I found The Paris Architect interesting but slow at the same time. The overall structure worked, I just can't put my finger on what wasn't quite right.

I really enjoyed this historical novel set in World War Two Paris. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through!
Lucien is an unemployed architect and when he is asked to do some design work for the aristocratic Monsieur Manet, he is really excited.. However although he will be well paid, he discovers that the work is to design a hiding place in an appartement. It is clear that Manet is helping Jews evade the Nazis and Lucien is not sure he wants to be involved as he could be killed.
However the money is tempting as well as the opportunity to design factories which is also offered as Manet is co-operating with the Germans ,in order to cover up what he is really doing.
This such a clever story as it shows how one man can make a difference. Lucien does not consider himself brave but as the novel progresses events happen and his clever architecturally designed hiding places make a huge difference to the poor souls who are fleeing the Nazis.
I found the descriptions of the different hiding places fascinating. This book could only have been written by an architect with inside knowledge of how buildings work.
The development of Lucien’s character was also interesting. He is flawed in many ways but he ultimately has a good heart. He is a “Mensch” or a righteous man as those he saved called him in the book.
The only parts I didn’t like were the Gestapo scenes when they were trying to torture information out of those they arrested. Unfortunately they were probably realistic descriptions of what happened in those awful times.
There were several twists in the story which I did not see coming and they served to make the novel even more thought provoking.
I highly recommend this book- definitely a five star read!