV of Eleanor, Grace and Marie and they are all equally interesting. The more I read, the more I enjoyed the book. I don’t want to reveal any more of the plot for fear of spoilers but it was definitely a great story. The author’s note doesn’t tell us how much of the book is based on fact, perhaps that will come out when the book is published on February 5th.
I found a lot of interesting information on the following website, if you care to explore more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/soe_01.shtml
I think most fans of historical fiction will enjoy this book with yet another example of how much women contributed to the war effort.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Beautifully written historical fiction about a group of English women spies who put their lives on the line during WW II. Story is told in 2 time lines, only a few years apart. This story is about country, friendship and, most of all, the courage these women needed to go into enemy territory.
Ms. Jenoff’s writing so vividly describes the war, it’s horrors and the aftermath. The friendship, determination and relentlessness of the characters came shining thru. As does her descriptions of London, New York and DC. Book was well researched.
Highly recommend for fans of Historical Fiction. Fast read because you won’t be able to put it down!
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone!