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When Darkness Comes

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Paris: 1942

Three lives intertwined in Nazi-occupied Paris:

Paul, a brooding banker whose family was killed by the Gestapo.
Rachel, a teenage Jew who leads her family's escape from the Germans.
Claire, a demure bookstore owner who finds courage and conviction.

All confronted by an infamous Nazi collaborator.

In the sprawling network of catacombs underneath the Left Bank of Paris, they hide thousands of Jewish refugees, giving them new identities and leading them to safety. Together they move forward, outsmarting a ruthless enemy, overcoming obstacles, defying danger, moving farther and faster, almost invincible-until an innocent bystander notices something amiss and their entire world collapses around them.

397 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2016

242 people are currently reading
4358 people want to read

About the author

John Anthony Miller

19 books342 followers
John Anthony Miller writes all things historical—thrillers, mysteries, and romance. He sets his novels in exotic locations spanning all eras of space and time, with complex characters forced to face inner conflicts—fighting demons both real and imagined. Each of his novels is unique: a Medieval epic, five historical mysteries, two Cold-War thrillers, two 1970’s cozy mysteries, a Revolutionary War spy novel, seven WWII thrillers, and The Castle on the Cliff. He lives in southern New Jersey.


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5 stars
406 (63%)
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173 (27%)
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44 (6%)
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7 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer (not getting notifications).
213 reviews134 followers
April 3, 2020
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book and it did not disappoint. It was a page turner and I couldn’t put it down. I am grateful JAM was able to provide me a copy of this book. Thank you!!! I look forward to reading your other books. Outstanding!!
Profile Image for Matt Connolly.
91 reviews4 followers
September 5, 2021
I got this from a Goodreads Giveaway so my expectations were low, but this ended up being one of the best books I’ve read all year. The characters were vivid, the scenery was beautiful, and the action was thrilling right to the very end. Some minor spelling or grammar errors but otherwise highly recommended for anyone interested in historical fiction, especially set in WWII.
Profile Image for Daniel Montague.
358 reviews32 followers
January 7, 2022
This book shows that you do not always need to think outside the box to be an excellent story. While, it does not break any ground the story is fast paced and filled with characters that are relatable and easy to root for. Combining the ultimate baddies (Nazis) with the most revered city (Paris) is a common formula but in the capable hands of John Anthony Miller it is a rewarding experience. It showcases three characters: Paul a banker, his cousin Claire and a Jewish teenager Rachel whose lives become enmeshed in the city of lights. Each one of them faces deep personal conflict in the face of the omnipresent Nazi occupation of Paris.

The first character that we are introduced to is Rachel. She is a young ambitious teenager who works in a bookstore under the guidance of Claire. Though she was heard rumblings of goings on out East she does not think the Nazis are going to be interested in her or her family. She is sadly mistaken and during a harrowing opening scene, her and her family make a narrow escape. Through her contact with Claire she is able to provide safety for her family. While, she could easily have led a peaceful existence in rural France her moral prerogative does not let her. She decides she must do something to thwart the evildoers. Miller is able to show her transformation from a timid youngster into a prolific freedom fighter. She becomes one of the most trusted and resilient defenders.

The two other main characters Paul and Claire are inexorably linked in not only being related (cousins) but by circumstance. Both have faced tragedy in the prevailing occupation. Paul, is a man who though moral would have been content ignoring the Nazis. That is until they caused a grievous miscarriage of justice to him and now this man of indifference has become a man set on revenge. Despite, a cheerful exterior Claire also has immense grief caused by the Nazis. Though, having a poker face, she is also set on vengeance against the occupiers. They form a very valuable core for the Resistance and with his connections in the banking industry and her affability, feminine charms and intelligence they are able to infiltrate some of the highest sectors of occupied Paris. One of the most intriguing elements is the character of Julian Junot. He is a wealthy industrialist whose intentions are up in the air. Due to his immense soft power and ties to the occupiers he is considered not only the worst of the collaborators but a man of importance.

If you are looking for a quick paced thriller with many highs and lows than this is the novel for you. It plays as more like a movie with quick chapters and snappy dialogue than like a typical book. The characters, even the villains are more than mere archetypes and the suspense is palpable throughout. Even though there are seemingly millions of stories about World War II and millions of stories about Paris when one is told with the panache and verve that Miller provides it is a welcome addition.
4 reviews
September 9, 2016

I found this story to be a beautifully rendered novel which gives a captivating account about the cost and rewards of selflessness, self-sacrifice and love for your fellow mankind -- even under some of the most extreme and horrific circumstances. It is a study in human behavior that sometimes evokes anguish, heartache and anger, in equal measure.

It also gives a poignant and insightful reminder of how giving into our feelings for revenge, no matter how justified they may seem at the time, can lead to many unforeseen and dire consequences for not only the intended victim, but also for the innocent people around them, as well as for the person extracting it.

There are parts to this story that I found to be gruesomely spellbinding, and dark, but all the while captivating, gripping and astonishingly good. This story is emotionally resonant as any book I've ever read.

The story is carefully and suspensefully plotted by a master story teller. I expect to see many more riveting and gripping books like this, from this author in the future.

I could definitely see this book as a movie, sometime in the not too distant future!

R. Pinter
Profile Image for Sharon Huether.
1,737 reviews48 followers
November 28, 2016
I won this Free book from Goodreads First-Reads. It was an awesome story based on the life of Julian Junot, who helped free thousands of Jews. He led a double life, during WWII when the French resisted the Nazi's.
The author used his own characters to give the story meaning and life.
Best book I've read on the subject of the French Resistance.
3 reviews
December 8, 2016
I had won this book awhile back and being a slow reader it took me some time to get to it. I let my husband read it and he as well read it in two night, he raved about it and told me I would love it. Yea, men, what do they know what we like. I LOVED IT! What an interesting, informative, sad, thrilling ad. The story made me think so much of my late parents and their friends and what they must have gone through in the slave labor camps during WW2. Thank you so much John Anthony Miller for such a great read, it is a book that I will re-read in future and cherish. Please go out and get this book When Darkness Comes by John Anthony Miller, well written,easy read with each chapter ending, leaves you wanting to continue to get to the end of the story. I thoroughly love this book. my husband and I both felt it would make a great movie or mini series! Now John, I have another book idea, the story of my mother and her life taking her to Poland, Russia and then the labor camps, loosing all her family, meeting her sister years years later but walked away from her pretending not to recognize her......and so much more
27 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2022
Darkness and light

The human spirit is always amazing -- good versus evil. The devil was alive and well in the world during world war two but God was
Also walking among the population. The world we live in today is still faced with the devil. God help us to survive!!




11 reviews
October 17, 2021
Paris Wii resistance

Edgy story of French resistance and the perils they endured as well as their losses. This is a restrained story, but it is heartfelt and well written.
Profile Image for Jena.
Author 4 books55 followers
January 29, 2022
A compelling read.

This is a well paced historical mystery set in the dark days of the German occupation of Paris. Dark and sad.
5 reviews
March 5, 2022
Awesome

Such a good book,read it,the story is inspiring,transends.The ending brings tears salutes the people who brought life despite their sadness.
Profile Image for Bobby.
844 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2021
A surprisingly well done story about occupied France during World War II. I won this on a Goodread Giveaway and I’m very happy to have had the pleasure of reading it. The French people involved with moving the Jewish population out of Paris was an amazing part of French history. I’m not sure if there were historically true characters or not but I’m sure the characters in this story depicted real heroes with perhaps different names.
Profile Image for Lisa.
673 reviews
August 29, 2016
When Darkness Comes is another brilliant historical novel from John Anthony Miller. The story is fiction but the facts surrounding it are all too real. The story is about three people who are working for the French Resistant in Paris during World War II. Each person has a reason to loath the Germans. Yet, not all Parisians fell this way and some even profit from the occupation. In this kind of atmosphere it is difficult to know who you can trust. Your neighbor, a coworker, anyone can turn you over to the Gestapo.

In this incredibly dangerous environment, Rachel a young Jewish girl and her family barely escape Paris with their lives. The Resistant helps to resettle them in the country side with new identities. Yet, Rachel feels a strong need to help put an end to the Nazi occupation and decides to return to Paris to help the Resistant. Together with Claire, a book store owner, whose husband was killed during the initial invasion of France and Paul, a banker, whose wife and daughter where murdered by the Nazis, they work to gather information that will assist the Allies. After a dangerous turn of events, Rachel becomes involved with helping other Jews escape Paris via the underground tunnels in Paris. All is going smoothly when disaster strikes and it could cost all three their lives.

The story is truly a nail biting, suspenseful ride and you will not want to put it down. The story moves quickly and not all the characters are what they seem. Wonderfully written and sure to keep any reader up into the wee hours of the morning to finish. I was almost disappointed when I got to the end. It was that good!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Dave.
484 reviews
November 16, 2017
Thank you to author John Anthony Miller for this signed copy of When Darkness Comes. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting this opportunity through the First Reads program.

When Darkness Comes follows a few of the characters working in the French Resistance, and in or with the German army. The story centers around, again, the plight of the Jewish population in Paris, France this time, during WW II. Here, however, the plight of many of those 'sent away' is not preyed upon to elicit certain emotions, dark and sinister, but kept at a distance, focusing my attention on the 'here and now' of the characters assisting in the cause.

This book is a quick read, but very tight, suspenseful, and a joy to read. The story is very well written from front to back, holding my attention the whole way through. Just a couple minor editing issues were seen. A nice character set, the story stays in a relatively small area of Paris, keeping the action tightly bound, where they can easily rub elbows often.

I really liked this one, and highly recommend it to others. A good read.
8 reviews
July 19, 2016
This author is able to quickly create a suspenseful scene & place you in the center of it. It was difficult to put the book down once I picked it up. It paints a vivid picture of Paris in WWII and it was heartening to see the incredible bravery and compassion that emerged. You saw the worst and the best of people.
Profile Image for Chris.
82 reviews10 followers
March 4, 2018
l really enjoyed this book. l found it to be well written and so plausible. l was reminded so much of Schindler's List that l thought it was based on fact but all my googling showed that it was a work of (excellent) fiction.

Recommended.
Profile Image for Anne.
197 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2022
In When Darkness Comes by John Anthony Miller one of the main characters, Rachel does this not just to her boss but also to the French Police and the Nazi officers! (the epic scene is on page 122) And she’s only 16! I loved this historical fiction set in France during WWII. Several things set this book apart from all the other historical fiction WWII books. First, the dynamic duo cousins named Paul and Claire. Not many books celebrate cousins and this one beautifully portrays their familial love from the time they were children romping in the fields to adults fighting the Nazi occupiers in France. Second, not many books give you the perspective of the “bad guy” yet in When Darkness Comes we meet the astute businessman Julian Junot. This deeply layered character will have you in tears. Third, the strong heroine Rachel shows not just self-sacrifice but self-love. She reminded me that you cannot take care of others if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Lastly, it had a bookstore featured. I know, us book lovers love a book about a bookstore. Overall this is a sweeping power-packed 381 pages that fly by quickly. What I loved was that it had numerous main characters yet I connected and felt like I knew all of them. Those that love closed-door romance will enjoy the explosive sexual tension. (Page 287 had me swooning). This one also wraps everything up nicely and gives closure to most of the characters. The landmarks featured in the story will be great for those familiar with Paris. I also loved how the title is also used in passages in the book.
Profile Image for Beth.
341 reviews24 followers
March 24, 2022
Ahhhh this book. 😭😭😭

When Darkness Comes hit me hard - in all the feels. As a Jewish woman, this was an especially emotional read for me.

Yes, it’s a common theme for historical fiction set in this time period, but it’s really different in such a great (and sad way).

Miller really reaches out and grabs the reader with characters of ordinary people working against the Nazis in Paris during the resistance. Rachel, Claire, Paul and Junot all have their reasons for wanting to help the Jews and their stories need to be heard. I loved this book so much and it weaves an intricate tale of sorrow, heartbreak and resilience. It’s both tragic and uplifting.

There were some great little twists thrown in towards the end that really tied everything together for me and I was flying through the pages. The epilogue was also wonderfully done. I was fully immersed here - and loved it all.

If you enjoy historical fiction from this time period, this is a must read. You won’t be able to put it down and will need to know the fate of these relatable characters. Have tissues, but do it! Just do it.

Thanks to John for choosing VBP to promote this book. We are so honored and I personally enjoyed this so very much.
Profile Image for Brittany.
1,065 reviews
March 23, 2022
This story follows the life of three resistance workers. Rachel, a Jew, wants to help end the war and help save as many others as she can. Claire, an antique bookstore owner and widower due to the Nazis, forms contacts within the Gestapo and Nazis in order to spy on them. She and her cousin Paul use their connections to help the resistance and save as many fleeing persecution as they can. After Pauls family is murdered, he is filled with rage, a need to get even, a wish to save those being wronged, and the desire to thwart of Germanys progress in Paris. Together these three brave people continuously put themselves in dangerous situations, save hundreds of lives, and thwart the Nazis every step of the way.

Pros:

I liked that they used the catacombs to hide and save people.
The story flowed well and tied together.
The spy aspect was well thought out and kept you guessing what was really going on.
The characters were so well written that your emotions were all over the place, depending on what was happening to them.
From the start, you are pulled in.

Cons:

I felt like the ending was rushed, even though it went together.
The cover could be made to fit the story better.
Profile Image for Shereen.
190 reviews13 followers
March 25, 2022
Lately I have been drawn to reading more historical fiction and this one did not disappoint! The book is set in 1942 and Paris is occupied by Nazis. I'd have to say this time period is one of my favorite to read about because of the strength and bravery of people who protected friends and families despite their religion.


 John Anthony Miller does an amazing job with the story and world. This was a fast paced book and super easy to follow along. There are ups and downs but it is all worth it when you get to the end. Paul, Claire, Julian and Rachel all have reasons that they are wanting to help the Jews which makes you love them all.


You are definitely going to get kicked in the feels while reading. If I didn't have to work and sleep I would have read this in one sitting. This is definitely a book that will be staying on my shelf and suggested to many to read.


Thank you to the author @authorjamiller and @bythebookvbp for a chance to read and review this book. This review is my opinion and mine alone. 
Profile Image for Nik's Nook.
1,122 reviews63 followers
March 25, 2022
Okay, lots of thoughts here as I finish up this beautifully tragic read, so, walk with me as I sort it all out...

When Darkness Comes takes place in Nazi-occupied Paris during 1942. Three characters come together - each for their own reason - to join the Resistance. The strength of Rachel, Paul, and Claire to do what needed to be done yet many wouldn't was absolutely incredible to witness.

This novel caught my attention from the first chapter and then the action kept me interested the entire book. The cruelty of the Germans, while I should have been prepared for that, was immediate & from there, I couldn't put the book down.

I truly empathized with all of the characters & especially that of Paul, as I physically felt his revenge build page after page.

Unrelated, but I really enjoyed the food descriptions that were sprinkled throughout. One description of steak - which was a rarity at the time - had me craving a steak so badly that the hubbs & I went to Longhorn for dinner. 😂

Overall, this is a great addition to the WWII hist fic genre.
Profile Image for Angel (Bookn.All.Night).
1,681 reviews44 followers
March 24, 2022
Even though these types of historical fiction are hard to read, I find myself gravitated towards them. The bravery of everyday people from that time both astounds me and brings such hope and light into my heart.

When Darkness Comes is one of these types of books. Everyday people, those you wouldn't suspect, take it upon themselves to do what's right and fight the oppression and downright evil of the Nazis.

This is a very quick read, easy to swept away in. It reads young to me so I would say this could even be considered YA Historical Fiction for older teens. There are a couple of sensitive scenes but nothing overly graphic. This era should not be forgotten and books like this shared with both young and old.

Highly recommend this one. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and By the Book VBP for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
Profile Image for Jeff Dawson.
Author 23 books106 followers
February 22, 2024
Brilliant! That’s all I can say about this World War Two Espionage thriller! I was captivated from the opening chapter and couldn’t wait to see how this story ended.

Mr. John Anthony Miller his this one out of the park with his fictional account of occupied France during World War Two.

If you are looking for a fast-paced novel, packed with a lot of believable facts during the occupation of Paris by the Nazis, this is your book!

Only came across six grammatical issues, but they did not detract from this exciting story.

A resounding five stars!
Profile Image for Crystal.
337 reviews16 followers
March 25, 2022
From the very first page you are pulled into the lives of Rachel, Paul and Claire, who come together to help hide Jewish Refugees and to join the Resistance. The writing is fast paced and you are immersed in the lives of these people that are so relatable and going through such tragedy while fighting for survival and hope. It’s full of suspense, twists and turns that will have you reading the entire book in one sitting.
2 reviews
October 27, 2021
This is the first book I read by John Anthony Miller and it impressed me so much I read Honour the Dead right after. I am so pleased with his creative writing style and detail. I grew up in this era and the tragedies described were truthfully familiar to me because I had three holocaust survivor friends, two from France and one from Poland, who told me their stories.
Profile Image for Donna M. Robinson.
7 reviews
December 4, 2021
WWII Comes to Life

Based in Paris during early German occupation, follows several characters through all aspects of the human condition. Shows the difficulty of any character to know who to trust and how to trust. If you like historical fiction, this is a good one!
Profile Image for Debbi Frank.
29 reviews
October 25, 2021
Not the usual Holocaust story....well fleshed characters that I really felt for as their intertwining experiences occurred...I have recommended this novel and am about to read another by the same author!
Profile Image for Bonnie  Barrett.
159 reviews
December 27, 2021
Great book and couldn't put it down! I learned about the French Resistance and how they helped during the Second World War.
93 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2022
A Great Story and Compelling Page Turner

Although historical fiction, it is surely based on similar events involving the French Resistance. The French Resistance played an important role in preparing for the Allies invasion of Normandy. The 4 main characters were well developed and great fun to read about. Enjoy!
78 reviews
April 29, 2022
A classic read

Just when you think you have figured out the next twist in the plot, John Miller takes the narrative on a back alley.
19 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2021
a very interesting book that was well written.

I thought this would be just another WW2 book about the French Resistance. But the book told a story that I had not heard about the saving of the Jews in France.
I found it very informative and well written.
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