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Zbor de noapte spre Paris
În 1943, Parisul ocupat de naziști este un loc foarte periculos, mai ales pentru Harry Mitchell pe care Gestapo-ul vrea să îl captureze și să îl interogheze. Fugit din oraș în urmă cu doi ani, separat de soția și fiica lui, rămase în Parisul ocupat, Mitchell revine în Franța cu o misiune: să-l localizeze și să-l extragă pe Alfred Korte, om de știință și antinazist, care deține informații vitale pe care britanicii le-ar putea folosi în avantajul lor în război.
În timpul zborului spre Franța, avionul său este doborât. El supraviețuiește, este rănit, dar este departe de locul de aterizare stabilit. Știe că germanii vor căuta orice supraviețuitor din avionul doborât, așa că Mitchell, numit acum Pascal Garon, reușește să găsească un grup local al Rezistenței franceze. Cu ajutorul acestor oameni curajoși, ajunge în cele din urmă la Paris. Dar intenția germanilor de a-l captura nu va fi niciodată lăsată deoparte.
În Zbor de noapte spre Paris, David Gilman descrie în mod convingător starea constantă de pericol în care trăiau zilnic cei care lucrau sub acoperire în timpul Celui de-Al Doilea Război Mondial în Franța ocupată sau ca parte a Rezistenței și impactul emoțional și psihologic asupra vieții lor. Cu situații în care un cuvânt sau un gest deplasat te pot cataloga în agent inamic, aducându-te în atenția autorităților, în care informatorii sunt peste tot și poate fi dificil spre imposibil să știi în cine să ai încredere, Gilman cufundă cititorul într-o lume în care pericolul, suspiciunea și frica sunt un însoțitor constant.
„Un nemaipomenit thriller de spionaj de război. Inteligent construit, complex, captivant, emoționant, terifiant.” (For Winter Nights)
În timpul zborului spre Franța, avionul său este doborât. El supraviețuiește, este rănit, dar este departe de locul de aterizare stabilit. Știe că germanii vor căuta orice supraviețuitor din avionul doborât, așa că Mitchell, numit acum Pascal Garon, reușește să găsească un grup local al Rezistenței franceze. Cu ajutorul acestor oameni curajoși, ajunge în cele din urmă la Paris. Dar intenția germanilor de a-l captura nu va fi niciodată lăsată deoparte.
În Zbor de noapte spre Paris, David Gilman descrie în mod convingător starea constantă de pericol în care trăiau zilnic cei care lucrau sub acoperire în timpul Celui de-Al Doilea Război Mondial în Franța ocupată sau ca parte a Rezistenței și impactul emoțional și psihologic asupra vieții lor. Cu situații în care un cuvânt sau un gest deplasat te pot cataloga în agent inamic, aducându-te în atenția autorităților, în care informatorii sunt peste tot și poate fi dificil spre imposibil să știi în cine să ai încredere, Gilman cufundă cititorul într-o lume în care pericolul, suspiciunea și frica sunt un însoțitor constant.
„Un nemaipomenit thriller de spionaj de război. Inteligent construit, complex, captivant, emoționant, terifiant.” (For Winter Nights)
568 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
About the author
David Gilman
47 books445 followersDavid Gilman was raised in Liverpool and educated in Wales. By the time he was 16 he was driving a battered 1946 Ford, ferrying construction workers in the African bush. A variety of jobs followed in different countries: fire and rescue, forestry work, JCB driver, window dresser and professional photographer in an advertising agency. He served in the Parachute Regiment’s Reconnaissance Platoon and then worked in publishing. In 1986 he turned to full-time writing. He has written many radio and television scripts including several years of ‘A Touch of Frost’. In 2007 his ‘Danger Zone’ trilogy for YA was sold in 15 countries. The first in the series – The Devil’s Breath was long listed for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and won the French Prix Polar Jeunesse. He also writes for younger children. MONKEY and ME has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal. ‘MASTER of WAR’ is the first in a series of HF for adults that follows the fortunes of Thomas Blackstone during the 100 Years’ War. The 7th volume - 'SHADOW OF THE HAWK' is published in February 2021.
A new contemporary thriller series - THE ENGLISHMAN - was published in 2020 to critical acclaim. The second book in The Englishman series will be published in early 2022.
A new contemporary thriller series - THE ENGLISHMAN - was published in 2020 to critical acclaim. The second book in The Englishman series will be published in early 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
April 22, 2024
Deși sunt mare fan al acestui gen de cărți, cea de față nu s-a ridicat la așteptările mele. Singurul aspect interesant a fost cel legat de modul în care serviciile germane se șantajau și sabotau pentru propriul interes, în rest o poveste destul de simplă.
August 17, 2018
I was drawn to award winning author and screenwriter David Gilman's 'Night Flight To Paris' as it sounded like a spy thriller uniquely mixed with Second World War history. I am so pleased I chose to read this - it wholeheartedly blew me away!
Set in Paris, France in 1943, during World War II, the story follows Bletchley Park cryptographer Henry Mitchell whose wife and daughter were separated from him as they tried to escape from the Germans, and remain in Paris. When he is offered a secret mission by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) he decides to accept it as it would mean him returning to Paris where he can search for his family whilst also completing his mission of locating a German scientist who holds critical information of use to the Allied Forces, he also has to find a traitor in the French Maquis who has apparently betrayed his country by helping the German. Will he make it out of the dangerous city alive or will he die trying?
What a book! The plot is complex, taut, tense, clever and emotionally resonant. Gilman's writing is a joy to behold and creates such an atmospheric novel that simply buzzes with suspense. A bracingly intelligent story with non-stop action, perfectly paced with lots of misdirection - this is a stunningly authentic spy thriller set around the French Resistance. The narrative flows incredibly well, and you can tell that Gilman has undertaken meticulous research in order to make the book as realistic and believable as possible. You really care about Harry as a character, and naturally his mission doesn't go to plan. I found myself hoping that everything would work out for him. What is abundantly clear is that noone can be trusted, and most people are not who they claim to be. The suspense is palpable throughout the story. An exquisite and exceptional read!
Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Set in Paris, France in 1943, during World War II, the story follows Bletchley Park cryptographer Henry Mitchell whose wife and daughter were separated from him as they tried to escape from the Germans, and remain in Paris. When he is offered a secret mission by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) he decides to accept it as it would mean him returning to Paris where he can search for his family whilst also completing his mission of locating a German scientist who holds critical information of use to the Allied Forces, he also has to find a traitor in the French Maquis who has apparently betrayed his country by helping the German. Will he make it out of the dangerous city alive or will he die trying?
What a book! The plot is complex, taut, tense, clever and emotionally resonant. Gilman's writing is a joy to behold and creates such an atmospheric novel that simply buzzes with suspense. A bracingly intelligent story with non-stop action, perfectly paced with lots of misdirection - this is a stunningly authentic spy thriller set around the French Resistance. The narrative flows incredibly well, and you can tell that Gilman has undertaken meticulous research in order to make the book as realistic and believable as possible. You really care about Harry as a character, and naturally his mission doesn't go to plan. I found myself hoping that everything would work out for him. What is abundantly clear is that noone can be trusted, and most people are not who they claim to be. The suspense is palpable throughout the story. An exquisite and exceptional read!
Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
August 7, 2018
This stand alone war thriller is magnificent. I couldn't read it fast enough. Clever, complex, gripping, emotionally engaging, terrifying. And so much more. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
August 14, 2020
i just finished a pretty good book about world war 2. I always enjoy these kinds of book. The story flowed pretty good . I thought the second half moved at a faster pace. I thought all the main characters and secondary characters were good and the dialogue for the most part was good. I did have a few problems with this story however lol. I was going to give it a low grade 4 but it slipped to a 3.7. I thought at times there were a few characters who were just not needed for the story lol. I also thought the main character took on too much and his main reason for being there got pushed back into the shuffle lol. My biggest complaint was that the ending was rushed and missed the mark by a bunch. I have a feeling he did not know how to end this book and the ending was just not there and I blame the editor for this it really do it hurt the book. One main character a female character on the good side was just left hanging and left unfinished in the end. I do say for all the faults of this book go out and give it a spin it earned it.
August 28, 2018
An author writing a book set in World War 2 featuring the French Resistance is entering pretty crowded – or should I say occupied (sorry) – territory. There’s Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Kate Mosse’s Citadel, to name but two. Thankfully, in David Gilman’s skilful hands, the reader will find plenty that is original and compelling in Night Flight to Paris.
What I particularly admired was the way the author convincingly portrayed the constant state of jeopardy in which those working undercover in occupied France or as part of the Resistance lived on a daily basis and its emotional and psychological impact on them. Imagine a situation where a word or gesture out of place – even something as simple as the way you order your coffee – can mark you out as a stranger or enemy agent, bringing you to the attention of the authorities. In addition, a situation where informers are everywhere and it can be difficult – actually, almost impossible – to know who to trust. I loved the detail of the tradecraft necessary to operate undercover, introducing me to concepts such as duress codes.
The cruelty and ruthlessness of the German authorities towards enemy agents and members of the Resistance they capture is graphically displayed. But, in time of war, as the author shows, there is a degree of ruthlessness required from everyone involved. Uncomfortable, potentially life-changing decisions and actions need to be taken in which personal feelings may come into conflict with mission objectives. Mitchell, in particular, faces this dilemma on numerous occasions. ‘What if his feelings threatened to get in the way of everything that still needed to be done? He could not afford to lose focus. Lives depended on him seeing the operation through and being sufficiently detached to make quick decision.’ But how can you remain detached when it’s family members, people you care about or who have come to depend on you who will be affected by the decisions you make?
The author describes the complex, and at times, baffling hierarchies and different political and military groupings that exist within the Resistance and within the French and German authorities in the occupied territories. As one character explains: ‘There were a lot of people operating in Paris. Different groups, different political persuasions. Mix that in with the criminal element and you couldn’t tell who was betraying whom.’ The distrust and rivalry between the different groups, and in some cases the personal rivalry, will play an increasingly important part as the story unfolds.
Night Flight to Paris immerses the reader in a world where danger, suspicion and fear is a constant companion. It’s populated with characters whose lives the reader comes to care about deeply – and others that one is pleased to see meet a sticky end! With its rich mixture of atmospheric period detail, dramatic action scenes and compelling story line, Night Flight to Paris is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.
I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Head of Zeus, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
What I particularly admired was the way the author convincingly portrayed the constant state of jeopardy in which those working undercover in occupied France or as part of the Resistance lived on a daily basis and its emotional and psychological impact on them. Imagine a situation where a word or gesture out of place – even something as simple as the way you order your coffee – can mark you out as a stranger or enemy agent, bringing you to the attention of the authorities. In addition, a situation where informers are everywhere and it can be difficult – actually, almost impossible – to know who to trust. I loved the detail of the tradecraft necessary to operate undercover, introducing me to concepts such as duress codes.
The cruelty and ruthlessness of the German authorities towards enemy agents and members of the Resistance they capture is graphically displayed. But, in time of war, as the author shows, there is a degree of ruthlessness required from everyone involved. Uncomfortable, potentially life-changing decisions and actions need to be taken in which personal feelings may come into conflict with mission objectives. Mitchell, in particular, faces this dilemma on numerous occasions. ‘What if his feelings threatened to get in the way of everything that still needed to be done? He could not afford to lose focus. Lives depended on him seeing the operation through and being sufficiently detached to make quick decision.’ But how can you remain detached when it’s family members, people you care about or who have come to depend on you who will be affected by the decisions you make?
The author describes the complex, and at times, baffling hierarchies and different political and military groupings that exist within the Resistance and within the French and German authorities in the occupied territories. As one character explains: ‘There were a lot of people operating in Paris. Different groups, different political persuasions. Mix that in with the criminal element and you couldn’t tell who was betraying whom.’ The distrust and rivalry between the different groups, and in some cases the personal rivalry, will play an increasingly important part as the story unfolds.
Night Flight to Paris immerses the reader in a world where danger, suspicion and fear is a constant companion. It’s populated with characters whose lives the reader comes to care about deeply – and others that one is pleased to see meet a sticky end! With its rich mixture of atmospheric period detail, dramatic action scenes and compelling story line, Night Flight to Paris is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.
I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Head of Zeus, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
February 3, 2019
This is a fascinating World War II thriller which really captures the "suffocating atmosphere" of life in Occupied France. The story begins with Britain's Special Operations Executive (SOE) trying to discover if one of their cells in France's burgeoning Resistance movement has been betrayed.
Bletchley Park codebreaker Harry Mitchell is taken from his job and trained to set up a new Resistance unit in order to bring out a German scientist who has information that might help speed the Allies' way to victory.
Mitchell's wife and daughter were arrested along with a radio operator in Paris and his wife was tortured and killed - a fact the SOE bosses use to coerce Mitchell into working for them. His daughter is now in La Santé Prison and Mitchell is determined to free her.
From the start, things go wrong. His plane is shot down and he ends up far away from Paris. Using his SOE rank of Colonel, he organises a bunch of Resistance men in the French countryside while he works out a plan to reach the French capital and bring the German scientist and his own daughter to safety.
The action never lets up and throughout there is an air of mistrust and paranoia with Mitchell and his men feeling they could be betrayed at any moment. As Ginny, a young English female radio operator, is flown in to help, we learn of the constant threat of discovery by Germany's occupying forces. Ranged against the French is not only the German Army, but also the Gestapo, SS, SD and Abwehr, all fighting for dominance. The Germans are backed up by France's own Fascists, including the much hated Milice. Everywhere are patriotic French people mixed with collaborators who would sell out their neighbours for some food and cigarettes. Throughout the story we encounter a number of "grey areas".
Matters are just as bad with a Resistance movement which is split between supporters of the exiled Free French leader Charles De Gaulle, French Communists and various minor factions. Both occupiers and occupied rely on their own informers, black marketeers and gangsters for aid and information. Sometimes the same people are working both sides of the street.
Minute details of the German Occupation of France only serve to heighten the tension as Mitchell and his team battle to achieve their aims.
Throughout, Mitchell's biggest problem is who to trust and he finds himself breaking his own rules and abandoning some of his long held beliefs as he strives to keep himself and his colleagues from being captured and killed.
A wonderfully well-researched historical fiction novel which deserves to be read by anyone keen on the story of "ordinary people" who fought and died to defeat the Nazis.
Bletchley Park codebreaker Harry Mitchell is taken from his job and trained to set up a new Resistance unit in order to bring out a German scientist who has information that might help speed the Allies' way to victory.
Mitchell's wife and daughter were arrested along with a radio operator in Paris and his wife was tortured and killed - a fact the SOE bosses use to coerce Mitchell into working for them. His daughter is now in La Santé Prison and Mitchell is determined to free her.
From the start, things go wrong. His plane is shot down and he ends up far away from Paris. Using his SOE rank of Colonel, he organises a bunch of Resistance men in the French countryside while he works out a plan to reach the French capital and bring the German scientist and his own daughter to safety.
The action never lets up and throughout there is an air of mistrust and paranoia with Mitchell and his men feeling they could be betrayed at any moment. As Ginny, a young English female radio operator, is flown in to help, we learn of the constant threat of discovery by Germany's occupying forces. Ranged against the French is not only the German Army, but also the Gestapo, SS, SD and Abwehr, all fighting for dominance. The Germans are backed up by France's own Fascists, including the much hated Milice. Everywhere are patriotic French people mixed with collaborators who would sell out their neighbours for some food and cigarettes. Throughout the story we encounter a number of "grey areas".
Matters are just as bad with a Resistance movement which is split between supporters of the exiled Free French leader Charles De Gaulle, French Communists and various minor factions. Both occupiers and occupied rely on their own informers, black marketeers and gangsters for aid and information. Sometimes the same people are working both sides of the street.
Minute details of the German Occupation of France only serve to heighten the tension as Mitchell and his team battle to achieve their aims.
Throughout, Mitchell's biggest problem is who to trust and he finds himself breaking his own rules and abandoning some of his long held beliefs as he strives to keep himself and his colleagues from being captured and killed.
A wonderfully well-researched historical fiction novel which deserves to be read by anyone keen on the story of "ordinary people" who fought and died to defeat the Nazis.
May 8, 2019
This is a very competent WW2 secret agent novel.Henry Mitchell is a mathematics lecturer in pre war Paris, married to a french woman and living with their young daughter. Trying to escape Susanne and Danielle are captured while Henry escapes to England. The story is of his return to Paris, escapades with the resistance, traitors and a final reckoning.
Good stuff but a little over the top in places and an unlikely ending. Never the less it keeps your attention and is a good enough read. 4 stars.
Good stuff but a little over the top in places and an unlikely ending. Never the less it keeps your attention and is a good enough read. 4 stars.
October 25, 2019
An immersing, satisfying, WW2 SOE adventure in which I cared about the cast of characters. It had good plotting, with an ending I didn’t see coming, and kept me up late, lately, with the bedside lamp on.
By this reviewer:
By this reviewer:
July 6, 2022
La historia narrada es muy buena. Sin embargo adolece de una pésima traducción y peor corrección. Todo ello lastró mi lectura.
A lo largo del texto aparecen tiempos verbales que no son los que usan, en la vida cotidiana, los españoles de España. Lo mismo puedo decir de muchos términos y expresiones. Por ejemplo, el uso de la palabra hombracho, en lugar de hombretón; un personaje que se desplaza con otro para ayudarle y expresa esta ayuda de la siguiente manera: "vine con él para darle una mano", en lugar de "para echarle una mano", "levantar la mesa" en lugar de poner la mesa...etc.
El libro cuesta 25€. Repito la trama está muy bien, de ahí las cuatro estrellas, pero creo que el lector debe saber lo que se va a encontrar cuando lo lea.
A lo largo del texto aparecen tiempos verbales que no son los que usan, en la vida cotidiana, los españoles de España. Lo mismo puedo decir de muchos términos y expresiones. Por ejemplo, el uso de la palabra hombracho, en lugar de hombretón; un personaje que se desplaza con otro para ayudarle y expresa esta ayuda de la siguiente manera: "vine con él para darle una mano", en lugar de "para echarle una mano", "levantar la mesa" en lugar de poner la mesa...etc.
El libro cuesta 25€. Repito la trama está muy bien, de ahí las cuatro estrellas, pero creo que el lector debe saber lo que se va a encontrar cuando lo lea.
December 10, 2020
Un libro muy bueno estropeado por una traducción espantosa y una corrección que es un horror.
February 11, 2023
historical fiction >>>>
April 15, 2019
I gave up this farrago of nonsense after just a few chapters. The author expects us to accept that someone working at Bletchley Park, probably the most top secret place in the UK during WWI and is given 2 weeks training before he is dropped into occupied France. No thought as to him cracking under torture and spilling the beans about Bletchley. Then, on the day arranged for his landing, the fog closes in and without any training he is bundled into a bomber and expected to parachute in. His mission is code named Pascal and it takes the Germans all of 30 seconds to work out that our hero is involved - as he is a well known mathematician. The Germans are all cardboard villains, shooting agents in hospital and boys on bicycles. Life was too short to bother to finish the book.
May 24, 2022
Started off at a good pace but the plot became too predictable especially in last few chapters. I couldn't keep track of all the fictional characters especially those in the French resistance. Thought the German characterisation was good though.
September 27, 2020
Occupied Paris during WW2, a perfect breeding ground for a page turning thriller. The only problem was, I didn’t feel the slightest bit of tension throughout. I never felt like anyone was in true peril, and everything felt too easy. A real shame. I really wanted to love this book.
I found the writing to be a little rough around the edges too. For example, there’s this little nugget on page 322...
“‘Who is it?’ said the voice behind the door after Mitchell had rapped on the door with his knuckles.”
🤗
I found the writing to be a little rough around the edges too. For example, there’s this little nugget on page 322...
“‘Who is it?’ said the voice behind the door after Mitchell had rapped on the door with his knuckles.”
🤗
October 25, 2019
An immersing, satisfying, WW2 SOE adventure in which I cared about the cast of characters. It had good plotting, with an ending I didn’t see coming, and kept me up late, lately, with the bedside lamp on.
June 15, 2021
Great book. Cracker of a story that romped along. Mitchell the mathematician returns to France in 1943 to set up a resistance cell. Rich characters and plenty of action. Hopefully a sequel. Need to dig out more by David Gilman
September 7, 2024
This is a gripping story, once started, hard to put down. The author has brought to life the tense and dangerous drama that played out with the German occupation of France in WW2 and of the very fragmented, undisciplined and myriad groups of resistance that existed during this period. England was also in a precarious situation, desperate for information of Germany's war plans; the newly formed SOE became a vital link.
Two very unlikely people play their part for SOE, a cryptographer, Henry Mitchell and a young woman, fresh from training as a wireless operator, Ginny Lindhurst.
Henry, married to a French woman, had been living in France but when the time came to leave for the safety of England, he was separated from his wife and daughter. His willingness to return to France is to discover their whereabouts and/or if they are still alive /have been killed. The first stage of entering France is a disaster, ending up in the wrong part of the country. However, here, he is fortunate to meet up with the local resistance group with some of them staying with him all the way to Paris. The pathway to Paris becomes complicated as the French are desperate for armaments, information and assistance and so waylay Mitchell with some of their own plans. However, his directives remain, that of finding the traitor in the French Maquis that saw the capture of operatives, discovering where the original wireless operator had disappeared to or, if he had been captured and to create a new network of resistance. His mission is also to locate the German scientist who holds critical information that would be useful to Allied forces.
The complex situation of getting the scientist Alfred Korte out of Paris is assisted by John Bernard from the American hospital. The traitors are discovered and dispatched with finality by the now war-hardened Mitchell. However, just one problem sees a fly in the ointment that of Oberst Ulrich Bauer of the Abwehr, German Military Intelligence, who knows he is on the Korte list. A deal is done, with Mitchell reunited with his daughter.
Two very unlikely people play their part for SOE, a cryptographer, Henry Mitchell and a young woman, fresh from training as a wireless operator, Ginny Lindhurst.
Henry, married to a French woman, had been living in France but when the time came to leave for the safety of England, he was separated from his wife and daughter. His willingness to return to France is to discover their whereabouts and/or if they are still alive /have been killed. The first stage of entering France is a disaster, ending up in the wrong part of the country. However, here, he is fortunate to meet up with the local resistance group with some of them staying with him all the way to Paris. The pathway to Paris becomes complicated as the French are desperate for armaments, information and assistance and so waylay Mitchell with some of their own plans. However, his directives remain, that of finding the traitor in the French Maquis that saw the capture of operatives, discovering where the original wireless operator had disappeared to or, if he had been captured and to create a new network of resistance. His mission is also to locate the German scientist who holds critical information that would be useful to Allied forces.
The complex situation of getting the scientist Alfred Korte out of Paris is assisted by John Bernard from the American hospital. The traitors are discovered and dispatched with finality by the now war-hardened Mitchell. However, just one problem sees a fly in the ointment that of Oberst Ulrich Bauer of the Abwehr, German Military Intelligence, who knows he is on the Korte list. A deal is done, with Mitchell reunited with his daughter.
August 2, 2018
I enjoy 2nd word war stories and spy thrillers so this book appealed to me as it covered all bases.
Set in ww2 France it is the story of Henry Mitchell, a Bletchley Park cryptographer whose wife and daughter are stuck in war torn Paris after they got separated from him when trying to escape.
When he is given the opportunity to go back to France on a secret mission for the SOE he jumps at the chance as he wants to find his family.
This book is full of thrills and double crosses. No one can be trusted as no character is truly as they seem.
The mission gets off to a bad start when Harry’s plane is shot down over France and then gets worse as he is forced to run with those that have helped him in tow.
His mission is to find a member of the German resistance who wants to defect to England with important information. He also needs to discover the traitor wthin the French Maquis who are supposedly helping him.
This is a well researched book full of excitement and thrills. The awfulness of war time France and Paris is conveyed well, the ever present fear of betrayal to the Nazis as well as the requirement for ordinary people to perform extraordinarily brave acts.
I couldn’t put this down and thoroughly recommend it to readers who enjoy this genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Set in ww2 France it is the story of Henry Mitchell, a Bletchley Park cryptographer whose wife and daughter are stuck in war torn Paris after they got separated from him when trying to escape.
When he is given the opportunity to go back to France on a secret mission for the SOE he jumps at the chance as he wants to find his family.
This book is full of thrills and double crosses. No one can be trusted as no character is truly as they seem.
The mission gets off to a bad start when Harry’s plane is shot down over France and then gets worse as he is forced to run with those that have helped him in tow.
His mission is to find a member of the German resistance who wants to defect to England with important information. He also needs to discover the traitor wthin the French Maquis who are supposedly helping him.
This is a well researched book full of excitement and thrills. The awfulness of war time France and Paris is conveyed well, the ever present fear of betrayal to the Nazis as well as the requirement for ordinary people to perform extraordinarily brave acts.
I couldn’t put this down and thoroughly recommend it to readers who enjoy this genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2019
Night Flight to Paris is a little more than a routine Second World War thriller and is often exciting. The chief character is a kind of reluctant secret agent working behind enemy lines. The story is a little bit complex and the characters many and various; resisters, collaborators, Gestapo and SD Abwehr and rotten French policemen as well as the odd decent one.
Its only short coming is that there too many twists and an excess of action sequences. Other than that, Night Flight to Paris is an entertaining read.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
Its only short coming is that there too many twists and an excess of action sequences. Other than that, Night Flight to Paris is an entertaining read.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
September 15, 2019
The gritty details of the WWII resistance movements have always been fascinating to me. That there were so many factions fighting each other while fighting the Nazis makes the accomplishments that much more heroic. Loved the characters who lived the everyday terrors of Nazi occupied France and gave all to help The Allied cause.
August 17, 2020
A gritty, gripping book but also a harrowing read and just at the present time with all the troubles, one which I was glad to finish.
August 28, 2021
Really good story. If you like books about the 2nd World War and the resistance movement then this is a book for you.
July 18, 2020
Interesting listen
I read some of this book the early chapters and was so intrigued by it I wanted more so I got it with my my audible credit so I could listen both going to and returning from work the story is fast paced with magnificent characters and settings the descriptions of Paris were exceptional and I have to say in audible the narrator makes the story and this case he was terrific changing voices for the different characters and speaking clearly when describing the happenings in the story I recommend this whether you want to read or listen it's a winner
I read some of this book the early chapters and was so intrigued by it I wanted more so I got it with my my audible credit so I could listen both going to and returning from work the story is fast paced with magnificent characters and settings the descriptions of Paris were exceptional and I have to say in audible the narrator makes the story and this case he was terrific changing voices for the different characters and speaking clearly when describing the happenings in the story I recommend this whether you want to read or listen it's a winner
February 21, 2025
I thought this was ok, but didn't feel any better than a number of similar stories of wartime events. In other words, for me it didn't live up to the hype on the cover or the high rating on GoodReads.
May 11, 2021
I wasn’t too sure what I would make of this - this is a spy thriller set in 1943, focusing on the French Resistance. It is not the type of book I would normally read but I throughly enjoyed it!
The plot of the book is quite complex and it did take me a while to get into it. Although it is a spy thriller, the author establishes the characters really well and you feel an emotional connection to them and care about them, which brought a different dimension to the book.
The book is packed full of action and suspense which leaves you wanting more! Throughout the book, the main character, Harry, does not know who to trust and this evokes distrust by you as a reader and this was translated really well! There is only a small amount of people who could betray him, so it is easy to guess who it is, but I still really enjoyed this element of the book as it made you eager to read on and kept you guessing throughout.
The only criticism I have is that the ending seemed a bit rushed and far-fetched. I just don’t think this would happen in a real-life scenario. I could tell a lot of research had gone into the book to make it as realistic as possible so it was a shame that the ending panned out in this way while the journey to it seemed so believable.
This is definitely not the type of book I would normally pick up but I’m really glad I did - I give it four stars out of five.
The plot of the book is quite complex and it did take me a while to get into it. Although it is a spy thriller, the author establishes the characters really well and you feel an emotional connection to them and care about them, which brought a different dimension to the book.
The book is packed full of action and suspense which leaves you wanting more! Throughout the book, the main character, Harry, does not know who to trust and this evokes distrust by you as a reader and this was translated really well! There is only a small amount of people who could betray him, so it is easy to guess who it is, but I still really enjoyed this element of the book as it made you eager to read on and kept you guessing throughout.
The only criticism I have is that the ending seemed a bit rushed and far-fetched. I just don’t think this would happen in a real-life scenario. I could tell a lot of research had gone into the book to make it as realistic as possible so it was a shame that the ending panned out in this way while the journey to it seemed so believable.
This is definitely not the type of book I would normally pick up but I’m really glad I did - I give it four stars out of five.
July 15, 2019
Excellent wW2 thriller
Really exciting story mainly excellently researched historically. I did think that the Germans took over Vichy in 44 after this was set but that could be my error. There should be more materials on the resistance war as well written as this
Really exciting story mainly excellently researched historically. I did think that the Germans took over Vichy in 44 after this was set but that could be my error. There should be more materials on the resistance war as well written as this
July 4, 2020
A well written war-espionage book with the essential buildup, problem and intrigue you would expect.
There are multiple plots and a range of characters whose loyalty is always difficult to judge.
The war drama sections such as destroying German infrastructure, is well written but lacks gripping engagement.
It falls somewhat flat as a suspenseful drama, but will please most readers.
The main character Harry Mitchell, Pascal never reached out to me and I found him rather wooden and one dimensional.
The book alludes to the 1944 July plot on Hitler’s life, but fails to expand on the divisions within The Nazi state.
Other historical references such as, Churchill’s proposal for a Anglo-French Union are “dropped” into the text as odd references rather than significant issues.
Overall I found it predictable and formulaic, good but not great.
There are multiple plots and a range of characters whose loyalty is always difficult to judge.
The war drama sections such as destroying German infrastructure, is well written but lacks gripping engagement.
It falls somewhat flat as a suspenseful drama, but will please most readers.
The main character Harry Mitchell, Pascal never reached out to me and I found him rather wooden and one dimensional.
The book alludes to the 1944 July plot on Hitler’s life, but fails to expand on the divisions within The Nazi state.
Other historical references such as, Churchill’s proposal for a Anglo-French Union are “dropped” into the text as odd references rather than significant issues.
Overall I found it predictable and formulaic, good but not great.
April 27, 2019
A quality read
First book I have read from this author and I can honestly say that this was a quality read.
Fast paced, gripping, captivating and thoroughly enjoyable. The story never loses pace or direction and twists and turns with real time believability.
Excellent characters, settings and feel for the time it was set, the author expertly describes and conveys all the twists, turns, perils, emotions, betrayals and so much more during World War Two in occupied France.
A proper spy thriller that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of daring, cunning and bravery to accomplish an important mission but also with the added personal interests of locating his captured daughter following the death of his wife.
Cannot praise this book enough.
First book I have read from this author and I can honestly say that this was a quality read.
Fast paced, gripping, captivating and thoroughly enjoyable. The story never loses pace or direction and twists and turns with real time believability.
Excellent characters, settings and feel for the time it was set, the author expertly describes and conveys all the twists, turns, perils, emotions, betrayals and so much more during World War Two in occupied France.
A proper spy thriller that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of daring, cunning and bravery to accomplish an important mission but also with the added personal interests of locating his captured daughter following the death of his wife.
Cannot praise this book enough.
November 26, 2019
I really expected to enjoy this book more than I did. The subject and setting appealed to me but something just didn't ring true. I found it difficult to believe that the central character, who worked at one of the most secret establishments in England, Bletchley Park, would be dropped into occupied France after two weeks training. Security grounds alone would preclude it. Throughout the book there were a few too many "miracles" moving the story on and the ending was just too unlikely. Having said all that reading about the opposing factions within the French resistance was interesting and parts of the book were exciting.
May 24, 2019
Night Flight to Paris
This is my third fee book from Amazon prime and like the others an excellent read. A good story that is set in Paris during the Second world war. The story is interesting and keeps moving at a good pace with a satisfactory ending. Highly recommended especially when it's free.
This is my third fee book from Amazon prime and like the others an excellent read. A good story that is set in Paris during the Second world war. The story is interesting and keeps moving at a good pace with a satisfactory ending. Highly recommended especially when it's free.
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