Chloe knew very little about the time her grandmother Adele worked for Coco Chanel during WWII.  Adele rarely spoke of it, for her own reasons.  Chloe moved to Paris and hoped to learn more about her grandmother's history. Coco Chanel was many things: creative, sophisticated, an icon, and a woman with secrets.  Adele, Chanel's assistant, lived with her in the opulent Ritz hotel during the German occupation of Paris and what she observed during that time was appalling.  The narrative moves between the war years and the present and is narrated by both women.

Lorna Cook has skillfully created a character who knew the realities of the times, but recognized that in order to survive she had to continue to work for Chanel.  Throughout THE DRESSMAKER'S SECRET, Adele faced difficult choices and found love and the strength to play a part in the resistance while facing great danger. Through it all, she learned a great deal about herself.

Lorna Cook brings to readers an eloquently told story about a part of history that wasn't well-known until recently.  Powerful, thought-provoking, and memorable, this book is well worth reading.  Highly recommended.