Kate Rees, a young American in Scapa Flow, Scotland, decides to stop teaching marksmanship and signs up to be dropped into occupied Paris on a dangerous assignment: assassinate Adolph Hitler. After rushed and rudimentary training-- and absolutely no formal spy training-- she finds herself in Paris with a rifle and a fierce resolve to succeed in her mission. When she misses her mark and the plan unravels, Kate is on the run for her life-- and the more she runs, the more she begins to think that the entire mission was a set-up.
In June of 1940, when Paris fell to the Nazis, Hitler spent a total of three hours in the city-- abruptly leaving, never to return. To this day, no one knows why. When a fascinating little nugget of information like this falls into the lap of a talented writer like Cara Black, it immediately becomes the catalyst for a high-octane historical thriller.
Kate Rees is a fascinating character, and I loved following her through the streets of Paris as she tried to get out alive. With no formal training in spycraft, she only had her quick wits, her instincts, and the bits and pieces of information she gleaned from the man who recruited her for the mission to aid in her survival. She is in a situation where she can trust absolutely no one, and this adds to the fast pace and suspense of Three Hours in Paris-- especially as she's being followed by a straight-arrow Munich cop named Gunter Hoffman. Kate may have her own obstacles to overcome, but so does Hoffman in the form of layer upon layer of Hitler's flunkies. The point of view switches from Kate to Hoffman in a riveting game of cat and mouse.
As I read, I also found myself becoming angrier and angrier. Why? Because this book reminded me of all the nameless, faceless, utterly dedicated and brave men and women who have been deliberately sacrificed by governments around the world in the name of Victory. I have always had a difficult time believing that any human being is a "throwaway." So, yes, Three Hours in Paris did rouse some ire in me, but first and foremost, it is a thrilling tale of survival.
From the map of Paris on the endpieces of the book to the very last page, I found myself rooting for Kate Rees. I think you will, too. I certainly hope Cara Black has more thrillers like Three Hours in Paris up her sleeve!
Three Hours in Paris by Cara Black
ISBN: 9781641290418
Soho Crime © 2020
Hardcover, 360 pages
Historical Thriller, Standalone
Rating: A
Source: the publisher
Interesting. I tend to read historical fiction with a WWII setting rather than thrillers so this could be a fun change for me.
ReplyDeleteMuch of the historical fiction set during World War II that I've read has thrilling bits to it. I'd be interested in seeing what you think of this one if you get a chance to read it.
DeleteYou know a book is a good 'un if it arouses strong feelings like that, Cathy. And Cara Black writes beautifully about Paris, doesn't she? I really do respect her knowledge of the city. I wonder if this one is a standalone, or the first of a new series...
ReplyDeleteIt might all boil down to how well this book is received. She's been wanting to write this book for a long, long time. I'm glad she did because, to be honest, while I like her writing, I've never particularly cared for Aimée Leduc!
DeleteI've read several of Black's Aimee Leduc series and enjoyed them, but this one is set in one of my favorite time periods with a new protagonist. I have requested this one and hope I get it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do, too. I think you'll like it!
DeleteI may read this although I shy away from books about Nazis, not that I wouldn't mind reading about this strong woman character.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's because my Jewish family heritage has a strong impact on me.
But I do agree with you: there are no throwaway human beings. Even though wars devalue human life, there is a person, a family, behind every death and injury. War is the worst destruction of life and what humans have created. And that includes the people in all countries.
I was reading about the My Lai massacre and that 500 people were killed, elderly, women, children, for no reason. I saw an article about the U.S. helicopter pilot who stopped it with his two-person crew. He was treated as a pariah for years, but finally was recognized as a hero.
Just as the Navy captain who demanded help for his COVID-19-infected crew. Removed from command, they tried to paint him as ridiculous when we all know he's not.
DeleteAs for this particular book, would it help if I told you that Gunter Hoffman is no Nazi? In a very real way, he's fighting for his own life just as Kate Rees is.
Oh, interesting about the characters.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree on the Navy captain. It was ridiculous that he was removed. He was trying to save the sailors' lives. The sailors were furious that happened. Well, the guy who did that was forced to resign. But the poor captain has coronavirus. But I'm sure he saved lives.
I'm sure he did, too.
DeleteMuch as I love Paris, I've never been able to get into the Aimee Leduc series, so I was interested to see this one coming. And I'm glad to see such a positive review from someone whose taste I know I can trust.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you read the comments, you see that I've never been a fan of Aimée either, so I'm hoping you get a chance to read and enjoy it as much as I did.
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