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Paradiso: Final Chapter to The Mistress of Auschwitz

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In this final chapter to The Mistress of Auschwitz, Eleonore struggles with the consequences of her actions at Mrs. Meyers’ manor. While in a foreign land, Eleonore begins to hope for what she thought had been lost forever. She begins to find healing through a wonderfully chaotic but passionate family, learning to use her gifts again, and an unsought romance with a man that she once despised. But all is not as it seems, as the fascist ideology which should’ve been long buried has resurrected itself in the hearts of lesser men. Eleonore must yet again contend with that evil. Still, she persists with the understanding that the darkness will always succumb to the light.

Meanwhile, Captain Volker is devastated by what he perceives are a series of personal defeats. To atone for his supposed shortcomings, Hanns presses the search for Rudolph Hoess, the Commandant of Auschwitz, with unrelenting fervor in the hopes that he can finally bring this devil to justice. His ambition, however, leads him down paths where he will stop at nothing, no matter who gets in his way, in his attempt to capture the greatest mass murderer in the history of mankind. Still, his mind lingers on Eleonore and her wellbeing, as Hanns realizes her importance should Rudolph be brought to trial.

502 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2020

361 people are currently reading
1457 people want to read

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Terrance D. Williamson

14 books104 followers

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5 stars
1,121 (59%)
4 stars
511 (27%)
3 stars
197 (10%)
2 stars
32 (1%)
1 star
12 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
13 reviews
July 2, 2021
The first book was the best of all three.
Due to the fact that there was a long time in between books, it would have been nice to make reference to the other 2 books.
I was not impressed.
Profile Image for Bonnie Sogoloff.
430 reviews4 followers
July 2, 2022
What should have been a very compelling read descended into a cheesy romance.
Profile Image for Russ.
303 reviews8 followers
March 31, 2021
The third and final chapter. There were many references to Dante throughout - hell, purgatory, and paradise. Eleonore Hodys was a real person, but I have been unable to find much biographical information regarding her life.
Profile Image for Rebekha M.
48 reviews
Read
February 7, 2025
Great 3 book series that I didn't know I was getting into! Written beautifully to capture the before, during and after of the holocaust.
17 reviews1 follower
July 11, 2023
Fitting Finale

This is certainly not a happily ever after ending. I think it accurately discusses recovering from trauma. I liked how the author developed the relationships between all the characters. Having read many books about World War II and the development of lifelong friendships between people I think that this could have been an accurate depiction. I thought the subject material was pretty compelling, and the struggle for political power at the end of the war still was strong. Overall , I thought the trilogy brought up a lot of interesting situations that had to be dealt with in order for reconciliation to occur.
47 reviews
March 15, 2023
First Two Kept My Interest…but the third…

I’m not a fan of what I call “beach reads”. The first two books in this series were certainly not that. And the Hanns part in the third book also held my interest. But the Eleanor story line kept going on long after it should have ended. In fact, I skimmed the last portion of the book, which, I rarely do, just to get through the remainder of the book.
Profile Image for Shelly.
299 reviews2 followers
October 17, 2024
No.

This became all fiction and a ... romance? I dunno, I give up. Could have stopped after book 1, not worth books 2 and 3 to get closure with Rudolph.

Also stop throwing things... she threw her lips upside down, he threw up his eyebrows blah blah blah
33 reviews
September 15, 2022
I read the other two books of this series they were amazing! I suffered through half of this book and finally gave up. Sorry…
86 reviews4 followers
July 9, 2023
The final phase of the trilogy titled Paradiso brings the final and heartfelt journey of Eleonore to peace. This aptly titled book grounds the readers to understand hope will guide your unexpected way of happiness.

Eleonore Hodys, who was once a seamstress had to go through being a political prisoner and Mistress of Rudolph Hoess, the Commandant of Auschwitz and after liberation worked in Mrs. Meyers’ manor. Her times were dreadful as the trauma and nightmares kept plaguing her. Healing was an unreal term however things escalated quickly and things changed for better. Finding a family, learning to rekindle her skill and experience love that was totally unexpected.

Captain Volker is on trails to capture Rudolph Hoess, and he is hellbent on making him pay for all the cruelty he has spread and killed so many.

Historical fiction is quite an immersive and extensive genre where the narration should be prioritised in describing the events on a level of profound connection to the reality of the past to that of the present. They are reminders of the past, endured and moulded by experiences that will send shivers down one's spine. I'm truly amazed by the way the overall story unravelled giving us an entire world in itself.

I'd highly recommend it to all the enthusiasts of this genre. Pick this up for a weekend read, it won't disappoint you at all.
531 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2023
I really enjoyed Paradiso the final book in the trilogy of the Mistress of Auschwitz by Terrance D. Williamson.

Eleonore describes her life in connection to Dante Alighieri's works to Inferno to Hanns the Officer who rescued her at Auschwitz that her time at Auschwitz was hell, the manor where she had been given work after her internment at the camp was purgatory and Parma, Italy where she has finally settled down is Paradise.

Eleonore was seamstress of La Venezia before the war started, then she was the Mistress of Auschwitz and then Mrs. Meyer's maid but her greatest achievement was when she met Ben the Butler who made her someone without a title.

This love story and the hell on earth that Eleonore endured brought tears rolling down my cheeks when I read this final chapter in her life.

As Winston Churchill quoted "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."
Profile Image for Pam.
4,625 reviews67 followers
August 30, 2021
Paradiso: Final Chapter to The Mistress of Auschwitz; Book 3 is by Terrance D. Wiliamson. This book, like book 2, is pure fiction. He took the characters in the life of Eleanora Hodys and created an entire book of fiction. However, all the events could have happened after the war.
As the War Crimes Commission Hanns and his crew had come to arrest Gustov Simon at the Meyers home, Eleanore Hoys and the butler, Ben Mattelino had left out the back way. Lt. Jung who had served at Auschwitz stayed behind and told Hanns that Gustov had shot himself rather than be arrested. However, Eleanore and Ben didn’t know that and Eleanore thought the law would be chasing her. Ben took her to his home in Parma.
Although the war was over, hunting down the perpetrators was still needed. Hanns is now after Rudolph Hoess. Would he find them? Would they live an uneventful life in Parma?
170 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2021
Jean38no

This book was as exiting as the others in this series. I was really interested with what happened to some of the leaders of the Holocaust , people in charge of the camps. Those that killed millions of people on the orders of higher ups. It always appears that the excuse is I was told to do it so it justified. Also the Italians fighting against facism how it spit their country causing neighbors to fight against neighbor. The main Characters went through many of the tribulations of the aftermath of the war but came out alright in the end
43 reviews2 followers
February 29, 2024
Awe inspiring

Survival of the holocaust is always amazing and inspiring to me. This book showed me the war did not end when the allies liberated Germany. Having absolutely nothing the prisoners had nothing but their own ability to survive unimaginable life but it just didn't end when they were freed. No surviving family, no homes to return to, no money or lives to return too is too hard to think of.

Enemies not only lived and survived she made such a difference in the world.
I loved this book
480 reviews3 followers
May 8, 2024
This is the 3rd and final in the trilogy of Mistress Of Auschwitz. Eloenore and her Italian family decided to open up a dress shop like the one she had in France. The war is over, Bonito, her husband , that opening up a dress shop might just be the thing that will help heal th family from the war.
Hans, the Jewish German solider that found Nora in Auschwitz, along with his twin brother, have settled in London, after meeting Nora's sister in law in Parma. This book goes into the healing part of the Mattlianos family.
Profile Image for Frieda Thompson.
389 reviews6 followers
July 15, 2021
Tears falling

A mixture of happy & sad tears. Happy that, for Eleanore, life goes on. I'm sad for the fact that this story is based on reality. Sad that life isn't fair. Sad that the story has ended! Despite the heavy storyline, I have truly enjoyed these 3 books! I fell in love w/ Eleanore, Hanns, & Benito! They were like family to me! Thank you, Terrance Williamson, for bringing them into my life! Good job! I look forward to more from you!
25 reviews
March 25, 2022
wonderful story I. three parts.

I disliked the use of “anyways” so often and with an s.
Some of word choices were simple and not very interesting in regard to Eleanor’s character. Could have been stronger
I liked the history and holocaust information and I believe we need more of this to remind people of how it happens. Especially these days.
I liked every character and the developmental style. Good read overall
Profile Image for Beth Caves.
8 reviews
July 17, 2022
Breathtaking, enlightening and bittersweet

It's truly horrifying what transpired. War is cruel. Humanity is cruel. However, surviving can either make or break a human spirit. Roses grow from the ashes of tragedy. This trilogy captivated me and made me reflect on my life, making my personal suffrage mundane in comparison, but grateful and hopeful for the future and future generations to come. Peace to all...
Profile Image for Carrie Paul.
15 reviews
April 15, 2023
Loved book 1. Book 2 pretty good. Should have stopped there. I’ve never known of the word “chuckled” to be used so many times in one book. It was very distracting. All the chuckling. Additionally, there was overuse of “her husband.” It was dramatic, unrealistic and hokey. I appreciate the authors time and effort. He’s a better writer than I could ever be, but this book just wasn’t good for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
36 reviews
May 24, 2021
Paradiso

This book held me in suspense the entire 383 pages. It was as though Eleanore was telling me her story herself. Her pain. fear and anxiousness was revealed and I felt it throughout the book. I know that Hanns was a real person and he did capture Rudolf Hoess and the author followed the history quite well. A well written book and a very worthwhile series to read.
10 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2022
Outstanding trilogy that must be read !

I am an avid fiction reader of WW11 novels. This trilogy was among the very best stories I have ever read. The characters were so real you could almost feel their every emotion. I cannot recommend these novels enough. Well done Mr. Williamson !!!
Profile Image for Anna.
297 reviews6 followers
November 17, 2024
Really good book. Easy to read and follow, just as the 2 previous books in the series. I know that the author has stated that it’s uncertain how Eleanore really lived her life after the war and trials, but I wanted some of these things in the book to be true so I felt the author did a good job giving the reader what we maybe hoped for, for Eleanore. But I didn’t expect that ending.
8 reviews
March 3, 2025
resist the brainwash, listen to all, but think for yourself

Tyrannical regimes don’t appear suddenly and They rely on non involvement and carelessness if people who don’t want to be bothered, if they are not directly affected. These people don’t understand that they will end up paying a huge price for their selfishness.
387 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2025
Audiobook, read well tho the story was boring and seemed to drag on and on. I must confess I quit listening at the 49% mark because it was so bad. It turned into a “cheesy romance” as another reader described it. The first book was good yet graphic but I would not bother with the rest of the trilogy. This is a definite skip, pal.
Profile Image for Gary.
61 reviews
January 18, 2021
Excellent ending to a great 3 book series. The characters are so alive that I want to know more on each one....In that it was based on real people and real events...........it was a truly great read.... I would love a fictional series just on Eleanore........
20 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2021
Not as good as the other 2 but excellent none the less

It is a little too saccharine sweet towards the second half and easy to see what is coming but I guess that's a fictional take on the true life stories that are excellently intertwined.
Profile Image for Kat.
395 reviews39 followers
November 23, 2021
A Wonderful Ending

I loved the ending. With all the tragedy in the trilogy, there is a happy ending in place. I would have loved to read some facts about the real story that inspired the books. But it was enjoyable nonetheless.
Profile Image for Amylynn.
111 reviews1 follower
December 6, 2022
wow

This was amazing! Nora was so strong all that she been through to find love! I hated that Benito passed away at the end! And she still was strong! I have never read a book with a character like Nora. Wow this blew me away
42 reviews
February 9, 2023
Surprise ending to this series I have enjoyed all 3 books each has been a page turner. The life of Eleonore Hodys lets us see the devastation formthe Holocaust and how survivors may have dealt with trying to make life a little more normal.
Profile Image for Chanda Shae Curry.
274 reviews
May 12, 2023
sigh

It’s really hard to write a review on a series like this… I really hope the real Eleanor truly found happiness.. I hope all who were saved from Auschwitz’s prison found Peace and happiness..
2 reviews
December 20, 2023
Book 1 kept my interest. Book to was ok, but not nearly as good. This book, boring! Had to force myself to finish and began skipping most of Eleonore's chapters and only reading Hann's. Did not need to be 3 books long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews

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