Dual timeline book set during WWII and 2018. I guessed some of the mysteries but I was enjoying the story so much that it did not matter to me. A must read for lovers of historical fiction. It also had some romance. I like the fictional story that was interwoven with real historical events and places.

This is an outstanding book! I have never been disappointed by Kristin Harmel's books, and I think this one is my new favorite.

In the present, Aviva is shocked when she finds out that Collete is a jewel thief. Who would suspect this seemingly demure old lady who volunteers for charitable causes? Colette only steals from wealthy Nazis and Nazi collaborators, and she donates the proceeds to worthy charities, such as the Boston Center for Holocaust Education, which she anonymously helped to found. She takes no personal financial gain from her theft, in the tradition of Robin Hood, but uses the stolen jewels to help those who have been wronged.

The story is set in alternating timelines of young Colette during WWII and older Colette in 2018. Now a nonagenarian, Colette is trying to settle old scores and finally return jewels to their rightful owner. Also, she aches to find out what happened to her sister, who went missing and was presumed murdered at the age of four, many years ago, so that adds a mysterious aspect to the story. There are some fantastic twists and turns that make this story exciting!
A sincere thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy through #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is a craftily and skillfully written book about a young woman, a teenager, Colette, who follows in the footsteps of her mother, Annabel. From her mother, Colette, learns to stealthily steal priceless pieces of jewelry from cruel, unkind, and obscenely wealthy people. Once Colette has these pieces, she, like Robin Hood, gives them to those who can desperately use the value of the jewelry for good. Colette follows this self-appointed task, and uses her skills for the good of the poor throughout her life.

The book uses the conceit of dual time periods, beginning the action in the 1940s and taking it up again in 2018 when Colette is almost 90 years old. Colette is still distraught about the death of her mother in a concentration camp during WWII, and she has never forgotten that her four-year-old sister, Lilliane, has died at about the same time, and that half a priceless bracelet set was taken from the hem of her sister's nightgown. When the bracelet appears in an exhibition which Colette sees roughly 70 years later, she knows she must ascertain what happened to her mother and sister, and she wants to be reunited to her past.

The book focuses on mystery, family, and drama linked to Colette's lifelong quest to take valuables that can be recycled for the good of those in need. Later in life, Colette reunites with her past, and there is also a late-in-life love story that creates a tidy and lovely ending for the book.

Thank you to Gallery Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this compelling book.

Throughly enjoyed the mystery of this book and the dynamics of the characters. I felt the ending was a little rushed and I wish there was more talk of Colette’s life and thievery throughout the years but still a good historical mystery read.

Thank you Netgalley, for the digital ARC of this incredible book!

What a story. This is an emotional rollercoaster, a mystery, a love story, a family drama, a look into history - full of hatred and greed and vengeance, and a book of hope.

Just read it. It's so good.

If I'm going to read historical fiction, this is exactly what I'm looking for. I was immediately drawn into this dual timeline story. The past takes place in the 1940's which is one of my favorite time periods to read about. It also takes us to Colette's life seventy years later. The story was both suspenseful and heartwarming. The added bonus of the mystery behind the missing bracelet makes this an unputdownable read. The author's note at the end was special. If you are looking for a historical fiction with jewel thieves, mystery, and romance then look no further!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Some people say diamonds hold the memories of everyone who has touched them. This is a belief of the aging Colette Marceau, a modern day Robin Hood. Colette has been a jewel theft from a young age following in footsteps of her mother’s family. The only catch is to steal from those who aren’t deserving to help those in need. Throughout her lifetime Collette has used these stolen jewels to support many charities. A long lost bracelet resurfaces taking Colette back to WWII. This bracelet tore her world apart once. Can it heal the hurt from so long ago? Does it hold the answers to what really happened the night Germans arrested her family? Once again I was unable to put this book down. Kristin Harmel had me hooked from the beginning. A must read for historical lovers!

Colette and her mother Annabel did their part to help the French Resistance during WWII in a most unorthodox way - by stealing jewels from wealthy (but nefarious) members of society. One night everything goes wrong, however, and Colette loses her mother, her younger sister, and a diamond bracelet. Seventy years later, this long lost bracelet shows up at a museum in Boston, forcing Colette to revisit her tragic past.

What an adventure! Kristin Harmel is a master of sweeping historical drama, and this may be her best work yet. It's beautifully written, meticulously researched, and the engaging plot had me flipping to the next chapter long after I should have gotten up to switch the laundry around. One of the timelines was set during WWII, but this was a unique and interesting perspective of that time in history, which was refreshing since we have no shortage of WWII historical fiction to choose from these days. Colette is a wonderfully developed character, from her unorthodox and tragic childhood, to her strong-willed, confident elder adulthood. This is definitely a book that will stay on my mind and in my heart for awhile.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this gem prior to its publication in exchange for my honest review.

Shades of Robin Hood! And to Catch a Thief! And, oh yes, the Saint! If ever a novel could fit the trope “You had me at hello” this is it. Kristen Harmel managed to capture both my interest and my sympathies in the same moment. Who wouldn't love a family descended from Robin Hood and committed to correcting injustice by stealing jewels from the rich (in this case the Nazis) and giving the proceeds to the poor or wronged (in this case the French resistance).
One of the primary ways I judge a book is by whether I care about the characters. I took an immediate liking to Collette Marceau. I am so grateful to Harmel that she did not present the late 80 something main character as doddering or senile or frail. Instead, Collette dresses impeccably, wears lipstick and mascara, and is pretty much sharp as a tack.
Harmel raises important questions in this novel. The story is entertaining, to be sure. But it asks questions about the Holocaust, how and what we remember and how we pass those memories to the next generation. It raises questions about aging, dementia, and responsibility. First and foremost, however, you will enjoy Colette Marceau and her quest for justice and redemption. Read it and recommend it to a friend!

I loved the premise and mystery of this book! I loved Colette. She was a quirky and entertaining FMC. This historical fiction novel has dual timelines. The first timeline is in Nazi-occupied France during the 1940's and another timeline in 2018. As the story unfolds, both timelines intersect. Colette has a long family history of being jewel thieves. They steal jewels with the intention of punishing some and helping others. Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I'm a huge fan of Kristin Harmel. Colette is a fully fleshed out character and this novel really makes you reflect on the social perils of society.

Kristin Harmel has written another OUTSTANDING story. It might be her best to date. The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is not like any WWII novel you have ever read. We are half way into 2025 and this is my favorite read of the year so far.

If you steal from the cruel and help people in need is that heroic or is it wrong? Annabelle’s mother, Annabelle and now Colette are jewel thieves, but are they criminals? They have stolen over 30 million dollars in jewels from the Nazi’s in order to help the French resistance and to fund the Holocaust Center. They are the hope and humanity needed in evil times.

“We’ve all done things we’re proud of. We’ve all done things we regret. Can a lifetime of good wash away a long-ago sin? Or are the choices we’ve made crosses that we must bear through eternity? I don’t know the answers to that, but I do know that one of the gifts Hubert has left us with is a reminder to try. We must look inside. We must try to do what we can to right wrongs. And we must come clean about our pasts.”

I loved every good character in this book and feel a loss now that I have finished the book. The story will keep you turning pages into the early morning, leaving you without sleep. Guillaume Charpentier was an interesting character that I shed a tear for at the end.

Kristin Harmel, you DID NOT loose the ability to write, on the contrary you wrote a true masterpiece.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a must read.

Absolutely loved this book! The mystery, the romance, the family issues were all woven together so perfectly! Highly recommend!!

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with an Advanced Review copy of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel.
This is a story of a woman who has been brought up to believe that she is a descendant of Robin Hood and must continue his legacy by stealing from bad people and giving it to a good cause with no personal gain. Kristin has taken these jewels and constructed a tale through time emphasizing the importance of love, heartache, family and hope. This was a lovely WWII tale with a fresh look at how families were broken up and somehow sewn back together over the course of 75 years.

What a beautiful book! I'd become reluctant to read yet another book about the Holocaust, but this one was a completely different spin on events. I was happy that the author didn't torture us with extensive descriptions of the atrocities that took place but instead focused on the French Resistance and, ultimately, survivor guilt. I enjoyed both timelines presented in the book as well as the author's ability to bring the characters to life. I particularly appreciated the people who stepped up to replace missing family members. One has to suspend belief over some of the coincidences that take place, but the book's great attributes make up for that. I'm so glad I read this book, and I highly recommend it.

A compelling page turner! This book shifted timelines between 1940s Paris and 2018 Boston, and little by little Colette’s story and her search for her sister who was found dead in the Seine during WWII is revealed. Colette was taught by her mother, a descendent of Robin Hood, to steal jewels to redistribute wealth from the wealthy. Perfect for any historical fiction reader, especially those with interest in WWII.

Thanks to NetGalley and the published for this ARC!

DNF at 27%. I like the *idea* of this book, with a family of people meting out justice to the rich by stealing from them to give to the poor. But the connection to Robin Hood was very weird. And the characters were dull, especially in the 2018 arc.

In 2018, we meet Colette Marceau, a nearly ninety-year-old woman on the verge of stealing a valuable canary diamond ring. Colette is a thief, but much like her mother and ancestor Robin Hood, she doesn't personally benefit from her daring exploits. She only targets those who are cruel, particularly those who support Nazi ideology. She has donated millions to various organizations and helped establish the Boston and New York Centers for Holocaust Education. Colette lost her mother, Anabel, and her sister Liliane in 1942, and cherishes a multi-diamond bracelet, one half of an interlocking pair, entrusted to her for safekeeping in Paris. The other bracelet had been sewn into her sister's nightgown, which disappeared after the four-year-old's body was found. When the missing bracelet resurfaces in a jewelry exhibit, Coleen, long tormented by her wartime losses, hopes this discovery will help her uncover who murdered her sister. Shifting to Paris from 1938 to 1945, the past is recalled as present-day events bring Coleen closer to learning the truth.

In The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau, author Kristin Harmel once again demonstrates why she is one of my favorite historical fiction writers. The portions set in Paris leading up to and during World War II are very emotional and captivating, as we get to know Colette and her mother, along with the history of the bracelets made for Anabel's friend Hélène Rosman. It was enjoyable to read about the vibrant Coleen in the present day, as she confronts her lifelong trauma. Although the book addresses heavy subjects, it is a truly heartwarming story.

It’s the latest installment from historical fiction writer Kristin Harmel, and I could literally not have been more excited to have received this ARC! I was obsessed with The Book of Lost Names and I knew that I needed to get my hands on this book pronto!

As Harmel does, she weaved a beautiful story of friendship, love, and family in a dual timeline WW2 France and present day Boston. The main character, Colette, has a very unusual job that has been passed down to her through generations. Her mother has taught her to be a jewelry thief. The catch? She only steals from those in the wrong, and donates the money to worthy causes. The closest to her heart is a Holocaust remembrance museum.

The one piece Colette cannot bring herself to donate is a bracelet her mother thieved before she was killed. The bracelets memories are so strong for Colette, and she’s been on a mission for seventy years to find its sister bracelet. A happenstance phone call has her spinning and wondering if she has found it at long last. Will Colette finally get the answers about her past that she seeks?

Thank you Kristin Harmel, NetGalley, and Gallery books for the advanced reader copy of this novel -out June 17th!

Colette Marceau is a jewel thief from a family of jewel thieves. But these thieves are descended from Robin Hood and only steal from bad people and give the proceeds to worthy causes. This story is split timeline - Colette in Paris in World War Two and then in Boston in 2018. The plot centers around twin bracelets commissioned by a Jewish man for his wife, the events in WW2 that eventually lead to the events in 2018.

This is a brilliantly told story for about 90% of the book. It’s dramatic and heartbreaking and infuriating as the poison of the Nazis spreads throughout Paris and continues to present day. Colette fights the only way she knows how. Where the story slips a bit is the wrapping up of the modern day events. No spoilers here, but it’s just a little too tidy and felt unrealistic. But the rest of the story is taut and well-written.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Family friendly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved weaving through time and characters in this book. It really goes to show just how small the world can be despite being vastly large. The storylines were so easy to follow despite change changing POV and time. This book was great and I only wish Marty would have had more of a part in the end.