The Last Library of Paris is a page-turning story of rescue, resistance, resilience, and women supporting women.

The Last Library of Paris by Kerry Barrett

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction (1940), Books About Books/Libraries/Librarians, The Resistance, Women Supporting Women, Lisbon and Paris

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My Summary:

Thanks #NetGalley #HQDigital for a complimentary eARC of #TheLastLibraryOfParis upon my request. All opinions are my own.

In this dual-perspective story, Cassie works at the British Embassy in Lisbon. She and others have the brilliant idea of distributing books to pilots that have encoded directions to safe houses. Downed pilots will receive training in how to use the pocket-sized book and carry it in their backpacks. To get these books into the hands of pilots, Cassie will use Frances, who is a librarian at the American Library in Paris and is already working to deliver forbidden books to Jewish patrons. Cassie believes that Frances has the connections in Paris and the delivery systems in place to carry out this mission. As Cassie and Frances implement this plan, suspicions are raised. When attempts to communicate with Frances fail, Cassie is concerned about her colleague’s safety. Fearing the worst, she mobilizes an unsanctioned rescue mission in which she is a participant.

My Thoughts:

Do you enjoy page-turning action?

As Frances puts the Embassy’s plan into action, we worry for her and wonder if everyone in her network is trustworthy. As this story draws to a conclusion, we are treated to a thrilling and dangerous rescue. Fans of page-turning action will enjoy the reading experience.

Who are the brave women?

What efforts are considered heroic or brave? How can ordinary women be brave and heroic? Courageous, action-oriented, and determined women are among my favorite literary characters. While on bereavement leave from her official post, Cassie works secretly with another woman at the Embassy to acquire and facilitate Visas for Jewish refugees. She also manages to get added to a task force to rescue downed pilots, and she comes up with the idea of encoding books with directions to safe houses. Meanwhile, Frances is determined to keep providing books to the Jewish patrons in Paris despite the danger. She risks even more when she agrees to help Cassie in her mission to aid downed pilots by delivering specially coded books to the military. When Frances and her actions come under suspicion, Cassie organizes her own rescue mission without official help from the Embassy. These are ordinary women doing the right thing and making great sacrifices.

What do you enjoy about books with library settings?

I have read a number of books set in libraries, and they all celebrate literacy and the importance of books in providing hope. Readers often find a supportive community and opportunities for connection at libraries. During the World Wars eras, physical books and reading were more important than in our modern lives. Books were a great source of comfort during difficult times. In The Last Library of Paris, Frances incurs personal risk to ensure that her Jewish patrons have access to books. The American Library of Paris is a real place, established in 1920. One other book I’ve read set there is The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien. [Other books set in libraries.]

Recommending The Last Library of Paris by Kerry Barrett:

Fans of WWII stories that include sides of intrigue and thriller and are set in Paris and Lisbon will find a great deal to enjoy in this compelling story of bravery, sacrifice, rescue, and resilience.

My Rating: 4 Stars

More Information Here

Meet the Author of The Last Library in Paris, Kerry Barrett

Kerry Barrett is a writer and journalist. She spent more than 10 years as features editor of All About Soap magazine, writing about EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, and still writes about television for various entertainment websites. In 2013 Kerry published her first novel, Like A Charm. She’s gone on to write several dual timeline stories, where a mystery from the past is solved in the present day. As Posy Lovell, she has written historical sagas about Kew Gardens, and the Singer Sewing Machine factory. And her two loves – books and telly – combined when she got the chance to write two Emmerdale spin-off novels.

Kerry lives in London with her husband and two teenage sons.

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QOTD:

Do you enjoy stories set in libraries?

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