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The Black Swan of Paris
A captivating story of estranged sisters reunited by a devastating war and the race to save their mother’s life
Paris, 1944
Celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont is both a star and a smoke screen. An unwilling darling to the Nazis, the chanteuse’s position of privilege also has its advantages—such as going undetected as an ally to undercover British officer Captain Max Ryan as part of the resistance.
What Max doesn’t know is that Genevieve’s estranged mother, Lillian de Rocheford, is among the underground group recently captured by Nazis. It won’t be long before the Gestapo forces sensitive information out of Lillian that will derail the upcoming Allied invasion, so Max has been tasked with silencing her by any means necessary—including assassination. Terrified by this deadly threat, Genevieve secretly plots to rescue Lillian.
There may be seven bitter years of distance between Genevieve and her sister, Emmy, but as the clock runs down on their mother’s life, a shared determination to keep the frayed fabric of their family intact reunites them. If only they can navigate the perilous crosscurrents of occupied France undetected—and in time.
Paris, 1944
Celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont is both a star and a smoke screen. An unwilling darling to the Nazis, the chanteuse’s position of privilege also has its advantages—such as going undetected as an ally to undercover British officer Captain Max Ryan as part of the resistance.
What Max doesn’t know is that Genevieve’s estranged mother, Lillian de Rocheford, is among the underground group recently captured by Nazis. It won’t be long before the Gestapo forces sensitive information out of Lillian that will derail the upcoming Allied invasion, so Max has been tasked with silencing her by any means necessary—including assassination. Terrified by this deadly threat, Genevieve secretly plots to rescue Lillian.
There may be seven bitter years of distance between Genevieve and her sister, Emmy, but as the clock runs down on their mother’s life, a shared determination to keep the frayed fabric of their family intact reunites them. If only they can navigate the perilous crosscurrents of occupied France undetected—and in time.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2020
1597 people are currently reading
16037 people want to read
About the author
Karen Robards
126 books3,254 followersKaren Robards is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty books and one novella. She has won multiple awards including six Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Awards for favorite author.
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,147 reviews
July 1, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
THE BLACK SWAN OF PARIS by Karen Robards is this bestselling author’s first historical fiction book and it pulls you in with a story of estranged family dynamics, loyalty, partisans, spies, intrigue and action. It is a story that features a young internationally acclaimed singer and her perilous life during WWII in Nazi occupied Europe.
Genevieve Dumont is a celebrated cabaret star with a voice and beauty that captivates. In 1944 Paris, Nazis, partisans and spies are everywhere as the Germans prepare for the invasion they know is coming. Genevieve has been both a star and a smokescreen for her manager, Max Bonet. She knows and at times resents how she is being used and she wants to know as little as possible about Max’s secret life, until she overhears about the capture and arrest of Lillian, Baroness de Rocheford.
Genevieve has kept secrets from Max, but now she needs his help to save the baroness, who is her mother. Reunited with her sister, who is working with the SOE, a daring plan is set into motion. Will the little group be able to rescue the baroness directly from the home of the sadistic SS General Claus von Wagner?
I loved this story, but it was a little confusing in the very beginning as all the characters are introduced because the connections and histories are reveled throughout the entire book in flashbacks. Once it started to flow, I was transported back to 1944 occupied Paris. The description of the Nazi opulence contrasted with the deprivation of the Parisians, the sparkle of the cabaret, the partisan spy networks helping to prepare for the invasion, the mistrust and secrets all engage the reader and I was completely engrossed. Genevieve’s story was as tragic as it was triumphant and her entire family’s history kept me turning the pages. Ms. Robards has written historical characters that could walk off the page with a plot that builds to an action filled climax.
I highly recommend this dynamic historical fiction book with a touch of romance!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
THE BLACK SWAN OF PARIS by Karen Robards is this bestselling author’s first historical fiction book and it pulls you in with a story of estranged family dynamics, loyalty, partisans, spies, intrigue and action. It is a story that features a young internationally acclaimed singer and her perilous life during WWII in Nazi occupied Europe.
Genevieve Dumont is a celebrated cabaret star with a voice and beauty that captivates. In 1944 Paris, Nazis, partisans and spies are everywhere as the Germans prepare for the invasion they know is coming. Genevieve has been both a star and a smokescreen for her manager, Max Bonet. She knows and at times resents how she is being used and she wants to know as little as possible about Max’s secret life, until she overhears about the capture and arrest of Lillian, Baroness de Rocheford.
Genevieve has kept secrets from Max, but now she needs his help to save the baroness, who is her mother. Reunited with her sister, who is working with the SOE, a daring plan is set into motion. Will the little group be able to rescue the baroness directly from the home of the sadistic SS General Claus von Wagner?
I loved this story, but it was a little confusing in the very beginning as all the characters are introduced because the connections and histories are reveled throughout the entire book in flashbacks. Once it started to flow, I was transported back to 1944 occupied Paris. The description of the Nazi opulence contrasted with the deprivation of the Parisians, the sparkle of the cabaret, the partisan spy networks helping to prepare for the invasion, the mistrust and secrets all engage the reader and I was completely engrossed. Genevieve’s story was as tragic as it was triumphant and her entire family’s history kept me turning the pages. Ms. Robards has written historical characters that could walk off the page with a plot that builds to an action filled climax.
I highly recommend this dynamic historical fiction book with a touch of romance!
August 31, 2020
A fantastic historical fiction book. Set in Paris 1944. The Nazi's occupy Paris. The atmosphere of the city is fearful, no one trusts a fellow Parisian. Meanwhile the Resistence is tasked with trying to help the Allies with their D-day landing.
Seemingly immured from this is celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont. While the Nazi's love her; her unique position allows the Resistence workers to carry out their tasks around her.
Robards research for writing this novel must have been immense. Her crafting of the unimaginable decisions Resistence workers make; the life and death way they work; fearful always of the traitor in their cell and seeing, daily, the strength and courage of fellow citizens. All the while being hungry, having insufficient food to eat and fearful of sleeping
Unputdownable
Robards is now a new favourite author of mine.
Seemingly immured from this is celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont. While the Nazi's love her; her unique position allows the Resistence workers to carry out their tasks around her.
Robards research for writing this novel must have been immense. Her crafting of the unimaginable decisions Resistence workers make; the life and death way they work; fearful always of the traitor in their cell and seeing, daily, the strength and courage of fellow citizens. All the while being hungry, having insufficient food to eat and fearful of sleeping
Unputdownable
Robards is now a new favourite author of mine.
June 20, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Australia and Karen Robards for my copy of The Black Swan of Paris.
Paris 1944, Genevieve Dumont is a beautiful cabaret singer and most of her audience is made up of German soldiers and one of her admirers is the nasty general Claus Von Wagner, she puts on quite a performance on and off the stage. Like most Parisians she hates the Germans, due to her fame, her chauffeur can drive her home at night without being stopped and her car being searched. While the civilian population starves, the German soldiers eat, drink and are having a great time in Paris. The handsome Max Bonet is her manager; despite the obvious attraction between them they keep their relationship strictly professional. Both she and Max have secrets, they keep their true identities hidden from each other as it’s hard to know who you can trust at such a dangerous time and in a city controlled by the enemy.
Genevieve is French, she had a fall out with her family years before, she has changed her name and she has no idea what her parents or sister Emmanuelle is doing? Her parents are both involved in the resistance, her mother Lillian the Baroness de Rocheford has been captured by the Germans, she is being kept alive until she can talk and once the Germans have no use for her she faces being executed. Everyone had code names, they limited how much information each operative knew, because if caught the less they knew the less they could tell the Germans while being subjected to awful forms of torture they used. This is very hard to read about, but it did happen and it helps you understand how dangerous it was to be a member of a resistance cell or to be a secret agent during WW II in France.
Towards the end of the war, the Germans wanted to take down as many members of the resistance as they could and they also shot innocent civilians. They knew the Allies planned to launch an invasion somewhere along the French coast and any information they could obtain about the date, time or place the Germans were desperate to discover. Claus Von Wagner is sure Lillian de Rocheford knows where the Allies will land and will Genevieve share her past and real name with Max so he and others in his resistance network can help her save her mother?
The Black Swan of Paris is a story about secrets, espionage, danger, loyalty, family, love and war. Perfect for readers who enjoy a long book and are interested in life in Paris during WW II and the planning that went into organizing code name Utah Beach one of the five sectors used in the invasion of Normandy.
I loved the book, five stars from me I have shared my review on Goodreads, NetGalley, Edelweiss, Twitter, Australian Amazon, Kobo and my blog. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Paris 1944, Genevieve Dumont is a beautiful cabaret singer and most of her audience is made up of German soldiers and one of her admirers is the nasty general Claus Von Wagner, she puts on quite a performance on and off the stage. Like most Parisians she hates the Germans, due to her fame, her chauffeur can drive her home at night without being stopped and her car being searched. While the civilian population starves, the German soldiers eat, drink and are having a great time in Paris. The handsome Max Bonet is her manager; despite the obvious attraction between them they keep their relationship strictly professional. Both she and Max have secrets, they keep their true identities hidden from each other as it’s hard to know who you can trust at such a dangerous time and in a city controlled by the enemy.
Genevieve is French, she had a fall out with her family years before, she has changed her name and she has no idea what her parents or sister Emmanuelle is doing? Her parents are both involved in the resistance, her mother Lillian the Baroness de Rocheford has been captured by the Germans, she is being kept alive until she can talk and once the Germans have no use for her she faces being executed. Everyone had code names, they limited how much information each operative knew, because if caught the less they knew the less they could tell the Germans while being subjected to awful forms of torture they used. This is very hard to read about, but it did happen and it helps you understand how dangerous it was to be a member of a resistance cell or to be a secret agent during WW II in France.
Towards the end of the war, the Germans wanted to take down as many members of the resistance as they could and they also shot innocent civilians. They knew the Allies planned to launch an invasion somewhere along the French coast and any information they could obtain about the date, time or place the Germans were desperate to discover. Claus Von Wagner is sure Lillian de Rocheford knows where the Allies will land and will Genevieve share her past and real name with Max so he and others in his resistance network can help her save her mother?
The Black Swan of Paris is a story about secrets, espionage, danger, loyalty, family, love and war. Perfect for readers who enjoy a long book and are interested in life in Paris during WW II and the planning that went into organizing code name Utah Beach one of the five sectors used in the invasion of Normandy.
I loved the book, five stars from me I have shared my review on Goodreads, NetGalley, Edelweiss, Twitter, Australian Amazon, Kobo and my blog. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
May 25, 2020
Skimmed the last 100 or so pages. I get the urge to tell a glamorous story during a pivotal time in history. And I love a flawed heroine. But, as I've been mentioning as I update, this is a very whiny heroine. One who, in 1944 (5 years into the war), is still bitching about being tricked into being part of the resistance in France. No matter her history (which was, I think, supposed to make the reader sympathetic), I couldn't get past her whining about everything. And of course, as she bitches and moans, she is admired for her strength. Right. Anyway, if you like stories of female spies in wartime, go with The Alice Network.
July 25, 2020
A reluctant 3. These types of romance novels are just not my cup of tea. This is not a bad book but it's not a good book either. By the end I was gnashing my teeth every time she described the hero as "lean". Arrrgh.
July 7, 2020
Title: The Black Swan of Paris
Series: standalone
Author: Karen Robards
Release date: June 30, 2020
Cliffhanger: no
Genre: historical fiction
This is my tenth read by this author and it's my favorite BY FAR. It's been a long time since I read a Karen Robards book, but if this is an example of what I've been missing out on, my hiatus is over for the foreseeable future. Ever since reading The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, I haven't been able to find a good spy book that even comes close to competing to that masterpiece. The Black Swan of Paris has finally been the one to give it a run for its money. I know it's not fair to compare books, but it's a little bit hard not to put an all-time favorite up on a pedestal in all of its shining glory. I'm so glad I decided to go with my instinct because it exceeded all of my expectations.
One of the central characters is Genevieve Dumont, otherwise known as The Black Swan, a widely adored singer from Paris. She's been estranged from her family for many years, and her past is not something she likes to contemplate very often. There's a lot of resentment and bitterness built up over events that led up to a tragedy in her life. This tragedy cut her life, and her entire persona in two. The before and after held two versions of the same woman.
Before was an idyllic, affluent life full of glittering days that were brighter than the sun. She was the youngest, and loved dearly despite being the rebel of the family.
After, she traveled to foreign places, just a shell of her former self as she struggled to put food on the table and live another day alone.
She meets Max seemingly by chance while roaming and becomes ensnared in a trap that turns her life in a direction she never could have predicted. Max had grand plans to make her a star, with himself as her esteemed manager. With the level of stardom she eventually achieves, she earns a level of trust and admiration from the Nazis in occupied Paris. Keeping her enemies close becomes more than a motto, it becomes a way of life in the ultimate game of cat and mouse.
Being on tour is terrifying, because we’re often risking death by smuggling someone or something across some border or another. And that lovely song I sang over the radio today? It was a signal to an agent.
Max and Genevieve have a very volatile and complex relationship. She feels deceived and manipulated by him (rightly so) which causes constant friction between the two. Max did seem to care about her from the beginning, but many times he put her life at risk without batting an eye and I debated on how I should feel about him. Add in the fact that he dragged her unwillingly into the spy network with him, I wondered how admirable he really was. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I was judging by my entitled standards. When you're living in such desperate times you can't afford to put anything at a higher priority than ending the war.
Max may have had to make difficult decisions every single day, but he was genuinely a good man. It's understandable that he never considered mixing personal feelings with the arrangement he had with Genevieve as it would have made an already impossible situation harder. Their main issue in growing closer was the need for secrecy, even among those in the network. It's drilled in their heads so many times that the less you know the better for the safety of all. If anyone were ever captured and interrogated by the Nazis, eventually they will give up all the information they have. So when Genevieve starts sneaking off on her own personal agenda to discover the whereabouts of her mother, she feels safer hiding her actions. Towards the end however, after some much needed communication between the two of them when secrets are laid bare, their hearts are as well.
For a historical fiction book to wow me the number one most important thing it needs to have is DETAIL. I want to feel like I just traveled to another time and place and walked in the characters' shoes through unfamiliar surroundings. Not only did the author do a monumental amount of research on the facts of WW2 events itself, but more importantly, she depicted what the day to day life was like for the citizens living through it. Microscopic details such as what they substituted for coffee, or the unusual smell of a specific type of cigarette. You really get a solid sense of the fear, hunger, and weariness that everyone dealt with day after day.
There's a thread of desperation weaving through every single character, the feeling that nothing else matters but survival. The more the author describes the uncertainty that became an every day part of life under Nazi rule, the easier it is to empathize. Just a warning, there are scenes in this book that are not for the faint of heart. Gritty scenes of extreme torture, and mass murder of innocent people, and harrowing escapes. At first I was a little worried that this story would be a too heavy for me right now, but after reading the first few chapters I started devouring the pages, unable to put it down. I easily breezed through close to 500 pages in less than two days.
One of my favorite things to read about was the relationships between the de Rocheford women. Lillian and her daughters had been through hell and back, each in their own way. Their family had been splintered, but not completely broken. It was heart wrenching to watch Genevieve come to terms with what happened to her and make the decision to risk everything for her family.
The tie that bound mothers and daughters was like no other. It was eternal, stronger even than death.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an action-packed, suspenseful war-time story with a hint of romance. Yes the characters were flawed and messy, and it made me love them all the more for their perseverance to get it right. The ending was phenomenal and everything I wanted leaving me in a happy place after turning the last page. I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author soon!
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June 13, 2020
I have read countless historical fiction books over the last couple of years, and I would say this book by Karen Robards is by far one of the best ones that I have ever read. We have two primary protagonists. One a spymaster and one a well regarded singer recruited to the resistance during WWII.
Genevieve Dumont is loved by the Nazis and has fairly free range to travel just about anywhere possible to perform. Max Bonet becomes her manager and the pair become far more involved than performing. Traveling from place to place they are able to get past the Germans time and again. But eventually the question remains whether or not the Germans would ever catch on to what was really going on.
Meanwhile, Genevieve’s mother was being held by the Germans. Held and tortured. This was not for the faint of heart. Instead it was a portrayal of the brutal realities of a war in which the Germans would use any means necessary to ferret out information by any means necessary from anyone that was opposed to them.
While both Max and Genevieve work side-by-side, Genevieve has her own agenda - that of locating and freeing her mother. Genevieve has reasons of her own as far as not revealing to Max as to who her mother is. Estranged for years, not only from her mother, but also from her sister Emmy, Genevieve‘s heart remains pure when it comes to genuine love and concern for her mother and her sister. Can Genevieve And Emmy find a way to work together in order to rescue their mother?
This remarkable story is equally heartbreaking and touching. The romance in the story was incredibly touching. While it may have developed at a very slow ebb, when it came to fruition it was well worth the wait The emotion left me completely wrecked at times. All the while, the danger never let up. Reading of that terrible time in history is always difficult, but this book was so well-written and managed to capture my attention from beginning to end.
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Genevieve Dumont is loved by the Nazis and has fairly free range to travel just about anywhere possible to perform. Max Bonet becomes her manager and the pair become far more involved than performing. Traveling from place to place they are able to get past the Germans time and again. But eventually the question remains whether or not the Germans would ever catch on to what was really going on.
Meanwhile, Genevieve’s mother was being held by the Germans. Held and tortured. This was not for the faint of heart. Instead it was a portrayal of the brutal realities of a war in which the Germans would use any means necessary to ferret out information by any means necessary from anyone that was opposed to them.
While both Max and Genevieve work side-by-side, Genevieve has her own agenda - that of locating and freeing her mother. Genevieve has reasons of her own as far as not revealing to Max as to who her mother is. Estranged for years, not only from her mother, but also from her sister Emmy, Genevieve‘s heart remains pure when it comes to genuine love and concern for her mother and her sister. Can Genevieve And Emmy find a way to work together in order to rescue their mother?
This remarkable story is equally heartbreaking and touching. The romance in the story was incredibly touching. While it may have developed at a very slow ebb, when it came to fruition it was well worth the wait The emotion left me completely wrecked at times. All the while, the danger never let up. Reading of that terrible time in history is always difficult, but this book was so well-written and managed to capture my attention from beginning to end.
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
May 2, 2021
Historical fiction may be a new genre for Robards, but the best-selling author of romances/spy thrillers knows how to craft a compelling story. Genevieve Dumont is the renowned Parisian singer in German-occupied France. The Nazis love her! Little do they know that she is working for the Resistance with her manager, British Intelligence officer Max Bonet.
Genevieve learns that her mother, the Baroness Lillian de Rocheford has been taken prisoner and is in the custody of General Claus von Wagner, a notorious torturer of Allied prisoners. Lillian was also working for the Resistance by helping to plan Allied routes through the swamps as part of the Utah Beach component of D-Day. Although Genevieve and her family have been estranged for the past seven years, she risks all to help save her mother.
Robards has included rich historical detail in this action thriller. However, she takes her time developing the plot and succumbs to melodramatic flair a little too frequently. Thankfully, the action-packed conclusion is worth the long build-up. Enjoy!
Genevieve learns that her mother, the Baroness Lillian de Rocheford has been taken prisoner and is in the custody of General Claus von Wagner, a notorious torturer of Allied prisoners. Lillian was also working for the Resistance by helping to plan Allied routes through the swamps as part of the Utah Beach component of D-Day. Although Genevieve and her family have been estranged for the past seven years, she risks all to help save her mother.
Robards has included rich historical detail in this action thriller. However, she takes her time developing the plot and succumbs to melodramatic flair a little too frequently. Thankfully, the action-packed conclusion is worth the long build-up. Enjoy!
September 22, 2020
This author is a tease. She drops tiny subtle hints as to what may have taken place in the past to find the characters in this place at this time.
Paris 1944 – ‘The Black Swan of Paris’ Genevieve Dumont is the toast of Paris thrilling audiences of Nazi Germans with her amazing voice. Unknown to Genevieve, her supposed Manager, Max, is working for the Resistance and is using her without her knowledge.
Genevieve has been estranged from her family for several years but when she learns that her mother has been arrested by the Germans family ties can no longer be forgotten.
This book was slow to being with – that is – until Chapter 14 and then it took off and started to make sense.
There is a lot of descriptive filler that I found easy to skip over and not lose anything of the story.
The race to the end is quite exciting and did not disappoint.
Paris 1944 – ‘The Black Swan of Paris’ Genevieve Dumont is the toast of Paris thrilling audiences of Nazi Germans with her amazing voice. Unknown to Genevieve, her supposed Manager, Max, is working for the Resistance and is using her without her knowledge.
Genevieve has been estranged from her family for several years but when she learns that her mother has been arrested by the Germans family ties can no longer be forgotten.
This book was slow to being with – that is – until Chapter 14 and then it took off and started to make sense.
There is a lot of descriptive filler that I found easy to skip over and not lose anything of the story.
The race to the end is quite exciting and did not disappoint.
June 23, 2020
I have read many books by Karen Robards, but this historical fiction story was totally unexpected in a very good way. It is 1944 and the war is nearing its end. The Germans are worried about the Allied attack and where it will occur. Genevieve Dumont is a famous songstress who often performs for the German troops in Paris. She is known as the Black Swan, named after one of her costumes she performs in. What she doesn't know is that her manager, Max, her parents and sister are all working for the resistance. When she finds out that her father is dead and her mother is in danger, she begs Max for his help. This is a fast paced story dealing with the resistance, spying, with a bit of romance and family drama.
Genevieve Dumond is actually Genevra de Rocheford who had a falling out with her family years ago. She ended up in America performing and eventually came back to Europe and began performing. She does not like the germans anymore than the other French and when the opportunity arises to work with the resistance, she jumps at the chance. She is a very feeling woman, but is also strong and independent. There is a past timeline dealt with flashbacks from Genevieve/Genevra where we learn about her past and the falling out with her family. The second protagonist is Max, a Brit and spy who is in the role of Genevieve's manager. There is some tension between the two that increases once Max tells her about his role in the resistance. Overall, this is a story about secrets, espionage, danger, loyalty, family, love and war. This story had me quickly listening and reading to find out what was going to happen, especially once Emmy (Emmanuelle), Genevieve's sister, shows up in the story. This was a well written and plotted story, with well developed characters. Karen Robards uses historical information to make this story realistic and enjoyable for those who enjoy historical fiction especially WWII stories.
I did a read/listen with this story. Narrator, Nancy Peterson, performs this story with emotion. She gives an individual voice to Genevieve, Max, and the other characters in the story. The accents were well done and made this book feel like I was listening to multiple narrators. I will definitely look for more books narrated by this talented voice. I definitely recommend this audiobook to those who enjoy audio versions of stories. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
Genevieve Dumond is actually Genevra de Rocheford who had a falling out with her family years ago. She ended up in America performing and eventually came back to Europe and began performing. She does not like the germans anymore than the other French and when the opportunity arises to work with the resistance, she jumps at the chance. She is a very feeling woman, but is also strong and independent. There is a past timeline dealt with flashbacks from Genevieve/Genevra where we learn about her past and the falling out with her family. The second protagonist is Max, a Brit and spy who is in the role of Genevieve's manager. There is some tension between the two that increases once Max tells her about his role in the resistance. Overall, this is a story about secrets, espionage, danger, loyalty, family, love and war. This story had me quickly listening and reading to find out what was going to happen, especially once Emmy (Emmanuelle), Genevieve's sister, shows up in the story. This was a well written and plotted story, with well developed characters. Karen Robards uses historical information to make this story realistic and enjoyable for those who enjoy historical fiction especially WWII stories.
I did a read/listen with this story. Narrator, Nancy Peterson, performs this story with emotion. She gives an individual voice to Genevieve, Max, and the other characters in the story. The accents were well done and made this book feel like I was listening to multiple narrators. I will definitely look for more books narrated by this talented voice. I definitely recommend this audiobook to those who enjoy audio versions of stories. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
July 10, 2020
For my taste, too shallow and over-sentimentalized. Obviously this book was not for me, even though others enjoyed it.
December 4, 2021
Huge disappointment!
I hate it when writers massacre stories from turbulent times. When I see all the 5 stars and I end up in the minorities of not liking a novel as much, I generally give writer the benefit of doubt, saying it's just me not enjoying the book, not the fault of the story. But this novel, it's a torture; right from the start, this book let me down. And it's so so disheartening that the main character, on whom the whole novel is based, THE Black Swan herself is the one I couldn't stand.
How can a woman (not a child, not a teenager, but a woman) who has been in the middle of WWII; in Paris; under Nazis; and working with British SOEs - for more than 4 years, still be whining about being tricked into working with resistance?
WWII was an era that made people grow up overnight. I have read so many novels based on WWII, and almost every book has a female character who is pampered, oblivious to brutalities, until they are faced with reality, and then they suit-up. They use whatever talent and strength left in them to either survive or fight the Reich, but they stopped whining far early in their days. For heaven's sake, kids as young as 4 years old had learnt to accept the reality, stop complaining and play their part either fighting or surviving the war.
I CANNOT, just CANNOT comprehend, that the writer expects readers to have sympathy for this woman?
This woman, who is being repeatedly told by every damn character in the book that how dangerous her position is as a performer, how critical the mission is, how crucial her role is to support the resistance and the Allied forces to topple the Nazis, how they are trying to keep her safe by sharing information of only what she needs to know, and yet she continues to disobey directions, throw attitude around and present herself as the victim!! - for instance, she gets heavily drunk right before her performance in front of elite Nazi officials and collaboraters, almost sabotages the whole plan, and still is mad at her handler - Max, the British SOE for telling her to be more careful. All this in 1944. And this happens in the first or second chapter.
I had nothing but pure irritation for this character afterwards, it's just ridiculous. She is so full of herself, and to think that we are supposed to sympathize and give credit for her strength, it's just baffling.
Go and read "Number the Stars" where a kid does a better job than this Black Swan. The Alice Network, Salt to the Sea, Cilka's Journey, The things we cannot say and many such books, have female characters who had turned from pampered young girls to war hardened women in a matter of few months from when WWII hit them. 4 years is a long time for someone to not understand the full gravity of the war, to still throw tantrums like a teenager, and tell a SOE that he shouldn't be ordering her on what to do. I mean like - are you for real?
I thought something would change in next few chapters, but I am half way through, and she is still the same. And although there's good content around Paris, but because it's in the voice of Genevieve, the black swan, I can no longer continue reading. So I give up. I am so sad that such a good plot was brutally murdered.
The only reason I am giving 1 star is for characters like Max, Paul, Lillian, Otto who represent French resistance and Allied network, and are sensible. But for Black Swan herself, I can spare nothing, not even a zero star, she ruined this story for me.
I hate it when writers massacre stories from turbulent times. When I see all the 5 stars and I end up in the minorities of not liking a novel as much, I generally give writer the benefit of doubt, saying it's just me not enjoying the book, not the fault of the story. But this novel, it's a torture; right from the start, this book let me down. And it's so so disheartening that the main character, on whom the whole novel is based, THE Black Swan herself is the one I couldn't stand.
How can a woman (not a child, not a teenager, but a woman) who has been in the middle of WWII; in Paris; under Nazis; and working with British SOEs - for more than 4 years, still be whining about being tricked into working with resistance?
WWII was an era that made people grow up overnight. I have read so many novels based on WWII, and almost every book has a female character who is pampered, oblivious to brutalities, until they are faced with reality, and then they suit-up. They use whatever talent and strength left in them to either survive or fight the Reich, but they stopped whining far early in their days. For heaven's sake, kids as young as 4 years old had learnt to accept the reality, stop complaining and play their part either fighting or surviving the war.
I CANNOT, just CANNOT comprehend, that the writer expects readers to have sympathy for this woman?
This woman, who is being repeatedly told by every damn character in the book that how dangerous her position is as a performer, how critical the mission is, how crucial her role is to support the resistance and the Allied forces to topple the Nazis, how they are trying to keep her safe by sharing information of only what she needs to know, and yet she continues to disobey directions, throw attitude around and present herself as the victim!! - for instance, she gets heavily drunk right before her performance in front of elite Nazi officials and collaboraters, almost sabotages the whole plan, and still is mad at her handler - Max, the British SOE for telling her to be more careful. All this in 1944. And this happens in the first or second chapter.
I had nothing but pure irritation for this character afterwards, it's just ridiculous. She is so full of herself, and to think that we are supposed to sympathize and give credit for her strength, it's just baffling.
Go and read "Number the Stars" where a kid does a better job than this Black Swan. The Alice Network, Salt to the Sea, Cilka's Journey, The things we cannot say and many such books, have female characters who had turned from pampered young girls to war hardened women in a matter of few months from when WWII hit them. 4 years is a long time for someone to not understand the full gravity of the war, to still throw tantrums like a teenager, and tell a SOE that he shouldn't be ordering her on what to do. I mean like - are you for real?
I thought something would change in next few chapters, but I am half way through, and she is still the same. And although there's good content around Paris, but because it's in the voice of Genevieve, the black swan, I can no longer continue reading. So I give up. I am so sad that such a good plot was brutally murdered.
The only reason I am giving 1 star is for characters like Max, Paul, Lillian, Otto who represent French resistance and Allied network, and are sensible. But for Black Swan herself, I can spare nothing, not even a zero star, she ruined this story for me.
March 30, 2021
Bellissimo!
November 17, 2020
Thanks to a trusted source, I have just discovered author KAREN ROBARDS who has been a published author since 1981. I have read THE BLACK SWAN OF PARIS, a novel set in France (mostly Paris and Normandy) during the last year of World War II. My only regret is that I did find her books before now. There are several more that I want to read as time allows.
The story follows Genevieve Dumont, a star singer in Occupied Europe in cabarets and music halls, whose signature costume resembles a black swan. She is around 25 years old. She started her career in Morocco a few years before the story begins in May 1944.
Her manager is Max Bonet a handsome and charismatic man. Otto Cordier is her driver/bodyguard. They both have alter egos to their public persona.
Dumont’s parent are Baron Paul and Baroness Lillian de Rocheford from a place near Cherbourg on the Normandy coast, near the soon to be D-Day Beaches. They are members of the French Resistance. Genevieve has a sister, Emmanuelle (Emmy) who is currently living in England (since 1939) with her husband. The Black Swan is estranged from her family and has not seen them for seven years because of a traumatic series of events when she was 18.
Obergruppenfuhrer Claus Wagner is a high-ranking member of the Nazi SS in Paris. He is NOT a nice guy. He is the chief interrogator of spies in France. He is ruthless, relentless and cruel. Outwardly, he is debonair and charming.
Some of the characters are not who they seem to be on the surface. The French Resistance is a major player in the story. There are daring rescues and foiled plots. In a climactic scene in Stuttgart, Germany, revenge is taken for previous malevolent acts.
There is action galore. There are scenes of romance. The characters are well developed. I had a chance in 2011 to visit many of the places mentioned in the story. My memories were rekindled by the descriptions of the places.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you love to read stories about WWII, by all means this is for you. There are historical aspects of the story so you will end up smarter than before you read it.
GO! BUY! READ!
The story follows Genevieve Dumont, a star singer in Occupied Europe in cabarets and music halls, whose signature costume resembles a black swan. She is around 25 years old. She started her career in Morocco a few years before the story begins in May 1944.
Her manager is Max Bonet a handsome and charismatic man. Otto Cordier is her driver/bodyguard. They both have alter egos to their public persona.
Dumont’s parent are Baron Paul and Baroness Lillian de Rocheford from a place near Cherbourg on the Normandy coast, near the soon to be D-Day Beaches. They are members of the French Resistance. Genevieve has a sister, Emmanuelle (Emmy) who is currently living in England (since 1939) with her husband. The Black Swan is estranged from her family and has not seen them for seven years because of a traumatic series of events when she was 18.
Obergruppenfuhrer Claus Wagner is a high-ranking member of the Nazi SS in Paris. He is NOT a nice guy. He is the chief interrogator of spies in France. He is ruthless, relentless and cruel. Outwardly, he is debonair and charming.
Some of the characters are not who they seem to be on the surface. The French Resistance is a major player in the story. There are daring rescues and foiled plots. In a climactic scene in Stuttgart, Germany, revenge is taken for previous malevolent acts.
There is action galore. There are scenes of romance. The characters are well developed. I had a chance in 2011 to visit many of the places mentioned in the story. My memories were rekindled by the descriptions of the places.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you love to read stories about WWII, by all means this is for you. There are historical aspects of the story so you will end up smarter than before you read it.
GO! BUY! READ!
July 4, 2020
This entertaining, well-written, fast paced, historical romantic suspense novel takes place during WWII. It is a real page turner, filled with intrigue, which describes some of the heartbreak and horrors of this tragic period. The characters are engaging and likable. It has a strong, brave and capable female protagonist, a compelling male hero, strong secondary female characters, heart-warming romance and family bonds, and a happily ever after ending. Ms. Robards never disappoints her readers!
July 23, 2020
The setting is Paris, 1944. Genevieve Dumont is a beautiful singer whose performances have made her the toast of Europe and a favorite of the Nazis. She is working undercover for the Resistance enabling Max, a British Agent, to act as her manager gaining him access to roam freely throughout Europe. As plans for the invasion of Normandy are being finalized, Genevieve and Max learn that Baroness Lillian de Rocheford has been imprisoned to be interrogated about the invasion and surely killed. This has a personal connection for Genevieve who is living under a false name. We learn of her tragic history revealing why she needs to help free the Baroness. They believe the Baroness is being held by SS General Claus von Wagner, the same person who has been trying to romance Genevieve.
This is a captivating book which does a very good job transporting the reader into this horrible period in history. The settings are vivid including the Ritz Hotel which was overtaken by the Nazis with only a select, prominent few allowed to reside there. There is a strong set of interesting characters representative of the everyday people who bravely risked their lives to defend their country. Many are tough, gutsy women of all ages. This fast-moving book has lots of suspense, action and some romance. The touching backstory of Genevieve and her family was a highlight of the book.
If you’re a fan of WWII historical fiction, The Black Swan of Paris should be on your list.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
This is a captivating book which does a very good job transporting the reader into this horrible period in history. The settings are vivid including the Ritz Hotel which was overtaken by the Nazis with only a select, prominent few allowed to reside there. There is a strong set of interesting characters representative of the everyday people who bravely risked their lives to defend their country. Many are tough, gutsy women of all ages. This fast-moving book has lots of suspense, action and some romance. The touching backstory of Genevieve and her family was a highlight of the book.
If you’re a fan of WWII historical fiction, The Black Swan of Paris should be on your list.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
August 22, 2020
I’m very sorry that I didn’t like this more. Clearly, many other readers loved this novel. Alas, I started skimming at the halfway point. This novel was much too long, and I could not get attached to the main character. I found Genevieve to be childish and her tendency to complain exhausting. I thought I was getting something along the lines of The Alice Network or The Huntress, both of which were fantastic. This smacked more of a WWII romance novel, and it just wasn’t what I was expecting.
April 27, 2021
The Black Swan of Paris
by Karen Robards
There is a plethora of WWII historical fiction offerings on shelves these days, and I have been avoiding them for the most part – just a taking a breather. But when a dear friend gifted this to me, and looked for a response, I opened her up and started to read.
Immediately I was with the main character, Genevieve Dumont, performing for Nazi officers and ready to dislike her. From there, the story tumbles forward in a compelling way, and I couldn’t put it down. Doubts about character motivations were tossed aside - their actions were in the middle of a brutal war. In fact, there was some explicit descriptions of torture – the kind that has been a deal breaker for me in the past, ending a read right then and there – and yet I stay on. I was too invested to leave.
Set in Paris and its environs is always a plus for me. Credibility is important as well, and there is a body count, with real events and happenings recounted. Still the fictional story lines weave gracefully and believably around these. The author’s note at the end was an inspiring bonus.
Even if you’ve had your fill of WWII. . .I highly recommend this read.
by Karen Robards
There is a plethora of WWII historical fiction offerings on shelves these days, and I have been avoiding them for the most part – just a taking a breather. But when a dear friend gifted this to me, and looked for a response, I opened her up and started to read.
Immediately I was with the main character, Genevieve Dumont, performing for Nazi officers and ready to dislike her. From there, the story tumbles forward in a compelling way, and I couldn’t put it down. Doubts about character motivations were tossed aside - their actions were in the middle of a brutal war. In fact, there was some explicit descriptions of torture – the kind that has been a deal breaker for me in the past, ending a read right then and there – and yet I stay on. I was too invested to leave.
Set in Paris and its environs is always a plus for me. Credibility is important as well, and there is a body count, with real events and happenings recounted. Still the fictional story lines weave gracefully and believably around these. The author’s note at the end was an inspiring bonus.
Even if you’ve had your fill of WWII. . .I highly recommend this read.
June 28, 2020
Absorbing, intense, and pacey!
The Black Swan of Paris is a suspenseful, thrilling tale set in Paris during WWII that takes us into the life of Genevieve Dumont a beautiful, Parisian performer who uses her charisma, fame, and desirability to acquire crucial information from high-ranking Nazis that will not only aid Allied Forces and the Resistance but also provide her with the intelligence needed to rescue her recently captured mother from the hands of the ruthless enemy.
The prose is descriptive and tense. The characters are committed, supportive, and courageous. And the plot is a compelling mix of life, love, loss, secrets, passion, heartbreak, betrayal, danger, tragedy, survival, friendship, and war.
Overall, The Black Swan of Paris is an emotive, action-packed, gripping tale by Robards that transports you to another time and place and immerses you so thoroughly into the feelings, lives, and personalities of the characters you can’t help but be fully invested and enthralled.
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Black Swan of Paris is a suspenseful, thrilling tale set in Paris during WWII that takes us into the life of Genevieve Dumont a beautiful, Parisian performer who uses her charisma, fame, and desirability to acquire crucial information from high-ranking Nazis that will not only aid Allied Forces and the Resistance but also provide her with the intelligence needed to rescue her recently captured mother from the hands of the ruthless enemy.
The prose is descriptive and tense. The characters are committed, supportive, and courageous. And the plot is a compelling mix of life, love, loss, secrets, passion, heartbreak, betrayal, danger, tragedy, survival, friendship, and war.
Overall, The Black Swan of Paris is an emotive, action-packed, gripping tale by Robards that transports you to another time and place and immerses you so thoroughly into the feelings, lives, and personalities of the characters you can’t help but be fully invested and enthralled.
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2020
Where are all the editors? This should have been 350 pages, tops.
August 25, 2022
An exciting story of the French Resistance in France during WWII. A wonderful singer and her family and friends fight the Germans. Love, death, torture, make this book a page turning excellent read.
May 16, 2024
Minority opinion here.
I was sooooo bored.
I don't know if it was the narrator or the book itself. Perhaps a combo. Nothing really struck me as an issue with the narrator, but she didn't stand out as super enthralling either. you can only read a book the way it is written.
I like the idea of this book.
I even didn't mind Genevieve as a character if you can block out the constant "woe is me" dialogue. But at 3/4 of the way in, almost NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. KILL ME NOW. There should be some great action passages here instead of diluted with fluff. She is trying to save her mother; everything is Nazi-infested, and she's this super sexualized dancer in a time when this was super taboo. She's reuniting with her sister; why am I bored to tears?!?!?! This idea is SUPER action and suspense, and I felt NONE of that. So much telling. So little showing.
Anyway I struggle-bused it through the rest with little reward for my efforts.
Underwhelming. But many others loved this, and I am slammed with stress this week, so take this review with a grain of salt. I needed an escape, and this book felt more like work.
1.5-2 stars at the very most.
I was sooooo bored.
I don't know if it was the narrator or the book itself. Perhaps a combo. Nothing really struck me as an issue with the narrator, but she didn't stand out as super enthralling either. you can only read a book the way it is written.
I like the idea of this book.
I even didn't mind Genevieve as a character if you can block out the constant "woe is me" dialogue. But at 3/4 of the way in, almost NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. KILL ME NOW. There should be some great action passages here instead of diluted with fluff. She is trying to save her mother; everything is Nazi-infested, and she's this super sexualized dancer in a time when this was super taboo. She's reuniting with her sister; why am I bored to tears?!?!?! This idea is SUPER action and suspense, and I felt NONE of that. So much telling. So little showing.
Anyway I struggle-bused it through the rest with little reward for my efforts.
Underwhelming. But many others loved this, and I am slammed with stress this week, so take this review with a grain of salt. I needed an escape, and this book felt more like work.
1.5-2 stars at the very most.
January 14, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! Yet another 5 star in the first days of 2021! I thought it was great!
So as you know I often say, if you are a historical fiction WWII junkie like me, eventually, there are so many great novels out there, that they have to be fantastic or they just don't cut the mustard. I mean how many of these can I read, right? You'd think I'd be tired! But this one grabbed my attention. It had all the elements I loved. Paris, theater and diva star singer, resistance, spy, family, and coded secret messages where everything was at stake. You don't know who to trust, and the show must go on! Simply loved it!
So as you know I often say, if you are a historical fiction WWII junkie like me, eventually, there are so many great novels out there, that they have to be fantastic or they just don't cut the mustard. I mean how many of these can I read, right? You'd think I'd be tired! But this one grabbed my attention. It had all the elements I loved. Paris, theater and diva star singer, resistance, spy, family, and coded secret messages where everything was at stake. You don't know who to trust, and the show must go on! Simply loved it!
Read
July 15, 2020I listened to The Black Swan of Paris on an audiobook read by Nancy Peterson. This was the first book that I have read by this author but I will now look for her previous books and of course future ones. The Black Swan of Paris was both an exciting and powerful story. I was immediately swept into the fast paced action of this wonderful historical fiction book. Taking place during World War II, it focused more on the acts and work of the brave resistance fighters with a little romance thrown in. The characters were strong and believable. It was extremely hard to put down. I highly recommend The Black Swan of Paris.
March 17, 2021
Just like Genevieve felt, I felt tricked into reading this highly rated book. This book was awful and painfully long. Why did I continue to finish this? Because I wanted to find out what happened to whiny Genevieve. Did I care what happened to her? No. Did I roll my eyes at the added ‘romance’ in this book with the man who so called tricked her into joining the resistance? Of course. Just pass on this book please.
September 21, 2021
Bello bello, e che tensione crescente, sia tra i due protagonisti, che nelle situazione affrontate.
June 10, 2020
This book grabbed me, I could almost smell the fear and see the horrors that were being perpetrated on Europe and in this book France during this terrible time in history.
The author gives us a young woman struggling with her grief, and thrown into the limelight as a star the German Regime enjoys seeing. As her manager is a man with many personas, and at times I wondered if Max was really for or against Genevieve. Well, we sure are given a lot of action and found myself looking for answers here.
This is a world at war time, and we don’t know from beginning to end who will survive the horrors that are executed here, and I found myself holding my breath during parts of this read. Praise that we really know how the war ends, but this puts you right in the heat of battle, and lets you know about those behind the scenes who helped at great costs, to bring victory.
We put faces on some of these people and the author did a great job of bring alive this part of a dark time in history.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher MIRA, and was not required to give a positive review.
The author gives us a young woman struggling with her grief, and thrown into the limelight as a star the German Regime enjoys seeing. As her manager is a man with many personas, and at times I wondered if Max was really for or against Genevieve. Well, we sure are given a lot of action and found myself looking for answers here.
This is a world at war time, and we don’t know from beginning to end who will survive the horrors that are executed here, and I found myself holding my breath during parts of this read. Praise that we really know how the war ends, but this puts you right in the heat of battle, and lets you know about those behind the scenes who helped at great costs, to bring victory.
We put faces on some of these people and the author did a great job of bring alive this part of a dark time in history.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher MIRA, and was not required to give a positive review.
November 24, 2020
Stunning! Review to come at AAR.
August 9, 2020
4.5 stars
LOVE and WAR
This book had the best of both worlds. A totally different spin on the WWII scene which is pretty rare as this subject has been written about endlessly. This was a unique book. It is probably one of the top WWII books that I have read.
Genevieve Dumont is a smoke screen and is coveted as The Black Swan. She travels all over Europe singing with much success, but little do the Nazis know that she is working for the Resistance.
This book is harrowing. The writing was graphic at times but only added to the atmosphere. Definitely a book to invest in and read.
LOVE and WAR
This book had the best of both worlds. A totally different spin on the WWII scene which is pretty rare as this subject has been written about endlessly. This was a unique book. It is probably one of the top WWII books that I have read.
Genevieve Dumont is a smoke screen and is coveted as The Black Swan. She travels all over Europe singing with much success, but little do the Nazis know that she is working for the Resistance.
This book is harrowing. The writing was graphic at times but only added to the atmosphere. Definitely a book to invest in and read.
Read
July 2, 2020Categories
Espionage, War & Military Fiction, Historical Fiction
Espionage, War & Military Fiction, Historical Fiction
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