A wonderfully written story set in France during World War II. The story begins with a family divided by actions and words that can never be taken back. As Karen Robards builds the characters into slowly evolving circles that will eventually meet, she gives us well defined, realistic settings that played major roles in the war efforts in occupied France. The Black Swan, a well known singer and entertainer who traveled France, works tirelessly to support her beloved country, she must also use every means at her disposal to save her family.
Though fiction, the book contains many people and places that were critical during the occupation. It's obvious the author spent a great amount of time in research and wrote from the heart.

The Black Swan of Paris
Karen Robards
June 30, 2020

Baroness Lillian de Rocheford and her husband Paul had two daughters. Living on the outskirts of Paris near the sea they enjoyed many wonderful times while their girls grew up on the grape plantation. When Genevra was 18 she and her mother argued. An argument that proved to be the last words they would speak to each other. Genevra left home and went to find her way singing in Paris. There were many times she thought of that incident, praying her mother was well, as the war in Europe became intense with the Germans taking over many countries. Genevra was fortunate to become the acquaintance of Maximillian George Bonet, a 44 year old French citizen. He too was musically talented and connected with the right people. He advised her to change her name to Genevieve Dumot. With his help she became one of the most famous singers in Europe. At the time she was unaware that he was of the upper crust of the Allies. He had power to retain papers for her to sing and travel throughout the country. The Nazi party was familiar with her talents and beauty. Each time she performed it was a sellout crowd despite the effects of the horrors that fell throughout France and neighboring countries.
This incredible novel tells us of the crimes that were too common as the Allied party tried to take down the Nazi nation. Robards words sent many chills through me as I remembered the tales my father had told me as a young girl of his times while an Air Force bombardier. Her research to write this manuscript must have been exhaustive. The novel is outstanding, one that should be read with attention to its detail. In the past she has written many romance/suspense, also good reads. I have read them all but The Black Swan of Paris gives us the day by day of Genevieve Dumont and the crisis that led to the culmination of the German occupation of Europe.
Karen Robards latest novel, The Black Swan of Paris will be published on June 30, 2020 by Harlequin. I appreciate Mira of Harlequin allowing me to read and review this novel via NetGalley. It is an Historical Fiction standout that should be read. The story is fascinating. This gives us a view of history past the conversations of family or friends or what we read via school books.

Starts off slow with a lot of setting the stage in the first quarter of the book before any real action starts. Stick with it, ends better than it begins.

I cannot stress enough how much I loved this book and the association with the resistance movements in France during World War II. Such strong powerful female characters that have to deal with so much horrible things and watching them from a readers perspective handle situations has been amazing.

Robards delivers a thrilling WWII read about resistance fighters in France. Genevieve is a performer who is also part of the resistance. She discovers disturbing news about estranged family members. Slowly, the pieces of the story fall in place to allow readers a more complete picture od the characters. The action at the very end is spellbinding and thrilling. I was on the edge of my seat with the cable car scene. I loved this book!

3.5 stars

I've never read anything by this author, but I do enjoy WWII-era books, so I was happy to check it out. While it wasn't my favorite, the author did do a nice job of weaving things together. The writing style quickly pulls the reader in. There were some tense moments, as well as a lot of family dynamics, both of which were well done.

I was completely captivated by this historical fiction WWII thriller set in Occupied France. Genevieve Dumont is a famous and popular singer who is working undercover to learn Nazi secrets, and when she learns of her estranged family's imminent danger and connection to the Resistance, she does not know who to trust. A touch of romance adds to the suspense. I could not put this book down and read late into the night to finish it. Highly recommended.

Genevieve DuPont, The Black Swan of Paris, is the toast of Nazi occupied Paris. But Genevieve has secrets that could get her killed. She is walking a tight rope to keep herself alive. This is historical fiction which isn’t my favorite genre, but I couldn’t put this book down! Full of historical details and great characters I was riveted by the story, turning page after page to see what came next. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy of this book.

All in all, wonderful read. Great historical details, well developed characters, and enticing twists and turns. This was a page turner from beginning to end.

There were a few things that stuck out to me as tropes and phrases used a few too many times, but I imagine they'll get smoothed out for final publication (reviewing an ARC). None of it was enough to take away from the story or impact.

This is historical fiction at it's best! I always enjoy Karen Robards novels and this one is one of her best. A story of Nazi occupied Paris and sisters reunited by WWII and their attempt to save their Mother's life. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is Karen Robards at her best . She had a way of creating plot and characters that draw you in . Wonderful book

Singer Genevieve Dumont is the toast of Nazi-occupied Paris. But the Black Swan of Paris is hiding some dangerous secrets. Thoroughly enjoyable, with a realistic portrayal of WW2 France and several entangled threads that keep the reader engaged!

This book makes you feel! I appreciated that it had a different aspect of the resistance during WWII than I'm used to and the whole story of guilt and anger that continues to happen in all decades.

Not your usual Karen Robards style, this book is a historical novel set in WW2, and is beautifully written. The plot and characters drew me in and I can’t wait for our library patrons to read it too.

Outstanding! Karen Robards has outdone herself with this historical fiction story set in WWII Paris.

This was an incredible historical novel that drew me in and never let go. I felt emotionally invested in the characters’ lives and couldn’t stop reading.

This is not her normal romantic suspense book. This is a historical mystery set during world war 2 and the holocaust. This is not my favorite time period to read about as in real life there was so much evil done but the author did a great job of weaving the characters story into the every day lives of people who had to live through that horrible time in history. The story line was one where you had to keep reading to see how the story was going to end even though I did not like the time period. The author did a wonderful job of pulling you into the book

Singer Genevieve Dumont is able to move through Nazi occupied France with ease. Her celebrity allows her to bypass searches, and to travel where others cannot. Her manager, Max is a British spy, who takes full advantage of Genevieve's privileges. When Genevieve learns that her estranged mother has been arrested and is awaiting torture, she does everything she can to rescue her.

The characters throughout this story were dynamic, well rounded and easy to relate too. The story itself was well paced and interesting. I found myself unable to put this book down, I just had to know what happened next. Overall, well worth picking up.

Lately, I've been more and more interested in books, fiction and nonfiction, about the World War 2 era. For most people alive today it is hard to believe that this time in history actually happened. The stories of how everyday peoples lives were turned upside down and how they all banded together against the Nazis are extraordinary. The Black Swan of Paris was hard to put down. It's the story of a popular singer who, against her will, is drawn into working with the Resistance in France. When she finds out her estranged mother is also a member of the Resistance and has been captured by the Nazis she uses all her resources to try and help her. The story is suspenseful, has a great story line and is a sobering reminder of the events this time in history held. Highly Recommend!!

Karen Robards turns her attention temporarily away from the successful contemporary suspense novels she normally writes in order to give her readers a war story. The book gives the reader many stories in one. It is about war - a bloody one - World War two. It tells the story of the French resistance to Nazi occupation braving the horrors of absolute repression practiced by the German conquerors. It takes place during the last period of the war at a point where an allied invasion is planned and both the Germans and allies are working to bestow their own ending on it. The Germans to find out where it will take place in order to turn it back, and the allies to hide it, surprising the enemy and making it into the final stage against the third Reich. Most important the novel does not detract in any way from the author's ability to mesmerize her readership and serves only to increase her range with those enjoying her books.
Genevieve Dumont is a singer that has created herself as a persona with an exceptionally good voice, a marvelous stage presence and the ability to take charge of her audience. She is the daughter of French upper class people, but has had a falling out with her mother Lillian de Rocheford and has fled from her family and ending up in Casablanca, Morocco eking out a living singing in various venues to earn some money to live on.
Discovered there by Max a British officer seconded to the French resistance movement she is molded by him into a spy and guided into creating scenarios that allow her group to obtain information important to the French Partisans. Over the years they work together their emotions are kept in check, but the author creates a very plausible situation leading to the couple falling in love. The final section of the book finds that Lillian de Rocheford has been captured by the Germans and is being subjected to torture in order to force her to release the location of the coming invasion. Lilian knows the site due to the fact that the allies have given her an important role on the day of the invasion.
Family is family and Genevieve gets Max and her group to try and effect her mother's release in order to carry out her assigned mission. That the book grabs hold of the readers and doesn't let go until the end is a given It is indicative of the literary talent that is Karen Robards and her ability to capture and keep her readers fixed on the book as well as looking for the next one.