Summer is a time when I usually read a kit of spy novels. Over the decades, I’ve read almost all of Alan Furst’s novels. Furst has staked out World War II as his preferred setting. A few years ago I reviewed A Mission to Paris. You can read that review here. Much of the action in A Hero of France takes place in and around Paris. And, compared to Furst’s other books, A Hero of France contains a bit more sex. It’s 1941 and Paris is enduring the Nazi Occupation. But, there is a Resistance. A man known as Mathieu builds a network to return downed RAF pilots back to England. But the Nazis infiltrate the Resistance and close in on Mathieu and his team. Like all of Furst’s WWII novels, the setting is carefully rendered. I enjoyed the suspense, but the story is a familiar one with few surprises. A Hero of France is a quick Summer read, nothing more. GRADE: C+
That’s too bad. I’ve been piling up the trade paperbacks of Furst’s books for that rainy day. As you said, he really does the setting and time period extremely well.
Jeff, the early Alan Furst books are very good. The last couple have just been so-so.
Phil grew tired of him too. Too many similarities and too much dependence on the setting.
Patti, I’m with Phil on the similarities of Alan Furst’s last few books. The formula is getting tired.
I have read them all-This is probably his weakest.
Steve, I agree. A HERO OF FRANCE held no surprises or twists.
Haven’t read a spy novel in years.
Rick, I have a stack of spy novels I’m going to work through over the Summer. But A HERO OF FRANCE was a clunker.
I love WWII novels, but with my reading aimed at reviews and cozies, this would have to be on audio. I drive my van most now (hauling bags of books everywhere) and always have a book on tape going. The car right now has the soundtrack for delovely.
Maggie, love the DELOVELY soundtrack! If you’re going to read or listen to Alan Furst’s work, choose one of his early spy novels.