The Paris Deception

By: Bryn Turnbull

Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells

“Unforgettable . . . a powerful, page-turning tale of two extraordinary heroines who risk their lives rescuing stolen masterpieces during the Nazi occupation of Paris. A stunning read!”—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Our Last Days in Barcelona

From internationally bestselling author Bryn Turnbull comes a breathtaking novel about art theft and forgery in Nazi-occupied Paris, and two brave women who risk their lives rescuing looted masterpieces from Nazi destruction.

Sophie Dix fled Stuttgart with her brother as the Nazi regime gained power in Germany. Now, with her brother gone and her adopted home city of Paris conquered by the Reich, Sophie reluctantly accepts a position restoring damaged art at the Jeu de Paume museum under the supervision of the ERR—a German art commission using the museum as a repository for art they’ve looted from Jewish families.

Fabienne Brandt was a rising star in the Parisian bohemian arts movement until the Nazis put a stop to so-called “degenerate” modern art. Still mourning the loss of her firebrand husband, she’s resolved to muddle her way through the occupation in whatever way she can—until her estranged sister-in-law, Sophie, arrives at her door with a stolen painting in hand.

Soon the two women embark upon a plan to save Paris’s “degenerates,” working beneath the noses of Germany’s top art connoisseurs to replace the paintings in the Jeu de Paume with skillful forgeries—but how long can Sophie and Fabienne sustain their masterful illusion?

©2023 Bryn Turnbull (P)2023 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

The entire story was wonderful! Thoroughly enjoyed!

I loved the story, the characters, and the performance. The history was woven throughout in a beautifully masterful way. I completely enjoyed this story, performance, and Author

stolen art in occupied Paris

First time author for me.

How does an author wanting to write a World War II story come up with a niche that no other author has come up with before? That seems to be a challenge but what an author should strive to do, at least from my layman's perspective. There are so many topics one can write about WWII I often think of it as a Rubik cube, twist it around a bit and you get a different story.

The author in this one does come up with a new idea, at least from my vantagepoint, writing a work of historical fiction where you tackle the challenge, that really happened in WWII, where lovers of art in occupied Paris work to save as much of the art that was being stolen by the Nazis.

The author does a great job of weaving a tale bringing this to life. The author, a Canadian from Toronto, had to do a lot of research into Nazi stolen art, art restoration, forgeries, the occupation itself, wine and champagne making, the French resistance, there are a lot of different aspects to the story. She does a good job with it all.

This was a fun, enjoyable listen. I will definitely look into her other works.

Riveting story of truth

A story of Nazi slave masters who sought not just to enslave, but to kill and steal. We can only hope that one piece at a time of stolen art can one day be recovered. More than stolen from families, the phenomenal amount of art destroyed by the Nazis can only be a hole in the hearts and resumes of the artists. A well told story of the weakened who saw something wrong and risked all to make it right. Good job! The author met the greatest onus of fiction which is to tell the truth. Deede Blake, author

Quiet, unknown hero’s of war.

So impressed with the characters bravery to save the art and save lives. Incredible story.

Loved this book

I love 2nd world war stories. Learning about the plundering of art by the Nazis and the role Rose Valland played was fascinating. I am always captivated by the bravery of these heros/heroines

An intriguing story, well narrated

I like the storyline and the way it was written. Also how it unveils some of the history of art during the occupation of World War ii. There were interesting turning points and the ending tied the story up well. Narrator did a fine job!

Well done

I read a lot of World War II historical fiction and found the story particularly well done. The research on both 20th century art and wine making in France combined with great characters and a strong historically grounded storyline to create a great read. Also narration was on point, and never distracted from the quality of the story.

Wonderful story about art and WWII

Great narrator and characters and really interesting historical fiction about a part of WW II you don’t think or hear much about
Tears were flowing at the end

Excellent Writing, Excellent Story Telling.

The power and reach of the narrative is enhanced by the account of prewar resistance in Germany and Paris. Also, the use of the accounts of a real person as a minor character gives an aura of substance and reality to the actions of the fictional characters.

Fascinating Page Turner with Heart

This intricately plotted story imagines two women who took part in helping save great art, art which had been stolen from their owners. But at the heart of the story are Sophie and Fabienne—linked only by their love of art and their love of a brother / husband. Their stories will make your heart ache with what they (and their friends and loved ones) went through and the choices they made. I wasn’t expecting it with a thriller, but I cried several times!!

The narrator really did a great job. She has such depth—she nails all the accents! (Even the American accent sounded just right, and I’m a tough critic there!). It’s stories and narrations like this that keep me interested in WWII journeys.