The French Gift, Kirsty Manning
The French Gift, Kirsty Manning
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The French Gift
A Novel of World War II Paris

Author: Kirsty Manning

Narrator: Deidre Rubenstein

Unabridged: 9 hr 44 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 11/09/2021


Synopsis

From Kirsty Manning, author of The Song of the Jade Lily, comes a gripping World War II set historical novel about murder, secrets, and survival. 

A forgotten manuscript that threatens to unravel the past… Fresne Prison, 1940: A former maid at a luxury villa on the Riviera, Margot Bisset finds herself in a prison cell with writer and French Resistance fighter Joséphine Murant. Together, they are transferred to a work camp in Germany for four years, where the secrets they share will bind them for generations to come. Paris, around about now: Evie Black lives in Paris with her teenage son, Hugo, above her botanical bookshop, La Maison Rustique. Life would be so sweet if only Evie were not mourning the great love of her life. When a letter arrives regarding the legacy of her husband’s great-aunt, Joséphine Murant, Evie clutches at an opportunity to spend one last magical summer with her son. They travel together to Joséphine’s house, now theirs, on the Côte d’Azur. Here, Evie unravels the official story of this famous novelist, and the truth of a murder a lifetime ago. Along the way, she will discover the little-known true story of the women who were enslaved by German forces in WWII. Bringing together the present and the past, The French Gift is a tender and heartbreaking story of female friendship, sacrifice and loss, and the promise of new love. 

About Kirsty Manning

Kirsty Manning is the author of The Song of the Jade Lily, The Lost Jewels, and The French Gift. She grew up in northern New South Wales, Australia. She has degrees in literature and communications and worked as an editor and publishing manager in book publishing for over a decade. A country girl with wanderlust, her travels and studies have taken her through most of Europe, the east, and west coasts of the United States as well as pockets of Asia. Kirsty’s journalism and photography specializing in lifestyle and travel regularly appear in magazines, newspapers, and online. She lives in Australia.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Terrie on July 01, 2023

The French Gift by Kirsty Manning is a Mystery and Historical Fiction Story with a Touch of Romance! In 1940 France, a maid, Margot Bisset and a French Resistance fighter and writer, Joséphine Murant share a prison cell at Fresne Prison. They are transferred to a work camp in Germany where they spend......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader on January 18, 2022

I really enjoyed The Song of the Jade Lily, Kirsty Manning’s US debut novel, which is about Jewish refugees who fled to Shanghai during WWII. The French Gift is her newest book and also centers on WWII. About the book: “A World War II story of female friendship, longing and sacrifice through war and......more

Goodreads review by Janelle on May 15, 2021

This was quite a story! I didn’t think the author was going to pull all the ends together and might even leave one mystery hanging but she did a great job of bringing it all together and the ending is very satisfying. This is both an historical novel and also a murder mystery told through two timelin......more

Goodreads review by Sharon on December 28, 2021

The French Gift is a beautifully written story set in 1940. Australian author Kirsty Manning has done a brilliant job in combining dual timeline, historical fiction and murder mystery. This is one book that needs to be read to appreciate the well-researched history. Compelling, page-turner and engag......more

Goodreads review by Brooke - One Woman's Brief Book Reviews on December 19, 2021

*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com *www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr The French Gift by Kirsty Manning. (2021). Fresnes Prison, 1940: Margot, a former maid from the Riveria is in prison with writer/French Resistance fighter Josephine. They are transferred to a work camp in Germany where the secrets they sha......more