For fans of “The Nightingale” and “All The Light We Cannot See”
“The Lyon Affair” - book two in ‘The Indigo Rebels’ series
A late diplomat's son with a brilliant mind; A Catholic priest with a dark past; A young woman scorned by her fellow countrymen for her German heritage; A young man who has just escaped the clutches of the ruthless Gestapo. A tentative partnership created to fight against the common enemy, where the secrets of their pasts lead to disaster, and a betrayal of one may become a death sentence to all.
An unlikely hero... A cunning villain...
One Resistance cell. One traitor in their midst.
When the Gestapo is closing in, and there’s nowhere else to run, one will make a decision that could change everything.
Ellie Midwood is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning historical fiction author, whose works have been translated into 20 languages. She owes her interest in the history of the Second World War to her grandfather, Junior Sergeant in the 2nd Guards Tank Army of the First Belorussian Front, who began telling her about his experiences on the frontline when she was a young girl. Growing up, her interest in history only deepened and transformed from reading about the war to writing about it. After obtaining her BA in Linguistics, Ellie decided to make writing her full-time career and began working on her first full-length historical novel, "The Girl from Berlin." Ellie is continuously enriching her library with new research material and feeds her passion for WWII and Holocaust history by collecting rare memorabilia and documents.
In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her husband and their three dogs.
This is my first time reading a book by Ellie Midwood. And, I started with the second book of a series. I liked that it seemed to be a stand-alone book. The book is about the French Resistance during World War II. The author offers some remarkable description in her writing. Sometimes I got lost in the description, sometimes wishing there were not so much of it, but at the same time admiring her flair for description. But the description made the characters come to life. Each character was so unique, their differences complimenting each other. You had the two characters, Blanche and Giselle, females in the French Resistance, pitted against each other in a struggle fraught with jealousy and a taste for power. There was Father Yves, who was more worldly than his priestly robes indicated. There are love interests, both heterosexual and homosexual. The author gives us a multi-layered look into the lives of the characters, displaying the gray areas as well as the black and white. I have read both “The Nightingale” and “All The Light We Cannot See.” While this book is similar in subject matter it offers its own originality and uniqueness.
A web of tenuous connections lures good and evil into the French Resistance movement of World War II, and Ms Ellwood’s compelling characters have to bravely navigate through complex situations, facing immense dangers along the way. One of the things I enjoy most about The Lyon Affair (and its predecessor “The Indigo Rebels”) is the extraordinary detail of everyday life in occupied France, painted against the larger canvas of war. Blanche, a simple country girl with a shameful secret, is a reluctant heroine, and with her charismatic personality come wry observations of people and place that draw you completely into the story. Etienne, a heroic resistance fighter, depends on his wits and icy nerve to carry him on his concealed mission, and with him we travel from Paris to London and the intriguing secret corridors of MI6. The Lyon Affair is a complex novel, full of memorable characters, each of whom Ms Ellwood introduces to enrich the story and draw us into her world. And throughout the novel, a sense of courage in the dark, and an unrelenting unknown enemy brings suspense and a pace that makes this a true page-turner. I lost a weekend to The Lyon Affair, for I could not put this book down. I highly recommend, but reader beware. You may enter this world, and not want to leave.
“The Lyon Affair” picks up shortly after “Indigo Rebels” ends, but focusing on a new cast of characters, with a couple of holdovers from the first novel. And, instead of a series of heart-pounding crises as in the first book, “The Lyon Affair” builds and builds throughout, as the author weaves the stories of several French resistance operatives together.
There are some complex characters, including my favorite, Father Yves. The unlikely priest has a dark past, and I was drawn to his story, in particular. It was a fascinating journey back to this dangerous era, filled with acts of bravery and sacrifice.
The author is an accomplished storyteller, despite occasional awkward sentence structure and a few modern expressions like “man up” that don’t sound authentic to the early 1940s.
This was an incredible sequel to The Indigo Rebels. Rarely is a sequel as good as the original, but this one certainly was! The Girl from Berlin series is a fave of mine, but this series has turned out to be just as good! Dare I expect a third installment?! Ellie's writing is beautiful and compelling, as always, and I was so swept up by these characters. There are familiar characters from book one in the story, too, and tied in brilliantly with the original, but it can still be enjoyed as a standalone. Ellie is my favorite historical fiction writer, hands down. I think what sets her apart from the others is her personal touch to the stories--I always get this strange sensation when I'm reading her books, that an old friend is whispering the story in my ear and it's only for me to enjoy. Ellie's knowledge of WW2 history really shines through, the setting was incredible in this story. But the story in this one--so full of intrigue and secrets, and so perfectly tied together - is what makes the book, in my opinion. I loved the characters; they felt genuine and relatable. I would definitely give this one 5 stars (more if I could!). If you're a fan of historical fiction and rich, layered stories, then you MUST check out Ellie's books! The Lyon Affair is a masterpiece in its own right and I hope I don't have to wait long for book #3!
I have been curious about this author’s work for some time now, because I have heard a lot of praise, and having seen the wonderful reviews of her books out there, I wanted to read one of her novels in order to see for myself.
I have chosen the Lyon Affair, because the elegant cover and the settings in the forties France attracted me. I love historical novels, and especially when set in such difficult times such as wars, as it offers so much drama and emotional impact. Now I can honestly say that I understand why the author’s books are so highly recommended – her way with words is just beautiful. I found Midwood’s writing style and the profound research she put into the story simply wonderful. She is truly inspiring. The stories pull you in from the start, and wrap you in their special mood keeping you entertained with sometime subtle other times daring twists and turns. Time flies by quickly when you hold this novel, it makes you want to read throughout the day, night, whenever you get a chance. The atmosphere will stay with me, and so will the moving stories of the resistance fighters and others who the book revolves around.
I highly recommend this, especially to people who like authors with a strong voice. Well, now I will certainly be one of those who will praise Midwood’s work as well.
A resistance-conspirator’s life is never simple. In The Lyon Affair, Ellie Midwood shows many aspects of the drama, the uncertainty, and the crises that can mar or make their existence. To survive, it is necessary to leave behind name and identity. It doesn’t end there; the resistance operator must learn to stay silent and detached. That is what becomes an issue for Blanche, newly arrived from the north of France. She enters the resistance out of conviction, but her character may not be suitable for the work. Other people in the Lyon Group are suspicious of her, but they still accept her for simple duties, like delivering a banned newspaper. The focus doesn’t stay on Blanche, and that’s what makes this such a compelling read. The gallery of strong characters is complex and convincing. There is Jules, or Marcel, which is his real name. He is young and fervent but also gets into trouble. The group leader is a strong man and manages the group carefully. When it breaks up, as all such groups may do, most of the members survive and move on to other work. The German characters, especially Standardführer Sieves and Karl Wünsche, are vivid. They show the right mixture of humanity and nihilism to send chills down the readers’ spine. While reading The Lyon Affair, it never occurred to me that this was the second part of a trilogy. That says a lot for Ellie Midwood’s writing acumen. Highly recommended.
Ellie has brought another amazing adventure through her words and a small band of rebels. One of my favorite parts of this story was finding characters from Book 1, as we follow old and new characters through their next steps. And as we continued their journey, getting to hear from so many characters was also perfect. So many strings, so many games and events held tightly together, held by a mere string as they try to find ways to overpower the Nazi armies. I cannot wait for the third installment!! #JoinTheResistance
I finished reading The Lyon Affair last night. It is going to take me awhile to clear my head. The characters are woven into the story so well, that I didn't realize Laure was Giselle, and so on. This is a crazy ride. Of love, patience, deception and ultimate devotion. Ellie Midwood, is such a unique writer. Somehow, she puts me in the shoes of her characters, and I live their lives. Then I am back in my home, thinking what the heck? Every single time. With every single book!
Author Ellie Midwood has created another well-paced, artfully crafted work of WW2 fiction that, this time, puts the reader right in the center of the French Resistance. Having read book one of the series - The Indigo Rebels - and being a big fan of Ellie Midwood's books, I was looking forward to reading this sequel. Once I started, I hardly came up for air. One does not have to have read the previous book to be absorbed into this one. The characters are deep and thoughtful, very human and very real. Lucienne's first encounter with an SS officer on the train had me standing in her shoes. I was all in after that. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading great historical fiction. The research and attention to detail in The Lyon Affair is impeccable. Five stars!
Yes, an excellent follow-up to "The Indigo Rebels" (Book 1.) The story which to me started somewhat slowly in book one is now up to full speed, very difficult to put down. I cannot wait to begin the final chapter,(Book 3.) A truly excellent read!
Another great read from this author! I love all the French characters but this author also likes to give us fascinating Germans who offer more than being just stereotypical evil. The story is an emotional but satisfying journey. Our French Resistance heroes are fighting back against the German invasion but are never far away from capture and torture. Although this is a work of fiction, I couldn't help but think of the real life resistance fighters and be in awe of their dedication and sacrifice. This is the second book in the series and I strongly suggest starting with the first book. I am eagerly anticipating the third book!
As anyone who follows my reviews will be well aware, I am an enormous fan of Ellie Midwood and her books. Her historical fiction based on the events of the Second World War is always interesting, well-researched and frequently looks at the conflict with a fresh set of eyes. I've loved all her books to date and when the latest one became available, The Lyon Affair, I was quick to grab it and read it even before it came to the market. This is the second book in a series that focuses on the French Resistance, and their efforts to disrupt German activities and the Vichy Government's collaboration with the Nazis. The first in the series, The Indigo Rebels introduced us to a wonderful set of characters, including author Giselle Legrand, her brother, and Communist sympathisers. All of them, from different walks of life and with contrasting philosophies are united in one cause - to rid La Belle France of the tyrannical Nazi jackboot. France has signed an Armistice, with the Germans and is split into two zones - The Occupied Zone and the Free Zone. The resistance is just getting itself organised and is determined to do whatever they can to slow the German war effort and to ultimately rid their beloved homeland of the invaders. There is a traitor lurking within the resistance cell, though, and decisions, courage, and sacrifice are required to keep alive the belief of a liberated France. As always, Midwood has delivered, big-time with this story. Her characters are real and very easy for the reader to identify with. The action is frenetic and exciting. As with all great stories, Midwood manages to inject moral and social dilemmas into her prose, that makes the reader stop and think. This period of history is clearly very relevant and personal to the author. She identifies so well with the characters and their time that we truly are transported to 1941 Paris, Dijon and Lyon as the characters attempt to thwart the German domination. Another absolute winner from a truly talented and prolific, young author. I look forward to many more stories from what is also one of my favorite periods of history to read about. No question about the number of stars for The Lyon Affair - it is five stars all the way.
When I saw this book had come out and I read the synopsis, I purchased it right away. I really like WW2 stories and Midwood knows how to intrigue with the best of them. The story begins in 1940 in Lyon, France with a main character Etienne smartly dressed and carrying a valise with a secret bottom. It contains contraband punishable by prison. A bit more introduction to him and the story moves to Blanche, in Dijon, working as a server in a bar. She takes home scraps to her mother and two younger sisters, who she is soon to depart from with money she has saved. There is mention that she was the child that resulted when a German raped her mother, Ann. Blanche arrives in Lyon and lands on Father Yves church’s doorstep, where she has slept for several nights before meeting him. He has his own secrets, which are alluded to with mention that he joined the church to hide from his past. Seeing she is hungry and homeless, he takes her in and gives her a room, meals, and job tending to an elderly woman living in the church. While out on the street landing in some trouble with the police, Etienne sees her and comes to her rescue. Out of earshot from the dangerous police, she trusts him and asks about the resistance. She is out for revenge, which paves the way for her being in Lyon. When she connects with the resistance more characters are introduced: Jules and Margot, Mr. Brooks from M16. Blanche’s name and identity are changed. She is now Lucienne and strikingly made up, a great concealment for a resistance member as who would suspect someone excessively made up, drawing attention, to be undercover? The plot richly set, the characters brilliantly cast as villains are introduced, as the intrigue intensifies in what all comes together making for a hard-to-put-down read. Who can be trusted? Who are benevolent? No spoilers here but suffice it to say this is going to rank up there with the best of the WW2 intoxicating reads. Can’t wait for the next in the series.
The Lyon Affair: A French Resistance Novel: The Indigo Rebels Book 2 is by Ellie Midwood. This second book is also one that you cannot put down. It grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. In fact, when you finish, you can’t wait to start the next book. The story of the French Resistance is one that really hasn’t been told about enough. Even in the form of a novel, you get the idea of how they operated and what good they did and what price they paid. Ellie is an expert on Nazi Germany and World War II and has done a lot of research on French Resistance. Therefore, I am sure some of the incidents which occur in the book are indeed based on fact. It is this realism that draws you into the book. The setting changed to Free France or the Unoccupied area mainly in Lyon. Here Etienne Delattre has worked to set up a resistance movement. He has cooperated with the communists to do this. Among his group members are Jules Gallais; formerly Marcel Legrand; Philippe Bussi, a communist who helped Marcel escape from the hands of the Nazis in Paris; Father Yves, an ex-soldier from WWI who is now a priest; Augustine and her daughter Lili, friends of Kamille, Marcel and Giselle’s sister; and Giselle Legrand, who poses now as Laure Vignon and the wife of Philippe. Their first objective is to circulate the newspaper, La Liberation, which Giselle was part of in Paris. Their second objective is to help Allied soldiers and pilots get help and get home. Their third objective is to cause as much havoc as possible for the Nazis with the least amount of retaliation on the French people. The suspense grows from the first of the book through the end. It definitely keeps you interested and reading. I highly recommend reading this series in order. It simply makes much more sense
This is the second book in the Indigo Rebels series. It follows on from the Indigo Rebels, but the action moves from Paris to Lyon in the Free French zone and Dijon which is very much in occupied territory. It is a sequel but it would stand on its own. We are introduced to a number of new characters that take their lives in their hands by joining the resistance. What I like most about Ellie Midwood are her very human characters, and here we are introduced to two complex ones in the shape of Blanche and father Yves. Blanche is embittered by her past. Born of a German soldier and a French mother who alleged that she was raped, she has been shunned and teased since childhood. She joins the resistance to get back at the Germans that ruined her childhood. Blanche doesn’t find the kinship she so craves with her fellow resistance fighters and starts to wonder if it was really the Germans that ruined her childhood. The other character I loved was Father Yves, a man with a dark past who is reluctantly drawn into the resistance, where he struggles with his vow to not harm again. There are many others but I don’t want to give away too much. Just pick up this book and let the heroes and villains reveal themselves. Some nail biting action too as they find out they have a traitor in their midst.
The Lyon Affair is set in France in the early 1940’s when the underground movement “La Resistance” is attempting to organize, in order to fight Nazi occupation. Etienne is a polished and educated man from a privileged background hiding his identity as a Resistance fighter. Blanche is a frustrated young woman, looking for a way to find significance. Her anger against the world for being born from the fleeting union of a German soldier and a French woman, leads her to commit acts of defiance that would have gotten her arrested without the intervention of Etienne. Blanche uses this chance encounter to join the Resistance and we discover through her journey the other richly developed characters (Father Yves, Giselle, Philippe, Marcel and Tommy) populating the story. The interest that is aroused at the onset of the novel never fades as the reader is pulled into the struggle of the different characters as they love, hate, triumph and despair, each of them attempting to find their place and meaning in a tumultuous era.
Ellie Midwood is a fascinating author. I’ve read several of her historical fiction novels and what always strikes me is how knowledgeable she is on the World War II era, and how seamlessly she weaves fiction and non-fiction. Her books are always meticulously researched. The Lyon Affair is very well written, with a great pace, complex characters. The author is doing a fantastic job not only story-telling but educating her readers. Bravo!
Having thoroughly enjoyed the intricacies of her highly developed characters and plot twists in the first book in this series, “The Indigo Rebels,” I was curious as to how Ms. Midwood would continue on with its sequel. To my surprise and delight, at first it seemed as if she had set up a whole new array of individuals. But then, presenting high intrigue and fine historic details, she deftly interwove two of the characters from the first book into this new one.
Again, THE LYON AFFAIR takes place in 1940/1941 France, where resistance to the hated Boches-infiltrating Nazis comes with all manner of techniques––cunning codes, heavy training, and dark, secret backgrounds. We see a caring priest with a past he would rather forget, a naive young woman trying to overcome her mixed heritage for which she has always been ashamed, two resistance fighters who, amid German aggression, discover who they truly are, and of course throughout while facing vicious Gestapo tactics and deeds, all manner of clever schemes are hatched to destroy their enemy. Another winner
Fans of Ellie Midwood's previous works and fans of historical fiction will swoon over "The Lyon Affair: A French Resistance Novel." In the pages of this character-driven story, author Ellie Midwood has done a marvelous job of creating distinctive characters and setting them on individual paths of personal struggle within the context of a much larger common struggle.
The setting is France in the early 1940s. The struggle belongs to the Resistance, a group of rebels fighting the Nazi occupation of France. Within this common struggle lies the individual personal struggles of the story's central characters.
Blanche's personal struggle is that of someone who wants to belong, who wants to be taken seriously. She is not loyal to the Resistance or the Nazis. She is loyal to her fragile sense of self-worth. Father Yves' struggle lies in the past, a past fraught with violence. On the surface, Father Yves' present as a man of the cloth and his past as a soldier in the Great War could not be further apart, but the violence simmering just below the surface of his idyllic world brings his memories of the past crashing into the present. Marcel, Tommy, Giselle, Phillipe and Etienne are all devoted to the cause. They have thrown themselves headlong into the struggle to drive the Nazis from France. Their individual stories are diverse, but they have a great deal in common. They have each sacrificed the lives they have known for the greater good.
Ellie Midwood is thoroughly familiar with the events that surround the characters in this novel. Her expertise gives lends the story considerable weight. Her attention to detail is intricate. This attention to detail, in conjunction with the vividly realized characters and the struggles they endure, gives the story's setting an intimate familiarity for readers both familiar and unfamiliar with the period. These skills are the mark of an immensely talented writer. This is a powerful story that begs to be read!
Having read The Girl in Berlin series and Emilia, I was excited to get stuck into this latest offering from Ellie Midwood. Somehow - don't ask me how - I managed to miss the first Indigo Rebels book, however, luckily for me this story stands alone in its own right. Th start was a little slow in coming together for me - maybe that's where book one might have helped - but once I got to know the characters, the pace picked up and the author delivered another fascinating story, with intrigue and suspense aplenty. Blanche took me by surprise, as for Yves - well, a man of many talents! But, it was Giselle who stole the story in my eyes - a formidable woman with her eyes set firmly on her goal. The Résistance has been a subject of interest for me for a long time. As always, the author does the period justice in showing us both the bravery, strength and selflessness of those who fought for a free France against the arrogance and vileness of the invading forces. Historically, Ellie is a tour de force, picking up on the minutest details and weaving them into the story with such skill that the reader feels totally immersed in the era. I look forward to the next book, and may just have to go and read book one in the meantime.
In this second book in the series we once again see Giselle from book one, but she is very different now. She is no longer a caprice woman who cares only about her own comfort, but a mature resistance fighter who puts her friends’ safety first. I like the new Giselle so much better. But there are other reasons that I like this book more than the first one. The story is more fast-paced and plot-driven, and the characters are more complex. Even the bad guys are fully developed with conflicting human nature. Blanche is the counterpart of Giselle: she’s as rebellious and can be beautiful, but she is not comparable to Giselle because she lacks courage and the noble cause that Giselle fights for. Blanche’s motive is pure self-hatred, while Giselle’s is love, friendship and patriotism. Other characters, including Father Yves Sievers and even Sievers are also well-developed and fascinating.
The second book in the series, but you could read it as a standalone. It features a new cast and setting, but a few characters from the previous book pop up again.
What I loved about this book is that we a great insight in the resistance and how they operated. So many things are happening, I read this book in one sitting.
Something i also loved was seeing how the characters develops and grow with each new experience. Marcel starts out as basically a still wet behind the ears student, but really grows in his role so does his confidence. And i have to say I did feel for Blanche. And i was saying please let her be okay for the last part of the book.
I look forward to reading the conclusion of this story.
The thing I like the most about Ellie's writing is that each of her heroes are one of a kind. On one hand you have Blanche... who hasn't met a person like her in real life? On the other hand, you have a larger than life Giselle! And of course, there is always Sievers... Nazisme in all its 'grandeur'. I loved the subplots with Father Yves (my favorite!) and Tom and how they interwind to give a wonderful result. Meeting the other characters from the Indigo Rebels was refreshing as well. My favorite part was seeing the different aspects of Giselle's personality, how she deals with her actions, her decisions, her weaknesses and her strengths.
I have been a fan of Midwood for a while, and was delighted to see the continuation of the Indigo Rebels series. This story comes at things from a different angle, but brings back some of the characters from book one. As usual, the writing is on point, the story told beautifully and eloquently. I love Midwood's writing and the way you're able to lose yourself in the plot. Overall an amazing addition to the series and I am very excited about book three, highly recommended to all readers, even if you don't think Historical Fiction is your thing!
Ellie Midwood has out done herself in the second book of this Indigo Rebels series. I loved the further developments of characters from the last book - in particular, Marcel (Jules) storyline. In book one I had found it hard to to get into Giselle’s character but when she returns in this book I loved her development. Being the middle book, I don’t want to say much about the plot as the would create spoilers, but the addition of Blanche and Yves added great tension and pitfalls for the plucky resistance rebels. Looking forward to reading the last installment of this trilogy.
The second book of Midwood’s Indigo trilogy takes a look at the French Resistance during WWII. Her extensive knowledge about those years provides a page turning, yet tragic, read. The main characters are very well crafted and their motivation is brilliantly shown, not described. It is practically impossible not to feel for them: a priest trying to exorcise the ghosts of WWI, a young man leading a resistance cell right underneath the Germans’ noses, a brother and sister fighting to save their country, and a young girl searching for a place to belong, only to be tossed aside when she isn’t longer useful.
I love reading Midwood’s books because they are so well researched and authentic. You don’t find watered down female characters who depend on male intellect to make decisions, or take action. The characters aren’t cardboard cutouts moved throughout the story like chess pieces. Their backstories are so eloquently told that you feel you’ve known them for years and are invested in their stories as well as the main plot.
For high school teachers wanting to alternative teaching tools, I’d strongly suggest having their students read any book in this series (each is a stand alone novel); they’ll get a clearer picture of what happened then as opposed to learning dates and events by rote. I’d also say Midwood is a must read author for anyone who likes WWII storylines.
I'm such a fan of Ellie Midwood's- I love her multi-layered characters, her prose and the huge amount of research that goes into her books. As a history geek, I love the authenticity and texture of this book's settings, in particular the description of an Armistice Day celebration in occupied France. You don't need to have read the first book in the series to appreciate this one, but those who have will enjoy the way the stories interweave. Fabulous writing. Looking forward to more from this author.
A great second book to the resistance series. I loved the love that Giselle and Phillip have for each other and also that between Tommy and Marcel. It was sad that Blanche betrayed everyone and that she had such faith in the wrong person. The book was both heartwarming and nail biting at times. I liked the ending and will be soon reading the next book in the series.
There is so much that happens in the Lyon Affair that I truly wasn't expecting, especially with the reappearance of the infamous Giselle LeGrande. The author floors me with the authenticity and detail of this perilous period of history so I especially can't wait for the epic conclusion of this story.
An exciting followup to Indigo Rebels. Book 2, in her French Resistance Series, A Lyon Affair continues the story of Giselle and her brother Philippe and their heroic role in the French resistance. Midwood’s mastery of historical storytelling is only outpaced by her three-dimensional, unforgettable characters. I was truly sad when I turned the last page and had to say goodbye to the characters.
Another great - and disturbing - story about occupied France during WW2. Being book two of the Resistance novels, there are familiar characters alongside new ones...all pivotal to the plot.
It is a disturbing read and certainly brings to light the arrogance of the Germans and their belief in their superiority. It also demonstrates the bravery of some, the selfishness in others together with cowardice, cruelty and complete disregard for human life. But there is also love.
Overall, a well-written snapshot of a terrible time in human history.