Title: The French Kitchen
Author: Kristy Cambron
Major Themes: Split-Time, Spies, Mysteries, World War II, Cooking
Synopsis: Though the war may be history, Kat Fontaine is still certain her brother is alive somewhere, and no matter what it takes—even going up against enemies from her days working as a spy in a Nazi-controlled French kitchen—she is determined to find him.
Years ago, I read Kristy Cambron’s The Illusionist’s Apprentice. I enjoyed the story—it was quite different from just about any other book I’d ever read, but I knew I wanted to read some of her other books if I ever got the chance. Recently, I saw that The French Kitchen was coming out soon, and it sounded like one I’d enjoy. I’m so glad I took the chance—this book ended up being a lot deeper (character- and plot-wise) than I anticipated, and I ended up loving the story!
Publisher’s description:
As Paris rebuilds in the aftermath of World War II, Kat Fontaine never expected the skills she learned in a French chateau kitchen to be the key that unlocks the secrets swirling in her new post-war life.
Paris, 1952—Still haunted by the years she spent serving in the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII, ex-pat Kat Fontaine, now living in Paris, finds a simple cookery class led by indomitable chef Julia Child unearths the tangle of gut-wrenching memories of war. Determined to find her brother who went missing during the war and is presumed dead, Kat questions everything, especially her high-ranking society husband whose past is as murky as her own. But when the puzzle pieces start to come together—and her carefully crafted Paris world begins to fall apart—Kat must confront her own secrets against the mounting suspicions of the husband she thought she knew…
Rue, 1943—Deep in the heart of Nazi-controlled northern France, Manon Altier shifts between working for the enemy by day—as a French chef at the famous Chateau du Broutel, where names like Himmler, Rommel, and Goebbels frequent the guest list—and running with underground networks against the Vichy regime at night. Working undercover to filter critical information to agents within the burgeoning OSS presence in France, Manon digs deep into the glitz and glamour of a Nazi stronghold that has her teetering on the edge of being discovered at any turn. But when an intriguing stranger appears at the chateau claiming to work with the French Resistance, Manon must lean on her instincts to judge whether to run and hide or stand firm—even as a terrifying discovery tests her resolve to continue the fight.
My thoughts:
I’ve read many World War II novels over the years, and while I wouldn’t say that it’s my favorite time in history to read about, I do have a certain fascination with that era. I realized, soon after diving into this book, that I may be overdoing that time period a bit—it was the 7th World War II book I’d read since the beginning of the year, and by the time I got to The French Kitchen, I was feeling ready for a break. Still, I wanted to get through it—meeting a deadline is important, after all!—so I pushed aside my regret over the timing of when I started reading this story, and before too long, I found myself sucked into Kat’s world, and entirely forgot that I was tired of reading about this era.
There are quite a few threads running through this book, which I found fascinating. I haven’t read many fictional stories about undercover intelligence agents in mainland Europe during World War II, so I enjoyed that aspect. Then, too, in both past and present, cooks craft delicious-sounding meals that I’d love to try. There’s a family element to the story, a marriage of convenience (a trope I enjoy!), and a good deal of espionage and political intrigue. I loved the jumps back and forth from past to present. Both parts of the story grabbed my attention, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next!
If you enjoy historical mysteries with a dash of romance and a little danger, I’d highly recommend you check out The French Kitchen. Deeply nuanced, with complex characters and a gripping plot, this is one you can easily get through in a couple of days—and, if you’re like me, you’ll be left wishing there was just a little more (in a good way!). I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am looking forward to checking out some of Cambron’s other books in the future when I get the chance.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
WARNING: Prologue: Man killed, I swear, woman’s life threatened. Chapter 1: Blast, I swear (twice), heavens. Chapter 2: Blasted. Chapter 3: Thank goodness, men admiring women’s legs, for heaven’s sake. Chapter 4: The devils, brief mention of torture, stealing, blasted. Chapter 5: Thank heaven, she swore, this devil. Chapter 6: Would swear, a flashback to bombings. Chapter 7: Man threatened with a blade to his throat. Chapter 10: Veiled mention of prostitutes. Chapter 11: Seeing a plane explode, lying, thank heaven (three times), heaven help her. Chapter 13: For heaven’s sake, blast. Chapter 14: Heaven help them. Chapter 15: Man poisoned, married woman with bruises on her arm. Chapter 16: Thank Providence. Chapter 17: Woman hurt and choked, heaven help her. Chapter 19: Heaven help her. Chapter 20: Man killed. Chapter 21: Heaven help them, watching an execution (somewhat gruesome), a kiss, I swear. Chapter 22: Kisses. Chapter 23: Mention of a woman’s bare back in bed with her husband, brief self-defense, heaven help her. Chapter 25: The devils, heaven help her. Chapter 26: Oh my word, heaven help them, followed that devil, heaven help her. Chapter 27: Woman’s life threatened, heaven help her (twice), animal shot, man attacked with a knife, thank heaven, for heaven’s sake, I swear. Chapter 28: Thank goodness, I swear, man threatened with a gun. Unmarried characters sometimes hold hands, hug, or touch in some other way. Social drinking and smoking are mentioned occasionally.
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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