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Vichyssoise
1942
Karin Schmidt, a former German citizen working for the British government, has disappeared during a spying mission in south-west France. Reporter David Klein is tasked with her search, which he gladly undertakes, despite the risks. In 1939, Karin had helped a Jewish family escape from Germany – and rescued him from Kletschkau prison. He owes her his life. But will he be in time to save her?
Set against the historical background of the Vichy government, the story shows an explosive Adolf Hitler and an irascible Winston Churchill, culminating in Philippe Pétain’s nail-biting trial for treason. David Klein and Karin Schmidt live through agonising times of danger.
Book #2 of the David Klein War Reporter series.
Book #1 of the David Klein War Reporter series is also available.
Karin Schmidt, a former German citizen working for the British government, has disappeared during a spying mission in south-west France. Reporter David Klein is tasked with her search, which he gladly undertakes, despite the risks. In 1939, Karin had helped a Jewish family escape from Germany – and rescued him from Kletschkau prison. He owes her his life. But will he be in time to save her?
Set against the historical background of the Vichy government, the story shows an explosive Adolf Hitler and an irascible Winston Churchill, culminating in Philippe Pétain’s nail-biting trial for treason. David Klein and Karin Schmidt live through agonising times of danger.
Book #2 of the David Klein War Reporter series.
Book #1 of the David Klein War Reporter series is also available.
297 pages, Paperback
Published August 19, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 18, 2023
GNAB I received an electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Olga Swan and Crooked Cat Publishing, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your work with me.
This is an excellent novel, easily followed and hard to put down, with compelling characters portrayed against the the Vichy Government in control of France during WWII, and then again in 1964 when our intrepid Josef and and aging David return to France to find the woman who saved them during the war. Ms. Swan did a great deal of research covering this time period in France and England, and portrays it for us smoothly and clearly, giving us an eye on the cause and effect of the government of France during this crucial time, and the importance of members of a Democratic nation to choose wisely those we elect into office on all levels. And she manages to make Philippe Petain into what he was - a tired old man who was never able to make decisions, rather than the Hitler collaborator, the soulless man we want to see him as. Read this book.
This is an excellent novel, easily followed and hard to put down, with compelling characters portrayed against the the Vichy Government in control of France during WWII, and then again in 1964 when our intrepid Josef and and aging David return to France to find the woman who saved them during the war. Ms. Swan did a great deal of research covering this time period in France and England, and portrays it for us smoothly and clearly, giving us an eye on the cause and effect of the government of France during this crucial time, and the importance of members of a Democratic nation to choose wisely those we elect into office on all levels. And she manages to make Philippe Petain into what he was - a tired old man who was never able to make decisions, rather than the Hitler collaborator, the soulless man we want to see him as. Read this book.
June 22, 2016
Having read Lamplight - the first book in this duo - I couldn't wait to read this one. Set against the reality of WW2 in Vichy France, this story completes the history of the central character David Klein. Beautifully written, the story has pace and takes you from Birmingham to London and then to France at one of the most difficult times in the history of that country. The historical background is clearly well researched and the narrative style flows easily and you can not help but be taken along by the story, the wonderfully drawn characters and the detailed and well described locations. A great read and a perfect companion piece to Lamplight.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews