Fen Churche arrives in Paris, determined to put the horrors of the war behind her. But the city of lights has lost its spark, except inside the beautiful apartment of Fen's godmother, artist Rose Coillard. Fen can't wait to hear about Rose's war work - under the nose of prominent Nazis, Rose created a secret list of the precious paintings they stole. Now Rose will be able to return them to their rightful Jewish owners.
But after a blissful few days reuniting with old friends, Fen finds Rose dead: stabbed through the neck with one of her own paintbrushes. Bewildered and scared, Fen is determined to solve her beloved friend's murder, just like she does with her favourite crossword puzzles. Then she discovers the cypher that unlocks Rose's list is missing. Could Rose's death be linked to the brave work she did during the war?
When Fen finds a blackmail letter in Rose's mailbox, accusing her of selling Jewish-owned paintings to the Nazis, she can't believe what she's reading. Then another member of Rose's Resistance network, who transported the artwork, dies in a volley of gunshots and Fen is sure the deaths are the work of the same villain. One who will stop at nothing to keep their treachery hidden.
Can Fen clear Rose's name and catch this devious killer?
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I'm writing this on a train, so please excuse my appalling handwriting. ONE
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(@bookouture, 26 November 2020, 294 pages, ebook, #ARC from the publisher via # NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed, #BlogTour 27 November)
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This is my first time reading the author. I thought Night Train to Paris was a fantastic book. I will definitely read the first and any new Fen Churche mysteries. Historical Fiction has become one of my most-read genre's this year and I find new authors all the time. I loved the setting. Paris is my favourite city. The author does a brilliant job of bringing it to life during the era the book is set in. The book starts off innocently enough with Fen heading to the city of lights for a new start and in search of happiness, but peace is far from easy when an old friend is brutally killed, and accusations rise that she was involved in some nefarious activities. Fen is determined to prove her innocence and find out the truth. This is well written, engaging and I thought the characters were great.
