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The Betrayal
'A real page-turner which puts you in France on the cusp of war from the very first page. Gripping. Tense. Mysterious. Kate Furnivall has a talent for creating places and characters who stay with you long after you’ve read the final word' JANE CORRY , bestselling author of Blood Sisters and My Husband's Wife
'Superb storytelling, brilliant narrative, engaging characters – a simply breath-taking exploration of two sisters on opposing sides who are both attempting to keep a lid on a past that won’t be silenced, while hiding the truth of the present. This intricate web of secrets and lies kept me guessing until the very end' DINAH JEFFERIES, bestselling author of The Tea Planter's Wife
Discover a brilliant story of love, danger, courage and betrayal, from the internationally bestselling author of The Liberation .
Could you kill someone? Someone you love?
Paris, 1938. Twin sisters are divided by fierce loyalties and by a terrible secret. The drums of war are beating and France is poised, ready to fall. One sister is an aviatrix, the other is a socialite and they both have something to prove and something to hide.
The Betrayal is an unforgettably powerful, epic story of love, loss and the long shadow of war, perfect for readers of Santa Montefiore and Victoria Hislop.
Further p raise for Kate
‘Wonderful . . . hugely ambitious and atmospheric’ Kate Mosse
‘A thrilling plot … Fast-paced with a sinister edge’ Times
‘Gripping . . . poignant, beautifully written …will capture the reader to the last’ Sun
‘Truly captivating’ Elle
‘Perfect escapist reading’ Marie Claire
‘An achingly beautiful epic’ New Woman
‘A rollicking good read’ Daily Telegraph
'Superb storytelling, brilliant narrative, engaging characters – a simply breath-taking exploration of two sisters on opposing sides who are both attempting to keep a lid on a past that won’t be silenced, while hiding the truth of the present. This intricate web of secrets and lies kept me guessing until the very end' DINAH JEFFERIES, bestselling author of The Tea Planter's Wife
Discover a brilliant story of love, danger, courage and betrayal, from the internationally bestselling author of The Liberation .
Could you kill someone? Someone you love?
Paris, 1938. Twin sisters are divided by fierce loyalties and by a terrible secret. The drums of war are beating and France is poised, ready to fall. One sister is an aviatrix, the other is a socialite and they both have something to prove and something to hide.
The Betrayal is an unforgettably powerful, epic story of love, loss and the long shadow of war, perfect for readers of Santa Montefiore and Victoria Hislop.
Further p raise for Kate
‘Wonderful . . . hugely ambitious and atmospheric’ Kate Mosse
‘A thrilling plot … Fast-paced with a sinister edge’ Times
‘Gripping . . . poignant, beautifully written …will capture the reader to the last’ Sun
‘Truly captivating’ Elle
‘Perfect escapist reading’ Marie Claire
‘An achingly beautiful epic’ New Woman
‘A rollicking good read’ Daily Telegraph
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2017
325 people are currently reading
1922 people want to read
About the author
Kate Furnivall
22 books999 followersKate Furnivall was raised in Penarth, a small seaside town in Wales. Her mother, whose own childhood was spent in Russia, China and India, discovered at an early age that the world around us is so volatile, that the only things of true value are those inside your head and your heart. These values Kate explores in The Russian Concubine.
Kate went to London University where she studied English and from there she went into publishing, writing material for a series of books on the canals of Britain. Then into advertising where she met her future husband, Norman. She travelled widely, giving her an insight into how different cultures function which was to prove invaluable when writing The Russian Concubine.
It was when her mother died in 2000 that Kate decided to write a book inspired by her mother's story. The Russian Concubine contains fictional characters and events, but Kate made use of the extraordinary situation that was her mother's childhood experience - that of two White Russian refugees, a mother and daughter, stuck without money or papers in an International Settlement in China.
Kate went to London University where she studied English and from there she went into publishing, writing material for a series of books on the canals of Britain. Then into advertising where she met her future husband, Norman. She travelled widely, giving her an insight into how different cultures function which was to prove invaluable when writing The Russian Concubine.
It was when her mother died in 2000 that Kate decided to write a book inspired by her mother's story. The Russian Concubine contains fictional characters and events, but Kate made use of the extraordinary situation that was her mother's childhood experience - that of two White Russian refugees, a mother and daughter, stuck without money or papers in an International Settlement in China.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews
October 23, 2017
I have just been on a thrilling and compelling journey to 1938 Paris with twin sisters Romaine (Romy) and Florence DuChamps in the truly captivating book "The Betrayal". The author Kate Furnivall has created an entertaining, intriguing and gripping story that I enjoyed from the start to the tense finish.
Could you kill someone? Someone you love? Both sisters have something to prove and something to hide. Their worlds clash while fear stalks the streets of Paris. France is poised, ready to fall, but who will fall with her?
I loved how we saw in the first chapter the sisters brought together in a tragic secret that would stay with them for the rest of their lives. This then quickly shifts to eight years later when Romy is a heavy drinking, reckless poker playing aviatrix and Florence is a happily married, privileged socialite with a beautiful daughter Chloe.
With the opening chapter getting straight into the plot I was instantly intrigued. I just knew I couldn't wait to find out the truth surrounding the tragic circumstances and that I wouldn't be putting the book down anytime soon until I found out. I also enjoyed how the author showed the sudden change in emotions and attitudes between the sisters and their current lives in the following years and was keen to know what had caused it after such an intense introduction to them. I loved both Romy and Florence and how their differing fierce loyalties and characters affected the emotion of the story and their individual involvement in political events of pre-war France. I know they will both definitely stay with me for a long time and I certainly won't forget that unbelievably tense ending that had me on the edge of my seat.
I don't have a sister myself but I was able to understand the depth of love and protection the sisters had for each other through the author's excellent portrayal of the twins' emotions.
I'd be more that happy to read future books by this talented author having adored this one and I'd easily recommend "The Betrayal" to readers of pre-war historical fiction for which this is an excellent example.
5 stars
Could you kill someone? Someone you love? Both sisters have something to prove and something to hide. Their worlds clash while fear stalks the streets of Paris. France is poised, ready to fall, but who will fall with her?
I loved how we saw in the first chapter the sisters brought together in a tragic secret that would stay with them for the rest of their lives. This then quickly shifts to eight years later when Romy is a heavy drinking, reckless poker playing aviatrix and Florence is a happily married, privileged socialite with a beautiful daughter Chloe.
With the opening chapter getting straight into the plot I was instantly intrigued. I just knew I couldn't wait to find out the truth surrounding the tragic circumstances and that I wouldn't be putting the book down anytime soon until I found out. I also enjoyed how the author showed the sudden change in emotions and attitudes between the sisters and their current lives in the following years and was keen to know what had caused it after such an intense introduction to them. I loved both Romy and Florence and how their differing fierce loyalties and characters affected the emotion of the story and their individual involvement in political events of pre-war France. I know they will both definitely stay with me for a long time and I certainly won't forget that unbelievably tense ending that had me on the edge of my seat.
I don't have a sister myself but I was able to understand the depth of love and protection the sisters had for each other through the author's excellent portrayal of the twins' emotions.
I'd be more that happy to read future books by this talented author having adored this one and I'd easily recommend "The Betrayal" to readers of pre-war historical fiction for which this is an excellent example.
5 stars
October 22, 2017
4.5★s
When twin sisters Florence and Romaine were seventeen years old their father was killed under horrific circumstances. Eight years later, a tortured Romy flew small Tiger Moth aircraft from Paris, delivering parcels and people to the places they needed to go. And Florence was married to Roland with a six-year-old daughter, Chloe.
War was on the horizon while Hitler was causing great divisions in the people of Germany and France. But Florence and Romy both had secrets to hide; terrible secrets that pulled them apart from each other in more ways than one. Romy courted danger on a daily basis, feeling she had nothing to lose and Florence kept her husband happy, but not herself…
As the Germans threatened everything France had strived for, Romy knew she needed to go underground to protect what she held dear, including her niece Chloe. But trouble was closer than she knew – was her courage enough to combat the danger that hovered day and night? Would her fears become truth?
The Betrayal by Kate Furnivall is an excellent tale of sisters and the deep love and bond they share; of the ease in which trust and loyalty is shattered and of betrayal of the worst kind. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of Paris and the timeframe of a war that was closing in. Another excellent historical fiction novel from this author, The Betrayal is one I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
When twin sisters Florence and Romaine were seventeen years old their father was killed under horrific circumstances. Eight years later, a tortured Romy flew small Tiger Moth aircraft from Paris, delivering parcels and people to the places they needed to go. And Florence was married to Roland with a six-year-old daughter, Chloe.
War was on the horizon while Hitler was causing great divisions in the people of Germany and France. But Florence and Romy both had secrets to hide; terrible secrets that pulled them apart from each other in more ways than one. Romy courted danger on a daily basis, feeling she had nothing to lose and Florence kept her husband happy, but not herself…
As the Germans threatened everything France had strived for, Romy knew she needed to go underground to protect what she held dear, including her niece Chloe. But trouble was closer than she knew – was her courage enough to combat the danger that hovered day and night? Would her fears become truth?
The Betrayal by Kate Furnivall is an excellent tale of sisters and the deep love and bond they share; of the ease in which trust and loyalty is shattered and of betrayal of the worst kind. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of Paris and the timeframe of a war that was closing in. Another excellent historical fiction novel from this author, The Betrayal is one I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
October 27, 2021
A brilliant page turning, a thrilling and captivating book... Couldn't put it down
May 11, 2020
Three and a half stars.
The story starts in Paris in 1930 with seventeen year old Romy standing over the body of her father. Due to a hit on the head she doesn’t remember what happened but assumes she must have killed her father. Fearing the guillotine for Romy for murder, her twin sister Florence helps her cover up what happened and the blame is laid elsewhere. Eight years later, Romy who is an ace pilot is still troubled by guilt and still has hardly any memories of that night. With war looming. Romy is involved in the underground movement and makes some dangerous flights to deliver packages. Her twin meanwhile is a socialite married to Roland. Florence has a very different view of the world, and interacts quite a lot with German officers. She also has a daughter Chloe who both Florence and Romy love dearly. Secrets abound in this story and you just know those secrets will come to light. But it may not all be as the reader expects. More than one betrayal will come to light before this story is through.
I read this because I had earlier read one of Kate Furnivall’s novels which I really enjoyed. Although this starts with a dramatic scene and I wanted to know exactly what happened and why, I never warmed to any of the main chracters. However the plot does keep things moving along most of the time. Sometimes though I found myself losing interest a bit and skimming. Perhaps that was in part because I was not that emotionally invested in the characters or not that interested in the details of planes and flying. However it does show that a huge amount of research has gone into the writing of this book. Towards the end I found myself flipping the pages over faster and faster. The ending certainly delivers.
I found this an interesting read in many respects and learned things I never knew. Not being a history buff, I was unaware that the guillotine was still around as late as that in French history. It is quite an involved plot which I appreciated but I just never found myself fully gripped by the characters. It was a bit like I was outside the action rather than involved in it with them. In the end I didn’t find it quite as good as the earlier book I’d read by this author. However it is still very readable and should appeal to many readers, especially if you like an intriguing plot.
The story starts in Paris in 1930 with seventeen year old Romy standing over the body of her father. Due to a hit on the head she doesn’t remember what happened but assumes she must have killed her father. Fearing the guillotine for Romy for murder, her twin sister Florence helps her cover up what happened and the blame is laid elsewhere. Eight years later, Romy who is an ace pilot is still troubled by guilt and still has hardly any memories of that night. With war looming. Romy is involved in the underground movement and makes some dangerous flights to deliver packages. Her twin meanwhile is a socialite married to Roland. Florence has a very different view of the world, and interacts quite a lot with German officers. She also has a daughter Chloe who both Florence and Romy love dearly. Secrets abound in this story and you just know those secrets will come to light. But it may not all be as the reader expects. More than one betrayal will come to light before this story is through.
I read this because I had earlier read one of Kate Furnivall’s novels which I really enjoyed. Although this starts with a dramatic scene and I wanted to know exactly what happened and why, I never warmed to any of the main chracters. However the plot does keep things moving along most of the time. Sometimes though I found myself losing interest a bit and skimming. Perhaps that was in part because I was not that emotionally invested in the characters or not that interested in the details of planes and flying. However it does show that a huge amount of research has gone into the writing of this book. Towards the end I found myself flipping the pages over faster and faster. The ending certainly delivers.
I found this an interesting read in many respects and learned things I never knew. Not being a history buff, I was unaware that the guillotine was still around as late as that in French history. It is quite an involved plot which I appreciated but I just never found myself fully gripped by the characters. It was a bit like I was outside the action rather than involved in it with them. In the end I didn’t find it quite as good as the earlier book I’d read by this author. However it is still very readable and should appeal to many readers, especially if you like an intriguing plot.
August 14, 2017
Kate had written a fabulous page turner of a book. Set in Paris in the late 30's. The war is yet to rage but Hitler's reign has already started to take devastating effect. Two sister are joined together by a secret. But the secret makes them both take very different paths.
This book has you guessing what is going on until the very last reveil at the very end of the story. There is enough interest, intrigue, love, romance and betrayals to keep you racing through the book.
Kate really is a master story teller and I can't wait to read her next book. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.
This book has you guessing what is going on until the very last reveil at the very end of the story. There is enough interest, intrigue, love, romance and betrayals to keep you racing through the book.
Kate really is a master story teller and I can't wait to read her next book. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.
September 11, 2018
While I found the concept interesting I found myself skimming pages and I just wasn’t invested in the story.. 🤷♀️
2 stars. 🌟🌟
2 stars. 🌟🌟
November 29, 2017
The Betrayal by Kate Furnivall is superb writing and a truly captivating experience.
I was just locked into this book.
Twin sisters in 1930's Paris one a pilot, the other a socialite.
Your heart will be beating as you fly through this book like a Tiger Moth in the sky!
The story is totally gripping.
This one's a winner as far as I'm concerned.
See what The Betrayal is in this new, mysterious and exciting novel by Kate Furnivall.
Highly recommend.
I was just locked into this book.
Twin sisters in 1930's Paris one a pilot, the other a socialite.
Your heart will be beating as you fly through this book like a Tiger Moth in the sky!
The story is totally gripping.
This one's a winner as far as I'm concerned.
See what The Betrayal is in this new, mysterious and exciting novel by Kate Furnivall.
Highly recommend.
October 31, 2017
I loved this! I always know I’m in for a great read when I start Kate Furnivall’s books.
The story begins in 1930 in Paris. A traumatic incident occurs, involving twins, which has tragic consequences. Time rolls on to 1938 just before WWII when Adolf Hitler and his cronies are on the warpath. For the twins, it’s a period of confusion and tumult as events from the past keep coming back to haunt them.
This is a rollercoaster of a ride and quite a journey! It’s action packed, exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. There are some brilliant characters, especially the twins who are strong and resilient women but so very different. One is a socialite and the other an aviatrix. Both have secrets which impact on each other. It’s a tale of lies, clandestine operations and treachery. But, throughout it all there is a great sense of the power of love. There is also an interesting and shocking twist at the end!
A beautifully written and captivating page turner which I can highly recommend.
Reviewed for TBC on Facebook.
The story begins in 1930 in Paris. A traumatic incident occurs, involving twins, which has tragic consequences. Time rolls on to 1938 just before WWII when Adolf Hitler and his cronies are on the warpath. For the twins, it’s a period of confusion and tumult as events from the past keep coming back to haunt them.
This is a rollercoaster of a ride and quite a journey! It’s action packed, exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. There are some brilliant characters, especially the twins who are strong and resilient women but so very different. One is a socialite and the other an aviatrix. Both have secrets which impact on each other. It’s a tale of lies, clandestine operations and treachery. But, throughout it all there is a great sense of the power of love. There is also an interesting and shocking twist at the end!
A beautifully written and captivating page turner which I can highly recommend.
Reviewed for TBC on Facebook.
August 13, 2017
Kate Furnivall has written yet another brilliant page turning book!!
The story is set in Paris in the late thirties. The war hasn't stated yet but Hitler is well on his road to make Germany pure.
Two sisters are joined together by a secret but the secret makes them take a different path way. As they get older the secret becomes between them.
The loves, the beliefs and betrayals guide you through the pages. The bond as twins remains there but the trust has disappeared.
I was trying to guess the connections until the very last page!!
The story is set in Paris in the late thirties. The war hasn't stated yet but Hitler is well on his road to make Germany pure.
Two sisters are joined together by a secret but the secret makes them take a different path way. As they get older the secret becomes between them.
The loves, the beliefs and betrayals guide you through the pages. The bond as twins remains there but the trust has disappeared.
I was trying to guess the connections until the very last page!!
September 22, 2017
4.5 stars.
This book really gripped me. The 1930s French backdrop adds a certain je ne sais quoi that is quite charming and the characterisation is just superb. This novel kept me at the edge of my seat throughout. Loved it!
Many thanks to Netgalley who provided me with this ARC. I chose to read it and give a voluntary and unbiased review.
This book really gripped me. The 1930s French backdrop adds a certain je ne sais quoi that is quite charming and the characterisation is just superb. This novel kept me at the edge of my seat throughout. Loved it!
Many thanks to Netgalley who provided me with this ARC. I chose to read it and give a voluntary and unbiased review.
May 6, 2020
A worthy 5*
A family divided in WWII, one sister believed she was responsible for the death of her father while the other one did know the truth; plus during the run up to WWII the two sisters are on the opposite sides of the divide. The only 'Betrayal' is the hero playing aunt to her biological daughter while her sister and brother in law bring her up as their own.
A family divided in WWII, one sister believed she was responsible for the death of her father while the other one did know the truth; plus during the run up to WWII the two sisters are on the opposite sides of the divide. The only 'Betrayal' is the hero playing aunt to her biological daughter while her sister and brother in law bring her up as their own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2017
The Betrayal is another excellent book from Kate Furnivall set in pre-war France. I've read (and adored) three of Kate Furnivall's books now and I have found that each one has swept me away to Kate's chosen location and historical era; they are pure escapism with riveting storylines and surprises galore. The writing is so vivid that it feels very much like you're living in the book with these unforgettable characters.
The Betrayal has an amazing first chapter: set in 1930, Romaine (Romy) regained consciousness in her father's study with her father's body beside her. Her twin sister, Florence, took control and encouraged Romy to blame the gardener for her father's murder, a crime which saw him tried and executed. Romy had to live with the guilt of being responsible for an innocent man's death and she almost became carefree with her own life, by becoming a risk taking pilot. Her twin, Florence, couldn't be more different: she mixes with the rich and famous and entertains high ranking Germans as Hitler prepares for war.
As Romy spends more time with her sister and her guests, there's something about the German language that causes fragments of Romy's memory to reappear. She remembers that she heard German being spoken in her father's study that fateful day. As Romy chips away at her memory, Florence is keen to keep it all hidden. What does she know about her father's murder and what does she have to hide? Or more significantly, what does she have to lose?
This was so gripping and reminded me of a game of Cluedo: all the pieces were laid out on the board pointing at Romy in the study with a paperknife but until Romy remembers what she saw and heard, we're playing the game with some key pieces still in the box. So it's one of those books where you can't read fast enough to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together. Now I've gone and mixed up my boardgames, but I'm sure you know what I mean!
You don't need a time machine with Kate Furnivall writing such superb historical fiction. The Betrayal fully immerses the reader in the era, leaving no doubt as to the time and place you're reading about. I do think Kate's books, in particular The Betrayal, would make a stunning film. Not that it would enhance the story, as it's written so beautifully, but I just feel that the dramatic scenes described in The Betrayal would be absolutely breathtaking on the big screen.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The Betrayal has an amazing first chapter: set in 1930, Romaine (Romy) regained consciousness in her father's study with her father's body beside her. Her twin sister, Florence, took control and encouraged Romy to blame the gardener for her father's murder, a crime which saw him tried and executed. Romy had to live with the guilt of being responsible for an innocent man's death and she almost became carefree with her own life, by becoming a risk taking pilot. Her twin, Florence, couldn't be more different: she mixes with the rich and famous and entertains high ranking Germans as Hitler prepares for war.
As Romy spends more time with her sister and her guests, there's something about the German language that causes fragments of Romy's memory to reappear. She remembers that she heard German being spoken in her father's study that fateful day. As Romy chips away at her memory, Florence is keen to keep it all hidden. What does she know about her father's murder and what does she have to hide? Or more significantly, what does she have to lose?
This was so gripping and reminded me of a game of Cluedo: all the pieces were laid out on the board pointing at Romy in the study with a paperknife but until Romy remembers what she saw and heard, we're playing the game with some key pieces still in the box. So it's one of those books where you can't read fast enough to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together. Now I've gone and mixed up my boardgames, but I'm sure you know what I mean!
You don't need a time machine with Kate Furnivall writing such superb historical fiction. The Betrayal fully immerses the reader in the era, leaving no doubt as to the time and place you're reading about. I do think Kate's books, in particular The Betrayal, would make a stunning film. Not that it would enhance the story, as it's written so beautifully, but I just feel that the dramatic scenes described in The Betrayal would be absolutely breathtaking on the big screen.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
September 27, 2017
With most books you read, you tend to guess how it might end, but what I loved about Kate's book is she led me on a thrilling journey where I really had no idea what the ending might be. This is an exciting, intriguing book, incredibly well researched and all the characters come to life on the page. In Romy, Kate has portrayed so beautifully a damaged soul, wrecked by guilt, drink and lack of sleep - but also someone compassionate, talented, vibrant and a real risk taker. I was fascinated by her relationship with her twin sister, two completely opposing characters and yet entwined together by their roots. I was also swept away by the love story. A wonderful book, with so many elements to it, a story that kept me turning the page, often taking in deep breaths to see what would happen next. This was my first Kate Furnivall book and it won't be my last!
July 28, 2018
A vividly painted portrait of Paris on the cusp of wartime. Tensions are running high within the various communities, perhaps no more so than the two very different lives lead by twin sisters Romanie and Florence.
I thought the first half of the book was better than the second; I loved the way the author created the complexity of the twins existences and the way in which they lived. It was also refreshing to read of a woman very much ahead of her time. There is a great deal of true to life history interwoven throughout this book which should please history fans.
I felt the story progressed at an average pace, I wasn’t necessarily excited to read on but something kept me doing just that. Indeed there were chapters fraught with action to pick up the slower scenes.
Although I will likely read another book by this author, I probably wouldn’t rush to recommend this to historical fiction fans. There was something lacking in the story and it pains me to say I can’t identify exactly what that is, and as such, this deserves a fair to middling three star rating.
I thought the first half of the book was better than the second; I loved the way the author created the complexity of the twins existences and the way in which they lived. It was also refreshing to read of a woman very much ahead of her time. There is a great deal of true to life history interwoven throughout this book which should please history fans.
I felt the story progressed at an average pace, I wasn’t necessarily excited to read on but something kept me doing just that. Indeed there were chapters fraught with action to pick up the slower scenes.
Although I will likely read another book by this author, I probably wouldn’t rush to recommend this to historical fiction fans. There was something lacking in the story and it pains me to say I can’t identify exactly what that is, and as such, this deserves a fair to middling three star rating.
April 6, 2025
I’ve been reading lots of books featuring WWII resistance fighters in France and this is one of the best.
November 16, 2017
When I saw a new Kate Furnivall book, the rush was on ... where do I sign up? This author is a certain ‘go to’ as she just never fails to deliver. In this particular story, Kate has created an entertaining, intriguing and gripping story that I enjoyed from beginning to end. Packed full of details about the time preceding World War 2 and the rise of fascism in Europe, made this a gripping and intelligent read.
We begin in 1930, Paris, where a traumatic incident occurs, involving the twins, which has tragic consequences. Fast forward to 1938 just before WWII when Adolf Hitler and his party are on the the road to war. Here unfolds a time of tumultuous confusion as events from the past keep coming back to haunt the sisters. This book will keep you guessing until the very end - so much intrigue, romance and ,yes betrayal, will see you furiously racing through pages to see how it all unfolds.
Furnivall is a master story teller. This is a book full of action with just enough romantic suspense thrown into the mix. You will love the dual narrative between the sisters, particularly Romy and her attempts to make good over perceived actions from eight years ago that she cannot fully remember. Furnivall’s descriptions of pre war Paris were real and insightful. Her research into aircraft and assistance to Spain, flawless - it reads as if you were on a mission with Romy.
The characters here - both primary and secondary - are brilliant! The twin sisters demonstrate such strength and resilience. The array of secondary characters exhibit a real depth of realism from those you cheer for, to those you are afraid of. This is a book about secrets and their impact in the form of lies and treachery. Yet through it all, there is this sense of strength and love - for sibling, for partners, for cause.
“The strong black lines of truth stand out. The lines are the scaffolding of life. They are made up of love. And hate. Love of someone. Of a cause. Of justice. Of self. Hate of someone. Of a cause. Of justice. Of self.”
From the very beginning, Furnivall will hit you with the impact of a certain event, and until the very end you will be engaged. Unusual for the heart of the story to be revealed in a prologue, but oh so clever, as the story then gradually unfolds of how this event affects the sister’s - love, guilt, intrigue, loyalty, murder.....
“I am afraid. Afraid of myself. Afraid of what is inside me. I am alone in a closed room with my dead father and I know I have murdered him.”
I cannot praise this book highly enough - a brilliant read, detailing the uncertainty of what lay ahead with the onset of WWII. ‘The Betrayal’ had me turning the pages so eager to find out what lay in store, especially for these sisters who shared such secrets and such love. Here is escapism at it’s finest - riveting storyline with plenty of punch in the plots. Please do yourself a favour and spend some time in pre-war France with these unforgettable characters.
‘I know you are a pain in the arse, hell bent on destroying yourself. The best damn flier I know, with enough courage for a whole squadron of fliers. With a generous heart and a frantic determination to drown yourself in a bottle. I don’t know what the hell happened to you in the past, Romaine, or what makes you push people away to stop anyone getting close.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
We begin in 1930, Paris, where a traumatic incident occurs, involving the twins, which has tragic consequences. Fast forward to 1938 just before WWII when Adolf Hitler and his party are on the the road to war. Here unfolds a time of tumultuous confusion as events from the past keep coming back to haunt the sisters. This book will keep you guessing until the very end - so much intrigue, romance and ,yes betrayal, will see you furiously racing through pages to see how it all unfolds.
Furnivall is a master story teller. This is a book full of action with just enough romantic suspense thrown into the mix. You will love the dual narrative between the sisters, particularly Romy and her attempts to make good over perceived actions from eight years ago that she cannot fully remember. Furnivall’s descriptions of pre war Paris were real and insightful. Her research into aircraft and assistance to Spain, flawless - it reads as if you were on a mission with Romy.
The characters here - both primary and secondary - are brilliant! The twin sisters demonstrate such strength and resilience. The array of secondary characters exhibit a real depth of realism from those you cheer for, to those you are afraid of. This is a book about secrets and their impact in the form of lies and treachery. Yet through it all, there is this sense of strength and love - for sibling, for partners, for cause.
“The strong black lines of truth stand out. The lines are the scaffolding of life. They are made up of love. And hate. Love of someone. Of a cause. Of justice. Of self. Hate of someone. Of a cause. Of justice. Of self.”
From the very beginning, Furnivall will hit you with the impact of a certain event, and until the very end you will be engaged. Unusual for the heart of the story to be revealed in a prologue, but oh so clever, as the story then gradually unfolds of how this event affects the sister’s - love, guilt, intrigue, loyalty, murder.....
“I am afraid. Afraid of myself. Afraid of what is inside me. I am alone in a closed room with my dead father and I know I have murdered him.”
I cannot praise this book highly enough - a brilliant read, detailing the uncertainty of what lay ahead with the onset of WWII. ‘The Betrayal’ had me turning the pages so eager to find out what lay in store, especially for these sisters who shared such secrets and such love. Here is escapism at it’s finest - riveting storyline with plenty of punch in the plots. Please do yourself a favour and spend some time in pre-war France with these unforgettable characters.
‘I know you are a pain in the arse, hell bent on destroying yourself. The best damn flier I know, with enough courage for a whole squadron of fliers. With a generous heart and a frantic determination to drown yourself in a bottle. I don’t know what the hell happened to you in the past, Romaine, or what makes you push people away to stop anyone getting close.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
May 14, 2019
4.5 - Voto
Non conoscevo Kate Furnivall, ma questo romanzo davvero originale per tema e scrittura, mi ha lasciato molto colpita.
Sin da subito si respira una tensione che cresce con il procedere della storia. La scena iniziale, degna di un giallo di Agatha Christie o un film di Alfred Hitchcock, è narrata dalla stessa Romaine che racconta del suo risveglio nello studio del padre, con quest’ultimo riverso a terra in una pozza di sangue. La ragazza, stravolta dallo shock, si convince di essere la causa di quella morte.
La sorella Florence accorre in suo aiuto e in pochi minuti ripulisce la stanza del delitto creando per la gemella un alibi inattaccabile e allontanando Romaine da ogni sospetto. Sin da subito però, si intuisce che l’affetto fraterno non è l’unica motivazione a muovere Florence…ma per questo dovremo attendere la fine del libro.
Personalità complessa quella della sospetta omicida. Nel 1938 la troviamo impegnata a pilotare aeroplani, un’attività rischiosa e (per quei tempi) prettamente maschile. Una grande passione quella del volo, che la porta a correre dei rischi, ma che le regala ogni volta una sensazione di libertà e di vita che non ha sulla terraferma.
E’ una donna terribilmente tormentata Romaine, che sfidando le convenzioni e rischiando la vita cerca di esorcizzare i sensi di colpa che la divorano.
Completamente opposta la personalità della sorella Florence. Perfetta moglie e madre in casa e impeccabile donna di mondo nei ricchi salotti parigini.
Passionale e coinvolgente l’una, quanto fredda e distaccata l’altra.
Mi ha impressionato molto il personaggio di Florence. Un donna che come i ragni tesse tele di intrighi, profondamente legata alla sorella gemella da un amore macchiato dalla menzogna e dalla mistificazione.
L’ambientazione è affascinante perché varia. La storia si sviluppa tra hangar di piccoli aeroporti, locali super chic dove Cole Porter conquista i parigini con il suo jazz e Josephine Baker con la passionalità della sua danza e bettole da quattro soldi che nascondono riunioni di società segrete, spie e assassini. E come inquietante cornice a tutto ciò, vi è l’ombra dell’invasione nazista che allunga i suoi artigli su Parigi.
Consigliato!
.
Emanuela - per RFS
Non conoscevo Kate Furnivall, ma questo romanzo davvero originale per tema e scrittura, mi ha lasciato molto colpita.
Sin da subito si respira una tensione che cresce con il procedere della storia. La scena iniziale, degna di un giallo di Agatha Christie o un film di Alfred Hitchcock, è narrata dalla stessa Romaine che racconta del suo risveglio nello studio del padre, con quest’ultimo riverso a terra in una pozza di sangue. La ragazza, stravolta dallo shock, si convince di essere la causa di quella morte.
La sorella Florence accorre in suo aiuto e in pochi minuti ripulisce la stanza del delitto creando per la gemella un alibi inattaccabile e allontanando Romaine da ogni sospetto. Sin da subito però, si intuisce che l’affetto fraterno non è l’unica motivazione a muovere Florence…ma per questo dovremo attendere la fine del libro.
Personalità complessa quella della sospetta omicida. Nel 1938 la troviamo impegnata a pilotare aeroplani, un’attività rischiosa e (per quei tempi) prettamente maschile. Una grande passione quella del volo, che la porta a correre dei rischi, ma che le regala ogni volta una sensazione di libertà e di vita che non ha sulla terraferma.
E’ una donna terribilmente tormentata Romaine, che sfidando le convenzioni e rischiando la vita cerca di esorcizzare i sensi di colpa che la divorano.
Completamente opposta la personalità della sorella Florence. Perfetta moglie e madre in casa e impeccabile donna di mondo nei ricchi salotti parigini.
Passionale e coinvolgente l’una, quanto fredda e distaccata l’altra.
Mi ha impressionato molto il personaggio di Florence. Un donna che come i ragni tesse tele di intrighi, profondamente legata alla sorella gemella da un amore macchiato dalla menzogna e dalla mistificazione.
L’ambientazione è affascinante perché varia. La storia si sviluppa tra hangar di piccoli aeroporti, locali super chic dove Cole Porter conquista i parigini con il suo jazz e Josephine Baker con la passionalità della sua danza e bettole da quattro soldi che nascondono riunioni di società segrete, spie e assassini. E come inquietante cornice a tutto ciò, vi è l’ombra dell’invasione nazista che allunga i suoi artigli su Parigi.
Consigliato!
.
Emanuela - per RFS
January 17, 2018
A tense family drama that was a bit unbelievable for me to enjoy it
July 13, 2018
Well written and very suspenseful, this WWII novel had some unusual twists! A Resistance movement which supported the Spanish cause, as well as a spirited aviatrix who was an identical twin combined to make an intriguing combination. I enjoyed it, and was highly motivated to finish and learn how things unfolded. I’m a vaguely reluctant to rate it as a standout, although maybe that’s unfair and I’ve just been reading too many WWII stories. A robust three stars, or maybe four.
March 16, 2023
4.5 ⭐️ I’ve read a lot of WW2 historical fiction written by women and this one is definitely set apart. Much more gritty than the typical, present tense voice which was interesting, and some unique twists. I listened to it on audio and the reader was A+
November 18, 2017
A thrilling, obviously well researched, intriguing and beautifully written book!
Set in pre-WW2 Paris and centred around two strong female characters - sisters at opposite poles in their political outlooks, who share a dangerous secret and an extremely complex love/hate relationship. The settings and events are evocatively described and the tension builds steadily making the last third of the book a riveting, thrilling page turner.
I'll certainly be reading more of Kate Furnivall's books and highly recommend this to both lovers of WW2 Historical fiction and clever thrillers. 4/5-5 stars
Set in pre-WW2 Paris and centred around two strong female characters - sisters at opposite poles in their political outlooks, who share a dangerous secret and an extremely complex love/hate relationship. The settings and events are evocatively described and the tension builds steadily making the last third of the book a riveting, thrilling page turner.
I'll certainly be reading more of Kate Furnivall's books and highly recommend this to both lovers of WW2 Historical fiction and clever thrillers. 4/5-5 stars
September 2, 2018
Visit the locations in the novel
A story set in France just before the start of WWII, with twin sisters who have extremely opposing points of view……sisters who both have secrets to hide….well this is just my kind of thing. When you add in the other ingredients of their family background, the sense of adventure and freedom then it gets even better.
It’s got the Furnival stamp of quality research and evocative writing all over it. I was immersed in the Paris of the 1930s with the smallest and subtlest of details.The war staining the streets and people’s minds in every which way, the cafes on the corner, the dark dress and hurried walks of those passing by. Present day political loyalties are tested to the extreme and it ‘s through the two sisters that this is best examined. Romaine makes regular journeys as a pilot to Spain in support of the Nationalist cause. Florence however, is to be found trying to broker a peace agreement between the Nazis and the French government. The sisterly bonds, loyalties v individual needs, war time which changes everything and you have a complex yet intriguing read. Nicely layered and once I’d come to the end, I sat and thought about many things I had just read and wondered which sister I would have been, what I would have done. That for me, is the mark of a good book.
Kate’s new book is out soon and I can’t wait.
February 5, 2018
I bought this novel at the airport, having finished the book I had taken with me to read. I had never read anything by Kate Furnivall before, and bought it because the cover and the blurb made it sound like the kind of book I would like to read: a story of love, danger, courage and betrayal set in Paris, 1938.
The story begins with the brutal murder of the father of seventeen-year-old twins, Romaine and Florence. The family’s Arabic gardener is guillotined for the crime, but the twin sisters know that he is innocent.
Eight years later, Florence is a rich socialite married to a Nazi sympathiser, and Romy is an impoverished, reckless, hard-drinking aviatrix who flies guns and supplies to the rebels of the Spanish Civil War. From that point on, the plot gallops along with lots of surprises and nail-biting suspense. The contrast between the characters of the sisters is fascinating, while their love and support for each other is – by the end – heartbreaking. I particularly loved Romy: wild, passionate, loving, haunted by the past and determined to, somehow, make amends. This is historical storytelling at its best, and I am very keen now to read more by Kate Furnivall.
The story begins with the brutal murder of the father of seventeen-year-old twins, Romaine and Florence. The family’s Arabic gardener is guillotined for the crime, but the twin sisters know that he is innocent.
Eight years later, Florence is a rich socialite married to a Nazi sympathiser, and Romy is an impoverished, reckless, hard-drinking aviatrix who flies guns and supplies to the rebels of the Spanish Civil War. From that point on, the plot gallops along with lots of surprises and nail-biting suspense. The contrast between the characters of the sisters is fascinating, while their love and support for each other is – by the end – heartbreaking. I particularly loved Romy: wild, passionate, loving, haunted by the past and determined to, somehow, make amends. This is historical storytelling at its best, and I am very keen now to read more by Kate Furnivall.
May 18, 2018
Impossibly beautiful twins with a dark and trouble past. Golden ringlet-ed hair, smooth skin, petite, flat stomachs - and they look equally beautiful in dirty dungarees as they do in Chanel. Oh and they are impossible smart too - and tenacious and gutsy and talented at flying - and rich with an handsome husband. What's not to love!
But a very trouble past with the black sheep twin believing she had killed her father, then she and the other perfect twin covered it up and let the gardener take the blame and get beheaded by the guillotine!! Quelle horreur! {Oh their French too, lets not forget that.}
Anyway I read it, I enjoyed reading it - the pages turn without too much effort, but there is nothing much to think about here. It all works out in the end (of course it does!). The dark sheep twin gets a new life with the ruggedly handsome (but brooding) ex-pilot and a sweet and perfect child too. The other twin gets to take her exit dramatically but on her own terms- as only a devastatingly beautiful assassin/spy should. Perfect for holiday reading.
But a very trouble past with the black sheep twin believing she had killed her father, then she and the other perfect twin covered it up and let the gardener take the blame and get beheaded by the guillotine!! Quelle horreur! {Oh their French too, lets not forget that.}
Anyway I read it, I enjoyed reading it - the pages turn without too much effort, but there is nothing much to think about here. It all works out in the end (of course it does!). The dark sheep twin gets a new life with the ruggedly handsome (but brooding) ex-pilot and a sweet and perfect child too. The other twin gets to take her exit dramatically but on her own terms- as only a devastatingly beautiful assassin/spy should. Perfect for holiday reading.
March 17, 2018
Romy is an extraordinary and compelling heroine: a pilot flying supplies to Spain during the Civil War and helping wanted men to flee the country. The rest of the time she lives in Paris, where she drinks hard liquor, gambles for high stakes and does her best to run away from the terrible secret in her past. But when she visits her sister Florence, who is married to a wealthy businessman, she is forced to remember because they were both there, and they know the truth.
This is a beautifully written story, with a fast pace and loads of twists. I love the historical detail about the planes and the sheer love of flying that comes across. I also love the atmosphere of Paris in 1938, a society on the brink, when Nazis were infiltrating high society and danger hovered round every street corner.
This is a beautifully written story, with a fast pace and loads of twists. I love the historical detail about the planes and the sheer love of flying that comes across. I also love the atmosphere of Paris in 1938, a society on the brink, when Nazis were infiltrating high society and danger hovered round every street corner.
October 30, 2017
This is the second of Kate's books I have read and I absolutely LOVED them both. I will, of course, need to hunt down and devour her entire back catalogue now!
Kate writes amazing, strong female characters that we would all love our daughters/nieces to turn into. Not only that, but she manages to set these characters in a period where this was not the norm. She writes them into war-time Europe with a sensitivity to the time period that is difficult to describe here. (Clearly Kate is a far better write than I!)
110% you all need to read this book and all of Kate's other books!
Kate writes amazing, strong female characters that we would all love our daughters/nieces to turn into. Not only that, but she manages to set these characters in a period where this was not the norm. She writes them into war-time Europe with a sensitivity to the time period that is difficult to describe here. (Clearly Kate is a far better write than I!)
110% you all need to read this book and all of Kate's other books!
May 17, 2018
With a shocking murder in her past, aviatrix Romaine finds her life spiralling out of control.
I have been meaning to read The Betrayal since it was released and my goodness was it worth the wait. The Betrayal was so much more than I was expecting. I had thought I was going to read a sweeping romance, and indeed there is great love and passion between its pages, but I hadn’t anticipated the exquisite intensity of emotion and the highly charged pulse racing thriller alongside it. There’s such skill in Kate Furnivall’s writing because she knows exactly how to ensnare the reader so that they couldn’t put down The Betrayal even if they wanted to – which I certainly didn’t. Every chapter has a hook, a surprise and a depth that is, truly, breathtaking. The depictions of grief and joy, of love and hatred, bigotry and compassion all thrum through the story so that reading it felt like a physical experience for me. The title is perfect. There are so many ways in which characters betray one another – and indeed themselves, but to explain more would be to spoil the read for others.
The plot steams along and at times I felt I almost couldn’t bear what was in front of me. Reading The Betrayal felt almost like being part of the action. I wasn’t just reading a fictionalised narrative, but living and breathing the events too. So many times I was taken aback by proceedings. The story itself was given greater depth and realism by being firmly rooted in brilliantly researched history with a cast of real minor characters from the era so that The Betrayal is highly evocative of 1930’s Paris. Even the city of Paris becomes like a living, breathing organism as Kate Furnivall writes so devastatingly well. The Betrayal is a superlative depiction of pre Second World War life making it completely convincing to read.
I adored the characterisation. Romy’s self-destructive nature is completely believable and the balance of vulnerability and feistiness in her so wonderfully portrayed that it is impossible not to experience her life with her. Similarly, all the other people in The Betrayal are authentic and utterly convincing. I loved the counterpoise of Florence and Romaine as twin sisters. There was something so visceral and poignant in their relationship that at times I could hardly withstand reading about them.
I had anticipated that The Betrayal would be a good read. I hadn’t realised just how amazing I would find it. I thought The Betrayal was outstanding and cannot recommend it highly enough.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/05/17/...
I have been meaning to read The Betrayal since it was released and my goodness was it worth the wait. The Betrayal was so much more than I was expecting. I had thought I was going to read a sweeping romance, and indeed there is great love and passion between its pages, but I hadn’t anticipated the exquisite intensity of emotion and the highly charged pulse racing thriller alongside it. There’s such skill in Kate Furnivall’s writing because she knows exactly how to ensnare the reader so that they couldn’t put down The Betrayal even if they wanted to – which I certainly didn’t. Every chapter has a hook, a surprise and a depth that is, truly, breathtaking. The depictions of grief and joy, of love and hatred, bigotry and compassion all thrum through the story so that reading it felt like a physical experience for me. The title is perfect. There are so many ways in which characters betray one another – and indeed themselves, but to explain more would be to spoil the read for others.
The plot steams along and at times I felt I almost couldn’t bear what was in front of me. Reading The Betrayal felt almost like being part of the action. I wasn’t just reading a fictionalised narrative, but living and breathing the events too. So many times I was taken aback by proceedings. The story itself was given greater depth and realism by being firmly rooted in brilliantly researched history with a cast of real minor characters from the era so that The Betrayal is highly evocative of 1930’s Paris. Even the city of Paris becomes like a living, breathing organism as Kate Furnivall writes so devastatingly well. The Betrayal is a superlative depiction of pre Second World War life making it completely convincing to read.
I adored the characterisation. Romy’s self-destructive nature is completely believable and the balance of vulnerability and feistiness in her so wonderfully portrayed that it is impossible not to experience her life with her. Similarly, all the other people in The Betrayal are authentic and utterly convincing. I loved the counterpoise of Florence and Romaine as twin sisters. There was something so visceral and poignant in their relationship that at times I could hardly withstand reading about them.
I had anticipated that The Betrayal would be a good read. I hadn’t realised just how amazing I would find it. I thought The Betrayal was outstanding and cannot recommend it highly enough.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/05/17/...
October 31, 2017
I have just returned from pre-war Paris where I spent a thrilling few hours immersed in the story of Romaine and Florence. Within minutes, just a few pages in fact, I found myself drawn into the story such was the descriptive power of the author. I walked the streets of Paris, flew through the clouds above France and felt the tension of being caught up in the Spanish Civil War. I have a passion for books that during the tale not only inform but inspire, and the courage of some of the characters along with snippets of historical fact made this the perfect book choice for me. It has everything, a love story, intrigue, factual events intertwined with fiction and a finale that made my heart pound. I enjoyed every single page, felt warmth for the characters who deserved it, despaired for those I wished had chosen another path and naturally despised the bad guys. I will definitely read more by this author as I loved her style of writing and great attention to detail. A true storyteller.
October 8, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel set in Paris just before World War Two where spies and intrigue abound.
Romy and Florence are twin sisters who are bound together by a terrible secret but kept apart by their political ideals.
Romy is a bold aviatrix who flies dangerous missions into war torn Spain in order to aid the Republicans fighting Franco and the German fascists. Her sister is mother to Chloe and wife to the hateful Roland who seems to engage in collaboration with Nazi officials as Hitler plans to invade France.
The two sisters clash as Romy continues to act impetuously both in her flying and in her actions on the ground so that she can help those who need it.
I was enthralled throughout this book as it was full of action as well as some romantic suspense. I particularly admired the flawed character of Romy and all her attempts to redeem herself after perceived actions as a teenager that she cannot fully remember.
The author's descriptions of the dark side of pre war Paris were well drawn and her information about aeroplanes from this era was excellent. The reader could easily imagine being in the cockpit with Romy as she flies her missions.
I would recommend this book to fans of World War 2 historical fiction with strong female protagonists. If you enjoy Victotia Hislop books and Kristin Hannah novels such ad The Nightingale you will certainly want to read this.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
Romy and Florence are twin sisters who are bound together by a terrible secret but kept apart by their political ideals.
Romy is a bold aviatrix who flies dangerous missions into war torn Spain in order to aid the Republicans fighting Franco and the German fascists. Her sister is mother to Chloe and wife to the hateful Roland who seems to engage in collaboration with Nazi officials as Hitler plans to invade France.
The two sisters clash as Romy continues to act impetuously both in her flying and in her actions on the ground so that she can help those who need it.
I was enthralled throughout this book as it was full of action as well as some romantic suspense. I particularly admired the flawed character of Romy and all her attempts to redeem herself after perceived actions as a teenager that she cannot fully remember.
The author's descriptions of the dark side of pre war Paris were well drawn and her information about aeroplanes from this era was excellent. The reader could easily imagine being in the cockpit with Romy as she flies her missions.
I would recommend this book to fans of World War 2 historical fiction with strong female protagonists. If you enjoy Victotia Hislop books and Kristin Hannah novels such ad The Nightingale you will certainly want to read this.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
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