THE PARIS KEY is a story about a journey, family, hidden
secrets and finding one's true self. A story that weaves
between mother and daughter in different time periods,
centered in Paris. In Petaluma, California, life on an
organic farm with Jim and her son, Nicky, is a miserable
existence for Angela Martin. Her husband, Jim, is a good
man, a patient and steady man. Why is she so unhappy and
questioning her marriage? She struggles with depression,
migraines and is unable to breath. When she shares her
feelings with Jim, he is puzzled and tells her, "we're
surrounded by beauty, living the dream. What more could you
want?" She decides to travel to Paris to visit her beloved
brother, Dave. When she returns home, her life is never the
same.
Her daughter Genevieve Martin is living in Oakland,
married, working in a boring job and not particularly
happy. She discovers her husband, Jason, has been
unfaithful to her. The recent news of her favorite Uncle
Dave's passing has hit her hard. At 14, when her mother
died, she was sent to visit her Uncle Dave in Paris. He
taught her the delicate art of locksmithing. She has a
natural talent for it. Now his daughter, Catharine, has
invited her to take over his business there and live in his
apartment. Gen tells Jordan she wants a divorce and a
ticket to Paris. It is time for a new start.
When she arrives in Village Saint-Paul, the oldest
neighborhood in Paris, it is a fairytale setting. Filled
with courtyards and antique shops, no cars allowed, it is
charming. Entering Under Lock and Key, she remembers the
faint smell of oil. Locks and keys are everywhere. She
remembers Uncle Dave and misses him. As she begins to
explore Paris, she meets her neighbors who welcome her
warmly, makes new friends, and her relationship with the
handsome Irish photographer Killian is delicious. As she
begins to unlock doors, she finds many discoveries and many
secrets. In the end she is able to set many of her ghosts
from her past free. Now it is time to plan a Grand Opening
and a party to celebrate the official opening of Under Lock
and Key. Thank you, Uncle Dave, you and Paris have given me
back my life and my hope.
Juliet Blackwell writes skillfully, capturing the sights and
smells of the City of Light. An ardent Francophile, I
imagine climbing the steps to the top of Montmartre with
Gen. I smell the delicious breads from the bakery and long
to taste Pastis. The blending of the French language in the
English narrative appeals to me as I revisit my french
classes. A five star read. Merci.
An American in Paris navigates her family’s secret past
and unlocks her own future, in this emotionally evocative
novel by New York Times bestselling author Juliet
Blackwell.
As a girl, Genevieve Martin spent the happiest summer of her
life in Paris, learning the delicate art of locksmithing at
her uncle’s side. But since then, living back in the States,
she has become more private, more subdued. She has been an
observer of life rather than an active participant, holding
herself back from those around her, including her
soon-to-be-ex-husband.
Paris never really left Genevieve, and, as her marriage
crumbles, she finds herself faced with an incredible
opportunity: return to the magical city of her youth to take
over her late uncle’s shop. But as she absorbs all that
Parisian culture has to offer, she realizes the city also
holds secrets about her family that could change her
forever, and that locked doors can protect you or imprison
you, depending on which side of them you stand.
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