This is one of the first WWII books that I felt told the real and honest stories behind those who fought against terror and the after effects throughout their lives. Not only that, but it tells what really happens when a fictionalized (and true) stories are told to the people who were involved. This gets into backgrounds and stories that aren't well known and connects the puzzle pieces as to why things happened the way they did. It was fascinating to see the operations of the war, the governments, the families, the writers and publishers. All of their stories culminated in a book that was essential to the American war effort, that was created and used effectively as propaganda instead of an honest and inspirational story.

It sounded so interesting. Two older women living in Paris who are helping Allied servicemen escape. Etta is a sheltered woman who has anxiety. She never had children but hung out with her husband and brother in New York City. When they die she moves to Paris to live with Kitty, her only friend. Kitty lived a pretty unconventional life. She has one son and is separated from her husband, not her son's father. She is lively, social and daring, hardly a match for Etta. Kitty volunteered as a defense warden and then at the American Hospital and is the one to start up and plan the escape routes up until the point that they are arrested. When Etta is released and sent back to the States as part of a prisoner exchange, she is offered the opportunity to write their story. She makes out pretty well but she has no idea whether Kitty is alive or dead. The middle part of the book is mostly about the writing of the book, the background of the ghost writer and what was fact and what was fiction.
Even though names were changed there was the possibility that Kitty's really identity would be found out. Finally part three was about what Kitty went through which was horrible and graphic.

While this was an important story to tell and the author did a lot of research but I had a hard time staying engaged. There were a lot of French terms thrown in that I didn't really understand and it was distracting as I really don't know the language beyond croissant and oui. I will give 3* for the effort and research but it just wasn't for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for providing me with a digital copy.

This is the story of two heroic women who helped dozens of Allied soldiers escape from Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. Etta Shiber was an American who, after she was widowed, moved to Paris to live with her English friend Kitty Bonnefous.They were ultimately captured and imprisoned by the Nazis. After 18 months, Etta was released as part of a prisoner exchange. Kitty was sentenced to death and remained imprisoned until the war ended. One of her immediate actions after she was released was to try to sue Etta, and this book explains why.

Paris Undercover was the title of the memoir written by Etta soon after her release. It was a Book of the Month Club selection and was made into a movie. Unfortunately, a lot of the book was not accurate. Even more unfortunate is that, although her name was changed in the book, Kitty was easily identifiable, and her life in prison became a lot harder as a result. This book tries to give an accurate account of the women’s actions. The author did a lot of research, so I hope the story is correct this time around.

The book covers the Nazi takeover of France, the French resistance and prison life. I have read accounts of life in the concentration camps, but I knew little about the treatment by the Nazis of political prisoners, particularly women. This book describes that in harrowing detail. The story of how the memoir got distorted is entertaining. This is a good book, approaching the war from a different angle.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

This is a book about WWII unlike any other I've read. While it starts out like every other "what people did to resist" story, it's far more complicated than that, and author Matthew Goodman does a phenomenal job of disentangling myth and marketing and memory. Paris Undercover tells the story of two women—a Brit and her American friend—who lived in Paris together in the 30s. When the war came, they stayed in Paris, where the Brit—Kitty Bonnefous—throws herself into service work, starting with taking clothing and food to British prisoners or war and ending by smuggling servicemen out of the Occupied Zone in France. The American, Etta Shiber, is a bystander. Oh, she rides along with Kate and helps a little with the servicemen who shelter in their home, but essentially, she's just waiting for the war to end. But both women are arrested, and while both suffer, Shiber is released and transported home to the US, where she "writes" a book called Paris Underground, all about the work she and Kate did for the resistance. Her book—co-written and ghost-written by a number of people, some of who received no credit for it— is both full of lies and full of very dangerous truths, truths that, when the Gestapo gets hold of the book, nearly kill Kitty more than once. Goodman sifts through every detail of how Shiber's book came to be, what the real activities of these two women were, and what happened when the book was discovered by the Germans. This is not the typical "women of Paris fight the Nazis" story that has been made into so many mediocre novels—this is a masterfully researched and document story about propaganda, false heroism, betrayal, and utterly appalling ignorance and cravenness on the part of American publishers. It is a superb book.

Paris Undercover is more than just a war story; it's a story about friendship, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope. Goodman's meticulous research and compelling writing style bring this remarkable true story to life, making it a truly unforgettable read. It's a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, prompting reflection on the nature of courage and the extraordinary potential that lies within ordinary people.

The book's strength lies in its intimate portrayal of Etta and Kitty. Goodman paints a vivid picture of their lives before the war, their close friendship, and the gradual way they become involved in the dangerous work of rescuing Allied soldiers. The reader is immediately drawn to these women, feeling their fear, their determination, and their unwavering commitment to doing what is right. The suspense builds as they navigate the treacherous streets of occupied Paris, facing constant risk of discovery and capture. The daring escapes they orchestrate, including smuggling soldiers through checkpoints in their car, are truly breathtaking and showcase their remarkable bravery.

When captured by the Gestapo, Goodman skillfully depicts the harsh realities of Etta and Kitty’s confinement, the emotional toll of separation, and the uncertainty of their fate. Etta's subsequent journey back to America and her decision to write "Paris-Underground" adds another layer of complexity to the story. The book explores the impact of Etta's memoir, not only on the public perception of the war, but also on Kitty, who remains imprisoned and unaware of the fame her bravery has earned her.

I highly recommended for anyone interested in World War II history, stories of female heroism, or simply a truly captivating read.

This is a very difficult story to read of the tale of two women, Kitty Bonnefous and her roommate Etta Shiber. It is a heartbreaking story of Kitty and Etta and their bravery during World War II. Etta is an American born widow who moves to France to reconnect with her good friend Kitty. Kitty is an English divorcee living in Paris.
Kitty sees the need to assist in helping British soldiers escape occupied France. Because they are both middle-aged, they are able to disguise themselves enough as Red Cross volunteers and rescue these British soldiers from a hospital. Once they are successful with the first two soldiers, Kitty begins to formulate and navigate an unground escape plan for many more soldiers during the German occupation of France. They were extremely heroic in their attempts to do so, using many connections to assist along the way. Many of these initial attempts were very successful, despite the chances that both women took. Kitty was definitely the leader and Etta followed along but worried all the time of their safety.
Eventually, they were both caught in their attempts by Nazi-occupied Paris and thrown into horrific conditions in prison.
You know from the start of the book that Etta survived and living back in New York. Not knowing what happened to her friend Kitty, she begins to write a memoir based on her recollection of the events. Unfortunately, a book publisher decides to embellish Etta’s story and prints “Paris Underground”. While names and places were changed in the novel, the Germans were able to determine who the people were. With Kitty still in prison, she bears the brunt of the punishment based on this novel.
This is book that goes into great detail about the horrors of the treatment of the prisoners in the German prisons. It was very difficult to read about the torture and their lives while imprisoned.
The author, Matthew Goodman did extensive research for this book. It was interesting how he broke the novel into three main parts- Etta’s story, the details of the memoir, and then Kitty’s version. The book ends with historical accounts, personal letters and testimonies. While Goodman did much of the research, he had a great deal of help from people in France and Germany.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me to read the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Published on February 4, 2025.

When an American widow and an English divorcée, join forces to rescue untold numbers of British and French soldiers trapped behind enemy lines, they are the unlikeliest of duos. When the Gestapo catches them both, Etta spends 18 months in a German prison before being returned to the US. Etta goes on to write a falsified memoir while Kitty spent the rest of her life in prison not knowing about Etta’s memoir. Based on fact and fiction this was a well documented, heartbreaking story.

Paris Undercover chronicles the exploits of two women living in Paris during World War II and working with the Resistance on an escape line. The first section of the book is a riveting account of how they became involved in helping stranded Allied servicemen escape Nazi-occupied France. Etta Shiber, an American, and Kitty Bonnefous, an Englishwoman, were friends in their 60s -- unlikely candidates for derring-do. And yet they built a network that saved many lives. Ultimately, they were caught by the Gestapo and imprisoned. They lost contact.

The second section of the book covers the period after Shiber was released in a prisoner exchange and returned to the U.S. She wrote a memoir about her activities, and the author details all of the publishing industry intrigue involved in the book's production and publication. This section of the book has a less compelling narrative arc and seems weighed down by details.

In the third section of the book, we learn what happened to Bonnefous after she disappeared into the Nazi prison system. This puts the second section of the book in context, because the publication of Shiber's book intensified her friend's suffering at the hands of the Nazis.

Paris Undercover is a fascinating, inspiring and heartbreaking look at what happened when two ordinary women found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy.

I found this book to be a scholarly and well researched account of an extremely sad period in French history. The book is written in a manner that enables the reader to learn the backgrounds and history of the two principle women — Etta and Kate — and, especially, their exploits during World War II during the German occupation. This reader enjoyed the book as a whole; but, the level of description became tiresome after a while. While very interesting, it is not the type of book that can be read without taking long breaks. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Told from the perspective of two women, this is the story of an underground movement during WWII. It is the story of two heros, Etta and Kitty and their remarkable bravery. Wow is all I can say!
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine for my ARC.

Etta Shiber is a widow and Kitty Bonnefous is separated from her French husband Henri, and the two women share an apartment in Paris. After the Germans invade, Kitty has a car and a permit to travel and continues working for the Red Cross. Kitty decides to help and rescue British and French soldiers trapped behind enemy lines, Etta isn’t keen and together they daringly smuggle them through checkpoints in the car boot.

Both women are captured by the Gestapo, after being in prison twice Etta, she returns home to America in a prisoner exchange, she’s broke and Etta's given a lucrative publishing deal, and releases her memoir Paris Underground. Kitty is English and classed as a Nacht & Nebel or a Night & Fog prisoner, she’s held in numerous camps and unaware a book has been written about her good deeds and by Etta and no one knows if she’s dead or alive.

The narrative is written in three sections, when Kitty and Etta are helping prisoners of war escape and until Etta is arrested, her time in prison and ship voyage home and when her tell all book hits the shelves and while Kitty’s being questioned and tortured by the Gestapo, her trial and what happened to her afterwards.

I received a copy of Paris Undercover by Matthew Goodman from NetGalley and Ballantine Books in exchange for an unbiased review. The author has thoroughly researched both women, going through military records, personal statements, and letters to try solve why Etta agreed to have the memoir written, took all the accolades and while her friend was still held captive by the Germans? The story is a blend of fact and fiction, the authors notes at the end are enlightening, for a friend to betray another and make money from this is unbelievable and I don’t know what Etta Shiber was thinking, she must have been either blindsided or she didn’t care what happened to Kitty.

I thought I knew a lot about Germans occupation of France during the Second World War, but how they treated Jewish people, prisoners of war and members of the resistance and women is much worse than I could ever imagine or comprehend and a must read for those who want to know the truth and five stars from me.

This book was such a fun, fast-paced escape! It’s got the perfect mix of intrigue, adventure, and just the right amount of romance—all set against the dreamy backdrop of Paris. The main character is sharp, fearless, and totally captivating, making it impossible not to root for her. The twists kept me hooked, and the chemistry added just the right spark. If you love smart, stylish thrillers with a dash of romance, this one is a must-read!

Paris Undercover by Matthey Goodman is a non-fiction exploration of the story behind the memoir, Paris Underground, which was published in 1943 and claimed to be written by Etta Shiber. Ms. Shiber, along with her friend Kitty Bonnefous, helped Brititsh and French soldiers flee Nazi-occupied France during World War II. The original story - that two single, middle-aged women were able to accomplish such a daring feat repeatedly - was already a fantastical tale, but to learn that much of the memoir was embellished to the point of blatant fabrication was the stuff of a good novel. I was amazed that this happened and that the truth was only uncovered recently.

In addition to this being a fascinating factual narrative, Matthew Goodman tells it with a suspenseful flair that kept me on the edge of my seat. Many of the details were difficult to read, since the women, especially Kitty, endured horrific conditions and torture from their captors. I will recommend this to readers who like historical narratives and are cautioned about the gruesome details.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5* rounded up... I found this true story of Kitty and Etta's attempts to help WWII soldiers escape over enemy lines in Paris truly fascinating. I had never come across their names before in my readings of this time period. Once the actual French occupation gets going in this account, and they begin helping these soldiers it is riveting. But Goodman's telling of the facts can be sometimes repetitive and slow at times. There was a lot of time spent recounting the details of the book deal Etta makes when the ordeal is over. But otherwise I thought he did a good job of summing up their lives and the details of the exploits of these war heroes. This is definitely a must-read for historical nonfiction (and fiction) fans.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

Paris Undercover is a meticulously researched story of an amazing English woman Kate Bonnefaus and her Jewish American friend Etta Shiber, who were living together in Paris when the Germans invaded France in World War II. Through their volunteer work they become involved with a group of people who form an escape route that rescues Allied servicemen, several of whom live in Kate and Etta’s apartment until they can begin their journey out of France.
Eventually both Kate and Etta are arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned in separate prisons. Eventually Etta gets back to the US as part of a prisoner exchange. Kate is not so lucky and is condemned to death, then has her sentence reduced to life in prison. She undergoes unbelievable horrors for the remainder of the war. In the meantime, in America, Etta writes a memoir called “Paris Underground” to help her friend Kate. Etta’s efforts however have the opposite effect and further endanger Kate and others. Goodman has uncovered the real facts about these women’s experiences in wartorn France and the fact and fiction about their work and Etta’s account of their efforts to help allied soldiers. It is an amazing account of the brutality of war and how it affects the lives of so many.

I actually made it to 53%. And that was at times torture. It is just not my cup of tea. I had just finished a book about the Second World War and thought this one about two “older” ladies helping soldiers- especially English soldiers - escape from Paris just might be pretty interesting. But I could never get into the story and, to me, it was too much of a history lesson. No, not for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest ~ and this is honest ~ review.

This is the true story of two courageous women: American widow, Etta Shiber and Englishwoman, Kitty Bonnefous. The women helped British pilots escape from France. They were caught by the Nazis early in the war. Mrs. Shiber was repatriated to the United States as part of an American-German prisoner exchange.

The book is remarkably well-researched. However, it seemed that nearly every researched historic detail was included in the book. While this WWII story is an important one to share, I found the book a bit of a slog at times—there were too many details for my taste. For this reason, I give the book three stars. The story is amazing, but the writing style is not my favorite.

I will only be reviewing this book on NetGalley. This is my opinion alone. Many people will be intrigued and eagerly read every page, but it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for the early read via NetGalley.

An extraordinary true account of the lives of two middle-aged women who quietly resisted the occupying German force in World War II Paris.

English expat, Kitty Bonnefous and American expat, Etta Shiber, share a flat in Paris at the time Germans move in to occupy their city. Along with so many French folks, the women's initial response was to flee the city with their three cocker spaniels. After long arduous days of attempting to reach the liberated zone, these women threw in the towel and headed back home to Paris. Kitty and her black Peugeot 402 signed on with a French Relief Agency which delivers gift parcels to captured injured soldiers. Kitty asked Etta to join her and eventually, they're smuggling downed British pilots and other military personnel out of the occupied zone toward safety. This lasted a few months before they are both captured and interred. What followed is horrific and shows great courage, resistance, and endurance by these women.

Author Matthew Goodman has delivered a most compelling read based on his Herculean research which clarifies and corrects the previously overstated record. The writing is solid and engaging. His scene settings are concise and horrifically informative. The story of these women, their friendship, heroism, endurance, and the ultimate betrayal, is rich and one which must be told. Sometimes truth is truly stranger than fiction.

I am grateful to Ballantine Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book. Their generosity, however has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher:‎ Ballantine Books
Publication Date: February 4, 2025
Number of pages: 448
ISBN: 978-0593358924

Etta Shiber’s story is incredible. After being held in a cold German prison for 18 months for helping British and French soldiers, she escaped and returned to NYC in 1942. She was an American living in Paris when the Germans took her for helping the enemy.

Kate Bonnefous wasn’t as lucky. Born in England and connected to France, where she ran a dress shop, she met Etta in 1926. After Kate separated from her husband, she invited Etta to move in with her in 1937. They were different, but they balanced each other out.

When the Nazis invaded Paris, the women secretly helped in dangerous ways. They knew one mistake could mean arrest. The tension was real.

WWII was full of violence and loss, but also moments of kindness. The story of a priest being taken away brought tears to my eyes. This book shows the battle between good and evil.

Sadly, history repeats itself. During this time, books by authors like Shakespeare and Virginia Woolf were banned. Right-wing politicians blamed immigrants for stealing jobs and causing danger. Sound familiar? It made me double-check the dates.

This book keeps you hooked. It takes you back to a time when women had fewer rights, people were starving, and health was tough. But it also shows strength, compassion, and change.

It’s well-researched with historical accounts, testimonies, and personal letters. It’s clear a lot of work went into it, and the notes at the end show just how deep the research goes. You'll be thinking about it long after you finish.

I received an advance copy thanks to NetGalley. This story is based on WWII when Germany occupied France, it follows the lives of two individuals who are living in Paris during this time. It takes a look at the lives of two women one who fabricated a book with details making a memoir. This follows the courage of helping other escape l, it is a story of hope and hardship. The terrors that people went through these times and in war. This is not an easy read for me due to pacing but it was a good read about things that have been forgotten. I think this would be a great recommendation for historical fiction readers that want a novel with facts and informative content.