The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

Can you trust the people you used to trust?  Can your life be normal?  That question was asked every single day of Lucien's life and every single day of any French citizen living in Paris during the Nazi occupation.

Life definitely was not the same as before.  You had to watch everything you said and did.  Lucien had to make a decision about doing something he knew was very dangerous.  Lucien was an architect and was asked to design hiding places for  Jewish friends of Auguste Manet, a well-known businessman in Paris. 

Lucien feared for his life but couldn't pass up this offer.  Lucien agreed only because he had no money, and because he would be paid a large sum.

You will feel Lucien's fear as he is doing something he loves, but also considering whether it is worth the cost of his life if he gets caught. You will grow to love Lucien as his truly caring side comes out in the uncaring society of this era.

You will become immersed in Paris's new way of life that had to be endured, and you will share the fear of the citizens as they waited for the dreaded knock on the door looking for Jewish residents or for a French citizen who was hiding a Jewish citizen. 

The horrors of occupation will be with you as you read as well as become involved with the authentic characters and marvelous writing style.  The characters were perfectly portrayed from the deviousness and cruelty of the Gestapo to the cowering citizens.  The author has an easy style and draws you right into the story.

THE PARIS ARCHITECT is another WWII tale but with a different twist and one where the tension builds and your fear for Lucien increases as you rapidly turn the pages.

This is an excellent historical fiction book with some graphic scenes that depict the atrocities of WWII, but will hold your interest until the last word because of the characters and their stories. 5/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.