by Pam Jenoff
Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden, Henrietta Meire, Candace Thaxton
Length: 11 hours and 41 minutes
Genres: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 stars
From the author of the runaway bestseller The Orphan’s Tale comes a remarkable story of friendship and courage centered around three women and a ring of female spies during World War II.
1946, Manhattan
Grace Healey is rebuilding her life after losing her husband during the war. One morning while passing through Grand Central Terminal on her way to work, she finds an abandoned suitcase tucked beneath a bench. Unable to resist her own curiosity, Grace opens the suitcase, where she discovers a dozen photographs—each of a different woman. In a moment of impulse, Grace takes the photographs and quickly leaves the station.
Grace soon learns that the suitcase belonged to a woman named Eleanor Trigg, leader of a ring of female secret agents who were deployed out of London during the war. Twelve of these women were sent to Occupied Europe as couriers and radio operators to aid the resistance, but they never returned home, their fates a mystery. Setting out to learn the truth behind the women in the photographs, Grace finds herself drawn to a young mother turned agent named Marie, whose daring mission overseas reveals a remarkable story of friendship, valor and betrayal.
Vividly rendered and inspired by true events, New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff shines a light on the incredible heroics of the brave women of the war, and weaves a mesmerizing tale of courage, sisterhood and the great strength of women to survive in the hardest of circumstances
Last year I read The Orphan Train by this author and was excited to receive the audiobook for The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff. Narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden, Henrietta Meire, and Candace Thaxton, Jenoff shares a story of passion, courage, betrayal, discovery.
Grab your earbuds, a bottle of wine and travel to 1946, Manhattan where Grace Healey, a young widower finds an abandoned suitcase in Grand Central Terminal. The suitcase belonged to Eleanor Trigg, former leader of a group of female secret agents who were deployed out of London during the war. The tale that unfolds has us crossing into Soviet-controlled France as twelve woman work undercover to undermine Hitler. They placed these brave young women undercover in Occupied Europe and worked as couriers and radio operators to aid the resistance, but they never returned home and their fates were a mystery.
Graces curiosity regarding the photos and Eleanor soon have her investigating with a little help from a friend. The story that unfolds was riveting . Told in from multiple perspectives – before, during and after the war, we get Grace’s story, Elenor’s, and a young, single mother named Marie a young spy posing as a French woman.
Jenoff pulled me in from all angles and the different story lines were equally strong. Marie’s story perhaps touched me the most from her bravery to the climatic events that unfolded around her. I devoured her chapters. Along with Grace I demanded to know her story. I laughed, wept and found myself experiences her emotions.
While rich with period details and historical details the story focus is more character driven. There are two romantic threads, one of growth and one of fate. One will leave you hopeful the other in a puddle. You will come to admire all three women and this group of female spies and their role in WWII.
Elizabeth Knowelden, Henrietta Meire, and Candace Thaxton each did an outstanding job of capturing these characters from Grace’s curiosity to Marie’s strength. The book lends itself perfectly to audio from the pacing to the story lines and there was no confusion as to whom was speaking as we hopped from Paris, London, Germany and New York.
The Lost Girls of Paris is a story whose details and characters will have you searching out similar stories and make you a forever fan of Pam Jenoff.
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff lent itself perfectly to #audio delivering a story of passion, courage, betrayal and discovery. #iloveaudiobooks Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
Wow, this sounds like an engaging story. I have seen this one around and have thought about getting it now after your review, I know it’s a must listen to. I do want to be taken back with a bottle of wine. =)
Mary
Carla
Awesome review Kimberly. I have this one on my kindle, but maybe I will look for the audio instead. I love stories that are done with multiple narrators, it sounds so much more real.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
So happy to see this got 5 stars from you too. It really was an incredible read. I’d love to revisit it on audio at some point after seeing that you gave the narration 5 stars as well.
Naomi Hop
Sounds like this was a good read, with a few threads to keep you hooked!
Stefanie
This sounds like a good one. I swear, historical fiction covers know how to catch the eyes of readers. I’ve put a hold on this one for future reading.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I’m glad this was such a hit for you! I’m more cautious about historicals but with a good mystery it could work for me. Fantastic review!
Sophia Rose
This sounds amazing. I will be picking this up. I like Elizabeth Knowelden’s narration work, too.
Tyler H. Jolley
I love this premise so much. There truly are so many untold stories of heroic women who served during the war. Excellent review, Kimba. I can really tell you loved this book.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
I’m glad this turned out to be good because I have to read this just for the cover! I love this time period and the blurb is so intriguing. The gorgeous cover doesn’t hurt.
Debbie Haupt
I loved the book Kim and now I want the audio version too 🙂 Fantastic review
Lily B
I’ve been craving HR like mad recently. I yet to try Pam Jenoff but I’ve put several of her books on my to buy list this year and this one just looks amazing. Maybe I’ll consider it on audio instead
Michelle @Because Reading
This sounds fantastic , I am so glad you enjoyed it! Great review Kim!
Melliane
It looks like a great one again and this period is always so interesting to read about
Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
This sounds amazing, Kimberly. And after having read The Nightingale and The Alice Network, it’s a book that I’m keen to pick up. I like that there are several narrators so I may pick up this one in audio but either way, I know I’m in for a powerful read! Great review!
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
The truth of what happened during the war years is often more astounding than any fiction writer could make up! I haven’t read a great wartime spy story in ages so this could be one to seek out!
Ailyn Koay
i don’t really know how you pose as a French woman, not like there’s a job description to it… or is there?
Kimberly
You must be able to speak fluent French and I would imagine look the part.
Ailyn Koay
Or being able to make croissants and swear like a man?