Historical Fiction meets Thriller in this high octane read. Suspenseful and riveting, author Cara Black creates a powerful female character in Kate Rees; a young American sharpshooter with one assignment. Assassinate Adolf Hitler and get out.

Things don't go quite as planned, and Kate is on the run for her life. Exhilarating til the last page, It's an absolute must read...enough said!
4⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Soho Crime Press and the author Ms. Cara Black for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "Three Hours In Paris". The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.

I like this book better than the Aimee LeDuc mystery series, and those are good. I almost didn’t pick this up because I’ve had my fill of World War II books. There seems to be a spate of them being published. But this held my interest. Not only the reason that sends Mrs. Rees, a sharpshooter to Paris in an attempted assassination of Hitler, but the interesting collection of characters who populate the story. And as all good spy and mystery books do, Black makes it difficult to know who to trust and who is conspiring with the Nazis. The only thing that I question is how someone with so little espionage experience was able to survive. That did not ring true to me.

In the summer of 1940, Adolph Hitler visited Paris for a total of three hours before leaving abruptly, never to return. No one knows the reason for this visit, and so, author Cara Black reimagines history in Three Hours In Paris, putting forward one possible scenario.

American born Kate Rees never planned on working for the British government, but after her husband and baby daughter were tragically killed during a German raid, she's desperate to get back at those she blames for her losses. So when she's approached by a mysterious Englishman claiming to have a job for her, she packs up and follows him to an old manor house in the English countryside. Once there, Kate learns she is to be dropped behind enemy lines into occupied Paris where she is tasked with assassinating Hitler himself.

After six weeks of extremely intense training, Kate embarks on her mission, which of course, she fails to complete. Now alone on the streets of Paris, Kate must use only her wits if she hopes to return to England.

AAR reviewers Shannon and Maggie read Three Hours In Paris, and this is what they have to say:

Shannon: I've read quite a bit of historical fiction based around the second world war, but Three Hours In Paris is the first time I'd heard of Hitler's mysterious trip to Paris. Was this a part of history you were familiar with?

Maggie: Yes. I had heard about it before, although there was no great mystery surrounding it. From the accounts I’ve read, it was a sightseeing tour that gave Hitler the chance to visit favorite places while at the same time serving in lieu of a victory parade.

Shannon: I love the way fiction can make even the most mundane event feel fresh and interesting. I honestly believed there was some huge secret surrounding that trip. Anyway, when I first started reading, I wasn't sure I would be able to relate to Kate and believe in her ability to pull off such a dangerous mission. I wondered how such an inexperienced young woman would manage on her own, with very little support put in place. Fortunately, I was able to lay my uncertainties to rest pretty quickly. While not the most technically experienced person, there was something about Kate's innate intelligence that made it possible for me to believe in her. She slipped up a time or two, but her mistakes felt understandable given the immense pressure she was working under. How did you feel about Kate and her ability to function in her assigned role?

Maggie: If you’re going to enjoy an adventure story, I think you have to be willing to suspend your disbelief and just enjoy the exploits of the characters. Kate was very lucky, and I accepted that within the context of this tale.

Shannon: Kate's point of view isn't the only one we see here. We also spend time with the British intelligence agent responsible for sending Kate to Paris as well as the German official assigned to track her down. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpses we were given into the investigation from both the British and the German sides of things. Kate's chapters were my favorite, but I was intrigued by the other characters as well.

Maggie: I found the chapters which contained the viewpoints of Stepney, the British intelligence officer and Gunter Hoffman, the German RSD police official very helpful. Kate’s chapters were very action oriented, with one adrenaline-fueled incident following another. It was good to see the slightly slower paced behind-the-scenes activity as well.

Shannon: That's a good point, and leads very nicely into my next comment. I went into this book expecting something pretty action-packed, and that's exactly what I got. The author manages to imbue her writing with a strong sense of time and place without detracting from the pacing of the overall plot. Her descriptions of Paris are skilfully woven into the story, allowing me to feel as though I'd traveled back in time. The writing isn't at all flowery, and I felt like every word had a distinct purpose. How did the pacing work for you?

Maggie: I think the pacing worked very well. As you mentioned, what comes across as especially authentic is the author’s use of her setting. She captures not just the beauty of Paris but the minutiae of it and its denizens perfectly.

Shannon: The ending is the only thing about this book that I didn't absolutely love. Things felt very rushed, kind of like the author knew she was running out of time and needed to wrap things up in a hurry. I'm not taking issue with the way things are resolved as much as I'm criticizing the style of the resolution. The writing takes on a choppy, almost frenetic feel that I found jarring. It pulled me right out of the story and left me just a little dissatisfied when I reached the final page.

Maggie: I agree that it seemed a bit rushed, but I didn’t feel that was the writing style so much as the short chapters, which no longer fully explained every action and thought of each individual. Given the time frame of the novel (Paris, 1940), and what the characters are doing, I thought this was the author’s way of letting us know the adventure isn’t over. Certainly, I felt the last scene in the book left plenty of room for an ongoing series.

Shannon: Because of the above criticism, I'm giving this a B+. I loved the heroine, the plot, and the pacing, but the last several chapters negatively affected my overall enjoyment of the story. Even so, it's a book I'm happy to recommend to fans of World War II-related historical fiction who are looking for something a little different. What about you?

Maggie: I’m giving it a B. Because I’ve read action thriller novels in the past (Alistair MacLean, James Rollins, Matthew Reilly, Tom Clancy) and watched shows like 24, I was very familiar with the format of the tale. I liked that this was written by a woman with a primary character who was also a woman, which is rare for this type of book, but the story never rose above what I expect of the genre. It’s a good example of what these tales can be, but it wasn’t exceptional to me so I would say it was good but not great.

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Three Hours in Paris is the completely fictional story of the attempted assassination of Adolf Hitler and the hunt for the shooter. it is a fun, fast-paced story of Kate's attempt to find a way back to England after her mission does not go off as planned and Gunther's search for her. You have disguises, blown meets, double agents, and spy craft. It was a fun way to imagine why the date that Hitler went to Paris for three hours has always been disputed and why Germany never invaded England. This is a quick read for someone that doesn't want the traditional chick lit.

A taut historical thriller. In this intense novel, an American recruited by the Brits is dropped into Paris to try to assassinate Hitler. As we know from history, she doesn't, and so she must find a way to escape the city, barely staying one step ahead of a sympathetic German police officer who has been given 36 hours to track her down. I was torn between wanting her to escape and wanting him to find the person who, in his eyes, tried to commit a murder as the twist and turns of the plot never let up. Not necessarily the relaxing book I wanted in the midst of a pandemic, but definitely one I recommend to those who like suspenseful World War II stories.
Review based on an ARC received through NetGalley.

3.5 stars

I liked this because it had a strong female character underestimated by her superiors and in the wider world making her a good candidate for the job she was given.


Overall though, the pace was quite slow and it felt quite repetitive. I probably would've enjoyed it more if it was 50 pages shorter.

Kate Rees, a young American markswoman, has been recruited by British intelligence to drop into Paris with a dangerous assignment: assassinate the Führer. Wrecked by grief after a Luftwaffe bombing killed her husband and infant daughter, she is armed with a rifle, a vendetta, and a fierce resolve. But other than rushed and rudimentary instruction, she has no formal spy training. Thrust into the red-hot center of the war, a country girl from rural Oregon finds herself holding the fate of the world in her hands. When Kate misses her mark and the plan unravels, Kate is on the run for her life—all the time wrestling with the suspicion that the whole operation was a set-up.

The blurb is fantastic. I love thrillers. And when I read the blurb I could not wait to read the book because I haven't read a good spy thriller in a long while. And this book doesn't disappoint at all. It is a wonderful book and the author takes you for an amazing journey through the protagonist Kate Rees. The atmosphere created is superb and the action and pace doesn't let up. It keeps you hooked and running just like the protagonist!

I definitely recommend this book for all espionage and intrigue lovers, especially during WW II. This is a super book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Three Hours in Paris is a suspense-filled story that was hard to put down. I loved how it started so full of tension and didn't stop!

The story is historical fiction but surrounds a three-hour timeframe when Hitler is in Paris in 1940. In reality, historians do not know what he did during those three hours, but the author takes that time and fills it with this wonderful story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I struggled a bit with the German wording and titles, but that was the only thing that was hard to read. It had characters that were easy to connect with and a fast-paced story that will keep the reader's attention. I would recommend this book to any historical fiction fan of WW2 stories!

I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I went back and forth between reading this book and listening to it. I was really intrigued by the premise. The entire story took place in such a short period of time and the description was exquisite. One of the biggest issues I had was that there were so many characters in so many places at so many times that it was hard to follow. However, I really empathized with the main character and was rooting for her the whole time. If you are a WWII fan, this is a great book that is entertaining, a quick read, and covers a small space in time. This is a solid 3 star read from me!

Three Hours in Paris by Cara Black is one of those books that grabs you from the first word and doesn't let go. Each transition between Kate Rees and the man hunting her builds the tension. Kate Rees lost her husband and daughter to a German attack and revenge motivates her. She is asked to join a covert mission to kill Hitler, or is she really?? She assassinates the wrong man, and then she has to flee. Will she make it out of France, who can she trust, will she get caught?? All these questions keep this story moving and keep those pages turning. Do yourself a favor...READ THIS BOOK!!

Thank you to Soho Press and Netgalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A gripping minute by minute thriller set at the beginning of the occupation of Paris. As Britain prepares for a German invasion and the Germans decimate English spy networks our intrepid rookie undercover agent parachutes into France to carry out a hazardous mission. Dodging bullets and traitors she must execute her mission without falling into the hands of a sadistic Nazi pursuer and outwit a wily german homicide detective. It kept me up past bead time reading to the end.

Enjoyed this one very much, keeps you on the edge of your seat until the finish. Fans of historical fiction will want to read this one.

I reviewed this title for the May 15th issue of Mystery Scene Magazine, You can read the entire review in that issue of the magazine.

What a little surprise packet this was ! Cara Black has written a fast paced, action packed and highly engaging tale. It is quite a unique read in the WWII spy novel category and worthy of investigating as it is jam packed with intrigue and espionage.

Three Hours to Paris centres around an event in June 1940 when Hitler made a brief three hour stop over in Paris. Cara takes this event, and his abrupt departure, to pen a well written fictional possibility of what might have occurred. After a failed assassination attempt the perpetrator finds herself on the run and thus ensues a fabulous cat-and-mouse chase across Paris. There is much going on in this short time: was Kate set up by the British? Whom can she trust? Who is the man with the gray eyes constantly on her tail? It plays out like a classic spy movie as the Nazis are determined to chase down the person responsible.

I will not go into further detail for fear of revealing key points. Suffice to say that if this is a genre that appeals to you then you are sure to appreciate this exciting WWII spy story filled with dangers and loads of twists right to the very end.


This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

In June of 1940, when Paris fell to the Nazis, Hitler spent a total of three hours in the city-- abruptly leaving, never to return. To this day, no one knows why. When a fascinating little nugget of information like this falls into the lap of a talented writer like Cara Black, it immediately becomes the catalyst for a high-octane historical thriller.

Kate Rees is a fascinating character, and I loved following her through the streets of Paris as she tried to get out alive. With no formal training in spycraft, she only had her quick wits, her instincts, and the bits and pieces of information she gleaned from the man who recruited her for the mission to aid in her survival. She is in a situation where she can trust absolutely no one, and this adds to the fast pace and suspense of Three Hours in Paris-- especially as she's being followed by a straight-arrow Munich cop named Gunter Hoffman. Kate may have her own obstacles to overcome, but so does Hoffman in the form of layer upon layer of Hitler's flunkies. The point of view switches from Kate to Hoffman in a riveting game of cat and mouse.

As I read, I also found myself becoming angrier and angrier. Why? Because this book reminded me of all the nameless, faceless, utterly dedicated and brave men and women who have been deliberately sacrificed by governments around the world in the name of Victory. I have always had a difficult time believing that any human being is a "throwaway." So, yes, Three Hours in Paris did rouse some ire in me, but first and foremost, it is a thrilling tale of survival.

From the map of Paris on the endpieces of the book to the very last page, I found myself rooting for Kate Rees. I think you will, too. I certainly hope Cara Black has more thrillers like Three Hours in Paris up her sleeve!

Very gripping. It had me seating on the edge waiting for more and I loved the female protagonist a lot!! I loved the combination of historical fiction (a genre I'm quite uncomfortable with) and mystery. It worked out so well here and gave me enough curiousity to go on.
Could be made into a great movie actually.

Kate is an American living in Scotland in the early days of World War II when her husband and daughter are killed in a German bombing attack. Grieving and angry, she offers her skill as a sharpshooter to the British military. What follows is a pulse pounding account of her attempt to assassinate Hitler in Paris during his short visit there, as well as that of the German policeman, Gunter, ordered to hunt down the would-be assassin. This story moved breathlessly through two days of hide and seek through Paris, as Kate desperately seeks escape but can't trust anyone, and Gunter pursues her, seemingly moments behind, yet thwarted by other investigators.
Highly recommended, but I do hope the editors correct the spelling errors throughout the copy, including a few mistakes in the German. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This is the first book I’ve read by Cara Black and it won’t be the last! What an exciting book. It draws you in from the very beginning and is suspenseful through to the last page. Kate is an unlikely spy, but thinks quickly and becomes a master of disguises. She doesn’t know who she can trust in Nazi occupied Paris and is on the run. I found the chase by Detective Gunter to be believable and riveting, as he was always right behind her. Would make a fantastic movie!

This book is a terrific, exciting thriller - one of the best books I've read lately. It is based on the fact that Hitler was in Paris for three hours shortly after the German's took the city. The heroine is Mrs. Kate Rees, who worked in a munitions factory on Orkney Island as a gun tester while her husband was an officer in the Navy base in town. A man watching her hit the bullseye on every shot offered her a job in Birmingham. She had turned him down. But, after her husband and baby are killed in a fire in their car when the Nazi's bombed the town and Naval base, she gives him a call.

Stepney, the man hiring Kate, trains her well in how to think and change her appearance, before she is sent to Paris to try to kill Hitler. She is dropped outside of Paris by parachute, and finding no resistance people to get her to Paris, she manages to do so on her own. He holes up in an empty apartment in Montmartre overlooking the Cathedral where Hitler was to come. Just as she was shooting, Hitler bent over to a small girl, and Admiral Lindau behind him was killed. Kate takes the rifle apart, and heads for the site where she is to find someone to help her get home.

Gunter Hoffman is given thirty-six hours to find the sniper. Gunter is very good, and almost gets Kate several times, but his helpers are not very helpful. Kate has trouble finding the people who were supposed to help her, and she moves all over Paris. Fortunately she spent some time at the Sorbonne, and knows her way around somewhat. It appears that there is a mole in the group working for London, and Kate actually shoots him and gets away! At one point, Kate finds a man who has been injured, and agrees to take on his assignment as he is dying. Kate is a spunky character, who in spite of her short time as a spy, does some amazing things. It's very fortunate that she had a lesson in changing her appearance during her short training!

Years ago, I used to read Cara Black’s Aimée Leduc novels every year as they were published. Then I quit, because they felt formulaic and half-hearted. But I was intrigued by the premise of this novel, so I thought I’d give it a shot.

While some of the cat-and-mouse story is exciting, on the hole it felt over the top and unbelievable. It’s a 36-hour story and Kate escapes for an impossible situation on a near-hourly basis.

It also bothers me that Kate outperforms every agent in the field, even though she was a raw recruit with little time for training. Then, when I read about her handler’s intentions, that just annoyed me no end.

I’ve read a lot of World War II espionage books, fiction and non-fiction. This one is disappointing.