This is an interesting fictional story about two women trying to save art the Nazis had stolen from being destroyed. Based on some actual people and events. Sophie and Fabienne are willing to do whatever it takes to save as much of the “degenerate art” they can. Forgery, an art heist and lots of secrets kept me turning the pages.

The Paris Deception is a fascinating read that takes place in Paris during WWII.

Paris is occupied by the Nazi's and with every page you can feel the tension.

We meet Sophie who is an art restoration artist and her sister-in-law who is in fact an artist and is mourning the loss of her husband.

Putting their differences aside together the ladies are on a dangerous mission to rescue art work and replace the pictures with forgeries

Time is of the essence and both ladies are masters at subterfuge as one false move means their lives and those of many others

Bryn Turnbull tells a detailed and well written story and please take the time to read her notes at the end of the book as they add so much to the story.

Highly recommend The Paris Deception and all of Bryn Turnbull's books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harelquin Trade Publishing MIRA for a read I wont soon forget.

It took me a few chapters to get into this one but once I did I ate it up. A really well done historical fiction.

4.5 stars

Sophie Dix and her brother escaped their hometown, as the Nazis gained power in Germany. Now, Sophie lives in Paris, her brother is gone, and she is working as an art restorer under the supervision of a German art commission (the ERR) that is using the museum to store art they've stolen from Jewish families. Fabienne Brandt, a former bohemian artist, is mourning the loss of her husband. Now that there is a ban on "degenerate" modern art, Fabienne is trying to find her way. When she bumps into her estranged sister-in-law, Sophie, the two devise a plan to replace the stolen art with forgeries. What could go wrong?

This was undoubtedly a well-researched book. The detail that Turnbull provided, particularly in reference to the processes surrounding art forgery was quite impressive. I love a good art heist story, and coupled with WWII, I knew this would be a solid book. Admittedly, due to the slow burn nature of this book, there were some lulls momentum for me. Still, I would recommend this read for fans of historical fiction, particularly stories that highlight underground revolution.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I am becoming a fan of Bryn Turnbull's novels( The Woman Before Wallis, The Last Grand Duchess) and when I saw she had a new historical fiction coming out, it was an Insta-click.

Set in Paris during WWII, this is the story of Sophie, a museum restorationist, and Fabienne, her sister-in-law, a talented artist. Together the women will undertake a dangerous mission, right under the noses of their Nazi occupiers.

I fell for this narrative hard in the early Sunday morning hours. I loved the characters and there was a richly told story here. It was a bit of a slow burn in the beginning but it soon heated up. There were a lot of holding-your-breath moments. As I mentioned in my review of (Good Night, Irene), I have read a lot of WWII books but this one certainly stands out in the crowd- right up there with The Nightingale.



#TheParisDeception #NetGalley
Expected Publication Date 30/05/23
Goodreads Review Published 14/05/23


#TheParisDeception #NetGalley.

This was not for me. I’m not really a big fan of books set during WWII. I feel like a lot of these books are the same. I am not really into art either. So I just couldn’t connect with this one.

Clear your night table, historical fiction lovers! This one deserves that coveted space.

Allow Bryn Turnbull to transport you to WW2 Paris where she’s written a superb story featuring a forger and an art heist.

As the story opens you’ll join the main character to witness a tragic event: the government-sanctioned destruction of ‘degenerate’ art in Berlin outside the Reichstag in March 1938. You’ll be in awe of Turnbull’s ability to fully immerse you into this spectacular story. As your senses are activated, and you’re sure you can smell smoke and see ash floating, you’ll be wondering if you really were there or not! In fact, I re-read the prologue to get lost in the exquisitely written account. At this point, I knew I was holding a masterpiece in my hands. I hadn’t even begun chapter one!!!

Once the author has your attention and managed to get you emotionally involved, you’ll be fast-forwarded to June 1940 and the Jeu de Paume, which has just been taken over by the ERR. It’s here you’ll meet Sophie Brandt, an art restorer, and her colleague, a real-life person, Rose Valland. These two strong women have teamed up to work with the German art commission responsible for the theft of thousands of art from Jewish families. In accepting the position, Sophie has had to choose between her principles or survival. Stradling the two options, Sophie realizes that she needs to seek the help of her estranged sister-in-law, Fabienne, a bohemian artist and political radical. When she shows up at Fabienne’s door with a stolen painting, she sets in motion an undertaking with incredible risk to them all.

This will be one of those books that cherish dearly. I’ve read many, many books about WW2 and the resistance. I’m always fascinated by the stories of courage and determination. What makes this book stand apart, is that Turnbull has highlighted those who didn’t formally join up. She shows us what resistance looked like for those who weren’t actually involved in fighting. Furthermore, Turnbull examines why some people chose to remain rooted where they were rather than flee and how this mindset divided families. Her writing always doubles back to remind readers of the humanity amidst such destruction. This, added to the sumptuous writing and heartfelt research, makes this book stand heads above the others in a packed genre.

I’m eagerly anticipating my return journey to Berlin in this author’s fourth book due out next year.

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The Paris Deception
By: Bryn Turnbull
Review Score: 3 1/2 Stars

Five Key Feels
-You can feel the intensity of this book from the start.

-I loved that this was a different take on the Nazi’s looting of art, I enjoyed this perspective.

-Sophie and Fabienne’s stories are so powerful.

-There are some great plot twists in this book.

-I enjoyed the epilogue, seeing where the characters were after the war.

———

The Paris Deception was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: 5/30/23

The Paris Deception was an engaging story about 2 women who are trying to save “degenerate art” from the Nazis. They go above and beyond to save what they can, with many twists and turns along the way.

This story was engaging and tense, and at times heartbreaking. But it was really well done. I enjoyed it.

#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #historicalfiction #arcreview #netgalley #theparisdeception #brynturnbull #harlequintradepublishing

The cover on this book is enchanting and made me want to read it. However, this book started off very slowly, and it never quite picked up. At almost 500 pages, I was looking for something faster paced to hold my attention. The topic was nothing short of fascinating, however I just got lost in the storytelling, and not in a desirable way. Things did change in the second half of the book, but it felt like I was reading two different books. I would have preferred to just pick it up halfway through and go from there. I did enjoy that the book was focused on art, which isn’t wildly common.

Thank you so much to the publisher, and netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Paris Deception: A Novel
by Bryn Turnbull
I am surprised by this story, yes I know about the art theft of the Third Reich, and their abuse of law and confiscation of property and persons. Yet this story brings this part of history to a common understanding for the modern reader. The German occupation of its conquered neighbors was as exploitive as historical wars of subjugation and colonization. Their demands of resources, exploitation of intellectual art and culture, can almost become inhuman as you learn more. This book answers the question, of why did people not resist this occupation? How did they stand to the side while war crimes occurred? More importantly how did the resistance form and what could they do to inhibit these crimes. It is important to show the human side of these struggles.
The writing is wonderful, detailed with a number of common universal traits. It shows the scope of the war crimes, but also how the exploitations centered on particular populations. How the Reich controlled the populations that they oppressed? This is important for students in middle and high school to understand while they struggle to comprehend the situation during this point in history. In the modern world many students may not have had experienced many of these circumstances.

The moment I first saw this cover, it immediately called to me. Add a description about women rescuing looted art slated for destruction by the Nazis, and I couldn't resist applying for an early copy from Netgalley!

While I'm an outlier with this opinion, The Paris Deception started off slow. The plot and characters were strong but having had high expectations for this novel, it failed to suck me in as I was hoping. Having read my share of historical fiction, I wanted something fresh and new, and I wasn't getting that. However, the second portion of the novel completely changed my mind. The characters really came to life and I particularly loved the vivid glimpse into the champagne region of France, and the lengths these two brave characters went to to save the art.

With historical fiction, I always appreciate when the author's note helps illuminate between facts and fiction. This book was no exception and the details about the types of paint were fascinating, as were the true bits of history this book was based upon.

Overall, this was a solid historical novel. The novel felt well-researched and had a clear focus on art. The descriptions of Paris and the style of writing were descriptive and lovely. I'd definitely recommend this for fans of historical WWII fiction. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy of The Paris Deception in exchange for a fair review. This review will appear on Goodreads immediately.
There are many ways we can resist. How do you hide something? In plain sight. This refrain echoes throughout the book. We meet two women with different backgrounds coming together to save the 'degenerate art' during WWII in Paris. Based on a true story but told through fictional characterization, we learn how Nazi's bought and sold art for the fuhrer. Some kept the works in private collections, some were stored, and some destroyed in a tragedy as big as the war. Daring acts of counterfeit, transporting and storing the art echoes how some hid Jews from certain arrest and death.
The book was well written and paced. The descriptions of the artwork and of the methods to counterfeit the art were appreciated. I'm at the place where I have read too many WWII historical fictions now to be shocked any more, by what people must have gone through to only survive. I am numb to the horrors of what the Nazis did to anyone in their target. I am terrified that in my own country, we are a split hair away from this happening again.
While the book was a 4* book, I think my brain is saturated with WWII. I love that art was used as the focus and felt it could have stayed there.

Content warnings: antisemitism, war, Nazis, death of a spouse and parent, murder

Sophie Brandt is a German posing as Swiss during World War II in German-occupied Paris. Sophie and her brother fled Germany as the Nazis were coming into power, and Sophie must keep her secret from the Nazis occupying Paris. Her work as an art restorer brings her into constant contact with the Nazis working in the Jeu de Paume. Seeing an entire room of so-called "degenerate art" that the Nazis will eventually destroy, Sophie hatches a plan to replace the works with forgeries.

Fabienne is a talented artist who left her country life for Paris at a young age. Sophie enlists Fabienne's help to forge the works of art and switches them. Fabienne takes the original paintings to her parents' home in the country for safekeeping, but her parents are hiding an even bigger secret than the stolen artwork.

Recommended for WWII fiction readers and art enthusiasts who enjoy novels.

Representation: lesbian main character, gay side character

I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Bryn Turnbull has written an outstanding novel set in Paris before and during World War II. Two women, Sophie and Fabienne, were sisters-in-law estranged after the death of Fabienne's husband. After France is occupied, they put aside their rancor in order to protect art plundered by Nazis.

The author conveys the danger faced by museum staff as they find creative means to save original paintings and maintain their facade with the Germans.

This novel will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. If more than five stars were an option, this book would earn them.

This is Bryn’s best novel. I’ve been a huge fan of her others, but I absolutely LOVED this book.

It was incredibly informative about the time period and the art history. I read a book last year with a similar concept, but Bryn’s execution was top notch, and original in both story and written skill.

She has an incredible gift for writing historical fiction and I look forward to many, many more books from her!

An ARC was provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

This was a stunning and compelling read about the systematic looting of fine art by the Germans in World War II Paris. The story focuses on two sisters-in-law, still numb with grief in the loss of their brother/husband, who pull together to cleverly undermine the Germans' efforts. Sophie Brandt is a fine arts restorer working at the Jeu de Paume, formerly the museum of modern art and in wartime, the repository for cataloguing of German looted artworks. The rough handling of the paintings pillaged by soldiers calls for her expertise. Sophie's sister-in-law, Fabienne Brandt, is a fine arts painter. Together they mount an extraordinary effort to save the modern art which the Germans deem to be "Entartete Kunst" - "Degenerate Art".

With exquisite and painterly prose, author Bryn Turnbull has done a spectacular job of sharing the sights, sounds and smells of occupied Paris during the early 1940s. Her characters are richly developed and easily rooted for in their clever and brave efforts to salvage a tremendous part of the French culture. The research which Ms. Turnbull has done is nothing less than herculean. The details are fascinating and will linger with this reader for a long time to come. If you are a fan of well-written and well-researched historical fiction, then this is a book not to me missed.

I am grateful to MIRA (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) for having provided a complimentary e-copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


ISBN: 9780369732712
Imprint: MIRA (an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers)
On Sale: May 30, 2023
Pages: 400 pages

After witnessing the destruction of books and paintings deemed “degenerate” by the Nazis in Berlin in 1939, Sophie Brandt determined that she would do all she could to prevent such an occurrence from happening again. Therefore, when she was offered the chance to return to her position as an art restorer at the Jeu de Paume, a museum in Paris where she had worked before the German occupation of the city, Sophie reluctantly agreed, seeing it as her chance to not only keep track of the whereabouts of art stolen by the Nazis, but to also prevent the destruction of “degenerate” works.

To further this latter goal, she reaches out to Fabienne, the estranged widow of her brother, Dietrich, who she blamed for his death. With Fabienne’s help forging the paintings, and hiding the originals, Sophie is able to replace the originals with the forgeries in an attempt to save the originals from the fate she witnessed in Berlin. The two grieving women soon forge a bond over their shared goal.

Fabienne, who had fled her parent’s chateau and its life of drudgery harvesting grapes to be sold to wineries, returned regularly to the chateau to hide the original paintings, feeling guilty for unwittingly involving her parents in her subterfuge. She also has to contend with her guilt over her treatment of Sebastian, the fiancé she left behind when she fled to Paris, who has remained at the chateau to help her parents with the vineyards.

The novel is filled with vivid descriptions of Nazi occupied Paris and the champagne region of France, as well as well-drawn sympathetic characters who do all they can to thwart the Nazis. In addition, there are moments of extreme tension as the two women attempt to escape discovery by the Nazis. Anyone who likes historical fiction with a hint of danger will enjoy this well-researched novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

“The Paris Deception” is a WWII historical fiction book by Bryn Turnbull. I’ve read a few books mentioning removing works of art from The Louvre, but didn’t know about this connected but other museum housing artwork. Ms. Turnbull’s writing is engaging and interesting. Do read the Author’s Note at the end of the book to know what’s historically accurate and what is fictional - it’s rather enlightening. There’s a lot that happens in this book - but it’s rather easy to keep the characters straight. I found this a fascinating book due to the information about the paintings (and art process), record keeping, wineries, and historical facts sprinkled about. I could see this being turned into a rather interesting TV special. The relationship between the two main characters was well done - there was depth, but the hurt was still there too. The only time I had difficulties with the story was when the narrative did flashbacks; not because the story wasn’t good but because sometimes they detracted from the flow the story was taking. Overall, if you like WWII historical fiction and have an interest in knowing more about artwork and some rather gutsy women doing what they can, this book may be one you enjoy.

The Paris Deception by Bryn Turnbull is a thrilling novel set during World War II. In England as the Second World. It follows the lives of two women that risk everything and being in danger during the war. Sophie Dix fled Stuttgart with her brother as the Nazi regime gained power in Germany. Now, Sophie reluctantly takes a job restoring damaged art at the Jeu de Paume museum under the supervision of the ERR—a German art commission that stole art from Jewish families. Fabienne Brandt was a rising star in the Parisian bohemian arts movement until the Nazis stopped the so-called “degenerate” modern art. She is resolved to make her way through the occupation —until her estranged sister-in-law, Sophie, arrives at her door with a stolen painting. Soon the two women formulate a plan to save Paris’s “degenerates,” working under the noses of Germany’s top art connoisseurs to replace the paintings in the Jeu de Paume with forgeries.

Turnbull does a wonderful job creating an inspirational story of bravery and courage during World War II. The Paris Deception had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 4 stars. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction and spy thrillers.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.