THE BLACK SWAN OF PARIS joins a long list of books set in Paris, France, during World War II amid the Nazi occupation. While the setting is not novel, Karen Robards weaves an intriguing and fast-paced tale with appealing characters that will captivate readers right up until the last page.

Genevieve Dumont is a famous and beloved French singer who performs for the Germans residing in Paris and secretly works for the Resistance. She passes notes and provides a cover for her “manager” Max, who in reality is a British spy. Unbeknownst to almost everyone, including Max, Genevieve is actually the daughter of prominent Resistance members, from whom she is estranged. When her mother, Lillian de Rocheford, is captured, Genevieve is drawn into a plot to help save Lillian from the German firing squad. However, her actions are misinterpreted by Resistance members, who threaten her and put her rescue plan in jeopardy.

"THE BLACK SWAN OF PARIS is a solid addition to the World War II subgenre and will appeal to anyone who enjoys a page-turning tale that also includes some history woven into it."

In her Author’s Note, Robards states that she “researched this book to the point where [she] was muttering about the events that led up to D-Day in [her] sleep.” This attention to detail shines throughout the book, especially in the sections where she describes occupied Paris and the build-up to D-Day. Readers will feel like they are accompanying Genevieve on her dangerous trips through the Paris streets, at her dinners with a hated Nazi general where she ferrets out important information, and in other situations where she is observing the horrific actions of the Germans or assisting the Resistance. Her vivid descriptions of the cruelty and viciousness of the Nazis still appall and stun, even though the details are familiar to most. These scenes are the highlight of the book and will transport readers to the hell that was occupied Paris.

Where the book falls a bit short is the occasional dialogue between characters that rings false for the time period. However, this is fairly infrequent and does not hinder the enjoyment of the book or take away from the plot progression. The characters are well-developed and authentic, and readers will root for Genevieve and Max as they work together to aid the Resistance.

THE BLACK SWAN OF PARIS is a solid addition to the World War II subgenre and will appeal to anyone who enjoys a page-turning tale that also includes some history woven into it.