A review by ivi_reads_books
Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

A quiet story set against the backdrop of Paris, weaving together two timelines and a touch of mystery.

In Twilight in Paris, Louise, living in the 1950s in Britain, stumbles upon a necklace she last saw during WWII—shortly before her friend’s tragic death. Determined to uncover the truth, her investigation leads her to Helaine, a French Jewish woman whose story begins in the 1930s and unfolds through the war years.

Helaine, a sickly child, was isolated by her parents out of fear for her health, adding an extra layer of heartbreak to her story. As Louise pieces together the mystery behind the necklace, the lives of these two women intertwine across time. 

The dual timeline beautifully connects Louise and Helaine’s lives, blending mystery, resilience, and untold history. I especially appreciated learning about the Levitan store, a real WWII prison camp I’d never heard of before.

There’s also a memorable male side character who walks with a limp from a childhood injury, adding a layer of quiet resilience to the story.

While the ending felt a bit too neatly tied up for me, the journey there was heartfelt and thought-provoking. If you love historical fiction with emotional depth and a touch of mystery, this one’s worth picking up. 

Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for the advance review copy.
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