I have read, and enjoyed, several other books by Kristin Harmel, so I was eager to read The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau. The story certainly was different and original, and I enjoyed most of the book, but the ending lost me, I just couldn't buy into it. It all just went too far out there for me to believe. This was a personal preference, I see many other readers didn't have the same problem, but I did. So for me it is a 4 star rating.

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily

Colette Marceau learned at a very young age to steal jewels. It was a handed down traditon taught to family as the generations go down. But they were only stealing from the people to help the French Resistance during WW II. Her mother, Anabel, and she worked together. Colette's father not knowing she was helping her Mother. It was like they were Robin Hood helping the people in need. As you read, it will start in 2018 to then go back to 1934, gradually the years go back and forth through the War time years to the present of 2018.

In 1942, Anabel wanted to get a piece of jewelery back for a friend of hers. The Germans arrested Collette's mother, father and her. But it is unknown the wherabouts of her young sister, Liliane,who was only 4 years old. She went missing during all of the confusion when the Germans came to their apartment. Anabel, would sew the jewels into the hems of the girls clothes for safe keeping till she could sell them off for funds. It was like Robin Hood selling to give to the poor. The one missing was half of a braclet the hem of Liliane's nightgown the night she disappeared.

Seventy-six years later, Colette was living in Boston to help many organziations. How can she find who took her sister? Finding the person with the other half of the braclet will help her. Maybe they can tell her what happened to her sister.

I really love historical fictions with WWII history. I was honored to get and invitaion to read this book from a marketing director from Simon & Schuster. Thank you Kristin Harmel, Simon & Schuster and Goodreads for the opportunity to read this amazing read. It was so diffucult each time I read to put the book down. You just want to keep reading and reading to see what is in the next chaper. I also want to thank Kristin Harmel for the remarkable reasearch she did for the writing of this writing. Now my wish is to read all of your other books too. Kristen you are now added to my list of favorite authors.

I was hooked from the very beginning when an 89 year old woman, Colette, was stealing jewels. It turns out she had been stealing since she was a child. Was she a born crooked thief?
Actually, no. Her mom did the same - but she stole from the Nazis in order to help fund the resistance. She was eventually caught and killed but Colette and her dad managed to escape - mostly because they were not Jewish.
The book flips from WWII to 2018 in Boston. This is done so you can see the past history as well as seeing how Colette is managing her life today.
The title has a dual meaning. Colette stole jewels but - part of her life was stolen as well.
Why did Colette continue to steal? She had always stolen from pompous people who did nefarious acts. The Nazis were easy - but after the war, she continued stealing from vitriolic folks and the money went to the Holocaust Museum.
This story has a lot of interwoven characters and plots. I'm grateful to Garry Books and Net Galley for allowing me to read this for the feedback.

Kristin Harmel’s latest is a completely engrossing and unputdownable look into the life of Colette Marceau, a jewel thief during the second World War. It features a gripping dual timeline story where the main character was tormented by decades of grief and regret and you can’t help but feel for her and hope she finds some peace. As with all of her books, the ending knocked me off of my feet. What a great adventure this book was!

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

This is the third book I've read/heard by Kristin Harmel and she continues to entertain and educate me with her work. With this story we are following a jewel thief which usually would be a reason for me to not pick up a book but motivation and intention works so well in this story. Collette learned her family trade from her mother, being descendants of the the real life Robin Hood. As members of the French Resistance in Paris, Colette and her mother's skills saved so many lives, helped so many people, and basically what they did was similar to what any resistance fighter would do, find ways to further the cause and hinder the enemy.

There are two timelines, seventy years apart, and the story meshes them so well. The early timeline would be lost without the later timeline so unlike some split timeline stories, I never felt like the later story was interfering with the earlier timeline. I had to keep my thinking hat on because there are many people, so many threads to follow (many dead ends) that I was glad I could learn what happened in the past through the characters in the present day timeline. I needed their help understanding all that happened and the story is heartbreaking yet rewarding in the way we see the circle of events keep spiraling towards the present day reveals.

Of course, I loved Harmel's afterword, always welcome with a story like this one. I know so much of this time and place from all my reading but I'm always learning more from stories such as this one. I'm amazed at people who have the skills of Collette and her mother because I don't have one ounce of those types of skills (pickpocketing). Not that I want such a skill, I promise!

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Every time I think I’ve read enough WWII books about the holocaust and resistance movements another book comes along. I’m so glad I read this book. As with all of them, I learn something new each time. This book is particularly moving and emotional. It’s focused on Paris and the French resistance. The characters show bravery and courage and a willingness to live in the gray areas of life in order to undo terrible wrongs. I would highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. Opinions are my own.

A twist on Robinhood stealing from the rich and giving to the unfortunate. This book goes back and forth between Colette during World War 2 in Paris and 2018 in America. This book showed the strength families and friend had during the war. As the story goes on, there are twists you don't see coming. This was a well written book that held my attention the whole time. A must read! Thank you Netgalley for an ARC!!

Wonderful book and beautiful cover! Told in two timelines, 89 year old Colette Marceau was brought up as a descendant of Robin Hood. The women in her family stole priceless jewelry from the Nazis to fund the French Resistance. One horrible night Colette’s mother was arrested by the Germans, and her little sister disappeared and was later found in the river. In the present, one of twin handmade bracelets turns up in a museum in Boston. For the last seventy years Colette has contributed millions of dollars to good causes. Now she may learn what happened to her sister. This is a well written book of historical fiction, weaving the past and present, with a strong character in Colette. Highly recommended. With thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Yes, it's an another WWII novel. But like the others I've read by Harmel, the focus is on the ordinary people doing extraordinary things to protect and save their fellow humans. This time it's Colette Marceau, a jewel thief bound by a code of honor. Switching between German-occupied France in the 1940s and the USA in 2018, there's mystery, intrigue, secrets, and diamonds. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is an unforgettable historical fiction novel that masterfully intertwines the past and present. Set during World War II and 2018, the story follows Colette Marceau, a jewel thief descended from Robin Hood, who steals from the wicked to fund noble causes. Her quest to recover a missing bracelet leads her to uncover deep family secrets and confront past traumas.​
Kristin Harmel's writing is both vivid and emotional, bringing to life the complexities of Colette's character and the challenges she faces. The dual timelines are seamlessly woven together. Themes of love, loss, and justice resonate throughout the narrative.
Highly recommended for readers seeking a poignant and thought-provoking story.​
Absolutely beautiful book.

To avoid confusion this novel has two different titles it is also listed as <i>All the Diamonds in Paris</i>. After hearing a lot of great things about Kristin Harmel's novels, planning to check out her work was on my to do list. So, when I saw this in my inbox, it was a no-brainer for me to give it a try. I can sometimes be hard to please with historical fiction, but this was an effortless read. The casual writing style felt welcoming. The dual timeline format featured smooth transitions making it easy to keep up.
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Colette Marceau is eighty-nine years old and has spent much of her life living as any rightful descendant of Robin Hood would stealing from the unjust and funding programs to help families devastated by the Holocaust. As a girl, her mother Annabel trained her in sleight of hand to become a successful thief. Together the pair help fund the French Resistance during WWII. The family's home is raided by soldiers one night and Colette's sister four-year-old Liliane is snatched right out of the window during the chaos. Colette learns Liliane's body was later found in the Seine. She carries the guilt and heartbreak of this loss for decades. Colette's emotions bled through the pages. I could understand her drive and willingness to take chances. When a bracelet that was sewn into Liliane's nightgown hem shows up in a Boston museum years later Colette sees it as an opportunity to trace it back to the kidnapper. She has spent her life wanting the culprit to face justice though after more than seventy years, time may be running out.
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The novel visits dark places in WWII but doesn't linger there. The gravity and seriousness are communicated without feeling drowned by it. Sometimes I avoid novels about this time period because the content can be so heavy. Harmel struck a fine balance here. She also avoids the trap of adding a huge romance in the middle of a historical fiction book where it feels out of place. Love is mentioned here, and we get to know more characters and another side of Colette as a result, but the minor thread doesn't overpower the narrative.

Colette is about to learn that digging into the past can uncover more than you bargained for.
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Thank you to Gallery Books for an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This newest release by Kristin Harmel is about a family of jewelry thieves living in Paris during World War II. When it is discovered by the Germans that the mother stole from a Nazi Colette and her parents are rounded up and taken away. Her little sister Liliane is believed to have been kidnapped and found dead in the river without half of the jeweled bracelet her mother sewed into the hem of her nightgown. Colette eventually moves to the United States and continues her life of stealing jewels to fund worthy organizations. After she sees the other half of her bracelet in a jewelry museum she sets out to find how it got there. The story takes a turn when she finds out the story of the other half of the bracelet. This historical fiction book is very well written and well researched. It’s easy to visualize the settings and the characters. I highly recommend this book for readers who like historical fiction. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau is another terrific Kristin Harmel novel. There are dual timelines, 1942 Paris and 2018 Boston. The focus is on jewel thieves, who profit from the arrests of Jewish citizens during WWII, who are then sent to Auschwitz, from which few return. Both settings work well to make connections between Parisians and their Jewish neighbors. In WWII Paris, jewels are stolen to benefit both the resistance and the rescue of Jews from the Nazis. Obviously these thefts are a slippery ethical slope that is dangerous for all who are involved. This book is well-plotted, informative, and rich with details and interesting characters. The tragedy of loss is an important theme. I encourage readers to read the author's note at the end of this novel.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau. This is a wonderful story, with characters who are rich in detail and with a nicely woven plot. The comments included reflect my honest review. I do recommend The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau.
5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advanced copy of The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau. This beautifully written novel is my favorite Kristin Harmel book yet. Rich with mystery, heartbreak, and courage, it tells a powerful story of family, lost love, and redemption. While set during WWII, it stands apart by focusing on one woman’s lifelong pursuit of truth and justice. The characters are well-developed and complex—especially the main character, who challenges you to question how you feel about her. A compelling and emotional read from start to finish.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story by Kristin Harmel. She has such a knack for eliciting a depth of feeling and hope that you don’t often see in a historical novel like this one. If you like her other stories, you will certainly love this one.

Once again, Kristin Harmel’s love for Paris is clear. Like many of her other historical novels, it is set in the beautiful “City of Light” with a heartwarming WWII story.

The narrative has its own way of sparkling with beautiful diamonds, emeralds and jewels. Colette Marceau followed the ancestors in her family – as far back as Robin Hood -- to steal valuable necklaces, bracelets and watches. She took from those she marked as unworthy and then distributed the money from the gems to charities.

When the Germans took control over Paris, she envied her mother who was helping the underground resistance with funds from the sale of stolen gems. Even though it was dangerous, Colette was itching to join in and support this effort at the young age of 14. Her father, a teacher, wasn’t exactly aware of what was happening. As you can guess, it wasn’t all rosy.

I thought I was worn out from the fascination of WWII books until I saw Kristin Harmel’s name on the cover of a new story. I have read most of her books and knew this also had to be another best-selling novel. She uses her talent to show the power and strength of the brave souls who were able to fight the harsh opposition of the war.

This book was engaging with two timelines from the 1940s in Paris and then 2018 in Boston. The only parts missing were photos of a prized bracelet that went through a lot of hands. Even though it was well described, I wanted to see it. Like all of her characters, much was implanted in my mind. I saw Colette in 2018 at 90 years old as the late actor Maggie Smith with her many roles – never missing a beat.

The Author’s Notes is an added bonus providing readers with information about her research process and related book recommendations. I imagine it will be high up on book club lists with much to discuss.

I’d like to express my thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of June 17, 2025.

Another fantastic novel by Kristin Harmel. This historical novel is told in duel timelines and locations: the 1940’s in Nazi occupied Paris and 2018 in Boston. A mother in Paris steals jewels from unworthy people to fund the Nazi resistance. Her daughter, Colette, follows in her footsteps and does the same thought her life, funding many worthy organizations . In question is a bracelet made of 2 interlocking bracelets to celebrate the birth of Jewish twins. Colette’s mother stole it when the family of twins was taken by the Nazis and the bracelet was confiscated by them. Colette now possesses one bracelet but the other is lost when her 4 year old sister was killed. The bracelet had been sewn into her nightgown hem. Decades later, it resurfaces in a Boston museum showing and the mystery begins. Who killed her sister and took the bracelet? Is that person related to the man in exhibiting it now? The story evolves and comes full circle when Daniel, one of the twins, reappears. He and Colette travel to Paris and back trying to solve the mystery of the second bracelet and who killed Colette’s sister. To say anymore would involve spoilers.
Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery books for this fabulous ARC.

I really enjoyed the story of Collette and her family. It was heartbreaking how she devoted her life to find out what happened to her sister.
The ending was a definite surprise.
Thank you Netgalley and Kristin Harmel for an ARC of this book. This author is a definite read for me. 5 Stars!

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! It tells the story of Collette Marceau in two timelines. in the 1940's during WW2 and current day, 2018.

Colette's history was that of a jewel thief that was handed down thru her family. The proceeds of the thefts goes to do good. Like Robin Hood, who was said to be an ancestor. Her mother stole 2 bracelets from a German soldier and was recognized. During her arrest, Colette's little sister Lilianne, was kidnapped by someone. She was later found dead of drowning. The bracelet that was sewn into her nightgown was missing.

Fast forward to 2018 and there is a jewelry show and the other bracelet turns up. How did it get there? Colette is determined to find out.

This story had me hooked from page 1. Ordinary people did extraordinary things during WW2 . I certainly didnt see the ending.

5/5 stars

Kristin Harmel does it again. Somehow she finds a unique aspect of WWII history that hasn't been novelized a thousand times over and makes it an engaging story that captivates the reader from the get-go. Overall, a well-researched, interesting story that isn't overdone. I loved the multiple timeline approach and the interesting, multi-dimensional characters. Colette is a one-of-a-kind character and I'm so glad Ms. Harmel brought her into my life.

That being said, I felt that the coincidences that tied everything together were too much. Like, one is fine. But to have everything end up in such happy endings felt wrong and likely not accurate for the vast majority of people who survived WWII, which I think is a disservice to their experiences. Not Ms. Harmel's best, but still a far better book than many others I've read that take place in this era.