Title: Last Twilight In Paris
Author: Pam Jenoff
Publication: February 4. 2025
Publisher: Park Row
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 336
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SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
London, 1953. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris, and she is certain she has seen the necklace before, when she worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe—and that it holds the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war.
Following the trail of clues to Paris, Louise seeks help from her former boss Ian, with whom she shares a romantic history. The necklace leads them to discover the dark history of Lévitan—a once-glamorous department store that served as a Nazi prison, and Helaine, a woman who was imprisoned there, torn apart from her husband when the Germans invaded France.
Louise races to find the connection between the necklace, the department store and Franny’s death. But nothing is as it seems, and there are forces determined to keep the truth buried forever. Inspired by the true story of Lévitan, Last Twilight in Paris is both a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about sacrifice, resistance and the power of love to transcend in even the darkest hours.
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Pam Jenoff is the queen of World War II Historical Fiction novels. Last Twilight in Paris is just another jewel on her crown of stunning literary artwork shared with us to make you tear up, sob, and hope for the best outcome you can possibly get.
Last Twilight In Paris follows a few individuals as a story is pieced together. All of it is centered on Levitan, a department store in Paris that closed down and then was used to sell pillaged items from Jewish homes that were then sold to Nazis. I enjoy learning about all the ways people found to survive during World War II, especially those in camps. This story was so unique because it was commented multiple times how lucky they were because it could be worse, and I agree. It could have been worse, but still terrible for them. But the idea behind it is still heartbreaking and Jenoff is so good at taking true stories and weaving them into these tales of survival that truly inspire me to learn more about that time. Jenoff’s writing is smooth and she builds the story at just the right pace to keep you yearning for more, but not so fast that the story leaves holes in the timeline.
Jenoff’s characters in this book were inspirational. I felt myself understanding their decisions throughout and hoping for a little more information about them, a small story about their past, just so I could know them better. Only a great author can make you want more and more from a singular character, but to do it for all the characters is remarkable.
If you have never read Pam Jenoff before, you are in for a treat. While the stories are heartbreaking, as most World War II stories are, they are rich with depth and information, ripe with feeling and loss, and leave you feeling more knowledgeable, more fulfilled, and filled with sympathy for those who had to live through this. It’s hard enough reading about it. I cannot say enough good things about Jenoff’s stories, including Last Twilight in Paris, and her writing in general. I will read her books every time without question and you should too.
