From a small town in England, Maud Heighton, has traveled to
Paris to study painting at Lafond's Academie des Beaux Arts.
The fees are high, their reputation irreproachable. Maud
has quickly discovered: Paris eats money; paints and canvas
eat money; winter is coming and Maud is starving. When a
fellow artist offers to help her find a part time position,
Maud is hopeful that she can continue to work toward her
goal of becoming an accomplished artist. An interview is
set up for her as a live-in companion for an ailing young
lady who wishes to learn English and enjoys art. Her
interview with Christian Morel, a handsome 40ish charmer
proceeds extremely well. The apartment is palatial and the
room that she is shown, hers if she accepts the position
is beautiful beyond her wildest dreams. Christian,
planning to take his sister, Sylvie, with him to America,
feels learning to speak English will help her greatly
there. He wants someone with an interest in art as Sylvie
enjoys art and likes to sketch. When Maud meets his
beautiful sister they bond. When she returns to her room
for a nap, Christian offers Maud the position including
room, board and a generous stipend. He does mention,
however, that Sylvie has an addiction to Opium. He tells
her he supplies her need, and is hoping she can, in time,
break the habit. Christian tells Maud no one will visit the
apartment and Sylvie never goes out at night. Reassured,
Maud accepts the offer and moves into the apartment the next
day.
Christian and Sylvie are not who they pretend to be and it
is not long before Maud is caught up in lies, thefts, and is
almost drowned by Christian. This is a diabolic tale of
treachery, well planned and carried out by two despicable
cheats who have been involved with this type of evil
before. Naive Maud was perfect for their plan of action
and it is a wild ride with twists and turns that will keep
you glued to the pages until the smashing finale.
It is easy for me to understand why Imogene Robertson has
received so much acclaim. She is a gifted writer that
tells a spellbinding story with characters that have you
cheering for them as you detest the dark characters and root
for revenge. It has never been sweeter. THE PARIS WINTER
is a must for historical thriller lovers who thirst for an
exceptional plot and locale. At the end of each chapter is
a description of a painting that adds to this treasure.
Already on my "to be re-read again", I give a 5 star review
and my highest recommendation to all. Merci beaucoup, Ms.
Robertson.
Maud Heighton came to Lafond's famous Academie to
paint, and to flee the constraints of her small English
town. It took all her courage to escape, but Paris, she
quickly realizes, is no place for a light purse. While her
fellow students enjoy the dazzling decadence of the Belle
Epoque, Maud slips into poverty. Quietly starving, and
dreading another cold Paris winter, she stumbles upon an
opportunity when Christian Morel engages her as a live-in
companion to his beautiful young sister, Sylvie.
Maud is overjoyed by her good fortune. With a clean room,
hot meals, and an umbrella to keep her dry, she is able to
hold her head high as she strolls the streets of Montmartre.
No longer hostage to poverty and hunger, Maud can at last
devote herself to her art. But all is not as it seems.
Christian and Sylvie, Maud soon discovers, are not quite the
darlings they pretend to be. Sylvie has a secret addiction
to opium and Christian has an ominous air of intrigue. As
this dark and powerful tale progresses, Maud is drawn
further into the Morels' world of elegant deception. Their
secrets become hers, and soon she is caught in a scheme of
betrayal and revenge that will plunge her into the darkness
that waits beneath this glittering city of light.
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