As anyone who follows my reviews will be well aware, I am an enormous fan of Ellie Midwood and her books. Her historical fiction based on the events of the Second World War is always interesting, well-researched and frequently looks at the conflict with a fresh set of eyes. I've loved all her books to date and when the latest one became available, The Lyon Affair, I was quick to grab it and read it even before it came to the market.
This is the second book in a series that focuses on the French Resistance, and their efforts to disrupt German activities and the Vichy Government's collaboration with the Nazis. The first in the series, The Indigo Rebels introduced us to a wonderful set of characters, including author Giselle Legrand, her brother, and Communist sympathisers. All of them, from different walks of life and with contrasting philosophies are united in one cause - to rid La Belle France of the tyrannical Nazi jackboot.
France has signed an Armistice, with the Germans and is split into two zones - The Occupied Zone and the Free Zone. The resistance is just getting itself organised and is determined to do whatever they can to slow the German war effort and to ultimately rid their beloved homeland of the invaders. There is a traitor lurking within the resistance cell, though, and decisions, courage, and sacrifice are required to keep alive the belief of a liberated France.
As always, Midwood has delivered, big-time with this story. Her characters are real and very easy for the reader to identify with. The action is frenetic and exciting. As with all great stories, Midwood manages to inject moral and social dilemmas into her prose, that makes the reader stop and think.
This period of history is clearly very relevant and personal to the author. She identifies so well with the characters and their time that we truly are transported to 1941 Paris, Dijon and Lyon as the characters attempt to thwart the German domination. Another absolute winner from a truly talented and prolific, young author. I look forward to many more stories from what is also one of my favorite periods of history to read about. No question about the number of stars for The Lyon Affair - it is five stars all the way.
This is the second book in a series that focuses on the French Resistance, and their efforts to disrupt German activities and the Vichy Government's collaboration with the Nazis. The first in the series, The Indigo Rebels introduced us to a wonderful set of characters, including author Giselle Legrand, her brother, and Communist sympathisers. All of them, from different walks of life and with contrasting philosophies are united in one cause - to rid La Belle France of the tyrannical Nazi jackboot.
France has signed an Armistice, with the Germans and is split into two zones - The Occupied Zone and the Free Zone. The resistance is just getting itself organised and is determined to do whatever they can to slow the German war effort and to ultimately rid their beloved homeland of the invaders. There is a traitor lurking within the resistance cell, though, and decisions, courage, and sacrifice are required to keep alive the belief of a liberated France.
As always, Midwood has delivered, big-time with this story. Her characters are real and very easy for the reader to identify with. The action is frenetic and exciting. As with all great stories, Midwood manages to inject moral and social dilemmas into her prose, that makes the reader stop and think.
This period of history is clearly very relevant and personal to the author. She identifies so well with the characters and their time that we truly are transported to 1941 Paris, Dijon and Lyon as the characters attempt to thwart the German domination. Another absolute winner from a truly talented and prolific, young author. I look forward to many more stories from what is also one of my favorite periods of history to read about. No question about the number of stars for The Lyon Affair - it is five stars all the way.
Please do pop on over to Amazon and check out Ellie Midwood's fantastic portfolio of novels. They are awesome.
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